Expedited Notes: Constraints vs Parenting

PARENTING VS. CONSTRAINTS WITH LOCATORS

(getting objects to follow the actions of other objects)

• Simple Parenting: Click child object, shift select parent object.
• Either press “P” or 
• middle mouse drag one object into the other in your Outliner Window.
• Constraints Summary:
• 1. Create 3 Locators (create —> Locator)
• Place them in close proximity, either by duplicating or moving into place.
• Names:
• Object Locator (cup, sword, etc.)
• Hand Locator
• Surface locator (table, floor, etc.)
• 2. Constrain the Object locator to the object.
• Select the Object locator, then the object you want your character to hold.
• Animation Menu —> Constrain —> Parent ()
• Make sure translate and scale is checked.
• Weight 1.
• 3. Parent the hand locator to the wrist joint control. 
• click locator first, then click the joint. Hit p.
• 4. Check the locator: There should be a parent constraint node in your box. Remember these settings:
• Locator W(weight) setting: 0 = off. 1 = on.
• 5. Constrain the object locator to the hand locator.
• Object is clicked first so it becomes the parent.
• 6. (optional but recommended if your character lets go of the object:) Constrain the surface locator to the object locator as well.
• 7.  Animate in channel box! Note, will not show up in timeline as red ticks unless right clicking and selecting “Display key ticks —> Channel Box!”
• on frame before grab: key Hand Locator and surface locator at 0.
• Frame of grab: Key Hand Locator at 1.
• Frame of release: Key hand Locator at 0 and Surface locator at 1.
• Go back and animate the translate and rotation of your surface locator so it drops into place.