Physics Asset Editor - Skeleton Tree

User guide for the Skeleton Tree inside the Physics Asset Editor.

The Skeleton Tree panel in the Physics Asset Editor shows the skeletal hierarchy of the current Skeleton asset

The Skeleton Tree panel in the Physics Asset Editor shows the skeletal hierarchy of the current Skeleton asset, along with additional assets like the collision bodies, primitives, and constraints. Within it, you can perform the following actions:

  • Select and view specific bones in the skeletal hierarchy with their attached bodies and constraints.

  • Create and edit bodies, primitives, and constraints, which can be simulated in the Viewport to see the results of ragdoll animations, constraints, and collision interaction.

  • Create preview assets, which are temporarily attached assets; these are good for previewing how a weapon will look on a character, for example.

Interface Breakdown

Interface Breakdown

  1. Search Line

  2. Bone Hierarchy List

  3. Skeleton Options

Search Line

The Search line allows for quick filtering of the Skeletal hierarchy by filtering out the hierarchy to only include names based on the entered text

The Search line allows for quick filtering of the Skeletal hierarchy by filtering out the hierarchy to only include names based on the entered text.

Pelvis

Above, we have filtered the hierarchy to include any Bone Names, Bodies, or Constraints that include the text Pelvis in them.

Bone Hierarchy List

Bone Hierarchy List

This window shows all the Bones, Bodies, Constraints, Primitives, and Preview Objects currently used by the selected Physics Asset. Inside this window is where you can add and assign collision Bodies, Primitives, Constraints, and Preview Objects. Most of the adjustments made in the Bone Hierarchy list are handled through right-click context menus where the menu options vary based on the object you right-click on (see the context menu sections below).

Selection Context Menus

Within the Bone Hierarchy list, when you right-click on a Bone, Body, Primitive, or Constraint, you access context menus specific to the selection made.

Below are the available context menus and their relative options.

Bone Context Menu

When right-clicking on a Bone, you will see the following context menu:

You will see the following context menu by clicking on the bone

Option

Description

Copy Selected Bone Names

Copy the selected bone names to the clipboard.

Reset Selected Bone Transforms

Reset the transforms of the selected bones.

Add Preview Asset

Opens a menu of all eligible assets that can be temporarily attached to a bone for previewing purposes. For instance, if you want to see what a certain piece of armor would look like attached to a bone, this is the option you would use. Note, however, that this is not a permanent attachment and will only be visible while previewing.

Remove All Attached Assets

Removes all attached assets from the Skeleton and the mesh.

Add/Replace Bodies

Adds or replaces bodies for the selected bones using the current generation settings found in the Tools tab.

Add Shape

Adds shapes to the body.

Select All Bodies

Selects all bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Select Simulated Bodies

Selects all simulated bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Select Kinematic Bodies

Selects all kinematic bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Select All Constraints

Selects all constraints in the Skeleton Tree.

Body Context Menu

When right-clicking on a Body, you will see the following context menu:

You will see the following context menu by clicking on the body

Option

Description

Regenerate Bodies

Regenerates the selected bodies using the current generation settings found in the Tools tab.

Add Shape

Adds shapes to this body. A Box, Sphere, or Capsule shape can be selected.

Collision

Adjust collision between bodies.

Weld

Weld the currently selected bodies together.

Enable Collision

Enable collision between the currently selected bodies.

Enable Collision All

Enable collision between the currently selected bodies and all bodies.

Disable Collision

Disable collision between the currently selected bodies.

Disable Collision All

Disable collision between the currently selected bodies and all bodies.

Constraint selected bodies

Create a constraint between all selected bodies as children and the last selected body as parent.

Constraints

Create a constraint between the selected body and one selected from the hierarchy list.

Physics Type

The type of physics to use for this body; kinematic or simulated.

Physical Material

Select a Physical Material to apply to all bodies.

Copy Selected Bodies/Constraints To Clipboard

Copy the bodies/constraints of the currently selected object to clipboard.

Paste Bodies/Constraints From Clipboard

Paste the previously selected bodies/constraints from clipboard.

Copy Properties

Copy the properties of the currently selected object to the next selected object.

Paste Properties

Past the properties of a previously selected object to the currently selected object.

Delete

Delete the currently selected body.

Delete All Bodies Below

Delete all bodies below the currently selected body in the Skeleton Hierarchy Tree.

Mirror

Find the body on the other side and duplicate its constraints and body.

Assign

Assigns the selected bodies to the current physical animation profile.

Unassign

Unassigns the selected bodies from the current physical animation profile.

Copy Collision From Static Mesh

Copy convex collision from a specified Static Mesh.

