BipedPlus

Ep.13 — Custom Mirror Factor

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Overview

Settings that allow manually added controllers (like twin tails or hair) to support Copy · Mirror · Reset just like Biped arms and legs.
Rigging Info registration + Mirror Factor are the key.

Prerequisites

  • Complete Space Group + Skin Bone + Ctrl + Quick Connect as in Ep.11

Why It's Needed — Example (Twin Tails)

  • Left Arm mirrors correctly with Ani Utils Copy · Mirror.
  • Twin1 extending from the head follows the mirror at a strange angle on the opposite side.

Reason: Left-right symmetry requires changing "+angle → -angle" per axis, but the rule differs per custom bone.
This per-axis ±1 rule is the Mirror Factor.

A rigger can set it manually, but it's too complex for animators → use Auto Calculation Mirror Factor to compute it automatically.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Register Controllers in Rigging Info

Register Ctrl (controllers), not Skin bones — the side that animators move.

  1. Select all Twin1, Twin2… (custom Ctrl).
  2. Rigging Info → Add.
  3. If New Controller etc. appears in the list, you're good.
  4. If not visible: do Scan → Load then Add again.

2. Update

  1. Click Update.
  2. Check if custom names like Twin1 appear in the Settings list.
       → They may not appear before Update.

3. Auto Calculation Mirror Factor

  1. Open the relevant controller's Settings.
  2. Run Auto Calculation Mirror Factor.
  3. Automatic values like "X reversed, Y·Z retained" fill in.
  4. Freely rotate/move the Left Twin → Copy · Mirror to Right.
  5. If it's symmetrical like a mirror reflection — success.

4. Verify Reset · Flip Also Work

Function Expected Result
Reset All Default pose including Twin
Flip Copy Left-right flip works
Selection Flip Copy Only selected items flip

→ Can be used with the same feel as Biped bones.

Rigging Info — Other Uses (Reference)

  • Reference·animation support — pose saving, etc.
  • BipedPlus Mirror / Reset / Picker — mirror·default pose data

(Details in a dedicated Rigging Info tutorial — mentioned in the video)

Routine (Memorize This)

Add custom Ctrl
  → Rigging Info Add
  → Update
  → Auto Calculation Mirror Factor
  → Copy/Mirror test

Notes

  • Adding Ctrl without Connect·Space Group → Reset may work but Mirror may feel off.
  • Only manually adjust Factor when Auto doesn't match.
  • After Picker Scan, connect custom buttons.

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