how to fix target bones?

Wondering how to accomplish a certain animation task? Ask here.

Moderators: Víctor Paredes, Belgarath, slowtiger

Post Reply
NikeshaPepe
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2025 12:17 pm

how to fix target bones?

Post by NikeshaPepe »

Hi!!
During the creation of the rig of the character, I had a problem with the target bones of the legs. When I lower the character down, the legs start to behave strangely and do not stay in place!
Is this supposed to be like this, and is there a way to fix it?
Attaching a video to better understand my problem.

User avatar
Greenlaw
Posts: 10962
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 9:45 am
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Re: how to fix target bones?

Post by Greenlaw »

To me, it looks like the upper leg bones are 'locked' from IK rotation. There can be many reasons for this, and without seeing the rig, I'm just guessing.

If the 'locking' isn't caused by a Constraint setting (Independent Rotation? Unaffected by IK? etc.,), or the use of Lock Bone, it's probably in one or more Smart Bone Actions. If it's in an SBA, my guess is that you either pressed Freeze Bones or selected all the bones and 'bumped' them unintentionally, which could immobilize the bones on the Mainline.

It could be something else, but the point is, look for anything that could be locking those upper leg bones.

Hope this helps you figure it out.
Last edited by Greenlaw on Sat May 09, 2026 1:19 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Animations, Tutorials, and Cats (Oh, My!) Little Green Dog Channel on YouTube!

D.R. Greenlaw
Artist/Partner - Little Green Dog
Little Green Dog Channel | Greenlaw's Demo Reel Channel
User avatar
Greenlaw
Posts: 10962
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 9:45 am
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Re: how to fix target bones?

Post by Greenlaw »

Another thought: Branching additional bones from the bone chain can also affect IK. This is where Unaffected By IK can help; you'll need to apply this option to any branching bones that should NOT be affected by IK, which will allow IK to function properly on bones that should be affected.

If you figure it out, remember to follow up here with your solution.

Cool character, by the way. :wink:
Animations, Tutorials, and Cats (Oh, My!) Little Green Dog Channel on YouTube!

D.R. Greenlaw
Artist/Partner - Little Green Dog
Little Green Dog Channel | Greenlaw's Demo Reel Channel
NikeshaPepe
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2025 12:17 pm

Re: how to fix target bones?

Post by NikeshaPepe »

omg, thank you so much!! the second method helped me solve the problem!
User avatar
Greenlaw
Posts: 10962
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 9:45 am
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Re: how to fix target bones?

Post by Greenlaw »

Cool! Glad you figured it out! 😸
Animations, Tutorials, and Cats (Oh, My!) Little Green Dog Channel on YouTube!

D.R. Greenlaw
Artist/Partner - Little Green Dog
Little Green Dog Channel | Greenlaw's Demo Reel Channel
User avatar
peter wassink
Posts: 39
Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2014 4:02 am
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Re: how to fix target bones?

Post by peter wassink »

Hi,
glad you got this working.
i'm trying to learn more about riging and am collecting best practices and rigging strategies,
i was wondering about the rig you showed here,
what is the function of the bones halfway the legbones?

see image:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C1Cg5Y ... sp=sharing
Peter Wassink - 2D animator
MOHO Pro V14.3
• Win11/64 Pro - AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12-Core - 64Gb RAM
NikeshaPepe
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2025 12:17 pm

Re: how to fix target bones?

Post by NikeshaPepe »

these extra bones are needed to make the character's limbs more flexible!
Here's an example of what I mean:
User avatar
peter wassink
Posts: 39
Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2014 4:02 am
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Re: how to fix target bones?

Post by peter wassink »

NikeshaPepe wrote: Sun May 10, 2026 9:16 am these extra bones are needed to make the character's limbs more flexible!
Here's an example of what I mean:
Very interesting, thanks for showing it to me!
Did you create it for you to more directly control the leg shape?
i guess another strategy could be an action for this purpose, why did you choose this way?
Peter Wassink - 2D animator
MOHO Pro V14.3
• Win11/64 Pro - AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12-Core - 64Gb RAM
NikeshaPepe
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2025 12:17 pm

Re: how to fix target bones?

Post by NikeshaPepe »

This is an easier way to control the forms for me personally, that's why I chose it! 1!
Post Reply