Animators

The Animator Component

The Animator Component transforms Animation Clips from your Animator Controller into real changes on your avatar. While you can add it manually, Unity automatically places it on any FBX file with an avatar definition.

To do this automatically:

  1. Open the model inspector.
  2. Choose Create from this Model or Copy From Other Avatar.
  3. Ensure your FBX has a Humanoid or Generic rig.

The Animator Component as seen in the in the GameObject Inspector

The Animator Component as seen in the in the GameObject Inspector

The Animator component can be added to any GameObject via the button in the Inspector.

The Animator component can be added to any GameObject via the Add Component button in the Inspector.

Using the Animator Component

The animator component has a few usage quirks:

Animation Clips are Relative to the Nearest Parent Animator Component

When animating a GameObject, a property’s target path omits the Root Animator GameObject. For example:

If we want to animate Child relative to the Animator on the Avatar, the Animation Clip’s path will be Parent/Child

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If we want to animate Child relative to the Animator on the Parent, the Animation Clip’s path will be Child

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Adding properties to the Animation window will add property paths relative to the nearest parent Animator component.

Animator Components Control The Animation Window

The Animation Window changes depending on the nearest Animator component on itself or any parents.

  1. The Animation Window looks like this if there is no Animator detected, no Animator Controller detected, or if your Animator Controller in the Animator does not have any Animation Clips.

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  1. The Animation Window will display your selected Animation Clip if you select it from your Project window, but options such as Preview, Record, and other editing features will be unavailable unless you select a GameObject in your Hierarchy with an Animator somewhere above it.

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  1. With an Animator component, an Animator Controller, and at least one Animation Clip in that controller, the Animation window will become fully available.

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Advanced Details

The Component Fields

The Animator component has five fields to interact with: