# Groups

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The variety of different group types available in modo can get confusing at times, so in this video Rich goes over each type of group and demonstrates how they are different from one another and from groups found in the 'Groups' viewport. The 'Groups' viewport adds powerful workflow streamlining functionality to a variety rigging and animating tasks, that will be helpful to understand when setting up a rig for an animator.

Users can jump ahead to a specific section by using the Chapter selection widget on the right side of the player or by directly clicking any of the Chapter Title links below.

Tab | Time | Chapter | Description
1 | 00:07 | Definition | Demonstration of differences between different types of modo groups.
2 | 02:02 | Add Group | How to add a group to a scene and populate it with items and channels.
3 | 05:23 | Group Uses | Different ways to use a group for setting keyframes and rigging.
4 | 13:28 | Advanced Options | Groups overrides and their behaviors explained.
5 | 20:30 | Context Example | An example of working with a simple rig and a proper group.
| 23:21 | Total Video Time |

Frequently Asked Questions--

Q.) As you drag the item list up and down it changes, what is that about?

> A.) That is modo's "Plastic" UI which allows for panels and editors to adjust how they look based on the available screen space they have. Check out the General UI section of the training for more info.

Q.) Transformation Items, what are those?

> A.) All XYZ positioning, rotating and scaling are added to a mesh item with "Transform Items". This is one of the most powerful (and under utilized) features in modo... and has been around since 301! Check out the transform items section in the training for more information.

Q.) Group Locators, Group and Assembly Groups, why so many types of "Groups"?

> A.) I think this is more a matter of how modo's rigging and animation system has evolved over time. Group Locators were originally just called "groups" so you could group items in the item list. Then real "Groups" were added but they didn't want to completely change the name of the item list groups for consistency sake. Then we adding Assembly Groups which are really just upgraded "Groups" and you can see how it all took place.

Q.) A little popup window appeared over the viewport where he adjusted a channel's value, what is that?

> A.) That is the "Channel Haul" tool. It allows you to take any channel selection and quickly edit its value right in the 3D viewport. Check out the Assemblies and Rigging UI section in the training for more info.

Resources--

Links to the modo in-line help system
Docs: UI
Docs: Keyframing
Docs: Rendering
Docs: Groups

Links to other pages in this training
Training: General UI
Training: Transform Items
Training: Keyframes and Dopesheet
Training: Channels
Training: Assembly Groups
Training: Locators Mesh Display
Training: Inverse Kinematics
Training: Assemblies and Rigging UI

Files--

Links to the modo scenes used in the video
(click to open in modo)
File: Groups_01.lxo
File: Groups_02.lxo

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