Moho Forum

I am using layer reference so that i can change or update any changes to my original character and have throughout all the scenes.But whenever i update the layer reference for my character,it doesn't
update properly .some of the changes such as line compensation,line thickness doesnt update according to the original file.what am i doing wrong,or what could be the issue here?
this is eating away my sanity.

Have you tried closing and reopening your moho file? Make sure to save first. When I was new I didn't realize Moho didn't update reference files in realtime.

The second issue I can think of is if you ever saved the moho project as gather media. Then the true file is in the Gather Media folder.

In general, only keyframeable items are updated in a reference. For example, Bone Strength is not keyframeable, so changing this in a 'master' rig has to be done manually in the imported reference.

Vector artwork changes in frame 0 may not update with the default Update settings, even though this is keyframeable. To update vector art changes, you need to enable Replace Mismatched Vectors when running the Update command.

There are a few other rules to be aware of. I'll update this if I remember them, but it's been a long time since I felt comfortable about using imported references for character rigs. I might still use them in special situations, but I may eventually apply Break Layer Reference to prevent problems. The main issue with references today is that they can randomly set keyframes for every channel in the item, which is a pain to fix when I don't catch it right away.

Hope this helps.

NanotechBeasts wrote: ↑Sun Nov 24, 2024 5:06 pm Have you tried closing and reopening your moho file? Make sure to save first. When I was new I didn't realize Moho didn't update reference files in realtime.

The second issue I can think of is if you ever saved the moho project as gather media. Then the true file is in the Gather Media folder.

Yes i have.the gather media bit i didnt check .let me have a look at it.

jawad wrote: ↑Mon Nov 25, 2024 5:30 am

NanotechBeasts wrote: ↑Sun Nov 24, 2024 5:06 pm Have you tried closing and reopening your moho file? Make sure to save first. When I was new I didn't realize Moho didn't update reference files in realtime.

The second issue I can think of is if you ever saved the moho project as gather media. Then the true file is in the Gather Media folder.

Yes i have.the gather media bit i didnt check .let me have a look at it.

If you have gathered media. It is likely that the file you need to change is in the gather media folder. But I am still on 12 and 11 of Moho.

Greenlaw wrote: ↑Sun Nov 24, 2024 6:34 pm it's been a long time since I felt comfortable about using imported references for character rigs. I might still use them in special situations, but I may eventually apply Break Layer Reference to prevent problems. The main issue with references today is that they can randomly set keyframes for every channel in the item, which is a pain to fix when I don't catch it right away.

Phew. Good to know that the real pros do that, too. I recall a "Making of Puffin Rock" video, where they mentioned everyone was importing main character rigs as reference so they could update them, and I thought "that's a disaster right there ready to happen".

The only times I'm using reference layers is for avoiding animating layer order in a rig (for upper arms going behind and in front of the torso, you just put a reference layer of the limb on top and switch visibility off and on) and also in complex scenes where certain limbs of a character have to go above and below other items. That alone can create enough headaches when they get out of sync, but I've made it a habit to add those reference layers the very last once the scene is basically completed.

I re-import character rigs as non-reference for every scene and make adjustments to it so i usually just always import the character rig from the latest scene with all the new features that it builds over time The faster i can get to animation the better and i found with this method i rarely rig more than i really need. That wouldn't really fly all that well in a studio setting tho probably.

arglborps wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2024 4:28 am I recall a "Making of Puffin Rock" video, where they mentioned everyone was importing main character rigs as reference so they could update them, and I thought "that's a disaster right there ready to happen".

Yeah, I had implemented that system when we made Boss Baby: Back In Business. It worked well once I understood what wouldn't come over automatically, and since we all sat in the same room, it was easy to notify the team what to update manually.

The issue with all the unexpected keyframes in all the channels was a hassle though, so I have mixed feelings about this.

NanotechBeasts wrote: ↑Sun Nov 24, 2024 5:06 pm When I was new I didn't realize Moho didn't update reference files in realtime.

That's not something you want. I remember a situation at another studio I worked at many years ago, where a production enabled automatic updating for Maya rigs. One day, this automatic system completely hosed the production by wiping out existing animation keys in every scene file. Even after recovering files from backups, many animators lost at least a day of work. Thankfully, I wasn't on that production, but I certainly took a lesson from it.

So...if you use Reference Rigs in Moho (or in any animation project), always run Update in a copy of your project file. You can thank me later.

NanotechBeasts wrote: ↑Sun Nov 24, 2024 5:06 pm If you have gathered media. It is likely that the file you need to change is in the gather media folder. But I am still on 12 and 11 of Moho.

I am using the latest version, But i cant tell wether its bug on not.i might have to find a way around it.

Greenlaw wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 12:13 am So...if you use Reference Rigs in Moho (or in any animation project), always run Update in a copy of your project file. You can thank me later.

Thanks greenlaw,i will remember it.i am farely new at advanced rigging .working on a show for a studio,so everything is at an early stage ,finding ways to keep track of the main rigg is quite a hassel.thanks for the headsup!