9.5.2

504 • CHAPTER 8
TOOLS MENU • 505
Multi-target kinematics
With CINEMA 4D’s multi-target kinematics (MTK), you can use multiple targets for the same IK chain.
For example, for a leg you might dene targets for the knee, ankle and toe, as shown below. Multiple
targets give you greater control.
Kinematic tag. IK tag.
The small crosses are the target objects for the IK limbs. These three target objects give you exact
control over the IK chain. Let’s take a closer look at the IK chain (above right).
The leg hierarchy is shown — from Parent Object to Toe. An Anchor tag is applied to the parent object
to prevent the whole body from whirling around at each leg movement. Angle constraints are assigned
to Upper Leg, Lower Leg, Joint and Foot to mimic the real limitations of these joints.
Lower Leg, Joint and Toe are each assigned an IK tag (Object manager menu: File > CINEMA 4D Tags >
IK).
In the Object manager, click the IK tag to display its parameters in the Attribute manager. On the
Attribute manager’s Tag Properties page, you’ll nd a Target Object box. Drag and drop the object
that you want to act as the target from the Object manager into the Target Object box. If you want to
prevent the IK limb from moving when assigning the expression, set the target object at exactly the
same position as the limb’s object axis (or temporarily switch off expressions with the Use Expressions
tool on the left toolbar).
Use Expressions tool.
Although you can use any type of object as a target, the Null object is a good choice since it has a
Display setting that you can use to make the null clearly visible in the viewport even when it is not
selected.