UMN in Action — Universal Movement Notation

● MNN · Body

Body Movement States

MNN strings for common movement patterns. A physical therapist documenting a patient's gait uses the same notation as an avatar controller. The virtual world makes it visible — the string is identical in a clinic log, a game engine, or a cable rig.

Idle Stance

Avatar standing at rest. Core lightly engaged for postural stability.

MNN

@MOV(Idle) @ACT(TrA:1, Ers:1) >> Intercost/DorsRami

Walking

Natural forward gait. Glutes and quads alternate, gastrocnemius push-off.

MNN

@MOV(Walk) @ACT(Glu.Mx:2, Quad.RF:2, Gas:1) >> InfGlu/Fem/Tib

Running

High-effort locomotion. Glutes max + quads at peak, hip flexors engaged.

MNN

@MOV(Run) @ACT(Glu.Mx:3, Quad.RF:3, HpFl:2, Gas:2) >> InfGlu/Fem/Tib

Flying

Avatar fly mode. Shoulder girdle stabilized, core braced for horizontal posture.

MNN

@MOV(Fly) @ACT(Trp.L:2, Ser:2, TrA:2) >> CNXI/LTh/Intercost
@JNT(Bi.Sh:Flex=30,Abd=20)

Seated — Chair

Standard seated posture. Hip flexors + lumbar extensors holding position.

MNN

@MOV(Sit) @ACT(HpFl:2, Ers:1, TrA:1) >> Fem/DorsRami
@JNT(Bi.Hip:Flex=90 Bi.Kn:Flex=90)

Seated — Floor (Cross-legged)

Ground-level sit. Hip external rotation, adductors relaxed, core upright.

MNN

@MOV(Sit.Floor) @ACT(Pir:2, Ers:1, TrA:1) >> Sci.T/DorsRami
@JNT(Bi.Hip:Flex=90,ER=45)

Swimming

Avatar swim mode. Lat dominant, shoulder rotation, core anti-extension.

MNN

@MOV(Swim) @ACT(Lat:2, Pec.S:2, TrA:2, Obl.E:1) >> ThDors/MedPec

Dancing

Rhythmic full-body movement. Core rotation dominant, arms free.

MNN

@MOV(Dance) @ACT(Obl.E:2, TrA:1, Glu.Md:1) >> Intercost/SupGlu

● MNN + FNN + VRN · Social

Social Interactions & Expressions

Compound strings encoding body, face, and voice together — a complete behavioral state at one moment. Useful anywhere an expression must be precisely reproduced: actor coaching, NPC scripting, clinical expression assessment, or vocal training feedback.

Greeting — Wave + Smile

Right arm raised, Duchenne smile, forward posture. Full greeting scene.

Compound

@MOV(Wave) @ACT(Dlt.A:2, Dlt.L:1, Tri:1) >> Axil/Rad
@JNT(R.Sh:Flex=100,Abd=60)
@FNN(Zyg.Mj:3, Orb.Oc.O:2) >> CNVII/Zyg

MNN body state + FNN facial state = one complete greeting snapshot

Active Conversation

Standing, speaking clearly, attentive expression. Vocal state included.

Compound

@MOV(Idle) @ACT(TrA:1)
@FNN(Orb.Or:1, Zyg.Mj:1) >> CNVII
@RES(Ch:2, Or:1) @PLC(A) @VOC(Fl) @BR(Sp2)

MNN body + FNN face + VRN voice = full conversational avatar state

Laughing Together

Full laugh expression with body lean, vocal burst. Social energy peak.

Compound

@MOV(Idle) @ACT(RA.U:2, Obl.E:2)
@JNT(Sp.L:Flex=15)
@EXPR(Laugh) @FNN(Zyg.Mj:4, Orb.Oc.O:3, Dep.Lab:2)
@RES(Ch:3, H:2) @VOC(Fl) @BR(Sp3)

Bowing / Respectful Greeting

Forward spinal flexion, neutral face, no vocalization. Cultural bow gesture.

Compound

@MOV(Bow) @ACT(Ers:2, RA.U:1)
@JNT(Sp.L:Flex=35, Sp.C:Flex=20)
@FNN(Zyg.Mj:1, Orb.Or:1) >> CNVII

Singing — Opera Projection

Standing tall, full resonance stack, all chambers open. Maximum vocal presence.

