Non orthogonal matrix support

[Anonymous]

Hello there!

I recently rigged and animated a model for my project, but when I tried to export it I got this error:

One or more objects in the scene has local axes that are not perpendicular to each other (non-orthogonal).
The FBX plug-in only supports orthogonal (or perpendicular) axes and will not correctly import or export any transformations that involve non-perpendicular local axes.
This can create an inaccurate appearance with the affected objects:
-Rig1LDigit11LH
-Rig1LDigit12LH
-Rig1LDigit21LH
-Rig1LDigit22LH
-Rig1RDigit11RH
-Rig1RDigit12RH
-Rig1RDigit21RH
-Rig1RDigit22RH

All those bones belong to the hands of my character. How can I fix it? Many thanks.

[Anonymous]

Bump? :S

I can't find any solutions on google.

[Anonymous]

I noticed the problem appears whenever I rotate the bones of my hands. At start, the problem appears ONLY with a bone of both thumbs, but as soon as I start to rotate more bones of the hand in order to animate them, those bones also appear in the list.

I'm lost, I have NO IDEA what to do, I'm completely stuck. To proceed with my project I must animate this model, and export the animation in the .FBX format, but if this problem persists I really don't know what to do.

.

If anyone could tell me the solution, I wouldn't thank you enough.

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Hello @Anonymous,

I'd like to help with this.  It would really be best if I could check the file, is that doable?  I can create a private folder if it would help.  Did you scale the rig or part of it on a single axis?  I have seen this with rig scaling issues, and there is a minor article here.  Thanks for any information.

Best Regards,

[Anonymous]

Hey there!

No, I'm quite sure I never scaled the bones. Besides whenever I try to reset transform and scale, the option isn't available.

Here is the file: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9qglx6dcboozaj8/Rigging-V6.max?dl=0

I uploaded it on Dropbox since I had no idea where else I could do so and I hope it works. If you know a free alternative please let me know.

Once again huge thanks for your answer, I'm completely stuck with my project because of this problem.

[Anonymous]

I just want to add that I thought about it and perhaps I did scale the hand bones long time ago, since they don't look like the normal size. Still I can't reset their size for some reason.

[lightcube · Accepted solution]

As Alfred hinted, this kind of thing is likely the result of scaling.

If you do have to scale things, it's often best to do it at the mesh's sub-object level. Here is an article about ways to fix scaling issues. The document is a set of tips to address scaling issues for exporting to the Source Engine and not using FBX, but the hints are universally applicable. You might want to look at the section on rescaling a skinned model.

Based off of the description and error message, I'm presuming you may have scaled objects from a coordinate system that wasn't aligned to the bone transform axis (for example, in Parent or Screen). My guess is that you might have averted the issue by scaling the bones in Local system. But generally, you probably ought not scale bones.

[Anonymous]

Many thanks for the tip!

I will save it for future models. My only problem now though is fixing the model I have already made and animated.

[lightcube]

Most likely you can fix the issue with the Animation > Bone Tools > Reset Scale . But don't do that when the mesh is skinned to the bones will cause problems. So read the section about Rescaling Skinned Models as it gives you the steps on being able to reset the scale without corrupting the mesh.

[Anonymous]

I tried to do what you suggested but sadly it doesn't work. This is what happens:

[Alfred.DeFlaminis · Accepted solution]

Hello @Anonymous,

I've created a video here showing you one way to fix this issue.  It's not the most elegant method, but it'll work regardless of experience level.  I tested it on your model as well, all good.  Please let me know if you have any problems.  

EDIT:  I wanted to make a correction on the video.  Typing 100 in the bottom doesn't reset all the transforms, but resets them to 100 for the current transform.  

Best Regards,

[Anonymous]

Good sir, forgive me for being straight informal here, but I just wanted to say that I can't believe how you spent your own time trying to help me. I wasted days trying to fix this problem, you're my darn saviour. THANK YOU, I can't say it enough!

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

You make me feel great @Anonymous, thank you for the kind words!  It is my pleasure to help you and anyone I can on these forums.  I truly feel lucky to have the opportunity to do so, and if you have future problems I'm here for you.

Best Regards,

[Anonymous]

Wow! I used the "normally" you described and it worked! May the deity of your social engineering bless you! Thanks!

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Thanks for the confirmation @Anonymous!  It's nice to know when things work out and I appreciate your post.  Kudos for updating and validating that method!

Best Regards,

[Anonymous]

Hello, your video is really helpful!
I have the same problem but my values are too big to be fixed like this. I need this scale change, if I put it on 100 it change too much my object. How can I do ?

[Anonymous]

Select All - Utilities - Reset XForm - Reset Selected

[Anonymous]

I know that post is quite old, but that the only i've found around about the problem. I'm having the exact same problem with my rig, with fingers essentially, i didn't scaled the bones at all but may have rotated them in world or parent space. I've tried a reset scale with the bone tool but the rig explode as for the OP. I've tried the video tips, but for some reason the values (x: 100.001 z:99.999 0.001 for all problematic bones) refuse to take my 100 as a value it just revert back to 99.999 or 100.001.

Nothing is Frozen in my scene.

Any idea?

I also tried a tips gathered on the web : reset scaled (exploding the model), ctrl-Z to reverse the change (make no sense i know), disabled bones ON then re-enable it again, strangely after this if i check the scale values in world space or parent, they are all at 100. The catch is as soon as i try to export the message appear still and all the values revert back to the 99.999 and 100.001 scale. Thank you for your help. (Max 2015)

Edit: Also tested this one : Select All - Utilities - Reset XForm - Reset Selected,  the rig explode plus the scale values stays the same.

[Anonymous]

This worked for me, short cut, thank you!

[Anonymous]

Have the exact same problem, changed the values and it still gives me the same error..

Any ideas?