8

808 Chapter 14: Character Studio
This toolset combines the Bend Links Mode,
previously located on the Biped rollout, with other
tools to allow an easier control over a chain link,
such as a biped spine, neck or tail.
Note: Activating one of the Bend Links rollout
modes deactivates any of the others. However,
clicking Zero Twist or Zero All maintain any mode
currently act ive.
Note: The Bend Lin ks rollout is displayed in Mixer
Mode, Motion Flow Mode or Footstep Modes.
Pr ocedur es
To bend a spine natura lly using Bend Links Mode:
1. Select any link in the biped’s spine.
2. Rotate the spine link. Notice that all chain links
rotates the same way.
3.
On the Bend Links rollout, click Bend
Links Mode to activate it.
4. Rotate the spine link. The other links in the
chain rotates to match the single lin k’s rotation,
creating a natural bend along the spine.
To twist a spine natura lly using Twist Links Mode:
1. Select any link in the biped’s spine.
2.
On the Bend Links rollout, click Bend
Links Mode to activate it.
3. Rotate the spine link until you reach a
pronounced bend.
4. Rotate the spine link in local X. Notice that all
chainlinksrotatesinaweirdwayduetothe
fact that they do not maintain their relationship
with the t wo other axis. Undo the rotation.
5.
On the Bend Links rollout, click Twist
LinksModetoactivateit.
6. Rotate the spine link in local X. The rotation
averages up the spine for all links while the
spine maintains its existing profi le.
To twist a spine link without a ffecting the chain using
Twist Individual Mode:
1. Select the bottom link in the biped’s spine, just
above the pelvis.
2.
On the Bend Links rollout, click Bend
LinksModetoactivateit.
3. Rotatethelinksothespine’sshapefollowsa
noticeable curvature.
4.
On the Bends Links rollout, click Twist
Individual Mode to act ivate it.
5. Select a link in the middle of the spine and
rotate it in local X. The rotation only affects the
selected link.
To smooth out a spine using Smooth Twist Mode:
1. Select the bottom link in t he biped’s spine.
2.
On the Bends Links rollout, click Twist
Individual Mode to act ivate it.
3. Rotate the link 45 degrees in local X.
4. Select and rotate the spine’s top link –45
degrees in local X
5.
On the Bends Links rollout, click Twist
Individual Mode to act ivate it.
6. Rotate either the bottom or top spine link.
The chain links rotates to smooth out the
orientation difference between the two link