Skin > Bind Skin > Interactive Skin Bind

Joint Hierarchy

Specifies that the selected deformable objects will be bound to the entire skeleton, from the root joint on down through the skeleton’s hierarchy, even if you have selected some joint other than the root joint. Binding the entire joint hierarchy is the usual way to bind a character’s skin.

This is the default.

Selected Joints

Specifies that the selected deformable objects will be bound to only the selected joints, not the entire skeleton.

Object Hierarchy

Specifies that the selected deformable geometry is bound to the entire hierarchy of the selected joint or non-joint transform node, from the top node down through the entire node hierarchy. If there are any joints in the node hierarchy, they are also included in the bind. With this option, you can bind entire pieces of geometry to nodes like groups or locators.

Note

When using the Object Hierarchy option, you can only select joints or objects that cannot be skinned (for example, group nodes or locators—not pieces of geometry) as the initial influences in the bind.

Closest In Hierarchy

Specifies that joint influence is based on the skeleton’s hierarchy. This is the default.

In character setup, this method can prevent inappropriate joint influences. For example, this method can prevent a right thigh joint from influencing nearby skin points on the left thigh.

Closest Distance

Specifies that joint influence is based only on proximity to the skin points. When binding skin, Maya ignores the hierarchy of the skeleton.

In character setup, this method can cause inappropriate joint influences, such as a right thigh joint influencing nearby skin points on the left thigh.

Heat Map

Uses a heat diffusion technique to distribute influence weights. Initial weights are set based on each influence object inside the mesh acting as a heat source, emitting weight values onto the surrounding mesh. Higher (hotter) weight values occur closest to the joint, and dissipate to lower (cooler) values as you move away from the object.

The following image compares the default weights assigned for a character's left arm joint using the three different bind methods.

Include Method

Lets you determine how vertices are included within the initial interactive bind manipulators. Select from the following options:

Closest Volume

Create the initial manipulators based on the mesh volume, so that vertices are included based on their distance from the volume center.

By Minimum Weight

Create the initial manipulators based on a given Minimum Weight value. When you select this option, you can specify a weight threshold value in the Minimum Weight field so that only vertices with weight values higher than that value are included in the manipulator.

Classic Linear

Sets the object to use classic linear skinning. Use this mode if you want basic smooth skin deformation effects, the same as in previous versions of Maya. This mode allows some volume shrinking and collapse deformation effects to occur.

When a mesh is set to linear skinning, it can lose volume in areas where it is influenced by a joint that is twisting on its axis.

Dual Quaternion

Sets the object to use dual quaternion skinning. Use this method if you’re concerned with preserving volume in the mesh as it deforms around joints that twist.

When a mesh is set to use dual quaternion skinning, volume is preserved even as it is influenced by a joint twisting on its axis.

Weight Blended

Sets the object to use a blend of classic linear and dual quaternion skinning, based on a per-vertex weight map that you paint. See Blend smooth skinning methods.