Subnode Override Node

When manipulating 3D models, by default, it is only possible to animate the transformations on the whole model. Transformations on their individual parts (subnodes) are static. These subnodes can be transformed independently in order to pose and animate 3D models that have been imported into Harmony. In order to be able to animate the subnodes in a 3D model, either a Subnode Animation node or Subnode Override node will need to be applied to the 3D model in the Node view. These nodes will store the keyframes for each subnode that you pose or animate which will be reflected on the timeline.

Connection

The Subnode Override node takes a 3D model in its input port. As soon as a 3D model is connected to a Subnode Override node, its subnodes become animatable individually. Once you start animating the model's subnodes, the node outputs the 3D model with its subnodes animated.

The parameters for each subnode that is animated will appear in the node's parameters in the timeline.

TIP You can add the parameters for a subnode to the Subnode Override node without animating it first. To do this, select the subnode, then click on the Make Properties Available button in the 3D Graph view. This can be useful if you want to make a keyframe with the subnode's resting position before animating it.

Layer Properties

All the animatable 3D model subnodes will appear on a list in the Subnode Override Layer Properties when a keyframe is made. Expand any of the subnodes in the list to view its individual properties.

Click on any of the Function buttons to open the Function Editor for that parameter.

If movements have already been created in the Camera view, you may not be able to edit some of the fields. They just display the value of that parameter at the given position in the Timeline. If you would like to edit these fields, change the field type to Local.

Parameters Description
Enable/Disable Allows you to enable or disable the node. When disabled, a node has no visible effect on the rendered image, nor on the preview in the Camera, Perspective, Side and Top views.
Colour Swatch Sets the colour of the layer in the Timeline view and of the node in the Node view.
Name The name of the node as it appears in the Node View and the Timeline view. Each node must have a name that is unique to its containing group.
Position

3D Path: Lets you use a 3D path function to animate an element.

Separate: Lets you independently edit the different coordinate fields.

  • Path: When the 3D Path option is selected, lets you choose the path type. You can do this form the field menu, located after the Function button.

  • Path (x) Axis: Lets you type in a new East/West coordinate corresponding to the desired position.

  • Path (y) Axis: Lets you type in a new North/South coordinate corresponding to the desired position.

  • Path (z) Axis: Lets you ype in a new Forward/Backward coordinate corresponding to the desired position.

  • Velocity: When the 3D Path option is selected, lets you set the speed at which movement occurs across the X, Y and Z axes.

Rotation

Quaternion: Rotations made on the X, Y and Z axes are linked, as is the velocity which acts on the three rotation functions simultaneously.

Euler Angles: Rotations can be made on the X, Y and Z axes independent of each other; each has its own velocity.

3D Rotation: When the Quaternion option is selected, lets you choose the path type. You can do this form the field menu, located after the Function button .

  • (x) Axis: Lets you enter the horizontal rotation value in degrees.

  • (y) Axis: Lets you enter the vertical rotation value in degrees.

  • (z) Axis: Lets you enter the depth scale value in degrees.

  • Velocity: When the Quaternion option is selected, lets you set the speed at which rotation occurs across the X, Y and Z axes.

Scale

Locked: Resizes the element while keeping its ratio. The X and Y axes scale proportionally

Separate: Resizes the element allowing to modify the ratio (squash and stretch).

  • (x) Axis: Lets you enter the horizontal scale value.

  • (y) Axis: Lets you enter the vertical scale value.

  • (z) Axis: Lets you enter the depth scale value.

  • Scale in Fields: Instead of using the standard scaling units, when this option is enabled, images are scaled using field units, based on the traditional animation field chart. Enter in the x, y, z values respectively in the fields below.

Import

Import 3D files containing subnode information.

You can import 3D files using one of the following file formats:

  • Maya ATOM file (.atom)

  • USDA (.usda)

  • USDZ (.usdz)

Export

Export 3D files containing subnode information from Harmony.

You can export your 3D files using one of the following file formats:

  • Maya ATOM file (.atom)

  • USDA (.usda)

  • USDZ (.usdz)

Clear

Will remove all subnode keyframes from the timeline.

The affected subnodes will remain on the subnode list contained in the Subnode Override Layer Properties.

Reset Will remove all subnode keyframes from the timeline as well as remove all subnodes from the subnode list contained in the Subnode Override Layer Properties.

Import

You can import 3D files containing subnode information exported from Maya directly into your scene through the Subnode Override node. The 3D files will contain all the keyframes and subnode information applied to the 3D model in Maya.

Parameters Description
File Location The file path where Harmony will source the 3D file for import.
File Location Picker A dropdown menu of the most recent file paths used when performing an import.
Browse Launches the File Explorer enabling you to manually locate and select the 3D file for import.
Import Import the 3D file and automatically apply subnode keyframes to the 3D model in the timeline.
Cancel Abort import operation.

Export

You can export and package 3D files containing subnode information directly from your Harmony scene through the Subnode Override node. The 3D file that Harmony will write will contain keyframes and subnode information that were applied to the 3D model. The 3D model can be imported directly into Maya containing all transformations applied to the 3D model in Harmony.

Parameters Description
File Location The file path where Harmony will write the 3D file upon export.
File Location Picker A dropdown menu of the most recent file paths used when performing an export.
Browse

Launches the File Explorer enabling you to manually locate and select where to write the 3D file upon export.

You can also set the 3D file type in the File Explorer when naming your file.

You can export your 3D file using one of the following file formats:

  • Maya ATOM file (.atom)

  • USDA (.usda)

  • USDZ (.usdz)

Overwrite without asking When enabled, Harmony will not ask permission before writing a 3D file over an existing 3D file that shares the same file location.
Bake Animated Values When enabled, all cells will be assigned a keyframe upon export.
Export Write a 3D file containing the subnode information to a specified location on the disk.
Cancel Abort the exporting operation.