How do I apply an Action template?

Applying an action template in Toon Boom Harmony is a great way to save time and reuse animation you've already created. For more information, see What is an Action template?

Rules when applying Action templates

Keep these points in mind when using Action templates:

• You can only use Action templates on the exact Master template version it was created from. If the Master gets significantly updated, the Action template will no longer work.
• Action templates can only be applied to the same part of the rig hierarchy that it was created from. If it was created from the master peg, apply it to the master peg. If it was created from the closed Head peg, apply it to the closed head peg, etc.

If you want to know more about how to create an Action template, see How do I create an Action template?

Step 1: Import your Master template

If you’d like to know more about Master templates, see What is a Master template?

1. In the Library view, locate the Master template that the Action template was created from.
2. Drag and drop the Master template into your scene. This will import the Master template as it was created. 

Step 2: Apply the Action template to the character

1. In the Library view, locate the Action template.
2. Click and drag the template onto the corresponding part of the Master template. 

3. When you see a yellow highlight on the layer, you will know you can drop the template.

4. The animation will be applied. Adjust the timing and positioning as needed. 

Q&A 

Question: 

Why didn’t my Action template allow me to drop it onto the rig?

Answers: 

1. Make sure the rig version you are dropping the Action template onto is the same as the version the Action template was created from.
2. Make sure you are dropping the Action template onto the same part of the hierarchy that it was created from, including whether it was closed or not.

Question: 

Do I have to recreate every Action template if I change the template it was created from?

Answer: 

Not always, it depends on what was changed and what needs to be applied. If your Action template applies information to any of the changed elements, it will need to be recreated. If the information it’s applying is to an unchanged element, it can still be used. For instance, if you add a substitution drawing to the Master, but the Action template only has keyframe animation, then it can still be used.