Weight mapping question
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Is there a way to isolate parts of a figure so that maps are changed only on one part?
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You can lock areas with the Geometry Editor, right-click menu
Thank you!
Where do I right click?
Each node (bone) has its own weight map, if used (not all nodes have weight maps if they are not needed). Weight maps can overlap surfaces, and are not restricted to the face group assigned to the node. You can edit the weight map for each node independently, but there is a normalization that takes from the parent when adding to the child (and the inverse, removing from the child adds it back to the parent) so that any polygon's weight is no greater than 1.0 (because of the overlapping). You can turn off normalization in the node weight map tool settings, and normalize after (never tried it myself).
There are several methods to add/subtract, smooth, attenuate, distribute, copy, and display the weights. It can get confusing. Usually, the top level starts with 100%, then some or all is distributed among the child nodes. I'm sure there are much more sophisticated explanations and tutorials out there, but play with it a little to see the effects. (Beware the Display Child Weights selection, it will fool you if you forget what state it is in).
Okay, that took way too long to write...
So, locking the geometry prevents changing the weight maps in those areas, but the normalization is still in effect.
Okay but how do I get the geometry to lock?
Sorry, out of sync. With Geometry Editor, select polygons (or edges, or vertices), either manually or by face group or surface (they will light up with a fine amber grid overlay), then right click in the viewport and select Geometry Lock -> Lock Selected Polygons (the grid will turn dark, almost black, best seen with Smooth Shaded or Wire Shaded mode). Switch to Node Weight Map editor, select the node you want to modify (in the Scene tab, or Parameters Tab drop-down list), and the weight map (either General, or one of the TriAx, whatever is used). Paint away!
Thank you!