How can I modify the epic skeleton so it has a hunchback?

International
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I have tried this tutorial from the AI Assistant but didnt get any results.

To create a hunched posture for a character in Unreal Engine (UE), you have three primary methods depending on whether you want the change to be permanent to the mesh, procedurally adjusted during gameplay, or driven by animation logic.

For a hunch, you typically target the spine chain (Spine_01, Spine_02, Spine_03) and the Neck bone.

Method 1: Using “Transform (Modify) Bone” in Animation Blueprints

This is the most flexible method for gameplay. It allows you to programmatically adjust the hunch (e.g., more hunch when crouching or exhausted).

Conceptual Overview:

  • Target specific spine bones.
  • Apply a rotation offset in Component Space.
  • Use a variable to control the “Hunch Intensity.”

Graph Recipe (AnimGraph):

  1. Node: Transform (Modify) Bone
    • Bone to Modify: spine_03 (or the upper spine bone).
    • Rotation Mode: Add to Existing.
    • Rotation Space: Bone Space.
    • Rotation: Create a variable (e.g., HunchRotation) and plug it into the Rotation pin.
  2. Repeat this for spine_02 with a smaller value for a natural curve.
  3. Add a final Transform (Modify) Bone for the neck_01 bone, rotating it upward so the character still looks forward while the body is hunched.

Method 2: Permanent Adjustment via Skeletal Editor (UE 5.6+)

If you want the character to be permanently hunched without extra runtime overhead, use the Skeletal Editor.

Setup Checklist:

  1. Ensure the Skeletal Mesh Editing Tools plugin is enabled (Edit > Plugins).
  2. Open your Skeletal Mesh asset.

Step-by-Step Build:

  1. Enter Editing Tools mode from the toolbar.
  2. Select the Skeleton tab on the left.
  3. In the Skeleton Tree, select spine_02 or spine_03.
  4. Use the Rotate Gizmo (R) to tilt the bone forward.
  5. Critical Step: If you want this to be the new default “Rest Pose,” you must use the Bind Skin or Update Reference Pose tools within the Skeletal Editor to commit these changes to the mesh’s base state.

Method 3: Procedural Control via Control Rig

Use this if you need high-quality deformation or complex procedural “hunching” logic that involves the arms and head moving in sync.

Step-by-Step Build:

  1. Create a Control Rig for your character.
  2. In the Rig Graph, use a Distribute Rotations node.
    • Items: Add spine_01 through spine_05.
    • Rotation: Use a variable to drive the forward pitch.
  3. Add an Offset Transform node for the head bone to keep it level.
  4. In your Animation Blueprint, add a Control Rig node and select your rig asset.

Performance & Best Practices

  • Avoid Tick: If using Method 1, update the HunchRotation variable in the BlueprintUpdateAnimation event rather than calculating it inside the AnimGraph.
  • Component Space: When using Transform (Modify) Bone, Component Space is often safer than World Space to ensure the hunch follows the character as they turn.
  • Post-Process AnimBP: If the hunch is a constant physical trait, consider placing the Transform (Modify) Bone logic inside a Post-Process Animation Blueprint. This ensures the hunch is applied last, regardless of which animation is playing.

To verify in PIE (Play In Editor):

  • Open the Animation Insights or use the show bones console command to ensure the spine is rotating at the correct joints.
  • Check that the mesh doesn’t “self-intersect” (e.g., the chin clipping into the chest) when the hunch is at its maximum value.

Thanks for the help!