space

Creates a constraint switch system on a controller's parent (or a specified root node).

This modifier sets up a space-switching system allowing a controller to dynamically change its space of influence based on a list of targets. This is critical for animators who need to change a controller's follow behavior (e.g., switching an IK hand from world space to head space or pelvis space).

Beyond creating the constraints, this modifier also automatically builds the necessary UI network nodes, ensuring that Mikan's right-click Anim menu can perform seamless space-matching out of the box.

Parameters

Targets & Nodes

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
node	node		The controller where the switch attributes will be exposed to the animator.
root	node	Parent of node	The actual node that receives the constraint. Usually the buffer group right above the controller.
target / targets	node / list[node]		List of nodes acting as the drivers for the space switch.
default	list[float]	[0.0, ...]	Default weights for each target upon build. If omitted, all targets start at 0 (meaning the controller stays in its rest space).

Constraint Type

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
orient	bool	off	Forces an orientConstraint (rotation only). Generated attributes will be prefixed with follow_.
point	bool	off	Forces a position-only constraint. Generated attributes will be prefixed with pin_. (Ignored if orient is enabled).

(If neither orient nor point is specified, a full parentConstraint (Translate + Rotate) is created, and attributes are prefixed with pin_).

UI & Naming

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
rest_name	str	parent	The UI label for the fallback state (when all targets are at 0).
names	dict[node: str]		A dictionary allowing you to explicitly map target nodes to custom attribute names for the Channel Box.

Attribute Name Resolution

If you do not explicitly provide a custom name via the names dictionary, Mikan tries to generate a clean, UI-friendly attribute name based on the target node's internal ID.

It searches the target's tags in this priority order: space > hooks > ctrls > skin. For example, if your target has the ID leg::space.world, Mikan will generate the attribute pin_world.

If a name cannot be meaningfully resolved automatically (e.g., resulting in ugly names like pin_skin_0), you should:

• Tag the target properly (e.g., give it a space.custom_name tag using the tag modifier).
• Or explicitly define its name using the names parameter.

Examples

Classic World/Pelvis/Head Switch

Creates a standard translation and rotation space switch for an IK arm. By default, it stays in its hierarchical parent space (labeled "root").

space:
  node: arm.L::ctrl.ik
  rest_name: root
  targets:
    - *::space.world
    - *::space.move
    - *::space.pelvis
    - *::space.head

Orient-Only Switch (Follow)

Creates a rotation-only space switch for a head controller, allowing it to follow the neck or stay locked to the world. We explicitly map the world target to the name "global" to avoid bad auto-naming.

space:
  node: neck::ctrls.head
  orient: on
  rest_name: local
  targets:
    - *::space.world
    - *::space.move