VRN

@MOV(Idle) @ACT(Dia:3, TrA:2, Ers:1)
@FNN(Zyg.Mj:2, Orb.Or:2)
@RES(H:3, Ch:3, Zy:3, Ma:3) @PLC(F) @VOC(Fl) @BR(Sp5)

Dancing — Euphoric

Free movement, genuine smile, head voice hum. Pure joy state.

Compound

@MOV(Dance) @ACT(Obl.E:2, Glu.Md:2)
@EXPR(Laugh) @FNN(Zyg.Mj:3, Orb.Oc.O:3)
@RES(H:2, Zy:2) @VOC(Hd) @BR(Sp2)

● VMN · Vehicle + LSL Bridge

Vehicle States

VMN strings for vehicle physics states. The virtual environment makes them visible, but the strings themselves are platform-neutral — they map directly to the LSL vehicle physics API for Second Life / OpenSim, and could equally drive a simulator or documentation tool.

Car — Street Cruise

Ground vehicle at moderate urban speed, gentle left curve.

VMN

@VMN(Car) @ATT(Rol=4,Yaw=270)
@VEL(Fwd=14) @CTRL(Throt=0.7,Steer=-20)
@MODE(Cruise)

⌁ LSL Translation

llSetVehicleType(VEHICLE_TYPE_CAR);
llSetVehicleVectorParam(VEHICLE_LINEAR_MOTOR_DIRECTION, <14,0,0>);
llSetVehicleFloatParam(VEHICLE_LINEAR_MOTOR_TIMESCALE, 1.0);
llSetVehicleFloatParam(VEHICLE_ANGULAR_MOTOR_DIRECTION, 0.35);
llSetVehicleFlags(VEHICLE_FLAG_NO_DEFLECTION_UP);
llSetVehicleFlags(VEHICLE_FLAG_LIMIT_ROLL_ONLY);

Boat — Coastal Sail

Sailing vessel heeled to port, beam reach, 7 knots.

VMN

@VMN(Sea) @ATT(Rol=-12,Yaw=135)
@VEL(Fwd=7) @CTRL(Throt=0.4,Rudd=-8)
@MODE(Cruise)

⌁ LSL Translation

llSetVehicleType(VEHICLE_TYPE_BOAT);
llSetVehicleRotationParam(VEHICLE_REFERENCE_FRAME,
    llEuler2Rot(<0.0, -12.0, 135.0> * DEG_TO_RAD));
llSetVehicleVectorParam(VEHICLE_LINEAR_MOTOR_DIRECTION, <7,0,0>);
llSetVehicleFloatParam(VEHICLE_BUOYANCY, 1.0);
llSetVehicleFlags(VEHICLE_FLAG_REACT_TO_WIND);

Plane — Final Approach

Fixed-wing aircraft descending to land. Gear down, flaps, low throttle.

VMN

@VMN(Air) @ATT(Pit=-3,Rol=0,Yaw=090)
@VEL(Fwd=62,Vert=-2) @ALT(m=200)
@CTRL(Throt=0.3) @MODE(Approach)

⌁ LSL Translation

llSetVehicleType(VEHICLE_TYPE_AIRPLANE);
llSetVehicleRotationParam(VEHICLE_REFERENCE_FRAME,
    llEuler2Rot(<-3.0, 0.0, 90.0> * DEG_TO_RAD));
llSetVehicleVectorParam(VEHICLE_LINEAR_MOTOR_DIRECTION, <62, 0, -2>);
llSetVehicleFloatParam(VEHICLE_LINEAR_MOTOR_TIMESCALE, 2.4);

Helicopter — City Hover

Heli stationary above a city region at 80m. Collective holding altitude.

VMN

@VMN(Heli) @ATT(Pit=0,Rol=0,Yaw=000)
@VEL(Fwd=0,Vert=0) @ALT(m=80)
@CTRL(Throt=0.68,Coll=0.68) @MODE(Hover)

⌁ LSL Translation

llSetVehicleType(VEHICLE_TYPE_AIRPLANE);
llSetVehicleVectorParam(VEHICLE_LINEAR_MOTOR_DIRECTION, <0,0,0>);
llSetVehicleFloatParam(VEHICLE_VERTICAL_ATTRACTION_EFFICIENCY, 0.9);
llSetVehicleFloatParam(VEHICLE_VERTICAL_ATTRACTION_TIMESCALE, 0.5);
// Custom rotor: llApplyImpulse via rotor script

Submarine — Deep Patrol

Underwater vessel at 40m depth, westward heading, slow descent.

