Editing Actors in Edit Mode

Anima has an advanced Pose Editor that enables you to adjust the rotation of bones for each character and Motion Clip in your project. Using this invaluable feature you can subtly edit the look and correct any small issues in the way characters work with different Motion Clips. For example, due to slight variations in people’s proportions, some clips may cause parts of the model to interpenetrate; by allowing you to edit the rotation of each part of the rig, the pose editor enables you to fine-tune and perfect your animation.

To use the Pose Editor click the Mode switch to change the interface to the editing view.

The original actors cannot be modified directly. First, you need to create a copy of them in your project, which can be easily done with a right-click mouse button and selecting Duplicate in the context menu:

After that, you will see that same model in your project section, ready to be modified.

The editor window is split into two parts, on the left you have the Preview Window. This shows the result of the selected Actor using the chosen Motion Clip, including any pose adjustments. You will use this window to check the effects of edits to a character’s pose, you’ll also be able to preview any color variations you have created.

On the right-hand side, you have the Pose Editor window which shows a clickable yellow circle, called bone markers, for each rotatable joint. Just click and drag on these circles to edit the character’s pose. The axis a joint rotates around is determined by the orientation of the viewport. Sideway rotations are accessible from a front or back view, and front/back rotations are accessed from the side views. Left-click on any part of the Pose Editor window, except the bone markers, and drag the mouse to rotate the view.

Edit a Character’s Pose for all Motion Clips

1. Select an Actor.
2. Select the Rest Pose and Actor Editor options.
3. Adjust the pose using the Pose Editor. Changes made in this mode will be used for all motion clips for with this character.
4. When you are happy with the new pose, Click Save from the Clip Information Panel.
5. Test the new pose with a selection of Motion Clips.

1. Select an Actor.
2. Select a Motion Clip.
3. Adjust the pose using the Pose Editor.
4. Preview the effects of the pose on the motion clip by playing back the animation. Poses can be edited while the animation plays for faster feedback.
5. When you are happy with the new pose, Click Save from the Clip Information Panel.

To enter symmetrical editing mode, click the Symmetry button. Changes will now be applied to both sides of the body.

Click the button again to deactivate it.

1. Click to copy the current pose.
2. Select a new Actor or Motion Clip.
3. Click  to paste the pose stored on the clipboard.

1. To undo a pose back to the state before the last save, click.
2. To reset the pose to it’s default positions, click .

Characters can be cloned so that you can adjust a copy without affecting the original, to do this:

1. Right-click on a character in the Actors Library.
2. Select Duplicate.
3. Your new actor is created in the Project section.

1. To create a new thumbnail, with the actor still selected click on the Rest Pose and Actor editor button in the Motions library.

2. In the Actor Information library, click Snapshot Thumbnail to save a picture from the preview view.
   
   

   If you prefer you can use a saved image using the Import Thumbnail button .

The following is a video excerpt from a Cofee Break Talk session showing how to use the Edit Mode to adjust the hands of seated models to the table height of your 3D scene.