# Character Rigs

## Rig Component

Add your character to the scene and add the **Rig Component** to the root bone of the skeleton hierarchy. Usually, this bone is called **Root** or **Hips**:

<figure><img src="/files/uyxBG1edmQNcdDd0OAws" alt="" width="410"><figcaption><p>Make sure to click this button.</p></figcaption></figure>

*Refresh Hierarchy* will find all the bones in the skeleton and register them.&#x20;

{% hint style="success" %}
**Note**: this component plays an important role, so make sure to apply changes to the character prefab.
{% endhint %}

## Rig Assets

**Retarget Pro** relies on **Rig Assets** to store the information about the character skeleton. To create such an asset, right click and go to <mark style="background-color:purple;">**Create -> KINEMATION -> Rig**</mark>:

<figure><img src="/files/8zDDYd5DtWVB681mhmhb" alt="" width="408"><figcaption><p>Rig Asset.</p></figcaption></figure>

Now drag the **Rig Component** we created in the previous step to the respective **Rig Asset**, and click the **Import Rig** button. This action will initialize the asset and build a hierarchy for it.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** make sure to save the **Rig Asset** after importing the hierarchy!
{% endhint %}

## Element Chains

Now we need to set up Element Chains. **Retarget Pro** will try to match bone chains, and if it succeeds, it will retarget animation from one chain to another.

{% hint style="danger" %}
**Note:** make sure to use the same naming convention for all bone chains. If there is a difference in naming, the system might not automatically match the chains.
{% endhint %}

For a standard humanoid character you will need 9 bones chains:

* Pelvis
* Right Leg
* Left Leg
* Spine
* Neck
* Right Arm
* Left Arm
* Fingers
* Toes
* Weapon bone (optional)

{% hint style="info" %}
Tip: this setup is not mandatory, and it depends on what kind of animations are being retargeted. But most of the time these chains should do fine for a typical humanoid character.
{% endhint %}

<details>

<summary>Right arm chain example</summary>

<img src="/files/woA7oC9fG5u4YjtU9aHl" alt="" data-size="original">

</details>

<details>

<summary>Left leg chain example</summary>

<img src="/files/UfpncVNo8929Dlp4QBRk" alt="" data-size="original">

</details>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** you can press **Shift + LMB** to select multiple bones at the same time.
{% endhint %}

Now, when Rig Assets are prepared for source and target characters, it is time to define retargeting settings.


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