locator

Duplicates one or more nodes to create new helper transforms matching their initial positions.

This modifier is a highly versatile utility. It allows you to create custom pivot points, extra joints for skinning, or mechanical setups without having to add these technical nodes directly into your base template. You can customize the duplicated node to be a pure transform, a locator, a joint, or even copy the visual shape of the source node.

Parameters

Targets & Hierarchy

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
node	node		Single node to duplicate.
nodes	list[node]		Multiple nodes to duplicate. (Overrides node if both are provided).
parent	node	Parent of source	The node under which the new locator(s) will be parented.
root	bool	off	Adds a "buffer" transform node above the created locator, acting as its immediate parent. Note: Automatically set to on if copycat is enabled.

Naming

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
name	str	Source name	Base name of the locator(s). Used for display and IDs.
prefix	str	loc	Prefix for the created nodes. (Automatically changes to sk if skin is enabled).

Reserved Name

Do not use root as a value for the name parameter. It is reserved by the system for internal ID generation and will trigger a warning.

Type & Shape

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
skin / joint	bool	off	Creates a joint instead of a standard transform node. Useful for creating extra skinning influences procedurally.
locator	bool	off	Adds a locator shape under the transform.
shape	bool	off	Copies the visual curve/shape from the source node to the new locator.
scale	float	1.0	Affects the scale of the locator shape or the radius if it's a joint.

Behavior

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
copycat	bool	off	Connects the source node's local matrix to the duplicated locator. The locator will constantly mimic the source node's local transforms (translation, rotation, scale, shear). Forces root: on to prevent double transformations.

Output

The modifier registers the generated nodes internally. Depending on your parameters, the following IDs are created:

• <id>::mod.loc.<name> (The main created node)
• <id>::mod.loc.root.<name> (If root: on or copycat: on)
• <id>::skin.loc.<name> (If skin: on)

Examples

Basic Helper

Creates a simple transform node with a locator shape at the position of the bone tip, parented to the world.

locator:
  node: bone::tip
  parent: world::node
  locator: on
  name: tip_helper

Skin Joint Generation

Creates a joint instead of a transform, prefixes it with sk_.

locator:
  node: leg.L::skin.dn.0
  root: on
  skin: on
  name: knee_volume

The Copycat Setup

Creates a duplicate of a controller that strictly follows its local matrix. The system automatically creates a root_ node above it to act as an offset, ensuring the matrix connection works flawlessly.

locator:
  parent: rig_local::node
  node: spine::ctrls.0
  copycat: on
  name: spine_local