For whatever reason, 3dx5 wasn't letting me import any file modified in ic6. I got 3dx6 and it's working. Now I'm just tying to get the bones aligned with the prop. 

You get the option to convert to non-standard inside 3dxChange under the shortcut (N) or Character option. 
Once you have the structure aligned inside iClone, you merge the hierarchy to create a one-piece prop with subnodes attached and merged.  The option to send to 3dXchange directly from iClone is only available in iClone6, but you can "Find" the file and drag it directly in directly to 3dxChange from either corresponding version. 

Then you assign the bone profile as you would any other import, test and convert, done.

Send back to iclone as an Avatar.





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" If I had Alzheimer's (Old Timers), would I know it? "

At what point does the "Convert to non-standard" option become available? 

I've been doing the hierarchy according to http://www.reallusion.com/iclone/help/3DXchange5/Pipeline/03_Pipelines/From_iClone.htm

I didn't realize you could do sub-hierarchies in 3dx. I'm trying that now but what a pain in the butt compared to doing it in ic6.

Older Versions of 3dxChange will not accept props from iClone6.  The process in the video tutorial still works in iClone6, but you have to have 3dxChange6 to send the items from iClone6.

 If you have iClone5, you can always build what you need, convert to an Avatar, and then use it inside iClone6.  Once changed inside iClone6, you won't be able to edit it in 3dxChange5 again. 





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" If I had Alzheimer's (Old Timers), would I know it? "

.

To clarify, I don't get the option to turn it into a non-standard character in 3dx5 - greyed out. Then, when I do anything to the prop in ic6, I can't get the prop back into 3dx5 - error every time. I wonder if I need to buy 3dx6 or if there's something I'm totally missing.

I saw that tutorial. I'm using ic6 and 3dx5 - maybe it's this combination but I don't get the button to send something to 3dx5 from ic6, and the option to make my prop a "non standard character" is greyed out in 3dx5. I arranged everything as per the tutorial but then I can't get the model from ic6 to 3dx5 - 3dx5 gives me an error when I try to load the iclone prop that I've arranged in ic6. Any idea what coukd be going on?

I will try your suggestion about attaching the different prop parts to a character. 

Why not view this Tutorial by Reallusion and use any set of props to create a Clone Bone Style Character without the unnecessary underlying boneset that needs to be hidden.




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" If I had Alzheimer's (Old Timers), would I know it? "

The way that CB works is that you attach rigid objects to the various bones of the avatar, and then hide the underlying avatar so that only the attached objects are visible.

Another way to think of those attached objects is "accessories", or even "avatar sub-props". So.... Any time your attaching anything to any bone of an avatar, your really doing the same thing you would do with CB.

Granted, there are a few more bits to hide with a standard avatar. like eyes and mouth.

An example that would bridge the idea of avatar and CB perfectly would be knight in full plate armor. The pieces of armor are all rigid, and the underlying avatar needn't be visible.

EDIT: You could even make a really, really skinny CC, if you want a stick figure. :)