Can mainline keys be copied to actions? (Pro 7)

[3deeguy]

I've been away for a bit and I need a refresher for some topics. Is there a way actions can be created from animation in the main timeline? I thought I remembered that I could do it that way.

[heyvern]

Yes,

In the same way actions are added to the main time line, you activate an action and then insert a copy of the main time line into the action.

[3deeguy]

Thanks heyvern, I was able to get it to work with point translation but not with bone angles. It's OK. The solution is to draw the character in the default position that I want at frame zero then use visibility.
My current character stands with his hands at his sides at frame zero. In Actions he sits facing forward at a desk with his hands clasped. This requires endless tweaking trying to match bone angles and forshortened forearms.
My workflow for character creation will have to be 'draw the default pose, trace, construct the joints, create the skeleton'.

[heyvern]

If you have bone angle animation in the main time line, copying from the main time line is done the same. Select the bone layer, activate the action, right click the main line (bone layer selected) and insert copy into the action. All keys from the main line can be copied this way to an action, bone scale, angle etc.

[3deeguy]

Ha! Thank you.