8

816 Chapter 21: User Interface
Modifiers group
Prev iews how the button set will appear on the
Modify panel. Because the box shows only 16
buttons at a time, a scroll bar on the right lets you
see any remaining buttons.
To change a button, drag the name of a modifier
from the Modifiers list to a button in this group
box, or click the button (its border highlights) and
then double-click the modifier name.
Hierarchy Panel
Hierarchy Panel
Command panels > Hierarchy panel
The Hierarchy panel provides access to tools to
adjust the hierarchical linkage between objects.
By linking one object to another, you create
a parent-child relationship. Transformations
appliedtotheparentarealsotransmittedtothe
child. By linking more objects to both parent and
child objects you can create complex hierarchies.
Gyroscope assembled as a hierarchy.
The parent is the outer ring with handle.
The flywheel is the lowest child.
Common uses of linking are:
• Creating complex motions.
• Simulating jointed structures.
• Providing the basis for inverse kinematics.
• Setting rotational and sliding parameters for
Bones.
The Hierarchy panel is divided into three areas:
Pivot (page 2–470)
IK (page 2–473)
Link Info (page 2–481)
Note: For important background information on
hierarchies and kinematics, see
Animating with
Forward Kinematics (page 2–408)
and Inverse
Kinematics (IK) (page 2–417)
.