Select All Bodies

Selects all bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Select Simulated Bodies

Selects all simulated bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Select Kinematic Bodies

Selects all kinematic bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Select All Constraints

Selects all constraints in the Skeleton Tree.

Primitive Context Menu

When right-clicking on a Primitive, you will see the following context menu:

You will see the following context menu by clicking on the primitive

Option

Description

Rename

Rename selected primitives.

Duplicate

Duplicate selected primitives.

Delete

Delete selected primitives.

Select All Bodies

Selects all bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Select Simulated Bodies

Selects all simulated bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Select Kinematic Bodies

Selects all kinematic bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Select All Constraints

Selects all constraints in the Skeleton Tree.

Constraint Context Menu

When right-clicking on a Constraint, you will see the following context menu:

You will see the following context menu by clicking on the constraint

Option

Description

Snap

Snap the selected constraint to Bone.

Reset

Resets the constraint to the default state.

Axes and Limits

Edit axes and limits of this constraint.

Cycle Constraint Orientation

Cycles constraint orientation between different cardinal axes.

Cycle Active Constraint

Cycles whether each constraint axis is active in isolation.

Lock Swing

Set swings 1 or 2 to be locked or limited.

Lock Twist

Set twist to be locked or limited.

Convert

Convert constraint to various presets.

  • Ball & Socket

  • Hinge

  • Prismatic

  • Skeletal

Copy Selected Bodies/Constraints To Clipboard

Copy the bodies/constraints of the currently selected object to clipboard.

Paste Bodies/Constraints From Clipboard

Paste the previously selected bodies/constraints from clipboard.

Copy Properties

Copy the properties of the currently selected object to the next selected object.

Paste Properties

Past the properties of a previously selected object to the currently selected object.

Delete

Delete the currently selected constraint.

Assign

Assigns the selected constraints to the current physical animation profile.

Unassign

Unassigns the selected constraints from the current physical animation profile.

Copy Collision From Static Mesh

Copy convex collision from a specified Static Mesh.

Select All Bodies

Selects all bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Select Simulated Bodies

Selects all simulated bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Select Kinematic Bodies

Selects all kinematic bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Select All Constraints

Selects all constraints in the Skeleton Tree.

Preview Asset Context Menu

A Preview Asset is an asset, such as a Static Mesh or Skeletal Mesh, that has been temporarily attached to a bone or socket for previewing purposes.

When right-clicking on a Preview Asset, you will see the following context menu:

You will see the following context menu by clicking

Option

Description

Add Preview Asset

Opens a menu of all eligible assets that can be temporarily attached to a bone for previewing purposes. For instance, if you want to see what a certain piece of armor would look like attached to a bone, this is the option you would use. Note, however, that this is not a permanent attachment and will only be visible while previewing.

Remove All Attached Assets

Deletes all Preview Assets currently on the mesh.

Skeleton Show/Hide Options

The Skeleton Options window enables you to show or hide Bones, Bodies, Constraints, and Primitives.

The Skeleton Options window enables you to show or hide Bones Bodies Cinstraints and Primitives

Option

Description

UpperBodyMask

Selects the blend profile for editing.

LowerBodyMask

Selects the blend profile for editing.

FastFeet

Selects the blend profile for editing.

LeftFingersMask

Selects the blend profile for editing.

UpperBodyLowerBodySplitMask

Selects the blend profile for editing.

Clear

Clears the selected blend profile.

Add Time Blend Profile

Adds a new time blend profile for this skeleton.

Add Weight Blend Profile

Adds a new weight profile for the skeleton.

Add Blend Mask

Adds a new blend mask for the skeleton.

Filtering Flattens Hierarchy

Whether to keep the hierarchy or flatten it when searching for tree items.

Hide Parents When Filtering

Whether to show parent items grayed out or hide them entirely when filtering.

Show Bodies

Display bodies in the tree view. Bodies are a collection of primitive shapes used for collision.

Show Simulated Bodies

Show all simulated bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Show Kinematic Bodies

Show all kinematic bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Show Constraints

Display constraints in the tree view. Constraints are used to control how bodies can move in to one another.

Show Primitives

Display primitive shapes (spheres, boxes, capsules, etc.) in the tree view.

Show Constraints on Parent Body

Display constraints on both the parent and child body.

Show All Bones

Show every bone in the skeleton.

Show Mesh Bones

Show bones that are used in the mesh.

Show LOD Bones

Show bones that are used in the LOD (level of detail) being displayed.

Show Weighted Bones

Show bones that have vertices weighted to them.

Hide Bones

Hide all bones (sockets and attached assets will still be listed).