# F10 — Create Dummy · Transfer

> SkinLayer Studio **1.3.x Standalone** UI reference.  
> Practice: EP00–EP12 · Features: **F01–F17** (order 50+).

> **Typical flow:** pick bones in Hierarchy → create a dummy → tidy weights on the dummy → move them to the main mesh (or another Dummy) with **Transfer Weights**.  
> For full-body · Sync strategy overall, also see practice EP05 and [Skin Desk · Sync Map](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-skin-desk?lang=en).

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## One-line summary

```
Select multiple bones → Create Dummy → (paint on dummy if needed)
→ Transfer Weights (Dummy → Target) → Execute
→ Lands as new layers on Target Layers
```

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## 1) Select bones in Hierarchy → Create Dummy

![Create Dummy right-click](dummy_create_menu.png)

| Item | Description |
|------|-------------|
| Where | Right drawer **Bone Hierarchy** |
| Selection | Chain bones **2 or more** (e.g. `Skin_L_Calf_Seg1` … `Seg5`) |
| Menu | Right-click → **Create Dummy (N bones)** |

With only 1 bone, creation fails (warning). With multi-select, single `Rename Bone...` is disabled while **Rename Bones (Batch)...** stays available.

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## 2) Create Skin Dummy dialog

![Create Skin Dummy](dummy_create_dialog.png)

| Section | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Selected Bones** | Bones used for creation |
| **Mesh (creation-locked)** | Shape(Cylinder/Strip) · Subdiv/Segment · Sides · Radius · Width — **fixed at creation** |
| **Weight (creation-locked)** | Weight Type (e.g. **IK**) — fixed at creation |
| **Init Points [readonly]** | Preview of P0… ↔ bone name mapping |

**OK** → a dummy slot such as `Dummy_Skin_…` appears in Skin Desk, with a cylinder (or Strip) mesh + initial weights matched to the selected bones.

Fine-tune after creation (Radius, etc.) in **Tools → Attribute · Dummy**.  
→ [Tools panel — Attribute](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-tools?lang=en)

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## 3) When the dummy appears

![Dummy in viewport · Skin Desk](dummy_in_viewport.png)

| Location | What you see |
|----------|--------------|
| **Skin Desk / Archive** | Type=`Dummy`, name e.g. `Dummy_Skin_L_Calf_Seg1` |
| **Viewport** | Cylinder + heatmap weights on the body part |
| **Role** | If other meshes use this Dummy as Source, links show as `SRC` / `→Du…` |

A dummy is a “proxy mesh for painting that region easily.” Use it when painting directly on the final main mesh is hard, then Transfer when done.

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## 4) Move with Transfer Weights

Menu **Tools → Transfer Weights...** or Skin Desk / Sync Map **right-click → Transfer Weights...**

![Transfer Weights](dummy_transfer_weights.png)

| Setting | Recommendation / description |
|---------|------------------------------|
| **Method** | **Closest Point (IDW)** — transfer via nearby vertices (OK even if topology differs) |
| **Transfer** | **Add as new layers** — **add as new layers** on Target (does not overwrite existing) |
| **Source** | The dummy you just made (e.g. `Dummy_Skin_L_Calf_Seg1`) |
| **Target** | Receiving mesh (e.g. `Dummy_Body`, `Body_Geo`) |
| Influences | Green `(matched)` = name-matched bones · yellow = Target-only bones |
| Bottom | `N matched / M target-only` |

**Execute** → Source weights transfer to Target.

Full options · Tools menu coverage → [Transfer Weights · Tools menu](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-transfer-weights?lang=en)

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## 5) Result — Target Layers

![Layers after Transfer](dummy_transfer_layers_result.png)

With Add as new layers, Target Layers gains layers such as `Calf`, `Thigh`.  
Then refine on Target, or set as Sync Source and Sync Now onto part Geo.

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## Recommended practice routine (region dummies)

```
1) Hierarchy — multi-select Calf Seg bones, etc.
2) Right-click Create Dummy → OK (Cylinder / IK defaults often enough)
3) (Optional) Adjust Radius in Attribute · tidy dummy weights with Paint
4) Transfer Weights
     Source = Dummy_…
     Target = Dummy_Body or Body_Geo
     Method = Closest Point (IDW)
     Transfer = Add as new layers
5) Execute → check Target Layers
6) Repeat for other regions (Thigh, Arm…)
```

For the big picture of gathering into one full-body Sync, see practice EP05.

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## Related docs

| Doc | Contents |
|-----|----------|
| [Bone Hierarchy details](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-hierarchy?lang=en) | Where Create Dummy lives |
| [Tools panel — Attribute](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-tools?lang=en) | Dummy Radius · Init Points |
| [Skin Desk · Sync Map](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-skin-desk?lang=en) | SRC / →Du · Sync Now |
| [Layers panel details](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-layers?lang=en) | Layers after Transfer |
| [Transfer Weights · Tools menu](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-transfer-weights?lang=en) | Menu access · Method/Transfer · Tools items |
| Practice EP05 Merge & Transfer | Full-body dummy practice |

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*Images: `dummy_create_menu.png` · `dummy_create_dialog.png` · `dummy_in_viewport.png` · `dummy_transfer_weights.png` · `dummy_transfer_layers_result.png`*  
*Written: 2026-07-26*