When I load a figure like Victoria 3, select one of her shins, set "bend" to 0 and ALT-click on the value it returns to 27 degrees.
This "27" can be found in the cr2-file, it is the parameter initValue of this joint.
Now I am wondering, why is it there? Why is it not just 0? Can I change it with the Joint Editor or do I have to edit the cr2-file?
What is this initValue good for, anyway? Even if it was 0 I could still pose the figure in any way I like.

initValue is the memorized or initial value for that channel, and when you restore (or alt-click the dial), it'll reset to that value.

No, you don't have to use the joint editor or hand-edit the CR2. If you wish, you can set new dial values from Poser's parameter panel and then memorize (via the Edit menu) to retain these changes.

I'm not really sure why it doesn't default to zero. It may have something to do with IK or the Walk Designer.

What's the purpose of initValue? Well, if you like to start your characters from a given pose or with specific morph settings, you can memorize these settings and then do a restore whenever needed to return to your initial state.

Yes. All of the joints start out at 0d in the specified order direction (xyz, zyx, yzx, etc.). You can then apply 'orientation' to the joint for body part alignment. Notice how orientation does not affect rotation! The joints still start at 0d. This is the zero-based part of Poser's JPs. Then, most likely for IK, the pose is relaxed by the figure creator, adding slight bends to legs and arms. This pose is memorized and saved. Thus the initValue represents that 'state' of pose. No need to specify that the 'zero pose' of a figure is, well, zero. Right? ;)

One more thing about initValue ... when you conform something (clothing, hair, etc.), it reverts to its memorized values.

No, you don't have to use the joint editor or hand-edit the CR2. If you wish, you can set new dial values from Poser's parameter panel and then memorize (via the Edit menu) to retain these changes Thank you, this is very interesting. >One more thing about initValue ... when you conform something (clothing, hair, etc.), it reverts to its memorized values I know. This has been bugging me for some time. So, with memorize I can easily fix that. A very helpful hint. Thanks again :-)