Re-using layers in other projects. How do I clear them?

[WhiteRider]

Sorry folks but I've another question.

Lets suppose I have a project with the usual arms and legs and such, and I wasnt clever enough to save a file version without bones.

Now lets say I want to import the arm from that project into something new.
I go to the old project, pull the arm out of the bone layer and save it with a new name.

I can then open the new project, use File, Import, Anime Studio Object, select the file and find the arm in the list. Click Ok and its a done deal...

Except that the arm seems to retain its original bone information. I.E< when I create a new skeleton, the arm points are not automatically bound to the new bone(s) and worse yet, bones in other parts (like a leg) seem to be bound to stray points in the imported arm.

I've gone through and unbound the points as described in the manual, as well as the layer, just in case.

That gets me a skeleton that doesnt affect the imported arm, but I dont seem to find a way to associate the arm to the skeleton and retain the flexible region functionality. I can bind points, but that creates the inner elbow folding you'd expect to see...

So I am guessing I should have done something way early on (aside from saving a version before the bones are applied. lol) to clear the binding information in the old project.

Question is, what?

Or failing that, how do you re-invoke the automatic binding short of redrawing the arm from scratch?

Thanks...

[synthsin75]

First, I don't see any reason not to go ahead and import the skeleton for the arm as well. I'd never tear apart an older project just for that. If nothing else I'd just have to delete bones and layers I won't be using in the current project.

But you can easily reestablish regional binding. Just select all of the points on your arm layer, and select 'flexi-bind points' from the bone menu.

[WhiteRider]

First, I don't see any reason not to go ahead and import the skeleton for the arm as well. I'd never tear apart an older project just for that. If nothing else I'd just have to delete bones and layers I won't be using in the current project.

Well, in this particular case I am shifting the figure from one style of rigging to another, primarily because I am curious and because someone (Vern I think) suggested that separate arm parts in individual layers and binding those layers to the rig wasnt such a good approach. Or so I interpreted his comment.

The point is a bit moot anyway because I surely dont like the result of flexible binding which I was able to test because of your reply.

Thank you!

But you can easily reestablish regional binding. Just select all of the points on your arm layer, and select 'flexi-bind points' from the bone menu.

Aargh. This is what happens when you stick to the manual too closely.
I kept reading the tutorials over and over looking for a solution and because I was scanning, or just plain foolish I missed any reference to the bone menu. D'oh!

Nor did I think to just click around as I normally would after seeing all the RTFM comments (most deservedly so, of course)

Oh the intimidation of being new in a forum is almost too much to bear! Laugh

Thanks again mate...

[synthsin75]

Hey, at least you have tried to go through the tutorials, and actually ask some fairly well thought out questions. You wouldn't believe how many people start asking questions here without even looking at the tutorials.

You're a more than welcome new addition to this forum. Believe me, before you know it you may be fielding these questions yourself.

[WhiteRider]

Hey, at least you have tried to go through the tutorials, and actually ask some fairly well thought out questions. You wouldn't believe how many people start asking questions here without even looking at the tutorials.

Oh yes, I would. I used to do phone based tech support. 'Nuff said.

You're a more than welcome new addition to this forum. Believe me, before you know it you may be fielding these questions yourself.

Aww, you're making me blush, mate.

Kind of you to say though, and I appreciate it.

And yes, I will answer when I can, but only after I am sure of what I say.

Safest that way, for all of us. heh

Cheers!

[heyvern]

The problem is bone binding set in the imported layer. You release those points because the "wrong bone" in the "new" skeleton is effecting the imported layer. When you release the points NOTHING is effecting the points.

What you need to do next is to select all the points and choose "Flexi-bind" points under the bone menu.

What happens is that AS uses an internal numbering system for assigning bones. So if you bind points to a bone called "My freaky weird arm bone" inside the file AS is just saying "bind these points to bone 12". It could care less about the stupid name.

p.s.
I seem to be implying that AS has some kind of personality and acts arrogant and aloof. I assure you that it doesn't... it just seems that way sometimes. Like this morning when I launched Anime Studio for the first time it seemed distant and unresponsive. I tried to talk to it but it just wasn't in the mood to discuss its problems so I let it sulk quietly and hoped it would eventually open up to me and let me know what was bothering it.


It is very clear I spend WAY too much time with my computer. But it whines and scratches at the door when I leave the house.



-vern

[WhiteRider]

The problem is bone binding set in the imported layer. You release those points because the "wrong bone" in the "new" skeleton is effecting the imported layer. When you release the points NOTHING is effecting the points.

Yes. I actually opened a number of test files to compare the contents. I rather wish I had noticed the bone menu sooner though. In it is the Release mechanism I was looking for in the tools menu. heh.

What you need to do next is to select all the points and choose "Flexi-bind" points under the bone menu.

Erm... Yeah. That elusive, right in my face bone menu.

What happens is that AS uses an internal numbering system for assigning bones. So if you bind points to a bone called "My freaky weird arm bone" inside the file AS is just saying "bind these points to bone 12". It could care less about the stupid name.

So I discovered. Yet the name was never an issue. It was the previously stored bone references in the points/layer that stalled me.

And for what its worth, it really is a rather clever format the developers came up with to save these files. Storing index pointers and data in something human readable is sweet.

p.s.
I seem to be implying that AS has some kind of personality and acts arrogant and aloof. I assure you that it doesn't... it just seems that way sometimes. Like this morning when I launched Anime Studio for the first time it seemed distant and unresponsive. I tried to talk to it but it just wasn't in the mood to discuss its problems so I let it sulk quietly and hoped it would eventually open up to me and let me know what was bothering it.

Ditto. When AS or anything else goes all sulky, and assuming I've done everything to make it happy, like rebooting, then it gets pushed off to the stray monitor and behind another window where it can sulk in peace.

I also know full well that I am obligated to leave AS up front whilst I stumble around looking for menus and what not. Gives the silly thing a sense of empowerment to laugh at me once in a while, I think.

It is very clear I spend WAY too much time with my computer. But it whines and scratches at the door when I leave the house.




-vern

Ah, but at least you go out of the house once in a while. So far I am doing about 18 hours a day working on several proof of concept projects and only about a month to deadline. I think my machines scratch and whine just to get away.

Cheers Vern.
Thanks for taking the time...