Generic Animation + Character Body Parts

Well, I'm trying to learn how to "merge" several parts of a body (head, body, hands, legs, etc) in a generic rig animation.

Let me explain better what I have and what I wanna to do.

First of all, I have several animations clips with a dummy human skeleton, every clip is a different animation.
Then I have more models (meshs) with parts of a human, like head, hands, etc...

If I try to attach the animation clips directly to the body parts, it really works as expected (deform meshs)...
But I have a character made of 3 parts, then I will need 3 skinned meshs + 3 animation controllers, this don't sound as a solution to me.

Now I'm trying to create a dummy/empty object with the rig, attach the animation to this object and then attach all the parts of the body.

I already did all that, but when the "dummy body" is animated he don't deform the meshs, they just move and rotate, but don't deform, also they are rotated.
What is wrong? It's the model? It's the animation? It's the root bone? bind pose?

I already tried everything and I really don't know where is the problem, some one can help me?

If you guys need more information, just say and I will try to explain better.

PS: The assets are from a SMD model I converted on 3DS and exported to FBX, maybe is that?

 

Hi, thanks for your answer.
No, I didn't tried that, but I will...

My objective is create a prefab "skeleton" with just the transforms (model rig) with 3 empty game objects (slots) for the skinned meshs (show in the picture as: head/lower/uuu).
Then I will change on runtime that 3 slots with another meshs, representing each part of the body (head, upper, lower) in the skeleton.

Like I was trying to do on the picture attached above.
Do you really think what you suggest may solve my problem?

Anyway, I will read more about animation layers/avatar masks, maybe I find the answer there.
Thank you for point me that out.

[]'s

 

You're saying Avatar, though. Does that mean this method is functional only for rigs imported as "Humanoid?" I'm using the "Default, no toes" rig from Makehuman for my character (because it includes the facial animation handles which I may want to use later, and I will also be using variations with an added bone or two) and apparently, because of the hip structure, there are issues importing this rig as Humanoid.

How can I achieve the same effect with a rig imported as "Generic?" Or, alternatively, get a more complicated rig to work with the mecanim system?