Set normalization mode and normalize weights

To enable automatic normalization

1. Select the smooth skin object(s) whose weights you want to normalize automatically.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Select Skin > Edit Smooth Skin > Enable Weight Normalization.
   • In the Attribute Editor, select the skinCluster tab and set Normalize Weights to Interactive.

     Both of these methods turn on normalization, and set Normalize Weights mode to Interactive. With this mode, Maya re-normalizes weight values after each stroke, scaling the available weights (those that already have some value and are not locked), so that the vertex weights still add up to 1.0. See Normalize Weights mode for more information.

     Tip When possible, weights are scaled during normalization based on their existing value. In situations where all other unlocked, available weights are zero, the Weight Distribution setting determines how Maya creates new weights. For polygon meshes, you can set Weight Distribution to Neighbors to calculate new weights based on the influences affecting the surrounding vertices, which prevents the vertex from getting weights to every joint in the skeleton.

To normalize weights manually

1. Select the smooth skin objects (or skin points) whose weights you want to normalize.
2. Select Skin > Edit Smooth Skin > Normalize Weights.

To set the weight normalization mode

1. Select the smooth skin object you want to set normalization options for.
2. Select the normalization mode you want using the Normalize Weights drop-down list in one of the following places:
   • In the Paint Skin Weights Tool.
   • In the a skinCluster tab of the Attribute Editor.
   Note

   You can also set the normalization mode in the Smooth Bind Options (Skin > Bind Skin > Smooth Bind > ) as you smooth bind skin.

   For information on the options available, see Normalize Weights mode.

To disable normalization

1. Select the smooth skin object(s) whose weights you no longer want normalized.
2. Do one of the following:
   • From the main menu bar, select Skin > Edit Smooth Skin > Disable Weight Normalization.
   • In the Attribute Editor, select the skinCluster tab and set the Normalize Weights menu to None.
   • In the Paint Skin Weights Tool, set the Normalize Weights drop-down list to None.

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