6.10 SKELETON

The SKELETON method is somewhat similar to the SIMPLE SKELETON; it pulls the target objects to its skeleton parameter. However, SKELETON can also rotate objects, so that their directions match the curvature of the skeleton, thus opening new possibilities for exciting new animation effects.

Because of this rotation feature, the SKELETON method requires two parameters instead of one. They are called as "primary" and "secondary" skeletons. The primary skeleton defines the actual direction and position for target objects, while the second skeleton is used for defining how target objects are oriented around the primary skeleton (the "torsion"). For example, if the secondary skeleton object is just a static object defining a fixed direction, the targets are just bent according to the primary skeleton. If the secondary skeleton is animated so that the direction it defines changes during the animation, target objects are rotated around the primary skeleton accordingly.