Posing >
Pose a model component

The Pose tool rotates, translates, or scales the regions of a model associated with a joint. Any region that displays an associated joint weight color whenever the joint is selected will be affected to some extent based on the saturation of the color in the region associated with the joint. The region of influence for a joint can be modified by using the Joint Weights tool (see Adjust a joint’s region of influence).

1. Using the camera navigation tools, adjust the view of the model so the component you want to pose or deform initially appears planar to the pivot translations you plan to make. The pose transformations use the camera view as a plane of reference.
   NoteYou can use the Pose tool from any camera angle within the 3D View. Keep in mind that by default deformations occur either planar or perpendicular to the view in relation to the joint. You can set the 3D View to an orthographic camera view (Front, side, top, and so on) when posing if you prefer. Joints remain visible regardless of the camera view while any of the pose tools are selected.
2. In the Pose Tools tray, select the Pose tool.
3. Click-drag on the model component keeping in mind that the stylus/mouse button controls the deformation that occurs in relation to the joint as follows:

   To: | Stylus/Mouse | Action/Results
   --- | --- | ---
   Rotate the model components associated with a joint | Left button | Click-drag the stylus/mouse on any region shaded with the weights color using the left button to rotate the model component about a rotational axis that is normal to the current camera view. Click-drag the stylus/mouse on the joint using the left button. Dragging left and right rotates the component about a rotational axis that runs vertically through the joint and is planar to the current camera view. Click-drag the stylus/mouse on the joint while pressing the left button. Dragging in a forward/backward motion rotates the model component about an axis that runs horizontally through the joint and planar to the current camera view.
   Move the model components associated with a joint | Middle button | Click-drag the stylus/mouse on any region shaded with the weights color using the middle button to move the model component in a direction that is planar to the camera view.
   Scale the model components associated with a joint | Middle button | Click-drag the stylus/mouse on the joint using the middle button to scale the model component relative to the joint. The model component is scaled non-uniformly depending on the direction you drag. To scale the model component uniformly, hold down the Shift key.
   To transform model components not within the weighted region selection. | Ctrl | Hold down the Ctrl key before click-dragging with any button to perform any of the above transformation operations on unhighlighted components of the model after the joint is selected.

4. To immediately undo a deformation, select Edit > Undo (Hotkey: Ctrl + Z)

NoteIf a component doesn’t deform as you expect, you can adjust the joints region of influence using the Weights tool, adjust the pivot location, or touch up the model using the sculpt tools as required. When the Weights tool is used immediately after a joint transformation the vertex positions will update their positions based on the weight changes. This makes it easy to assign the correct weights if you don’t get the expected deformation.

Pose multiple objects

You can pose multiple objects at the same time using the Pose tool. To do this, you must ensure the multiple objects are associated with the same joint by painting weight color on them. For example, if you wanted to pose a sphere being held by a hand on the end of an arm, and ensure the sphere model gets transformed along with the arm as part of the pose, you must ensure the sphere has weighting color applied to it similar to the arm so it moves with other components when the arm is posed:

1. Create a joint for the item that will be posed. In the above example, create a joint for the elbow. The lower arm and hand will have full weighting applied to them.
2. With the joint still selected, select the Weights tool and apply weight color to the sphere, ensuring the color covers all vertices on it. This will ensure no stray vertices remain behind when the arm is posed.
3. Select the Pose tool and click the arm joint to pose it.

   The weighting should appear on the arm as well as the sphere you applied weights color.

4. After adjusting the camera to the desired position, click on the joint, or weighted component (in this example, the lower arm, hand, or sphere) to pose the items in unison.

   The sphere moves in combination with the other components as the arm is posed.

Committed vs. uncommitted poses

When you first create a joint and subsequently pose a component the pose remains in a state that is referred to as uncommitted. This means you can continue to adjust the pose, or switch to the weights tool to adjust the weighting, and the model will still update to reflect those changes.

Selecting the Create Joint tool, or any sculpt or paint tool assumes you are finished with the pose tool and this operation commits the pose. That is, further updates using the weights tool will not be updated in real time until the Pose tool and joint are selected again, setting the model in an uncommitted pose state once again.

Related topics

Posing overview

Pose Tools tray

Committed vs. uncommitted poses

Create a joint

Adjust a joint’s region of influence

Adjust a joint’s pivot location

Import models with existing joints

Troubleshoot posing