It works by scripting the generation of on-screen widgets and the effects they have on the functions to which the position and parameters of elements, pegs, deformers and effects are associated when the user manipulates them. The callback functions are written in JavaScript using the Toon Boom standard scripting interface. The Master Controller is a node allowing the user to create and link callback functions to actions from the Transform tool, capable of generating controls in the Camera view.

The master controllers will not be added to the rig by the rigging artist, but by a technical person such as a programmer or technical director. One interesting scenario would be to apply the controllers on a rotating rig, also known as interpolating rig or 360 rig. Master controllers are not exclusive to puppet rigs, but it is the main production context in which they would be used. To speed up the animation production on intricate rigs, a master controller can be added allowing to control many parameters at once. These character rigs, or puppets, are then animated using the Transform tool, creating a series of keyframes of the various coordinate, angle, scale, and skew parameters linked to these nodes. Toon Boom Harmony allows rigging artists to create simple to very advanced character rigs, breaking down the body parts into various drawings and parenting them using hierarchies of transformation and deformation nodes.

Toon boom harmony rigging