---
title: IK Chain
description: "![](https://ariserigging.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image-250.png) You can create an IK chain with as many joints as you want. Notes: - guides should not be placed in a straight line. - This node is most predictable with three joints. - Rotation and twist of the…"
url: "https://ariserigging.com/docs/basic-nodes/ik-chain/"
updated: "2026-05-13"
category: Basic Nodes
---

# IK Chain

![](https://ariserigging.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image-250.png)

You can create an IK chain with as many joints as you want.

Notes:

- guides should not be placed in a straight line.
- This node is most predictable with three joints.
- Rotation and twist of the IK system are controlled by the tip ctrl.

Guides:

- **'{Number} Guide' **- Position where the IK joints will be. Number of guides is determined by the attribute 'Joints'.

Attributes:

1. **'Single Side Guide'** - For some [**Aim Guides**](https://ariserigging.com/docs/elements/guides/), the 'side_vector' (twist) is locked and driven by a single 'side_vector', which keeps the orientation consistent. Uncheck this attribute to unlock them if you need more control over the twist. Re-template is required when changes are made. [**[Video]**](https://youtu.be/-1fpRw6oJME?t=233)
2. **'Ctrls Scale'** - Scale all the node ctrls. Note that the attachments [**'Ctrls Settings'**](https://ariserigging.com/docs/attachments/ctrlssettings/) and [**'Ctrl**](https://newaccount1619350932681.freshdesk.com/a/solutions/articles/69000440812)**[s](https://ariserigging.com/docs/attachments/ctrlsshape/)**[**Shape'**](https://ariserigging.com/docs/attachments/ctrlsshape/) will override this.
   *[As of version 1.06.03]*  'Update' button to change the ctrls size without requiring a rebuild. [**[Video]**](https://youtu.be/-1fpRw6oJME?t=31) 
3. **'Clean Transformations'** - If checked, the [**zeroed pose**](https://ariserigging.com/docs/elements/poses/) will be the same as the [**bind pose**](https://ariserigging.com/docs/elements/poses/); if unchecked, when zeroing the ctrls, they will align with a world axis specified in the following two attributes. **[[Video]](https://youtu.be/-1fpRw6oJME?t=61)**
4. **'World Orientation'** - The world axis the ctrls will align with when zeroed. Usually, this attribute's default value is the correct value. **[[Video]](https://youtu.be/-1fpRw6oJME?t=61)**
5. **'World Orient Twist'** - Along with 'World Orientation', defines the ctrls zeroed pose. Usually, the default value of 0 is the correct value. **[[Video]](https://youtu.be/-1fpRw6oJME?t=61)**
6. **'Expose RotateOrder'** - Exposes all the ctrls 'RotateOrder' attribute in the Channel Box. [**[Video]**](https://youtu.be/-1fpRw6oJME?t=149)
7. **'Secondary Ctrls' **- Secondary ctrls are added under some ctrls to help prevent gimbal lock.
   A visibility attribute is added to the parent ctrl. [**[Video]**](https://youtu.be/-1fpRw6oJME?t=157) 
8. **'Joints'** - The number of joints/guides; modifying this attribute requires a 're-template'.

Connections:

- **'Root Input'** - Drives the 'root_ctrl'.
- **'Tip Input'** - Drives the 'tip_ctrl'.
- **'Root Output'** - An output at '0000_jnt'.
- **'Tip Output'** - An output at the tip joint.

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