VMN

@VMN(Sub) @ATT(Pit=-6,Yaw=270)
@VEL(Fwd=4,Vert=-0.5)
@ALT(m=-40) @CTRL(Throt=0.4,Buoy=0.35)
@MODE(Cruise)

⌁ LSL Translation

llSetVehicleType(VEHICLE_TYPE_BOAT);
llSetVehicleFloatParam(VEHICLE_BUOYANCY, 0.35);
llSetVehicleVectorParam(VEHICLE_LINEAR_MOTOR_DIRECTION, <4, 0, -0.5>);
llSetVehicleRotationParam(VEHICLE_REFERENCE_FRAME,
    llEuler2Rot(<-6.0, 0.0, 270.0> * DEG_TO_RAD));

Seaplane — Water Landing (Morph)

Air→Sea morphing vehicle at 70% transition. Touching down on water.

Morph

@VMN(Multi:Air+Sea) @PROGRESS(0.70)
@MODE(Transition:AirToSea)
@ATT(Pit=-5,Rol=0,Yaw=090)
@VEL(Fwd=38,Vert=-1.5)

⌁ LSL Translation (morphing)

float p = 0.70;
llSetVehicleFloatParam(VEHICLE_LINEAR_DEFLECTION_EFFICIENCY,
    0.5 * (1.0 - p));
llSetVehicleFloatParam(VEHICLE_BUOYANCY, p * 1.0);
llSetVehicleFloatParam(VEHICLE_LINEAR_FRICTION_TIMESCALE,
    4.0 + (6.0 * p));
if (p >= 0.95) llSetVehicleType(VEHICLE_TYPE_BOAT);

● MNN + FNN + VMN · Scene

Inhabited Vehicles — Body + Vehicle + Face

The notation has no separate layer for “something riding something else” — you just compose the protocols. A physiotherapist documenting posture during driving, a simulator instructor logging pilot position under load, or a game designer scripting a cockpit scene all use the same string format.

Pilot — Banking Left

Small aircraft in a 25° left bank. Pilot torso compensating, concentrated face.

Full Scene

@VMN(Air) @ATT(Pit=3,Rol=-25,Yaw=270) @VEL(Fwd=88)
@MODE(Cruise)
@MOV(Sit) @ACT(Trap:1)
@JNT(Sp.T:Lat=8, Sp.C:Rot=-10)
@FNN(Corr:1, Orb.Oc.O:2)

Aircraft state + pilot postural compensation + facial concentration — one string

Driver — Hard Cornering

Car at speed through a tight corner. Driver leaning into the turn, gripping.

Full Scene

@VMN(Car) @VEL(Fwd=22)
@CTRL(Throt=0.85,Steer=-35)
@MODE(Cruise)
@MOV(Sit) @ACT(Obl.E:2, Trap:2, Bic:1)
@JNT(Sp.T:Lat=-12)
@FNN(Corr:2, Orb.Oc.O:2)

Sailor — Beating Upwind

Sailing yacht heeled hard. Crew hiking out against the boat's lean.

Full Scene

@VMN(Sea) @ATT(Rol=-28,Yaw=045)
@VEL(Fwd=6) @MODE(Cruise)
@MOV(Stab) @ACT(Obl.E:3, Lat:2, Ers:2)
@JNT(Sp.L:Lat=28)
@FNN(Corr:2, Plat:1)

Spacecraft Crew — Zero-G

Avatar floating in spacecraft at orbital velocity. No gravity, relaxed posture.

Full Scene

@VMN(Space) @ATT(Pit=0,Yaw=090)
@VEL(Fwd=180) @MODE(Orbit)
@MOV(Float) @ACT(TrA:1)
@JNT(Bi.Hip:Flex=30 Bi.Kn:Flex=20)
@FNN(Zyg.Mj:1, Front:1)

● AGENT + BEH · NPCs

NPCs, Pets & Companions

In virtual worlds, NPCs are the use case. In physical rehab, the trainer watches while the patient moves — the notation captures both the intended behavior and the actual body state. The same structure applies: an identifier, an intended state (BEH or care plan), and the actual movement state (MNN/FNN).

