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Adjust a joint's region of influence

Sometimes a joint’s default region of influence, also referred to as the joint weight, does not produce the desired results as you pose the model components. You can improve the deformation results by modifying the joint weight (region of influence) using the Weights tool.

The Weights tool works exactly like the other paint and masking tools by letting you stroke on the surface of the model to add or subtract weighting color in areas of the model you want affected by the selected joint.

Adding or subtracting weight color to vertices on a model increases or decreases the amount of influence the active joint has on those vertices when it is posed.

- Remove weight color on vertices affected by the joint when an associated component deforms unexpectedly.
- Add weight color to vertices when components don’t deform as fully as expected.

TipUse the Weights tool immediately after transforming a joint to have the vertex positions update as you paint. This makes it easy to assign the correct weights and achieve the expected deformation.

Just like other paint tools, you can adjust Weights tool properties like Size, Strength, and Mirror. You can also customize the weight paint color in the color preferences (Windows > Preferences > Color) by adjusting the Joint Weight color.

TipIf you scale the brush size for the Weights tool larger than the model component, it wraps around the model when painting, which can reduce the amount of camera rotation required.

To adjust joint weights

1. Select a joint so the weighted region you want to adjust displays on the model.

   Weight color displays for a joint when it is created and when it is selected.

   NoteSelect joints in the Object List by expanding the joint hierarchy under the model’s Skeleton node.
2. In the Pose Tools tray, select the Weights tool.

3. In the 3D View, stroke across the model on the vertices where you want the joint to have more influence when the model is deformed.
   NoteYou cannot adjust paint weights on vertices that are already affected by more than four joints. For more information, see Import models with existing joints.

If the model is in mid-pose (uncommitted), painting or smoothing weight color automatically updates the vertex positions to reflect the adjusted weight value, provided you have not exited the Pose tools to use a Sculpt or Paint tool. (See Committed and uncommitted poses.) Otherwise, the vertices update to reflect the new weight values the next time the you pose the joint.

To remove weight color

1. With the Weights tool selected, press Ctrl as you stroke.

   If you want the Weights tool to remove paint by default, turn on the Invert option in the Weights tool properties.

Use the camera navigation keys to dolly and tumble the model as you paint weights. If you unintentionally add weight to an area you do not want affected by a joint, it will become obvious when you pose the model and those vertices move.

Keep in mind that adjusting the weights is one method for improving the final results when posing and deforming your models. Consider using the Sculpt tools for quickly adjusting unwanted folds and bulges that can occur.

Related topics

Posing overview

Pose Tools tray

Create joints

Pose a model component

Adjust a joint's pivot location

Import models with existing joints

Troubleshoot posing