[Figure 3-38] Symmetrical arms

Use Symmetry
1.       Open Poser with the default mannequin visible.

2.       Enable the Figure, Use Limits option.

3.       Select the Twist tool and twist the left forearm and upper arm. Then use the Rotate tool to rotate the forearm towards the head.

4.       Select Figure, Symmetry, Left to Right. A dialog box appears asking if you want to copy the joint zone’s setup. Click Yes to accept this option.

The pose for the left arm is then copied to the right arm, as shown in Figure 3-38.

5.   Select File, Save As and save the file as Touchdown sign.pz3.

Use Inverse Kinematics

1.    Select File, Open and open the Two positioned figures.pz3 file.

2.    Select the figure on the right and drag the left foot away from the body.

[Figure 3-39] Inverse Kinematics poses

Since this figure has Inverse Kinematics enabled for the left leg, the rest of the leg follows the foot as the foot is moved.

3.    Select the figure on the left and disable the Figure, Use Inverse Kinematics, Left Leg option. Then drag the left foot element away from the figure’s body.

The figure with IK disabled moves the foot independent of the rest of the leg before finally pulling the leg with it. Figure 3-39 shows the differences between these two moves.

4.    Select File, Save As and save the file as Using Inverse Kinematics.pz3.

Use the Chain Break Tool

1.    Open Poser with the default figure visible.

2.    Select Window, Editing Tools to make the Editing Tools buttons visible, if necessary.

3.    Select and pull the right upper arm element away from the center of the figure.

Notice how the torso moves with the arm element.

4.    Select the Chain Break tool  from the Editing tools (or press the L key) and click the left collar element.

[Figure 3-40] Chain break applied to right collar

A chain break icon is placed in the center of the element, as shown in Figure 3-40.

5.    Select the Translate/Pull tool from the Editing tools (or press the T key) and drag the left upper arm.

With the chain break icon placed on the left collar element, the torso remains fixed as you move the left upper arm.

6.    Select File, Save As and save the file as Chain break figure.pz3.

WORK WITH HIERARCHIES
A hierarchy is a list of elements ordered in such a way that the parent-child relationships between the elements are evident. These relationships are established by linking (or parenting) child objects to parent objects. When the parent object is moved, the child object follows along, thus helping to maintain the hierarchy. To see a complete hierarchy of the selected figure, you can open the Hierarchy Editor.