@AGENT(id, type, species, role) = who · @BEH(state, target, radius) = AI goal · MNN = current body state · FNN = current face state

Pet Cat — Following Player

NPC cat trotting behind its owner. The species field in @AGENT tells the renderer to use a quadruped rig. The MNN patterns are the same.

AGENT

@AGENT(id=Mittens,type=Pet,species=Cat)
@BEH(Follow:Player1,Radius=1.5m)
@MOV(Walk) @ACT(Ers:1) >> DorsRami
@FNN(Orb.Oc.O:2)

@AGENT = who → @BEH = AI goal → MNN+FNN = current state at this moment

Companion NPC — Idle Chat

Humanoid companion standing and speaking. Full body, face, and voice state in one string.

AGENT

@AGENT(id=Aria,type=NPC,role=Companion)
@BEH(Idle)
@MOV(Idle) @ACT(TrA:1)
@FNN(Zyg.Mj:2, Orb.Oc.O:1) >> CNVII
@RES(Ch:2, Or:1) @PLC(A) @VOC(Fl) @BR(Sp2)

Guard NPC — Patrol Route

Guard walking a 10m patrol loop. Alert posture, brow slightly furrowed. BEH encodes the patrol radius.

AGENT

@AGENT(id=Guard1,type=NPC,role=Guard)
@BEH(Patrol,Radius=10m)
@MOV(Walk) @ACT(Trp.U:1, Ers:1)
@FNN(Corr:1) >> CNVII/Temp

Dog — Excited Greeting

Dog running toward player with a happy expression. High-energy gait, open mouth, wide eyes.

AGENT

@AGENT(id=Rex,type=Pet,species=Dog)
@BEH(Greet:Player1)
@MOV(Run) @ACT(Glu.Mx:3, Quad.RF:3, Gas:2)
@FNN(Zyg.Mj:3, Orb.Oc.O:2, Dep.Lab:1)

Merchant NPC — Seated at Stall

Shop keeper sitting idle. Relaxed posture, subtle smile. Classic NPC configuration.

AGENT

@AGENT(id=Shopkeeper,type=NPC,role=Merchant)
@BEH(Idle)
@MOV(Sit) @ACT(HpFl:1, Ers:1)
@JNT(Bi.Hip:Flex=90 Bi.Kn:Flex=90)
@FNN(Zyg.Mj:1)

Dragon — Perched Idle

Creature NPC at rest. Same notation system as all others — species drives the renderer, not the string.

AGENT

@AGENT(id=Drake,type=Creature,species=Dragon)
@BEH(Idle)
@MOV(Sit.Floor) @ACT(Ers:2, TrA:1)
@FNN(Orb.Oc.O:2)

● Multi-Agent

Full Scene — Multiple Agents

Multiple subjects in one notation snapshot. In a virtual world this is players, NPCs, and pets. In a clinical setting it could be a patient and a physical therapist. In a training session, an athlete and a coach. The notation is the same in all cases.

@ENS(Preset:MidSummerNoon)

// Player avatar
@AGENT(id=Player1,type=Avatar)
@MOV(Walk) @ACT(Glu.Mx:2, Quad.RF:2)
@FNN(Zyg.Mj:2)

// Companion NPC following
@AGENT(id=Aria,type=NPC,role=Companion) @BEH(Follow:Player1)
@MOV(Walk) @FNN(Zyg.Mj:1, Orb.Oc.O:1)

// Pet dog at 2m
@AGENT(id=Rex,type=Pet,species=Dog) @BEH(Follow:Player1,Radius=2m)
@MOV(Walk) @ACT(Glu.Mx:1)

Animal notation: Cats, dogs, horses, dragons all use the same MNN joint symbols as bipeds. The species= field in @AGENT() tells the rendering engine which rig to use — quadruped, avian, or custom. The notation string doesn't change; the renderer interprets it. This means one notation system covers all character types in one virtual world.

Build your own UMN strings

The UMN Studio lets you construct MNN, FNN, VMN, VRN and AGENT strings interactively — including NPC characters, pets, and companions.

◆ Open UMN Studio

Any movement, anywhere —made visible

Body Movement States

Social Interactions & Expressions

Vehicle States

Inhabited Vehicles — Body + Vehicle + Face

NPCs, Pets & Companions

Full Scene — Multiple Agents

Build your own UMN strings

Any movement, anywhere —
made visible