UI Quick Start / Reference

From Avimator

This is a quick introduction / reference to the functions of QAvimator. It starts with "what can you do?" to give an overview of the key functions, then shows how to do those things.

Note that some actions put the UI in a state that must be exited before everything else will behave normally. For example, if you double-click a limb, the limb will turn pale blue and will move as a unit. To get parts on the limb to move independently again, you must double-click the limb again, and make sure it has turned gray.

In short, what you can do:

• Change the mannequin to male or female
• Select an individual body part
• Rotate a selected body part on its own X, Y, and Z axes
• Select symmetrical pairs of body parts (e.g., both hands)
• Rotate selected symmetrical pairs of body parts around mirrored axes
• Select whole limbs (e.g., whole arm)
• Move whole limbs as a natural unit as one part of the limb is moved
• Move the whole body's center using the hips
• Zoom, rotate, and pan the camera
• Reset the camera view to front
• Advance from frame to frame, changing the position in each frame
• Change positions several frames down and have the system interpolate movement in in-between frames ("tweening")
• Save animations in .BVH format for import into Second Life

Reference for QAVimator User Interface (UI)

User action	Target	Result	Visual cue	Enables	To stop
Select figure	Figure list	Change mannequin gender	Mannequin changes gender	N/A	Choose another gender
Select body part	Edit Part list	Part turns red	Rotation via sliders / text boxes	Rotation via sliders / text boxes	Select another part or ground
Select animation	Animation list	Starts work in the selected animation	Animation name changes, file loads	Editing the selected animation	Close or select another animation
Click	Body part	Select part	Part turns red	Rotation via sliders / text boxes	Click another part or ground
Note: When using click and drag to rotate parts, you must click and drag ON THE PART, or it will deselect.
Alt-click	Body part	Enable Y rotation	Green ring thickens	Drag mouse to rotate	Release Alt key
Ctrl-click	Body part	Enable Z rotation	Blue ring thickens	Drag mouse to rotate	Release Ctrl key
Shift-click	Body part	Enable X rotation	Red ring thickens	Drag mouse to rotate	Release Shift key
Click and drag	Ground	Rotate Camera Y / Z, Deselect selected part	Body rotates	N/A	Release mouse
Alt-click and drag	Ground	Rotate Camera Y / Zoom, Deselect selected part	Body rotates, zooms	N/A	Release mouse
Ctrl-click and drag	Ground	Rotate Camera Y / Z, Deselect selected part	Body rotates	N/A	Release mouse
Shift-click and drag	Ground	Move world relative to camera	Body moves Lf/Rt/Up/Dn	N/A	Release mouse
Double-click	Limb	Join limb parts	Limb turns pale blue	Move limb naturally by selecting and rotating one part	Double-click same limb
Double-click	Limb	Unjoin limb parts	Limb turns gray, remaining part is selected	Move limb parts independently	N/A
Shift-double-click	Symmetrical part	Select both symmetrical parts	Parts turn yellow	Movement is mirrored both sides	Select another part
Click and drag	X Rotation slider	Rotate selected body part	Part rotates around its own X axis	N/A	Release slider
Click and drag	Y Rotation slider	Rotate selected body part	Part rotates around its own Y axis	N/A	Release slider
Click and drag	Z Rotation slider	Rotate selected body part	Part rotates around its own Z axis	N/A	Release slider
Enter value <enter>	X Rotation text box	Rotate selected body part	Part rotates around its own X axis	N/A	Click anywhere else
Enter value <enter>	Y Rotation text box	Rotate selected body part	Part rotates around its own Y axis	N/A	Click anywhere else
Enter value <enter>	Z Rotation text box	Rotate selected body part	Part rotates around its own Z axis	N/A	Click anywhere else
Select	Hip	Hip is selected	Hip turns red, Position sliders enabled	Moving and rotating entire body in space	Click another body part
Note: Hips are a special case for moving the entire body. They are the only part for which the Position sliders and text boxes should be enabled.
Click and drag (after hip select)	X Position slider	Move body on X axis	Whole body moves along global X axis	N/A	Release slider, deselect hip
Click and drag (after hip select)	Y Position slider	Move body on Y axis	Whole body moves along global Y axis	N/A	Release slider, deselect hip
Click and drag (after hip select)	Z Position slider	Move body on Z axis	Whole body moves along global Z axis	N/A	Release slider, deselect hip
Enter value (after hip select)	X Position text box	Move body on X axis	Whole body moves along global X axis	N/A	Click off text box, deselect hip
Enter value (after hip select)	Y Position text box	Move body on Y axis	Whole body moves along global Y axis	N/A	Click off text box, deselect hip
Enter value (after hip select)	Z Position text box	Move body on Z axis	Whole body moves along global Z axis	N/A	Click off text box, deselect hip
Click toolbar	Reset Camera View to Default Position	Camera view resets to front	Camera view resets to front	N/A	Rotate camera