Share animations for multiple skeletal character meshes?

Oblivion2500

I have 9 characters with different body types and heights. They each have their own skeleton. The skeletons are exactly the same with bone hierarchy and names. Just different size and height/locations based on character. I created an animation and exported it to UE4, I assigned it to character #1, I noticed I can't use the animation for any other characters. How can I share animations for all 9 characters?

Obscura

https://www.google.rs/search?client=opera&q=unreal+engine+skeletal+mesh+share+animation&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Oblivion2500

Obscura said:

https://www.google.rs/search?client=opera&q=unreal+engine+skeletal+mesh+share+animation&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Yeah, I googled it and read about it. I can't seem to follow the instructions. Do I make animations just for character #1, then open all characters #2 to #9 skeleton asset and retarget to the character #1 skeleton? Or is it the other way around?

melviso

If I remember this is why one animator called monty oum (RIP) used to make use of a program called Poser for animations because the skeleton in that program was universal. The bones work on any rigged character easily irrespective of character size, length, height. So he was able to chun out animations in no time as any animation could easily be remapped to any character.
I am not sure if motionbuilder or maya even blender has this feature. Poser is very limited according to the interviews and panels I have watch him give hence why it is not used in studios. His workflow was unconventional and he saw himself more as a film maker than an animator.

However u can check this thread, also try to google threads that discuss similar topics to yours, u might find the answers u need:
https://forums.unrealengine.com/development-discussion/animation/59632-one-skeleton-aka-animation-for-multiple-mesh