jointCluster

Joint Cluster Attributes

Upper Bound

Specifies percent of the length of parent bone along which the cluster weights decrease. The cluster weights decrease from the Upper Value as they approach the joint according to the Upper Dropoff Type. Default is 10.

Upper Value

Specifies the initial cluster weight value at the Upper Bound location. Default is 0.5.

Upper Dropoff Type

Specifies how the cluster weights along the parent bone decrease as they approach the joint. Select linear (0), sine (1), exponential (2), or none (3). Default is linear.

Lower Bound

Specifies the percent of the length of the joint’s bone along which the cluster weights decrease. The cluster weights decrease from the Lower Value as they approach the joint according to the Lower Dropoff Type. Default is 10.

Lower Value

Specifies the initial cluster weight value at the Lower Bound location. Default is 1.

Lower Dropoff Type

Specifies how the cluster weights along the joint’s bone decrease as they approach the joint. Select linear (0), sine (1), exponential (2), or none (3). Default is linear.

Relative

Specifies that the deformation take place only when the parent of the joint cluster handle is moved, rotated, or scaled.

Resolution

Specifies whether Maya provides the complete deformation, or only an approximation of the deformation. Selections include full and partial. Full specifies the complete deformation. Partial specifies an approximation of the deformation, which can improve Maya’s display performance. With partial, Maya rounds down the cluster weights based on the Resolution. Default is full.

Percent Resolution

Specifies the increment percentage by which the joint cluster deformation resolution is rounded down. Maya uses the increment percentage to round off the skin point cluster weights to the next lowest increment. For example, with a Percent Resolution of 5.00, a skin point’s joint cluster weight of .94 would be rounded down to .90. A joint cluster weight of .46 would be rounded down to .45. Default is 5.00. (Available only if Resolution is set to partial.)

Angle Interpolation

Specifies the interpolation direction. Use this attribute to correct undesirable discontinuities in the deformation effect when you change joint angles or weight percentages even by a small amount. The discontinuities occur when the joint cluster node is using an inappropriate interpolation direction to guide the deformation effect. To change the interpolation direction, you can set Angle Interpolation to closest, positive, or negative. By default, Angle Interpolation is closest, which provides the usual rigid skinning deformation effects. The default setting is fine for most situations, but when you encounter discontinuities you can adjust the deformation effect by selecting a positive or negative interpolation.