Page 1 of 1

How to animate bones independently ?

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 4:26 am
by Ty505
So the issue I'm having is both of my characters legs go up at the same time (https://imgur.com/a/Yhd1irY) I want only one leg up at a time.

How could this be done?

Re: How to animate bones independently ?

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 6:09 pm
by Greenlaw
It depends on your IK chain and which tool you're using to animate with.

If the leg's IK terminates at the root or hip bone, you should be able to animate only that leg using the Manipulate Bone tool.

When you want to animate only a part of that leg while using the Manipulate Bone toolm hold the Alt key while rotating the bone. This temporarily disables IK and rotates only the single bone as if you are using the Transform Bone tool.

Alternatively, you can switch to the Transform Bone tool. This tool doesn't work with IK but you can also edit the position and length of a bone with it.

I do most of my character animation using the Manipulate Bone tool, and switch to FK mode using the Alt key as I need to. When I need to reposition or stretch a bone, I switch to the Transform Bone tool by pressing T. When I'm done, I press B and I'm back in the Manipulate Bone tool. (Or I just use the tools window. It's easier when you undock it and move it closer to what you're animating.)