Weird bones problem...

Sandyweber · Post by **Sandyweber** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 6:42 am

Hi~

I am having a strange problem with bones and switch layers I'm hoping someone can help with. I'll see if I can explain...

I have a long-necked bird character (the neck is made up of a chain of many small bones - 10 including the head bone). One of the bird's legs needs to face two different directions (for a forward walk and standing with his feet separated - if that makes sense), so I put the two leg positions within a switch layer with the bones for those legs also in that switch layer. I have assembled the character building the parts separately and offsetting the bones to put it back together. So far so good...

Here's the problem... When I move the bird's wings, works great. Move the tail, perfect! However, when I move the neck and/or head, the leg also moves! It seems to pivot around some imaginary point, not around it's own bones' pivot point. Weird, huh??

Any ideas?? I have tried releasing the switch layer and releasing the points through the Bones menu. That stopped the leg(s) from being affected by the neck, but it also then doesn't move with the rest of the character when I want to, say, move it across the screen during a walk. Why would it only be affected by certain bones and not others in the skeleton? (It's not even affected by ALL the neck/head bones - just the 4 or 5 at the bottom).

Sorry for the rambling message, but I figured I'd give as much detail as I could. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

Sandy

Genete · Post by **Genete** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:24 am

To understand the problem properly the sample file is needed.
-G

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:03 am

Hmm...I know what you mean, its happened to me before.

When you say you put the bones and 2 leg positions in s a switch layer, how does that work? Because then only the bones, or the one position, or the other position, would be shown. Note that you can't get bones to bend a switch layer. So let's say you have 2 leg positions in a switch layer, and you put that switch inside a bone layer. The bones aren't going to bend the switch layer and you'll get that weird rotation thing where probably the last bone you added will move the legs around a strange pivot point.

It'll be a lot easier if you posted the file. If you can upload it somewhere that'll help.

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:06 am

Ok, I've read your problem through slowly, and I think its a simple solution.
Go to frame 0.

For the leg in the switch layer, there's a BIND LAYER TO BONE tool. Select your switch layer, then click on the icon on the left BIND LAYER TO BONE, then select the bone you want to bind the leg to...maybe the bottom neck bone or something. I think that'll work.

Sandyweber · Post by **Sandyweber** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:10 pm

Mikdog, you are a GENIUS!
That solved the problem. Thank you so much!! Such a simple solution, but being a novice, I completely forgot about that tool.
Many thanks again, and to all who responded!
Best,
Sandy

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:19 pm

Glad it worked

Peace