Local Envelope

The Skin->Local Envelope command in the Actor module allows you to assign a model as a local envelope (skin) to either:

• An articulated chain.
• An object in a hierarchy.

A local envelope is the child of the item to which it is assigned.

Assigning Envelopes to Chains

When you assign any type of envelope to a chain, vertices are never assigned to the chain root.

Initially, vertices are not assigned to the chain effector either, but you can assign them to it manually later, as described in the Skin->Modify Weights command.

Assigning Envelopes to Objects

If the skeleton is made of regular objects, the envelope becomes the child of the skeleton root. In this case, no envelope vertices are assigned to the skeleton root.

For an overview of all skeleton and envelope types, their use and structure, see the Skeletons and Skin for Skeletons sections in the Modelling User's Guide.

Procedure

1. Position the chain or deforming object(s) within the object that you want to use as the envelope.
   
   Note:
   
   Positioning of the skeleton in its skin influences the result.
   
   
2. Select the chain root or object to be enveloped.
3. Choose the Skin->Local Envelope command.
4. Pick the object you want to assign as the envelope.
5. The Envelopes Initial Assignment dialogue box is displayed, as described for Assignment Method.
6. Select the weighting assignment and the assignment depth according to how you want the envelope to be assigned.
7. Click Ok to apply the settings or Cancel to exit the dialogue box. The envelope is assigned to the skeleton.

Last updated 02-apr-1998