Access Joints of Character in C++

Development Character & Animation
, , , ,
1

I am using the ThirdPerson Template. I want in C++ to access the Joints of the Skeletal Mesh of this character.

I found this Function in SkeletalMeshComponentPhysics.cpp

FName USkeletalMeshComponent::FindConstraintBoneName( int32 ConstraintIndex )
{
   UPhysicsAsset * const PhysicsAsset = GetPhysicsAsset();
   return PhysicsAsset ? PhysicsAsset->FindConstraintBoneName(ConstraintIndex) : NAME_None;
}

I am really a total beginner in C++ and UE4, so please excuse if the question sounds dumb, but how do I implement this code in my Character.cpp. If someone could show me a short example , I would be really grateful.

2

Do you possibly mean skeleton bones instead? you can access their transform this way:
mesh->GetSocketTransform();

Also works for rotation, location, scale.

3

Sockets are different to Joints . I want to be able to change the Joints angles of the Character, in order to move the bones

4

There are no such things as joints. Skeletons are made of Bones.

In order to directly manipulate the location or rotation of individual bones, you need to use a UPoseableMesh, rather than a USkeletalMesh. USkeletalMesh bone transforms can only be set by applying an existing animation.

See:

  1. UPoseableMeshComponent
  2. UPoseableMeshComponent::GetBoneLocationByName
  3. UPoseableMeshComponent::GetBoneRotationByName
  4. UPoseableMeshComponent::SetBoneLocationByName
  5. UPoseableMeshComponent::SetBoneRotationByName
  6. EBoneSpaces - “EBoneSpaces” is an enum indicating if you are setting the location/rotation is WorldSpace or in the Bone’s local ComponentSpace. You set pass the proper value entering the ENumName::ValueName, e.g. “EBonesSpaces::ComponentSpace”

You may find some more help here:

“How can I rotate Bones purely in C++?”

1 Like