odf,

Re the DTF problems.

Hypothesis:
DTF works by finding the lowest point in the geometry for the entire figure geometry, then doping the actor below the root actor in the hierarchy until the lowest point in the overall geometry touches the ground (y=0).

The actor below the root actor in Antonia is the hiphandle, this is the part that moves when DTF is used.
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To simplify investigating the DTF problems I deleted the handle for the BODY. I think at least that handle will have to go, but it may be possible to save the others. With the BODY handle gone, I note the following.

If the hip is always moved via the hiphandle, there will usually be no problem. The exception is when the handle becomes the lowest point in the figure, as for example when the handle is zRotated 180° so that she is upside down.

A problem arises if the hip itself is yTranslated so that the feet are above the handle. In that case DTF will terminate when the hiphandle reaches the ground, leaving the rest of Antonia up in the air. A similar situation can come about in reclining poses where the hip has been X or Z translated.

One simple solution is to hide the translate channels in the hip, forcing the user to use the handle for translations. A more complicated fix may be possible by slaving the translations of the handle to the hip, so that when the hip is translated the handle will always stay in the same location relative to the hip. With this fix, moving the handle would move the hip twice, once by virtue of the parenting, and once by virtue of the ERC. So extra ERC would be needed to cancel one of the motions. I have only done this in my mind, and don't know if it is really possible, but I will try it out soon. That covers the problem specific to the hiphandle.

Now on to the problem with the geom swapping. The handles need to have some actual geometry at all times for the DTF thing to work. The alternative geom can be so small that it is not noticeable in Poser. I strongly suspect that your null size geom will do the job, and that the problems you experienced when using it were related to the issues discussed above. If you like you can attach the null size geom to a post, and I will verify that it works.

One very important point with the Handles Gone geometry, I feel it should be in the same position as the normal hiphandle. Otherwise DTF may act differently depending on which handle is swapped in. With the Handles Gone geometry swapped in, all the other handles would assume the same position as the hiphandle. This is an advantage because it means that the hip and breast handles would not be an impediment when using DTF in reclining poses.

With one of the fixes for the hiphandle implemented, and the Handles Gone geometry swapped in, the only residual problem would be in poses where the hiphandle is the lowest point, such as head down poses where Antonia has been inverted by rotating the hiphandle. I for one feel that I could comfortably live with that situation.

So the action required is: Delete the handle for the BODY actor, implement a fix for the hiphandle, check and if necessary change the position of the Handles Gone geometry.

I will investigate the ERC fix for the hiphandle, and report back with my results.