# Ep.9 — Ani Utils · Animation Assist Tools

https://youtu.be/RijqeciqCIA?si=5K39zeb9DrrSJh-9

## Overview

The **Ani Utils** tab is a collection of assist tools used **when animating**.  
It is often kept **side by side** with the Picker.

## Prerequisites

- Build complete, **Figure Mode OFF**
- **Rigging Info generation** checked during Build (Ep.1)

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## Feature Breakdown

### Local / World — Which Space to Move In

| Mode | Meaning |
|------|---------|
| **Local** | Rotate/move relative to the **parent (shoulder, wrist, etc.)** |
| **World** | Relative to the **entire scene (world)** |

- To bend an arm **relative to the torso**, use Local; to rotate it **toward a direction in space**, use World — each team has its own habits **per part**.

### Selection · Key · Reset

| Button | What It Does |
|--------|-------------|
| **Selection** | Select an **entire part group** (Left Arm, Spine, etc.) at once |
| **Key** | Set a **keyframe** on selected objects |
| **Reset All** | Return the **entire rig** to the **default pose** |
| **Reset Selection** | Return **only selected items** to default pose (Ep.14) |

- When **custom controllers** are registered in Rigging Info in Ep.13, they are **included** in **Reset All** as well.

### Mirror Pose — Copy Left/Right Pose

1. Create a pose on **one side** (arm or leg).
2. **Copy** (select direction: Left → Right, etc.).
3. **Mirror** or **Flip Copy** — pastes the **mirrored pose** onto the **opposite side**.
4. For **custom** parts like twintails, mirroring works properly only **after registering Mirror Factor** in Ep.13.

### Slide Key · Free Key

- **Slide Key** — slide key **timing and values** (assists Max timeline).
- **Free Key** — unlock only specific axes for keying (to match team workflow).

### Scale

- Keys the **scale** of selected controllers — connects to **Squash & Stretch animation**.  
  → If skin tears, check whether the bone has **Stretch OFF** from Ep.7.

### Range · Play

- **Range** — specify a **playback range**.
- **Play** — **preview** that range only.

### Pose · Posture Copy

- **Pose** — **save and paste** the current frame's pose.
- **Posture** — Biped **Posture** format (familiar to Max Biped users).

### Transform Snap · Bake

- **Snap** — **match position/rotation** to another controller or object.
- **Bake** — **bake** constraint results into **keys and transforms** — may be needed when **exporting to a game engine**.

### Prop Snap — Attaching Weapons / Props

- **Quickly align** a **Prop (weapon)** controller to the **hand or Prop bone** position.
- Useful for setting an **equip pose** without IK.

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## Recommended Workflow (Example)

```
Select Spine / Arm via Picker
  → Pose in Local space
  → Key
  → Mirror Copy to opposite side
  → Check range with Play
  → Snap weapon with Prop Snap
```

## Notes

- **Reset All** reverts **registered custom controllers** as well — confirm intent.
- **Mixing Local and World** can make key values **feel off**.
- Excessive Scale keys on bones with Stretch **enabled** → **skin problems** (Ep.7).