SkinLayerStudio
EP11 — Sync Map · Propagating to Split Meshes · Cleanup
Download Markdown1. Background — From Dummy to Real Meshes
- Once weights are complete on Dummy_Body / Dummy_Clothes, you need to copy those weights to the actual game/render meshes: Body, Pants, Skirt, etc.
- Tool: Sync Map + Sync Now (= a visual version of Transfer Weights relationships within the project).
2. Sync Map UI
Opening
- View → Sync Map, or click the Map button at the top of the Skin Archive.
Node Layout
- Yellow: Source (dummy or other weight origin).
- Green: Target (mesh to receive weights).
- Drag from Source → Target to create a connection line = "transfer weights on Sync Now".
Navigation
- Wheel: zoom. Alt + MMB: pan.
Sync Now
- After connecting, click Sync Now — copies and transfers the LayerStack to the target.
- Flickering on meshes with matching vertex positions is normal (sync indicator).
3. Clothing Example
- Hide unnecessary meshes.
- Connect
Clothes_Dummy→Skirt,Inner, etc. - Sync Now → check waist/skirt with animation at frame 300, etc.
Keep vs Disconnect
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Want target to automatically follow dummy edits | Keep connection — re-run Sync Now |
| Ready to edit target details independently | Click connection line → Delete (disconnect) |
Sleeves (ArmClothes): Sync once, then disconnect and edit manually.
4. ArmClothes (Sleeves) Detail
- Delete Finger and Thumb Influences — not needed for sleeves.
- Keep only needed bones: Hand, UpperArm, etc.
- Layer Group example: OuterDown, Up, UpDown, FrontBack — fine-grained control of sleeve shape per bone.
- Split masks and weights into layers so the sleeve forms correctly when an animator moves the sleeve bones.
5. Batch Sync — Body Split Meshes
- Show only the needed meshes (Body, Pants, Arm… — hair/facial/belt/props can wait).
- Connect Dummy_Body → Body, Pants, Arm…
- Sync Now — all body parts updated at once.
6. Boots · Hair · Props
- Boots: Large gap from dummy reduces Transfer quality — check manually. Verify Toe and ankle motion.
- Hair: If no facial bones, unify to a single Head Influence. Clean up so only Head remains in Used.
- Props (books, pens, etc.): Simple assignment to the relevant bone or Root — minimize detail.
7. Ending Dummy Connections
- After all real meshes are Synced, disconnect all Dummy ↔ Target links.
- Running Sync Now on the dummy again would overwrite the targets, so disconnect when the dummy's job is done.
- Show All — make all meshes visible for a final review.