Circularity error -- I dont understand what this is!

#1

Hi,

Im new to Animation Master and have encountered (after 4 hours of applying Smartskins- :cry: ) a circularity error, actually it seems that every time I touch a bone the message pops up.

Can someone come to the aid of a desperate person and explain this to me and maybe how to fix it?

Also when I imported the model into an action the pelvis bone had twisted my poor characters legs around 180 degrees.

Just like to say too that I’m loving Animation Master even the modeling! I use Maya primarily but Animation Master is so refreshing to use, I cant believed its taken me this long to discover it.

#2

Hi.

A circularity error can occur if you accidentally touch a bone that is a parent, or a grandparent, of the bone with the smartskin on it, within the smartskin relationship. What happens in such cases is this: In an Action file, when you rotate the 'skinned bone, the 'skin must rotate the parent, too … and so how far should the child rotate then!!! :eek: The computer panics, and notifies you that a circularity error has occured.

Four hours is a lot of work. You might want to try opening the 'skin relationship of the bone that’s giving you grief. Analyze the bone drivers folder. Does a bone ABOVE the child have any rotational drivers? Delete suspicious-looking junk.

I don’t know what to say about your character’s twisted legs. Or is it a twisted pelvis? If you can post a screen-grab, that might clarify what’s going on.

Sincerely,

Carl Raillard

#3

Thanks for replying raillard I was hoping that you would reply as you seem to be the resident expert!

Im at work right now will post a pic later. I kind of went at this like a bull in a china shop and got so involved with the smartskin application i didnt think to test it :rolleyes: and waddya know 4 hours had passed.

I was smartskinning every bone, almost, is this a feasable way to work or is this a no-no?

As it is im also learning TSM2 so really should have tested it.
#4

“was smartskinning every bone, almost, is this a feasable way to work or is this a no-no?”

It is generally speaking a good idea to use fan bones as much as you can first off. They give better results - particularly where shoulders are concerned. On top of that, there are weigted cps. I would suggest using these methods as much as you can first of all before using smartskin.

#5

thank you both. I will reskin him (without touching other bones!) and use weighted cps too and have a look into fan bones.

One other thing for users of TSM. As a work practice do you place the tip of the hand bone on the tip of the fingers or near the roots of the finger bones (near the middle of the palm of the hand)?

Cheers. :thumbsup:

#6

Thanks again guys, Ive re-rigged him and used weighted cps aswell as smart skin and tsm rigged it without any errors. I can now get to doing some animation!

Here’s a pic.
Ive still yet to do any facial poses for him, will work on that next.

#7

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