[Max 2011] Mirroring a skinned mesh

SideEffect

Is there a simple way to mirror a skinned mesh and it's bones?


I've been doing this:
1. Select bones
2. Animation>Bones Tools>Mirror and set it aside
3. Select mesh and original bones and use mirror tool
4. Go to skin modifier and save envelopes
5. Align bone tool mirrored bones to original bones
6. Delete original bones
7. Add mirrored bones to skin modifier
8. Load saved envelopes

Just wondering if you guys have found a quicker way.


Thanks!

poopipe

surely you'll get away with just freezing transforms on the original bones after mirroring everything - you might need to disable/enable always transform as well

wierdly I don't think I've ever needed to do this in ten years of working in 3d...

SideEffect

what exactly does freezing transforms do poopipe? I've never been clear on the concept. The max help file on the subject wasn't very clear to me.

Was hoping some more animation/rigging guys would chime in on this. Any thoughts you could share?