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Help Centre
This article explains how to save a rig's animation as a template for reuse. If you would like to know how to apply an Action template to a rig, see How do I apply an Action template?
If you want to know about what an Action template is, see What is an Action template?
Step 1: Isolate the section of the rig that contains the animation you want to save
- In the Timeline view, collapse the timeline layers by pressing 0 on the keyboard. This will collapse all layers and sublayers and will prevent issues when creating the template.
- Locate the topmost peg that contains all the animation that you want to save as an Action Template:
- If the animation includes the full body, it will likely be the rig’s master peg.
- If the animation exists on only part of the body, this would be the topmost peg that contains the animation information, like a Head master peg, or an Arm master peg. You will need to open up the timeline to this section.
| NOTE: If you are creating a template from a part of the character, like the head or limbs, make sure that particular section is still fully collapsed before creating the template so that all elements of the part are included. |
Step 2: Create the Action Template
- In the Library view, locate or create the folder that you want to save the Action Template to.
- If the folder is locked, right click on it and choose Right to Modify.
- In the Timeline view, on the closed top peg of the part/rig, select the frames you want to save by holding Shift and clicking the first and last frames that include the animation sequence.
- Click and drag the frame selection from the Timeline view and drop it into the right hand pane of the Library view.
- The Rename window will open.
- Give the Action Template an appropriate name. E.g: “bob_head_turn.tpl”.
- The Action Template is now saved in the library.
| TIP: It is good practice to lock the library folder again after creating templates as this can prevent unwanted modifications of saved elements. To do this, right click the folder again and select Right to Modify. |
| NOTE: Action templates can also be created with just a single layer of peg keyframes or drawing substitutions, and do not always have to contain multiple elements. This is determined by your animation needs. |
Q&A
Question:
I dragged the frames to the Library view, but nothing happened?
Answers:
Make sure the library folder is unlocked by right clicking it and selecting Right to Modify.
Question:
Why can’t I see the templates I’ve created in the Library view?
Answer:
Sometimes the Library view needs to be refreshed before you can see all available templates. Do this by pressing F5 or right clicking in one of the Library view panes and selecting Refresh.