Rigging & animation · Intermediate

Animation retargeting

Copying motion from one skeleton onto a different character

Also called Retargeting

What is animation retargeting?

Animation retargeting is copying motion from one skeleton onto a different one, so an animation made for one character plays on another. The software pairs up matching bones, like left thigh to left thigh, and adjusts for differences in size and proportion.

Think of it like this

Like teaching a dance routine to a taller dancer: the steps stay the same, but the arm reach and stride stretch to fit the new body.

Where it fits in a 3D project

  1. Create
  2. Surface
  3. Rig
  4. Animate
  5. Render
  6. Export

Animate: Making things move over time.

How animation retargeting works

  1. 01Pick a source skeleton that already has the animation.
  2. 02Pair each source bone with the matching bone on the target.
  3. 03Line up the rest poses, such as both standing in a T pose.
  4. 04Transfer the motion, then fix sliding feet and missed hand contacts.

Where animation retargeting is used

  • Putting motion capture on a finished character
  • Sharing one animation library across many game characters
  • Trying stock animations on a new model

Beginner tip

Make sure both skeletons start in the same rest pose. A source in a T pose and a target in an A pose leaves the arms tilted in every retargeted frame.

Terms related to animation retargeting

Animation retargeting FAQ

How do you retarget an animation?
Load the animated source and the target character, pair their bones, and line up their rest poses. Most 3D apps and game engines include a retargeting tool, and Blender has add-ons for it.
Why does retargeting motion capture need cleanup?
The performer and the character rarely share proportions. A shorter character’s feet may slide or sink, and hands may miss props. After retargeting, animators fix contacts so feet plant and hands land where they should.
Why does my retargeted animation look wrong?
Usually a bone pairing or rest pose mismatch. Check every bone has its partner, both skeletons share a rest pose, and the scales match. Twisted limbs often mean a bone’s roll, its spin around its own length, differs.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms