REPLACE JOINT WEIGHTS – OVERVIEW

Replace Skin Joint Weights can be used to swap different skeletons between skin cluster/s.

Use the Zoo Renamer tool to name joint/s with an OLD_ or NEW_ prefix and replace joints between skin cluster/s, automatically.

Replace the skinning between a selection of joints or an entire joint chain.

THE PROBLEM

Maya can’t easily replace the skinning between different joints or joint chains.

It is possible to replace individual joint weights with a complex workflow using Maya’s Paint Weight tool and lock and flood workflows, unfortunately it’s an involved process.

THE SOLUTION

The Replace Skin Joint Weights tool detects joints by their suffix or prefix names and will transfer skinning between specified joints or entire joint chains.

The skinning of the old joints will be completely removed.

The replacement can occur on only specified joints inside the skin cluster, or it can affect all joints in the skin cluster.

COMPACT SETTINGS

Prefix Suffix Radio Buttons
Text will search for prefixes `text_*` or suffixes `*_text` in both names.

Old Search Textbox
The suffix/prefix name of the currently bound joints.

Joint’s named with this suffix or prefix will be replaced with new joints.

Names must be unique in the scene.

New Search Textbox
The suffix/prefix name of the new joints to replace the skin weights.

Joint’s named with this suffix or prefix will replace the bound joints.

Names must be unique in the scene.

Replace Joint Skin Weights Button
Replaces old joint skin weights with new joints in the scene.

Searches the scene for joints by either the suffix or prefix names.

Use names that are unique in the scene.