MotionBuilder Workflows

Autodesk interoperability workflow

MotionBuilder has the Single-step interoperability feature that enables you to send your model to Maya or 3ds Max via the File > Send To Maya and File > Send To 3ds Max menu options.

Maya and 3ds Max both have the Single-step interoperability feature that enables you to send your model to MotionBuilder via the File > Send to MotionBuilder menu option.

1. Create a character model in Maya or 3ds Max.

   Before you start your animation project using MotionBuilder, there are a few things you can do when modeling to facilitate your work in MotionBuilder.

   Refer to Guidelines for creating a character model, Bone naming conventions, Characterize a 3ds Max biped in MotionBuilder, and Choosing shapes to create.

2. Export the character model from Maya or 3ds Max via File > Send to MotionBuilder..

   If MotionBuilder 2013 is installed, it launches and loads your character model.

3. Once the model loads into MotionBuilder, set it up for animation by dragging the 3ds Max or MotionBuilder Character asset on top of it.

   The Character asset helps you map the structure of your character model so that it can be animated in MotionBuilder. Once you complete this mapping process, you ‘activate’ the character model by characterizing it. Characterizing lets MotionBuilder know that this character model is ready to be animated. The first tutorial shows you how to import character models into MotionBuilder and prepare them for animation.

   See Characterize the character model.

4. Add a Control rig and customize it to fit your character animation needs.

   Control rigs are an animation tool that make it easy to control and position your character model.

   The second tutorial shows you how to customize a Control rig and add character animation features such as floor contacts and Auxiliary pivots.

   See Creating and Customizing a Control Rig.

5. Add Character Extensions to support props or non-human body parts.

   The third tutorial shows you how to augment your character with an extra limb, in this case a “Servo arm” with giant pincers attached to the character’s right shoulder.

   See Creating a Character Extension.

6. Create your animation using keyframing and character animation features.
   • One efficient method of creating animation involves creating a set of poses that can be pasted onto your character at various points over time.

     The fourth tutorial shows you how to use the Control rig and the Pose Controls to create a walk cycle.

     See Creating a Walk Cycle.

   • The seventh tutorial shows you an alternative method for creating a walk cycle using clips in the Story window.

     See Creating a Loop.

7. Edit and refine your animation.
   • The sixth tutorial shows you how to use layers to edit animation.

     See Editing Character Animation.

   • The eighth tutorial shows you how to combine animations using the Story window.

     See Manipulating Clips.

8. Retarget your animation between Character models.

   During animation projects, the Character model you use might change. Although not a required step for creating animation within MotionBuilder, instead of re-creating the animation on a new model, you can simply apply the same animation to the desired model(s).

   The fifth tutorial shows you how to transfer animation and Character Extensions between character models.

   See Retargeting Character Animation.

9. If you want to animate 3ds Max characters in MotionBuilder, and then use that animation in 3ds Max, you need to import your 3ds Max scene into MotionBuilder, animate in MotionBuilder, then import your animation in 3ds Max.

   This last tutorial shows you the major steps for importing animation into MotionBuilder, animating in MotionBuilder, and exporting the animation from MotionBuilder and importing it to 3ds Max.

   See the following topics: 3ds Max skeletons, 3ds Max Bipeds, 3ds Max Characters, and Animating a 3ds Max Character in MotionBuilder.

Generic workflow

Maya and 3ds Max 2012 both have one-step interoperability features that brings your model into MotionBuilder automatically. If you do not have the 2012 versions of these packages, you need to install the appropriate Maya or 3ds Max FBX Plug-in to transfer your models into MotionBuilder. Download the free FBX plug-in http://www.autodesk.com/fbx.

If you are using another 3D software package, you can convert your file to FBX using the free FBX Converter that you can download from http://www.autodesk.com/fbx.

1. Create a character model in your 3D software.

   Before you start your animation project using MotionBuilder, there are a few things you can do when modeling to facilitate your work in MotionBuilder.

   Refer to Guidelines for creating a character model, Bone naming conventions, Characterize a 3ds Max biped in MotionBuilder, and Choosing shapes to create.

2. Export the character model from your modeling software package.

   When you export your work from a modeling software package, the FBX Plug-in you installed lets you save your character model in the .fbx file format. This format enables you to load your models in MotionBuilder.

3. Start MotionBuilder and load your character model.

   Once you load a model into MotionBuilder, you can set it up to animate it using the MotionBuilder Character asset.

4. Once the model loads into MotionBuilder, set it up for animation by dragging the 3ds Max or MotionBuilder Character asset on top of it.

   The Character asset helps you map the structure of your character model so that it can be animated in MotionBuilder. Once you complete this mapping process, you ‘activate’ the character model by characterizing it. Characterizing lets MotionBuilder know that this character model is ready to be animated.

5. Add a Character asset to your character model and characterize it.

   The Character asset helps you map the structure of your character model so that it can be animated in MotionBuilder. Once you complete this mapping process, you ‘activate’ the character model by characterizing it. Characterizing lets MotionBuilder know that this character model is ready to be animated. All major character animation features in MotionBuilder, including Control rigs and animating in the Story window, require a characterized character.

   The first tutorial shows you how to create a Character asset and use it to map out your character model’s structure.

   See Loading and Characterizing Character Models.

6. Add a Control rig and customize it to fit your character animation needs.

   Control rigs are an animation tool that make it easy to control and position your character model.

   The second tutorial shows you how to customize a Control rig and add character animation features such as floor contacts and Auxiliary pivots.

   See Creating and Customizing a Control Rig.

7. Add Character Extensions to support props or non-human body parts.

   The third tutorial shows you how to augment your character with an extra limb, in this case a “Servo arm” with giant pincers attached to the character’s right shoulder.

   See Creating a Character Extension.

8. Create your animation using different keyframing and character animation features.
   • One efficient method of creating animation involves creating a set of poses that can be pasted onto your character at various points over time.

     The fourth tutorial shows you how to use the Control rig and the Pose Controls to create a walk cycle.

     See Creating a Walk Cycle.

   • The seventh tutorial shows you an alternative method for creating a walk cycle using clips in the Story window.

     See Creating a Loop.

9. Edit and refine your animation.
   • The sixth tutorial shows you how to use layers to edit animation.

     See Editing Character Animation.

   • The eighth tutorial shows you how to combine animations using the Story window.

     See Manipulating Clips.

10. Retarget your animation between Character models.

    During animation projects, the Character model you use might change. Although not a required step for creating animation within MotionBuilder, instead of re-creating the animation on a new model, you can simply apply the same animation to the desired model(s).

    The fifth tutorial shows you how to transfer animation and Character Extensions between character models.

    See Retargeting Character Animation.

11. Plot your finished animation to your model’s skeleton.

    Depending on the animation features you are using to create your character animation, plotting may consist of plotting from your Control rig to your character model skeleton, or plotting the tracks in the Story window to a single take.

    Whatever method you use to animate, the finished result must be plotted to the skeleton of your character model before you export it.

    See The plotting process.

12. Save your plotted model as an .fbx file.

    Your finished animations can also be exported for rendering in the software of your choice using the appropriate FBX Plug-In.

    You can download the latest FBX Plug-ins from: http://www.autodesk.com/fbx.