I've recorded a detailed space-switching tutorial in Maya, explaining everything starting from the theory and the very basics up to the complex examples and real applications: a small 🧵

When the Smart Layer was released, it was a big surprise to me that a lot of animators struggle with basic operations like how to animate the master control or how to extract root motion.

As a solution, I provide a simple, but decent space-switcher script, as well as the root motion extractor, and the curve filters, which can be very helpful when working with baked keys.

If you don't have any scripts - don't worry, in addition to the scripted approach, I show how to do everything manually, using simple locators and constraints. This knowledge is too valuable to hide behind private scripts and I think everybody should understand it to some degree.

The tutorial explains: - creation of locators and animation snapshots from objects and geometry - switch to the world space - switch to the custom pivot point - switch space inside the desired object - setting pose in world space over time range

- animated vs static main control - root motion extraction - creation of custom main control - how to use center of mass - how to manage two handed weapon - switch to IK - switch to AIM and arc polishing - secondary motion - smart curve filters (avoid gimbal lock issues)

In some examples, I use animations from my locomotion project, detailed breakdown of which can be found here: The project uses the Azri rig from Game Anim: Thank you for watching!

“Unlock the secrets of reality! Discover how mathematics reveals the hidden world of complete rational abstraction –Discover how Pythagoras’ 'Music of the Spheres' evolves into the current scientific theory known as String Theory.” (Book IV The Cosmic Symphony)

A goldmine of information thanks for posting this.