Use the following steps if, for example, you have an existing character mesh that needs a skeleton. (See Define an existing skeleton for HumanIK if you have a character with an existing skeleton.)

To create a default skeleton

1. Open the Skeleton Generator (Skeleton > HumanIK > Skeleton Generator) and do either of the following to create a new HIK character definition and skeleton.
   • Click in the Skeleton Generator toolbar.
   • Select Skeleton > Create.

   A default skeleton displays in the scene.

2. (Optional) Click Skeleton > Rename to rename the character.
3. (Optional) Use the various bone and joint settings to adjust the skeleton to fit the structure of your character. See Skeleton setup pane.
   Tip

   If you plan to bind the default skeleton to an existing mesh, load the mesh and use the Character Scale slider to interactively adjust the scale of the default skeleton until it roughly matches the size of your mesh.

4. (Optional) If the default skeleton proportions do not match your character exactly, translate and rotate the bones as necessary until they fit your character.

   For example, if your character has longer or shorter limbs than the default generated skeleton, select the generated skeleton limbs and translate them to fit your character. (Keep in mind that regardless of your character’s proportions, it must be characterized in the T-stance, facing the positive Z-axis, Y-axis up, with the arms aligned with the X-axis.)

5. Click to lock the character definition when finished making adjustments to the skeleton.

   Once locked, you can also select Control Rig > Create to create a Control rig.