Animate the 3ds Max character

In the following procedure, you animate in MotionBuilder the 3ds Max Pepe character you rigged in the previous procedure (Add a Control rig to the characterized 3ds Max character) by using motion capture data.

If you did not perform the previous procedure, you can use the Pepe_rigged.fbx file located in the MotionBuilder root directory in the Tutorials folder on your system.

To animate the characterized 3ds Max Pepe character using motion capture data:

1. If you closed your MotionBuilder session, launch MotionBuilder.
2. In the Resources window Asset browser pane, click the Tutorials folder.
   

   Resources window Asset browser

3. In the Asset browser Display pane, locate the Pepe_rigged (Pepe_rigged.fbx) asset and drag the asset into the Viewer window and choose FBX Open Options... from context menu.
   

   The Open Options dialog appears displaying disabled camera settings.

   

   Open Options dialog display disabled camera settings

4. Click each camera setting to enable the settings.
   

5. Click Open.

   The characterized 3ds Max Pepe character loads in the Viewer window.

   

   3ds Max characterized Pepe character

6. Save the scene as Pepe_Mocap.fbx.
   NoteSave the file to a directory other than the default MotionBuilder Tutorials directory to ensure you do not overwrite the original .fbx file.
7. In the Save Options dialog, click Save.
8. In the Viewer window Camera View Navigation toolbar ( ), drag the Orbit tool ( ) towards the right or Ctrl-Shift and left-click drag to orbit towards the right until you can see the right side of the Pepe character. Use the following figure as a guideline.
   

   Orbit around Pepe

9. In the Asset browser Display pane, locate the IceSlip (IceSlip.fbx) asset and drag the asset into the Viewer window and choose FBX Merge IceSlip from the context menu.
   

   A large yellow skeleton representing the motion capture animation now joins Pepe in the scene.

10. In the Viewer window Camera View Navigation toolbar ( ), drag the Zoom tool ( ) or Ctrl-drag and zoom out until you can see the yellow skeleton.
    

    Pepe with skeleton containing motion capture data

11. In the Transport Controls ( ) below the Viewer window, click the Play button ( ) or press Ctrl-Spacebar to play the animation.

    The skeleton walks towards Pepe and then slips and falls on the ground.

12. Click or press Ctrl-Home to go back to the beginning of the clip.

    In the Character Controls, notice the Source is set to ControlRig.

    

13. Click the Source menu and select Skeleton2.

    Skeleton2 is the name of the skeleton that contains the motion capture animation.

    Pepe assumes the skeleton's stance, as shown in the following figure.

    

14. In the Transport Controls, drag the Timeline indicator ( ) in the Action timeline to scrub the animation.
    

    Timeline indicator in the Action timeline

    NoteYou can also press the J keyboard shortcut and drag left or right in the Viewer window.

    The skeleton’s animation now drives the Pepe character.

15. In the Viewer window, select the Display menu and choose Models Only (or press Ctrl-A until only Pepe is visible).
    

16. In the Transport Controls, drag the Timeline indicator ( ) in the Action timeline to frame 92 or enter 92 in the Transport Controls Timecode field.
    

17. Zoom in ( or Ctrl-drag) on Pepe, orbit ( or Ctrl-Shift and left-click-drag) and pan ( or Shift-drag).

    If you look carefully, Pepe’s hands pass though his face.

    

    Unwanted hand movement from the motion capture

18. Scrub the animation a few times if you cannot see the problem.

    The animation that drives Pepe’s bone movement is based on a skeleton that has a very different physiology. For example, Pepe’s head, hands, and feet are much larger than the skeleton, while Pepe’s shoulders are much smaller than the skeleton’s shoulder.

19. Save your work.

    Now that Pepe is animated with the motion capture data from the skeleton, you can fine-tune the animation to correct Pepe’s hand movements. Go to the next procedure: Modify the animation of the 3ds Max character.

20. (Optional) If you wish to see the result of this procedure, open the Pepe_Mocap.fbx file in the default MotionBuilder Tutorials directory.

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