Blender Can't Move Bone Only Rotate

Blender Can't Move Bone, Only Rotate: Troubleshooting Common Issues

Are you frustrated because you can only rotate bones in Blender, and not translate (move) them? This common problem often stems from a few easily fixable issues. This guide will walk you through troubleshooting steps to get your armature working smoothly again. This will cover common causes and solutions for this frustrating problem, improving your workflow and efficiency in Blender.

Meta Description: Facing the "Blender can't move bone, only rotate" issue? This guide diagnoses common causes, from incorrect constraints to simple selection mistakes, offering solutions to get your armature working again.

This problem can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you're deep in a project. Let's dive into the most likely culprits and how to resolve them.

1. Incorrect Selection Mode:

The most common reason for this is simply being in the wrong selection mode. Ensure you're in Edit Mode for the armature. If you're in Object Mode, you'll only be able to manipulate the entire armature object, not individual bones.

• Check your mode: Look at the header of your Blender window. It should clearly indicate "Edit Mode". If it's in "Object Mode", switch to "Edit Mode" by clicking the appropriate button.

2. Bone Constraints:

Constraints applied to your bones can restrict their movement. Let's check if any constraints are preventing translation.

• Locate Constraints: In Edit Mode, select the bone that's refusing to translate. Go to the Properties panel (usually on the right), and look for the "Constraints" tab.
• Examine Constraints: Review each constraint applied to the bone. Some constraints, like "Copy Location," "Track To," or "Limit Location," can severely restrict or completely prevent translation. Temporarily disable or delete these constraints to see if it resolves the issue. Remember to re-enable or recreate them after testing.

3. Parenting Issues:

Improper parenting can also lead to this problem. A bone might be parented in a way that prevents independent movement.

• Check Parent Bone: In Edit Mode, select the problematic bone. Look at the bone's relationship with other bones, represented by the line connections. Is it connected to a bone with restrictive constraints, or is there an unexpected hierarchy?
• Examine the Armature Hierarchy: Consider whether the armature is well-organized. A poorly structured armature can easily lead to these kinds of issues. You might need to adjust the bone's hierarchy or even rebuild the armature for clarity and better control.

4. Accidental Keyframes:

Have you accidentally set keyframes that are restricting movement? This happens more frequently than one might think.

• Check Keyframes: Open the Dope Sheet or Graph Editor. Examine the keyframes for the bone's location. If there are keyframes that lock the bone's position, deleting them might resolve the issue.

5. Bone Transformations:

Occasionally, the bone's transformation properties might be unintentionally locked.

• Check Transformations: In Edit Mode, with the problematic bone selected, look at the "Item" tab in the Properties panel. Ensure that the "Location," "Rotation," and "Scale" values aren't locked (small padlock icon). Unlock any locked values to regain full control.

6. Blender Version and Add-ons:

Although less common, conflicts with Blender versions or add-ons can sometimes interfere with bone manipulation.

• Check for Updates: Ensure you're running the latest stable version of Blender. Outdated versions might contain bugs that cause this type of problem.
• Disable Add-ons: Temporarily disable any recently installed add-ons to see if one of them is causing the conflict.

If none of these solutions work, consider these next steps:

• Restart Blender: A simple restart can often solve temporary glitches.
• Save and Re-open: Save your file and reopen it. Sometimes, corrupted file data can lead to unexpected behaviors.
• Create a New File: As a last resort, create a new Blender file and try recreating a simple armature to isolate the problem. If the problem persists in a new file, there might be an issue with your Blender installation.

By systematically working through these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue preventing you from translating your bones in Blender. Remember to save your work frequently to avoid losing progress. Good luck!