In order to attach a prop to a clip with a locator, you need to right-click into a prop track, and select Add Attachment from the context menu. The attachment clip will show up red since it is not attached to anything just yet.

Adding an attachment clip

Double-click the newly created Attachment Clip to view its properties.

An attachment clip's properties

In the lower section of the attachment clip's property page, you will find three drop lists.

The first field is used to select the desired character to which this prop will be attached.

The second field is used to select the clip which contains the desired animation locator.

The last field is used to select the animated prop locator of the selected clip.

Attachment clips have a global offset so you can properly place the prop with the chosen character. This offset is kept for the whole time of the attachment clip's duration.

When all three fields are filled up, the attachment clip will turn blue, and the prop object will move to the prop locator's location. You can further refine its placement using the usual translation and rotation manipulators.

A properly attached prop

Note:     The prop can be scaled in the prop's track properties.

You can now add other clips with props and blend the attachment clips together in order to build up the animation of the prop. You can also have attachment clips among multiple characters to exchange the prop between the characters.

An important concept to understand when using props is that if there is no attachement clip, the prop will not be animated, but if you make an attachment clip longer that the animated prop locator, the prop will maintain its relation to the attachment location on the character. This means that if a prop is attached to a hand, it will stay attached to this hand, even if there are no prop locator at that time in the character clips.

Note:     As seen in the note found in the attachment clip properties, the animation of a prop outside the prop locator animation will appear to be floating next to its related bodypart. This is normal and the prop animation will be properlly constrained by the MoClip server upon file processing.