Use a smart bone action in different layers?
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Use a smart bone action in different layers?
Sorry if this has been asked before but I couldn't find the answer in the forum. I wanted to know if there is an easy way copy and re-use a smart bone action for a different layer? What I'm trying to do is use a single leg turn animation I created but would like to use for two different layers and use SEPARATE smart bones to control them. I realize I could just create two separate bones and two separate animations but I really would like to use the same animation for both legs so they look more uniform. I'm able to just duplicate the leg layer and move it so I can use it for the opposite leg but now I want to know if I can re assign it to a different bone so I can turn the legs independently and at different rates. I hope that makes sense. Thanks to anyone in advance for any help you might have!
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Re: Use a smart bone action in different layers?
I think I understand what you are trying to do.
I had a similar situation but slightly different. I wanted to copy one smart bone action into another existing action.
So let's say you have a single smart bone for two legs in one layer (or two layers, doesn't matter).
You want TWO SEPARATE smart bones, one for each leg. But you have both legs turning in ONE smart bone.
So the good news is duplicating layers duplicates the associated actions. If you have one leg with a smart bone, and duplicate that layer, you now have two legs but they are controlled by the same smart bone. You need to "copy" the action from one smart bone to the other. This is very simple.
After duplicating the leg layer, create a NEW smart bone for that leg. So now you have a new smart bone with a matching action, but it doesn't do anything yet.
You load up the new smart bone action, select the duplicated or new leg layer that it will "turn". Right click in the action palette on the ORIGINAL smart bone action and select "Insert copy". Now you have the original point movements of the leg turn but those keys are now copied into a new smart bone action for that vector layer.
You will have to key rotations for the new smart bone by hand. You can't copy the bone rotation keys because it's a different bone entirely. But that should be easy.
The next step would be to make sure and delete keys for each leg turn in the other smart bones. After following the above steps, both smart bones move both legs. This is simple, just load up one SB action, select the layer or points that shouldn't move and delete all the keys. Repeat for the other one.
Hope this makes sense. I know it sounds complicated but it makes sense when you start to do it.
I had a similar situation but slightly different. I wanted to copy one smart bone action into another existing action.
So let's say you have a single smart bone for two legs in one layer (or two layers, doesn't matter).
You want TWO SEPARATE smart bones, one for each leg. But you have both legs turning in ONE smart bone.
So the good news is duplicating layers duplicates the associated actions. If you have one leg with a smart bone, and duplicate that layer, you now have two legs but they are controlled by the same smart bone. You need to "copy" the action from one smart bone to the other. This is very simple.
After duplicating the leg layer, create a NEW smart bone for that leg. So now you have a new smart bone with a matching action, but it doesn't do anything yet.
You load up the new smart bone action, select the duplicated or new leg layer that it will "turn". Right click in the action palette on the ORIGINAL smart bone action and select "Insert copy". Now you have the original point movements of the leg turn but those keys are now copied into a new smart bone action for that vector layer.
You will have to key rotations for the new smart bone by hand. You can't copy the bone rotation keys because it's a different bone entirely. But that should be easy.
The next step would be to make sure and delete keys for each leg turn in the other smart bones. After following the above steps, both smart bones move both legs. This is simple, just load up one SB action, select the layer or points that shouldn't move and delete all the keys. Repeat for the other one.
Hope this makes sense. I know it sounds complicated but it makes sense when you start to do it.
Re: Use a smart bone action in different layers?
That is EXACTLY what I needed! So much time will be saved making leg and arm poses now! No less than life saving as usual Vern! I know I've said this before but I can't believe how great the AS community is! I have NEVER come across a forum as helpful as this one! Always get good, concise help and always, always fast responses! Awesome all day!!!
Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty! Pause, consider, do! I dare you!