Use Center Position Bias to Move Models in MMD

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How do you get MikuMikuDance models out of the center? What is Center Position Bias? How do you use more than one MMD model at a time? When do I use negative numbers in Miku Miku Dance numeric input?

Coordinate Coordination …

Remember in your more lucid moments in Math class when you studied graphing? You thought to yourself “When am I ever going to use this stuff?” “Does this really exist in the real world?” “How can I fake my death when report cards come out?” Well, here it is. Your math teachers are, probably, laughing at you right now- I hope you paid attention!

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Editor’s Note: Center Position Bias is a powerful tool as described in this article. Another way to do this is to use the model’s “motherbone”… which moves the model and takes the model’s motion with it. See our articles about using the motherbone and how to add a motherbone to your models.

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The world of MMD is a very structured world. When you first opened it up, all you found was a barren grid and a Display Coordinate Axis (That green vertical line in the middle). The grid is divided up into a 20×20 field made up of 400 individual squares. Each square is a unit with a value of 5 (five of “what” I don’t know) and has positive and negative values.

When you load any model they will, by default, open at the origin (dead center) of all X, Y and Z axes. So if you want to make your models move anywhere on the grid you have to physically place it there. This is where you have to use the Center Position Bias function.

At this point, I want to give you three little phrases that will help you remember each axis:

X is side to side.

Y is up and down.

Z is forward and back.

If you want to set this to your favorite melody in order to help you remember then by all means do it. Please refer to the illustrations for more clarification. Also remember (in MMD) direction is referenced from the model’s point of view. Example: Go to the View field and click on Left, and it will show you the model’s left side-just like on a theatre stage, it is a backward world.

USE
CENTER POSITION BIAS

to move your model and her motion data
to a new spot on the stage.

The first step is to load your model(s). Then, load the motion data you want to use. If you are using more than one model you have to load the motion data to each and every model and THEN reposition the model (NOTE: This is a good habit to develop, otherwise your model will just start at the point programed by the motion data).

Now go to the Model Manipulation field and select the model you want to move.

Next, go to the main menu bar and choose the EDIT menu and click on the select all bone frame option.

Go back to the EDIT menu and this time you select the apply center position bias, at the very bottom of that list. A small chart will pop up and this is where you enter the coordinates you want for your model.  For instance, enter “-20” in the X field and “30” in the Z field and see where your model is placed. This would be a good time to practice different coordinates and do be prepared to do some math. Remember, each move is from the model’s current position (you can also just hit Undo). You’re not restricted to multiples of 5 try “27” or any other number in these fields. The more time you spend getting familiar with this function, the more time you will save later on (as well as your tears and sanity).

When you get to exactly where you want your model don’t forget to click Register in the Model Manipulation field. Otherwise, your character will just fly back to its last registered position. If you’re like me and just ever so slightly OCD you can go the Bone menu option and select numeric input and see exactly where your model is located.

Have fun with this.

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– SEE BELOW for MORE MMD TUTORIALS…

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