Hi all: I am doing some anatomical animations and just got the Skeleton AV from DAZ. I want to place the figure on top of the bones and then make some parts of the figure transparent. I have the following questions: 1. From initial tests, I think that mike2 fits the Skeleton AV better then the other DAZ figures. Do you agree? 2. If I want the bones and figure to move together, what should I do? a) parent every anatomical parts from the figure to the corresponding part in the skeleton? b) group the figures c) conform the figure to the bones. 3. Do you know of any anatomical animation using this approach? Alberto Odor, MD Mexico City

I've done some anatomical animation, for speech and hearing science, both muscles and internal organs. If you're thinking about the skeletal muscles: The Poser parenting system works well for skeletal muscles. Parent the "static" end of the muscle to its point of origin. Set the joint to the maximum contraction, and adjust the scale and angle of the muscle so that its "mobile" end fits properly to its attachment. Move forward several frames, turn the joint to its maximum extension, and readjust the muscle. The in-between frames will then take care of themselves. For "involuntary" muscles like the diaphragm, the parenting doesn't work so well, and every stage of the motion needs to be adjusted separately.

Did you use TJS Muscles (from DAZ) for this approach?

No, I made my own muscles using Amapi.

You don't have those images in your artist's page. Can I see them somewhere else?

I'd rather do it by email; the animations are copyrighted to a textbook publisher. See the IM I just sent....

Select the male figure and "Conform to..." the skeleton. Select the male figure and "Lock Actor" Now you can select the skeleton and move it but if you accidentally select the figure, you can not move it because it is "locked." ;=]

BTW - Make sure to turn IK OFF for both figures. ;=]

Very cool! Once you have the actor selected that you want to move hold down the shift key while clicking and dragging in the scene. By doing this the selected actor stays SELECTED. It used to frustrate me to no end before I figured out this hot key. Cheers, Joe

Dr geep why do you need to turn ik off for both figures?

Try this ... Turn IK ON and look at the Hierarchy Editor to see where the Feet and Hands are parented. Now, turn IK OFF and see where they are. When IK is ON ... The Foot (or Feet and Hand(s)) are parented to the Body and not another Body Part. Therefore ... they MAY not move properly because it (they) are no longer "in the chain." Ok? cheers, dr geep ;=]

Thank you, dr geep

My pleasure. ;=]