In this MotionBuilder tutorial we’re going to be animating props. And if we’re going to be animating props, then we’re going to need constraints! But we’re not talking simple Parent/Child constraints, where the prop only has one parent object. We’re going to be animating complex props that need multiple parent objects. Props that are getting…
How to Write a Skeleton Definition File Using Python
The usual way to save a Skeleton Definition XML file is from “Character Controls>Definition>Save Skeleton Definition…” But, what if you’re looking for a programmatic way of doing it using Python – or someone left a comment asking about how to do it and you can’t resist a python challenge? Well, then you end up with…
How to Use MotionBuilder Story Tool to Create a Cut-Scene
Once you’ve captured all your motion and set up your characters, the next step is to combine everything and start blocking out your cut-scene using MotionBuilder’s Story tool. MotionBuilder Story Tool MotionBuilder’s Story Tool is a non-linear editor that lets you build a cut-scene or mocap sequence by adding animation clips on to a track…
How to T-Pose and Characterize your Character Using MotionBuilder Python
Before we can start applying all that lovely motion capture we got from our Xsens MVN mocap system to our characters, we’re going to need to put them in a T-Pose and Characterize them…I know, I know…ANOTHER tutorial on how to T-Pose and Characterize a character in MotionBuilder… BUT WAIT, this one’s different… What if you’re working…
How to Use an Xsens MVN Mocap System
In this post I’m going to show you everything you need to know to capture data with the Xsens MVN motion capture system – don’t worry, there’s still a MotionBuilder tutorial at the end of the video… We’ll start with how to wire the suit, calibrate the system, and capture some data. Then we’ll look…
We’re going to need mocap, lots of mocap…
What’s next for Mocappys? So, after launching my MotionBuilder Fundamentals Course over the summer, I decided to set myself a new challenge: How much of the iconic “Lobby Sequence” from The Matrix could I recreate at home using an Xsens MVN Animate Motion Capture System and MotionBuilder? I’d been trying to think of what to…
How to use MotionBuilder’s Control Rig to Edit Mocap
Following on from the walk cycle we created in the last tutorial, in this video I’ll show you how to use MotionBuilder’s Control Rig to edit the walk and give it that final layer of polish. The Control Rig is MotionBuilder’s Full Body FK/IK character rig and while it’s perfect for motion editing, the names and behavior…
How to Plot and Export Mocap from MotionBuilder
And so we come to the final part of my MotionBuilder Workflow Tutorials “How to Plot and Export Motion Capture from MotionBuilder” In this video I’ll show you everything you need to know to plot and export mocap from MotionBuilder on to your character. How to plot data from the Control Rig to your character…
How to Retarget Motion Capture in MotionBuilder [video]
In this video I’ll show you everything you need to know to retarget motion capture to your character in MotionBuilder. How to merge and connect 2 characters. How to import mocap data onto a character. How to quickly fix simple retargeting issues. What Match Source does and when to use it. How to use IK…
How to Characterize A Character In MotionBuilder [VIDEO]
In this video tutorial you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully characterize your character in MotionBuilder. How to correctly T-Pose your character – the most important part of the process. How to automatically complete the mapping process if you’re using MotionBuilder’s naming convention or a Biped character. How to complete the mapping process…