Blending between layers is often as simple as animating the Global Weight value for a layer in the layer stack. Sometimes, however, you might want to blend between individual limbs or turn off some elements (for example, the legs) to use the animation from another layer, below the current layer on the stack. This is called feathered weighting. An example of this is when using keyframe animation for the upper body and CATMotion for the legs.
You manage global weights with the Global Weight setting and the Curve Editor. Local weights have their own setting and Curve Editor.
Weights View is stored on the CATParent. However you can also access the global and local weights directly.
To navigate directly to the Global Weight Curve Editor:
Track View opens to display the layers in the layer stack. You can now view and edit the curves controlling the layer weights for the selected layer.
To blend on an absolute layer:
The Absolute layer overrides existing animation layers and the rig remains stationary on the frame that the layer is created.
The Curve Editor opens to the Global Layer Weights view, showing the existing layers for the rig. The following illustration shows three layers: PreHit, Reactor and GetsUp.
The layer will now blend on and the character will be controlled by the new layer.
To navigate directly to the Local Weight Curve Editor: