T-pose
{{short description|3D model pose built primarily for animation purposes}}
{{about|the human reference pose in computer graphics|a similar human pose|crucifixion}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
File:A_screenshot_of_makehuman_1.0_alpha_7.png software.]]
In computer animation, a T-pose is a default posing for a humanoid 3D model's skeleton before it is animated.{{cite web |last1=Autodesk |title=T-pose - Maya LT 2018 |url=https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/maya-lt/downloads/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/ENU/MayaLT-CharacterAnimation/files/GUID-36808BCC-ACF9-4A9E-B0D8-B8F509FEC0D5-htm.html |website=Autodesk knowledge Network |publisher=Autodesk, Inc. |access-date=16 January 2019|ref=maya}} It is called so because of its shape: the straight legs and arms of a humanoid model combine to form a capital letter T. When the arms are angled downwards, the pose is sometimes referred to as an A-pose instead. Likewise, if the arms are angled upward, it is called a Y-pose. Generic terms encompassing all these (especially for non-humanoid models) include bind pose, blind pose, and reference pose.
Usage
The T-pose is primarily used as the default armature pose for skeletal animation in 3D software, which is then manipulated to create animation. The purpose of the T-pose relates to the important elements of the body being axis-aligned, thereby making it easier to rig the model for animation, physics, and other controls. Depending on the exact geometry of the model, other poses such as the A-pose may be more suitable for vertex deformation around areas such as the shoulders.
Outside of being default poses in animation software, T-poses are typically used as placeholders for animation not yet completed, particularly in 3D animated video games.{{cite web | last1=Nelson | first1=Xalavier Jr. |title=How developers create cinematics |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/how-developers-create-cinematics/ |website=PC Gamer | date=4 January 2019 |publisher=Future US, Inc. |access-date=16 January 2019}} In some motion capture software, a T-pose must be assumed by the actor in the motion capture suit before motion capturing can begin.{{cite web |last1=Stuart |first1=S.C. |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/363845/this-2-500-suit-simplifies-motion-capture-for-filmmakers |website=PCMag |publisher=Ziff Davis, LLC. |access-date=16 January 2019 |title=This $2,500 Suit Simplifies Motion Capture for Filmmakers}} There are other poses used, but the T-pose is the most common one.
As an Internet meme
File:Fursuiters in T-Pose (48499221942) (cropped).jpgs posing; the frontmost in a classic T-pose]]
Starting in 2016 and resurfacing in 2017, the T-pose has become a widespread Internet meme due to its bizarre and somewhat comedic appearance, especially in video game glitches where a character's animation is unexpectedly supplanted by a T-pose.{{cite web |last1=Hathaway |first1=Jay |title=How the 'T-pose' became a meme |url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/t-pose-meme/ |website=The Daily Dot |date=15 May 2018 |access-date=16 January 2019}}{{Cite web|title=T-pose|url=https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/t-pose/|access-date=2021-03-12|website=Dictionary.com|language=en-US}}
In a prerelease video of the game NBA Elite 11, the demo was filled with glitches, notably one unintentionally showing a T-pose in place of the proper animation for the model of player Andrew Bynum. The glitch later gained fame as the "Jesus Bynum glitch".{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5704605/how-a-big-video-game-was-killed |title=How A Big Video Game Was Killed |date=2 December 2010 |publisher=Kotaku.com |access-date=2013-09-01}}{{Cite web|url=https://ballislife.com/nba-elite-11-jesus-bynum/|access-date=2020-09-06|website=ballislife.com|title=Remember NBA Elite 11 & Jesus Bynum?}} Publisher EA eventually cancelled the game as they found it unsatisfactory. A similar occurrence happened with Cyberpunk 2077.{{cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/19/style/cyberpunk-2077-video-game-disaster.html | title = Cyberpunk 2077 Was Supposed to Be the Biggest Video Game of the Year. What Happened? | first1= Mike | last1 = Isaac | first2 =Kellen | last2= Browning | date = December 19, 2020 | access-date = December 20, 2020 | work = The New York Times }}
In the 2023 Formula One season, driver George Russell performed a T-pose in the opening credits of the series' TV broadcasts.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-04 |title="Memes Are Rolling In": George Russell Becomes the "Meme Material" as Fans Get Creative in the Latest F1 Challenge |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/f1-news-memes-are-rolling-in-george-russell-becomes-the-meme-material-as-fans-get-creative-in-the-latest-f1-challenge/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=EssentiallySports |language=en}} This quickly became a meme within the motorsports community. Russell repeated the pose after claiming pole position at the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix{{Cite web |title=Russell amuses fans with intro pose to celebrate |url=https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/281352/russell-does-his-iconic-intro-pose-after-securing-pole-in-canada.html |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=GPblog.com |language=en}} and winning the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix.{{Cite web |date=30 June 2024 |title=2024 Austrian Grand Prix race report and highlights: Russell claims surprise win in Austria after Verstappen and Norris dramatically collide in battle for the lead |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/russell-claims-surprise-win-in-austria-after-verstappen-and-norris.2Kmxvn4a42JYDFhvklagYk |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Official Formula 1 Website |language=en}}
See also
- Vitruvian Man, a diagram by Leonardo da Vinci with the figure of a man making a T and a jack