Blend trees are a powerful tool in Unity that allow you to create complex animations by combining multiple blend shapes together.
What is a Blend Tree?
A blend tree is a graph that contains multiple blend shapes and their corresponding weights. The weights are used to determine which blend shape should be displayed at any given time in an animation. You can create your own blend shapes or use pre-made ones from the Asset Store.
Creating a Blend Tree
To create a blend tree, you will need to open the Animation window in Unity and click on the “Create” button at the top. From there, select “Blend Tree” and give it a name. Once you have created your blend tree, you can add new blend shapes by right-clicking in the graph and selecting “Add Blend Shape.”
Adjusting Blend Tree Parameters
Once you have created your blend tree and added your blend shapes, you can adjust the parameters to achieve the desired animation effect. Here are some of the key parameters you should be aware of:
- Weight: This parameter determines how much each blend shape is displayed in the final animation. You can adjust this by dragging the weight slider for each blend shape.
- Speed: This parameter controls how quickly the blend shapes transition between each other. You can increase or decrease the speed by dragging the slider next to the “Speed” label.
- Looping: This parameter determines whether the animation will loop back to the beginning once it reaches the end of the blend tree. If you want your animation to loop, check the box next to “Loop.”
- Randomness: This parameter adds random variation to the animation by changing the weight of each blend shape at random intervals. You can adjust this by dragging the slider next to the “Randomness” label.
- Range: This parameter determines how much the weights of each blend shape can vary from their default values. You can adjust this by dragging the slider next to the “Range” label.
Tips for Adjusting Blend Tree Parameters
Here are some tips for adjusting blend tree parameters:
- Start with the basics: Before you start adjusting the more advanced parameters, make sure you have a good understanding of the basic blend shapes and their weights. You can use the “Inspector” window to view the current blend shape and its weight.
- Experiment with different settings: There is no one-size-fits-all solution for adjusting blend tree parameters. Experiment with different settings to find the ones that work best for your animation.
- Use keyframes: Keyframes allow you to create specific moments in your animation where certain blend shapes are displayed at a specific weight or speed. This can be useful for creating complex animations with precise timing.
- Keep it simple: While adjusting blend tree parameters can be powerful, it’s important to keep the final animation as simple and easy to understand as possible. Avoid making the animation too complex or confusing for the viewer.
Summary
Adjusting blend tree parameters is a powerful tool in Unity that allows you to create complex animations by combining multiple blend shapes together.