Biped's inverse kinematics solution has three parameters set at each key of the arm and leg keyframe tracks.
As the limb moves through each key:
Biped has three automatic ways to set these parameters. Setting planted, sliding, or free keys creates keys with different combinations of these three parameters.
The IK Blend control is in the Key Info rollout; visible when you expand the IK divider bar. You set IK Blend while in Keyframe mode .
IK group parameters
IK Blend can be set per key for any arm or leg track. The IK Blend setting determines whether, at a particular key, an arm or leg is moving through it using inverse kinematics, forward kinematics, or a blending of the two kinematic solutions.
An IK Blend value of 0.0 means full forward kinematics. The arm (or leg) is moved by interpolating the rotations of the joints at the keys. The hand (or foot) tends to move along sweeping circular arcs in this case, and the motion appears to be motivated by the apparent swinging at the joints.
An IK Blend value of 1.0 means full inverse kinematics with the hand (or foot) being used as an end-effector. A spline path is computed through the keys of the hand, and the hand moves along that spline. Joint angles for the rest of the arm are computed to allow the hand to follow the spline. The motion, in this case, appears to be directed by the hand (or foot).
An IK Blend value between 0.0 and 1.0 means a combination of inverse and forward kinematics; when IK Blend is closer to 0.0, forward kinematics are more heavily weighted in the solution, and when IK Blend is closer to 1.0, inverse kinematics are more heavily weighted.
It is best to use forward kinematics when you want the arms to swing, such as when a biped is walking. In the case of a boxer, however, since the hand should follow a directed path when punching, inverse kinematics should be used.
By default, Biped calculates the kinematics solution using the coordinate system of the biped figure's center-of-mass, or the Body coordinate system. This means that the IK path of the hand (or foot) translates and rotates with your character as it moves. For example, the boxer's hand trajectory always moves relative to the weaving, bobbing, and turning of the boxer's body.
The Object option is used for animating dynamic links between the limbs and other objects in the scene.
The IK Blend control activates when a biped arm or leg (hand and foot) key is current.
This IK constraint is used to specify if a footstep is sliding or planted. If Join To Prev IK Key is on, then the biped foot maintains a reference position to the previous key, keeping the foot planted. If Join To Prev IK Key is off during a footstep, then the foot can be moved to a new position creating a sliding footstep.
Join To Prev IK Key also functions to lock the biped hands in space. Use Set Planted Key on the biped hands to lock their position in space.
Select a single arm or leg track by selecting one or more parts of a biped's arm or leg.
Set a key if one doesn't already exist.