I trying to combine 2 motion clips from Mixamo (boxing clips).  Even though the 2 clips have the same starting/ending stance, when I add the 2nd clip the characters body rotates ~20 degrees as it transitions from the first clip to the second.  The strange thing is the pivot doesn't rotate (the Rotate entry box and gizmo both show no change between clips) -- only the body rotates.

End of First Clip


Beginning of 2nd Clip


When I load them in 3DX they align perfectly -- I'm not sure where this rotation 'offset' is coming from.  I've tried multiple variations of Reset Pivot, Reset (Zero Out), Align Actor Motion, Align to Character Orientation, Reset Motion Root, etc. with no success.  This is probably a real basic thing but I would appreciate any help I can get - thanks!


Reallusion Certified Director / Reallusion Best Visual Award / Reallusion Certified Content Developer
See all the G-Tools Plug-Ins available for iClone here: G-Tools Plug-Ins

If you are using 7.1, you can enable "Align Orientation" from the Animation menu. That will set the alignment of a character's pelvis with the pelvis position in the last clip. It effects how clips are added, so enable it and then add your clips.

If you are using an earlier version, you will not have that feature. In that case, watch this tutorial from 3DTest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zehNwubvaXg

The quick version is apply your first clip, then your second. Delete your second clip without moving the character, and apply the clip again. What you're doing is creating a "pre-rotate" of sorts.

I am using 7.1.  I tried both suggestions with no success.  For the previous pictures (and pictures below), these Animation settings were all enabled (I also tried all combinations of off/on for these with similar results):
+ Align Actor Motion
+ Reset Motion Root
+ Align to Character Orientation
+ Bake Constraint Key

At first I thought it might be a problem with the import of Mixamo clips, but I can reproduce it with Reallusion motion as well.  Here is how the problem shows up for me:
1) Add a character (Zane)
2) Add a motion at first Frame (iClone7 Motion / Male / Hold_Gun_Fast_Run_Forward_Loop)

3) Move playhead to Frame 40 and add the same motion - you will see that Zane has rotated to the right - if you go to the end of the clip you will see him veer away from original path direction.


4) Drag the 2nd clip to Frame 52 so you can see the entire "blend" portion.  Move the playhead back and forth across the blend and you will see no animation of the character, but he swivels to his right during the blend.  If you minimize the blend you will see an abrupt angle change.  If you import the same clip again (at the end of the 2nd clip) you will see another rotation.

Some motions work as expected (G6 Motion Mason / Move / Walk Relaxed Loop.  Others show the problem (iClone7 Motion / Male / Hold_Gun_Fast_Run_Forward_Loop).  The strange thing is the rotation occurs in the blending part of the clip -- if I COPY the clip on the timeline (drag to extend) the rotation doesn't occur because there is no blend created

Reallusion Certified Director / Reallusion Best Visual Award / Reallusion Certified Content Developer
See all the G-Tools Plug-Ins available for iClone here: G-Tools Plug-Ins

In the case of seamless motions that are meant to loop, you actually do not want the rotation tracking. But you do need the others. What your seeing is the same clip being aligned to his rotated pelvis. Note that where you added the clip again, his pelvis was facing to the right.

So the rule is "don't use rotation alignment on seamless clips, but do use it else-wise".

You're seeing the change during the blend because it is changing from the unchanged to the changed. 

PS: If you select one of the gizmos (translate or rotate) they will be visible when you scrub the timeline. It'll help you see exactly what is going on. You will also want to set the gizmo to local to see the rotation. There is a tiny drop-down on the gizmo icon for setting it.

Thanks, Rampa - you are absolutely right as usual!  Disabled 'Align to Actor Orientation' and re-imported the clips and voila!  Rotation gone.

Also, that is a very good rule to remember...

Reallusion Certified Director / Reallusion Best Visual Award / Reallusion Certified Content Developer
See all the G-Tools Plug-Ins available for iClone here: G-Tools Plug-Ins

Thank you Rampa!
I now understand the align actor function better!

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