Linking Characters to Props with the Link To Feature

For this example we'll use The Silver Surfer.

Step 1.)

Place a default character and a default surf board prop into the scene. Go to SCENE – PROPS – TEMPLATE – PROPS folder and choose from two surf boards, either one will do. You can fashion your avatar and prop with metal diffuse and reflection maps if you like, however, any
default character and default surf board prop will do for the purpose of learning the Link To
function.

Step 2.)

Position your prop in scene where you wish the interaction to take place with your character. Go to the MODIFY tab and use the MOVE and ROTATE tools found in the ADJUST portion of the menu to place the surf board under your avatars feet.

Step 3.)

Now apply a motion to your avatar, to do this go to ANIMATION – MOTION – TEMPLATE –
MOTION folder and select the IDLE02 motion. This is so the character will not be static and
have its own animation applied before you attach it to the prop in scene.

Step 4.)

Animate the surf board moving in scene, move to the end of your project before animating so that the key frame you will automatically create will be at the end of your scene. Go to SCENE – PROPS – MODIFY tab and then use the MOVE tools in the ADJUST portion of the menu to move and position the prop. Use the PLAY / PAUSE button to review and notice that the avatar is going to stay in a static position without linking the character to the surf board.

Step 5.)

Select the character and go to AVATAR – CHARACTER – MODIFY and locate the LINK TO
feature. Use the down arrow icon to open the LINK TO selection menu. Choose the SURF
BOARD and then click on the LINK NODE icon to activate the LINK TO SUB-NODE menu, this
is where you will be able to select individual nodes for each asset in scene, the SURF BOARDS set of nodes will be displayed after the prop is selected. Use the PLUS ARROWS to locate and select the BOARD node. Be sure you have ALIGN TO PARENT POSITION checkbox checked
ON and then click on OK to apply. 

Step 6.)

Now use the PLAY / PAUSE button once again to review the linked animation. Notice that the avatar now follows the animated prop while retaining the motion animation applied to the
character. Even if you decide to place additional key frames in the middle of the prop animation the character will follow that path. You have now successfully linked a character to a prop.

How can I link a Character to a Character using iClone 2.0?

Step 1.)

Open iClone and place two custom avatars in scene. You may choose to edit and
customize their appearance to fit the characters personality; in this case we are creating a Ventriloquist and his Puppet. Use the default avatar body styles to fashion your characters if you l ike. To begin, choose an avatar to turn into a puppet, then go to AVATAR – CHARACTER –MODIFY and use the BODY STYLE and ADJUST SIZE menus to develop the proper puppet proportions.

Step 2.)

After sizing your Puppet to the proper proportion you now need to attach him to your
Ventriloquist right hand. Do this by scrolling down in the MODIFY panel and locating
the LINK TO feature. Use the down arrow icon to open the LINK TO selection menu.
Choose CHARACTER01 and then cl ick on the LINK NODE icon to act ivate the LINK TO
SUB-NODE menu, this is where you will be able to select individual nodes for each
asset in scene, CHARACTER01’s set of nodes will be displayed after the avatar is
selected. Use the PLUS ARROWS to locate and select the avatars right hand or
(RHAND). Be sure you have ALIGN TO PARENT POSITION checkbox checked ON and
then click on OK to apply.

Step 3.)

Now that you have the puppet attached to the Ventriloquists’ right hand, you will
need to use the CHARACTER POSITION tools to place the avatars back on the right
hand of the Ventriloquists hand. Also, now with iClone 2.5 you have the ability to
click directly on the asset in the view port you wish to affect and hold the ALT key
plus the ARROW keys to quickly move the object, and hold the CTRL key plus the
ARROW keys to rotate the object.

Step 4.)

Select the Ventriloquist avatar and then go to ANIMATION – MOTION – TEMPLATE
and choose a standing motion. In this case we are using the COMMUNICATION
motion pack PRESENT_M_01 standing motion. Any motion or pose will do, for the
best results use one that has the avatars right arm out to the side in the traditional
position that hand puppets are held.

Step 5.)

Select the Puppet avatar and then go to ANIMATION – MOTION – TEMPLATE and
choose a sitting motion. In this case we are using the COMMUNICATION motion
pack CASUAL TALK_M_04 sitting motion. Any sitting motion or pose will do,
however you may need to reposition your character slightly depend on what motion
you choose.  

Step 6.)

To polish off your scene add a 2D background, to do so go to SCENE – 2D
BACKGROUND – TEMPLATE – GRAPHICS and select the STAGE 02. Now you can use
the PLAY / PAUSE button to review your linked character animation. Notice that the
puppet will retain the sitting motion while attached to the right hand of the
Ventriloquist, the entire puppet character will also move in accordance with the
avatars standing motion via the Link To feature.