Recording Full Body -- What About Triggers?

[Big Al 3D]

I'm well into my first project with CA and like it so far. I am going to record a full body shot to get a recording of my character dribbling a basketball. After a couple of dribbles, the arm will go up an should switch to a pointing hand (all set up) where I will add the ball in AE. How can I do the trigger if I'm 8 feet away from the keyboard?

I'm sure there's a way to do the ball in CA too, but I don't have that much time. Next one. Thanks for any info.

[j-saito]

What I've done before:

• Use a hand-held remote device like Nintendo Switch Joycon and software to map to keys (e.g. JoyToKey) - disclaimer: we are not affiliated with either of these - no official support, just a suggestion

or

• Record triggers separately after the body tracking

[Big Al 3D]

Okay, so on the record separately thing. So I know about disabling certain parts when recording, but if I disable the left arm for example just so I can do the trigger, how would I know what's going on? The previous recording doesn't play when I'm recording something new, at least I don't think it does.

[j-saito]

My suggested workflow is more like

1. Record with the Body Tracker
2. Disable Body behavior (click the circle next to the eye icon - see image) so it will not record, and previous recordings of the Body behavior will play during another recording
3. Start the recording. The previous Body behavior recording should play as you record
4. Trigger at your desired timing after you see several dribbles captured by the Body Tracker

Note that this recording/playback workflow by toggling this red circle is the general design of Character Animator, not specific to the body tracker.

[Big Al 3D]

Sorry for not replying sooner. Yes, your advice cleared up my thinking of how CA works. Thanks!