Rigify UI doesn't show when linking in more than one character #51729

Partially related to blender/blender#29501 . See that one for context on rig_ui.py.

Steps to reproduce:

Create two blender files with two characters using rigify.
Create a third blender file and link the objects for both characters
Link also the rig_ui.py script of both characters (since it includes the ID of the rig)

Expected:

Two animatable characters with their rig UIs to conveniently enable IK/FK controls

Actual:

The rigs work, I can manipulate their controls and they do what they are meant to do.
I tried linking the script once or multiple times. Regardless, I only get the rig UI in one character, not the other.
I tried appending the characters instead of linking them and got a different behavior, only the script for the first character I append is working. Others' are ignored.

Note:

I also tried creating two rigs on the same scene with rigify, to see if the behavior was different, but that doesn't seem to work. The second rig deletes the first one.

Configuration:

Blender 2.78 - Ubuntu 17.04 - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

Changed status to: 'Open'

Added subscriber: @RubenLopez

Added subscriber: @mont29

Well, if both use same py script name, I would not expect this to work indeed, even less if it is not possible to create to Rigify rigs in same local file…

Not sure whether this is known/intended limitation or actual bug, but seems to be a Rigify issue, not really Blender/linking one.

Thanks for triaging so quickly. Agreed, it seems to be a Rigify issue. I certainly hope it is not a limitation (it is not documented). It is quite common to have shots with more than one character on them.

Added subscriber: @LucioRossi

@LucioRossi think you are the one to answer here too? :)

Added subscriber: @icappiello

there's more than a issue here.

automatic linking of ui the python script.
rig_ui.py should have a unique name for each character
multiple rigs generation in the same file

It should be all fixed in rigify 0.5. In the while you can manually make it work:

automatic linkingafter rig generation, select the armature in object mode, then switch to the 'game logic' window layout. With the rig still selected, under 'controllers' click on 'add controller' and select 'python' from the dropdown menu. Then select the character's rig_ui.py as script input. Save the file.
From now on when linking the character in a new file blender is forced to autoload the ui.py along with the rig. Just link the rig in a new file, save it, reload and should be ok.

unique rig_ui.py script name
simply go in the text editor and rename each rig_ui differently. You can just pre-pend the character's name like: character-one_rig_ui.py. Save the blend file.

If you switch to new rigify rigs (formerly known as pitchipoy) you will benefit of advanced generation options features in rigify 0.5 that's included in blender 2.79.

Let me know if this helps.
Cheers,
Ivan

Changed status from 'Open' to: 'Resolved'

closing the tasks as resolved since rigify 0.5 addresses all 3 issues.

The workaround works great, thanks! Also, I'll use pitchipoy for new characters until 2.79 is out.

Added subscriber: @karlisstigis

Thank you very much, I will try that!

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Rigify UI doesn't show when linking in more than one character #51729