2009

Table Of Contents
7 In the side view, use the Move tool to drag the IK handle up and to the
left (see illustration), as if Jackie were stepping up a staircase. The foot
and knee move while the hip stays in place.
8 Set another key for the IK handle.
9 Go to frame 24. Move the IK handle back to its prior position. Set another
key.
10 Play the animation to see the leg step up and down during the first 24
frames.
This completes a simple animation of the leg using an IK handle to control
its position.
To practice additional IK techniques
1 Go the start of the animation.
2 In a perspective view, practice posing the leg in various directions by
moving the IK handle.
No matter how far you drag the handle manipulator, the joints of the
leg will not stretch beyond the straight leg position. This is desirable; you
do not want the size of a skeleton to change as you pose it. However, if
you drag a leg joint, the bone hierarchically above that joint will lengthen.
This is why its important to check that you havent selected a joint with
the IK handle before you move the handle.
316 | Chapter 7 Character Setup