T-pose

In computer animation, a T-pose, also known as a bind pose or reference pose, is a default posing for a 3D model's skeleton before it is animated. 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.

Usage

The T-pose is primarily used as the default armature pose for skeletal animation in 3D softwares, which is then manipulated to create animation. The purpose of T-pose relates to the automatic weighting on vertices which can be done easier using the pose.

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. In some motion capture software, a T-pose must be assumed by the actor in the motion capture suit before motion capturing can begin. There are other poses used, but the T-pose is the most common one.

As an Internet meme

Starting in 2016 and resurfacing in 2017, the T-pose has become a widespread Internet meme due to its bizarre and non sequitur appearance, especially in video game glitches where there would otherwise be an animation. As an Internet meme, it is often used to convey the idea of asserting dominance over others.

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". Publisher EA eventually cancelled the game as they found it unsatisfactory. A similar occurrence happened with Cyberpunk 2077.

In the 2023 Formula One season, driver George Russell performed a T-pose in the opening credits of the series' TV broadcasts. This quickly became a meme within the motorsports community. Russell repeated the pose after claiming pole position at the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix.

See also

• Vitruvian Man, a diagram by Leonardo da Vinci with the figure of a man making a T and a jack

References

1. Pose (TV series)
2. Pose to pose animation
3. Young T & Bugsey
4. T (disambiguation)
5. Articulated body pose estimation
6. Pose (disambiguation)
7. A.N.T. Farm (soundtrack)
8. List of asanas
9. Martin Pose
10. Victory pose
11. Palm OS Emulator
12. Michaela Jaé Rodriguez
13. Lotus position
14. Piledriver (sex position)
15. Strike a Pose
16. Well-posed problem
17. List of Internet phenomena
18. Strike a pose
19. Pose tracking
20. Geri's Game