Hello all, Is there a way to prevent pose files from changing the X Y and Z tran of the hip of a figure in order to keep the figure where you want it in a scene? Example, I've been playing with sequence scenes (not animations, more like comic book scenes), and using a pose file makes the figure shoot off to the 0,0,0 coordinates. Can I safely edit a pose file to remove those keys from the hip actor? Jeff

Yep :)

If the data is not in the pose file then it can not affect the scene. Deleting those channels will give you what you want.

Jeff, you can edit a pose file to zero or remove x, y, z tran settings. Or, you can use the Object>Lock Actor from the drop down menu to lock the hip group. However, this will lock all dials in the hip, not just the tran dials.

The pose files I've been using (the various ones by Firebirdz) are the ones I'm talking about. Great poses, but the Trans keys for the hip are at zero, which means they will go to that point in the scene. I change poses a lot in a scene, so this really is a problem. Can you think of any reason to leave those keys in a pose file?

Jeff, the problem arises due to two different schools of thoughts on how to pose figures. Some folks turn IK off and move the figure about in the scene using the x, y, z dials in the hip. When you do this and apply a pose file that has a different x, y, z tran value, you will move the figure placement. Another school of thought says use the Body dials to place the figure, either with IK ON of OFF. For the most part, I tend to agree for most things - there are exceptions. The reason I say I agree for most things is that pose files will save the tran and rot info for the body parts in the pose, but not the BODY dial tran and rot so applying a new pose will not alter this - thus your figure more or less stays put. Anyhow, to answer your question, the only reason I can think of leaving this info is that it may be needed for certain poses. For example, the y tran if the pose has the figure leaping up into the air. The x and z would be less necessary for most things I can think of. It is a pain, but if you use the memorize element (or figure command) on the figure, all you have to do to reset the x, y, z tran when needed is to hold down the alt key and click on the dial(s) for the x, y, z tran on the hip dial selector.

yes. x y and z trans are left in mainly for couple poses where they position nicely with each other. y trans is not necessarily zero as I like to drop the figure to the floor. Sometimes this does not always work for sitting poses so I adjust accordingly. Great pointers too shadownet! I need to make a note of using memorize. Jeff - if you need any modifications of the poses, I'd be happy to help too:-) I still put the hip poses in all poses as they do have their uses. x and z trans usually remain as zero except for couple poses. Firebirdz (Chris)