9

Bend Links Rollout 953
This toolset combines the B end 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 deac tivates any of t he others. However,
clicking Zero Twist or Zero All maintain any mode
currently active.
Note: The B end Links rollout is displayed in Mixer
Mode, Motion Flow Mode or Footstep Modes.
Pr ocedur es
To bend a spine natur ally using Bend Link s 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 Lin ks rollout, click B end
Links Mode to activate it.
4. Rotate the spine link. The other l inks in the
chain rotates to match the single link’s rotation,
creating a natural bend a long the s pi ne.
To twist a spine natura lly using Twist Link s Mode:
1. Select any link in the biped’s spine.
2.
On the Bend Lin ks rollout, click B end
Links Mode to activate it.
3. Rotate the spine link until you reach a
pronounced bend.
4. Rotate the spine link in local X. N otice that all
chainlinksrotatesinaweirdwayduetothe
fact that they do not maintain their relationship
with the two other axis. Undo the rotation.
5.
On the Bend Links rollout, click Twist
LinksModetoactivateit.
6. Rotate the spine link in local X. The rotat ion
averages up the spine for all links w hile the
spine maintains its existing profile.
To twist a spine link without affecting the chain using
Twist I ndividual 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 the biped’s spine.
2.
On the Bends Links rollout, click Twist
Individual Mode to act ivate it.
3. Rotate the link 45 deg rees 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