Modify the Character Extension animation

In the following procedure, you create an animation layer and modify the animation of the Servo arm Character Extension.

1. Play the entire take (Ctrl-Spacebar) to view all the motion, paying special attention to the Servo arm.

   Right now, the Servo arm bounces along in front of Mia, pointing towards the red wire-frame effector. Although this effector is parented to Mia’s shoulder, the effector moves enough to cause the Servo arm to jump around while Mia runs.

2. Press Ctrl-Home to go back to the beginning of the take, then play it again to frame 40.
   

   Mia at frame 40

3. In the Key Controls, select AnimLayer1 from the Layer menu (A).
   

   Key Controls A. AnimLayer1 selected

   This lets you set keyframes on an animation layer while preserving the original animation on the BaseAnimation layer.

4. Select the Mia:ServoControl effector (A) then click Zero in the Key Controls to set a Zero keyframe (B) at frame 40.
   

   Frame 40 A. Mia:ServoControl effector B. Zero keyframe button

5. With the Mia:ServoControl effector still selected, go to frame 120 and set a Zero keyframe.
   

   Frame 120 A. Mia:ServoControl is selected B. Zero keyframe button

6. Go to frame 64.

   At this frame, you are going to start modifying the animation so that Mia raises her Servo arm.

   

   Frame 64

7. Do the following:
   • Click in the Viewer window and press T to activate Translation mode.
   • At the bottom of the Viewer window, set the Translation XYZ values to 200, -30, 10 (A).
   • Set a keyframe (B).
     

     Frame 64 A. Translation XYZ values set B. Key button

8. Go to frame 96 and do the following:
   • Set the Mia:ServoControl effector Translation XYZ values to 45, 16, 14 (A).
   • Set a keyframe (B).
     

     Frame 96 A. Translation XYZ Values set B. Key button

9. Go to frame 104 and do the following:
   • Set the Translation XYZ values to 35, -25, 68 (A).
   • Set a keyframe (B).
     

     Frame 104 A. Translation XYZ Values set B. Key button

10. Play the animation.

    Now, Mia’s Servo arm raises up as she slows and turns.