Problems with Translation/Rotation of Character.

[latte_maria]

Ok. Almost done. My character is talking and expressing feelings. But now When he's running or walking and I want to translate him, he rocks forward or backward and does not stay vertical. When I try and rotate him he also leans. Or drag him from one side to another he leans from side to side. Is there a certain order of things to select in order to move the entire character properly? I've tried many different ways. (My character does not have legs just the root and hip bones. He has all the rigging: IK handles on arms, pole vectored objects to the IK handles, IK Spline with cluster, hand controls, root control, etc. )

[delano]

Hi, latte maria! Well, sometimes in my work flow, I will translate the upper body first, then rotate the character in the next pass. And when I do rotate the character, I like to rotate in gimbal mode(NOT gimbal lock!!) if I can help it. What gimbal rotation allows you to do is set a key only on the channel that you've just rotated (when auto key is turned on).

To use gimbal mode, press and hold "E" on your keyboard + LMB click and hold. This opens up your rotate option box. From here you can select gimbal.

I've attached a few pics that may be of some help.

Do you have a link to your animation so I can see your problem?

[latte_maria]

Yes here's a picture of what is currenlty happening. Both the root joint and the joint above that (which is what the Spline handle is attached to) select every bone when I select either one. That could be a problem.

[delano]

Hey, latte maria. I don't seem to see your attached image. Can you try to send it again.

Just click on "Go Advanced">"Manage Attachments", and from there you should be able to upload images. Try to send them as jpegs.

[latte_maria]

Ok. Odd thing. When I grab just the root and not have the cluster or root control (pictured arrow) selected the character translates. I just figured this out. But then the cluster is all out of alignment. Well, I finally got some pictures attached. Jpeg works. This is what the problem is. The one with all selected in green is all grouped to the root control. (The root control was selected last.) The second image with the white selection handle is when I selected the root and then the cluster selection handle.

[delano]

hmm...I think I understand what you're saying. Well, when you group objects, the last selected object (right before you group) will not control the group. You'll need to group the objects that you want to be moved, and then parent that group to the object you want to use to move that group with.

Here's a kit that should be able to help you out:

http://www.digitaltutors.com/store/product.php?productid=1292&cat=0&page=1

I think it will be able to answer your questions.