Part of your development pipeline might take you to MotionBuilder, a powerful 3D character-animation suite.

With MotionBuilder, you can quickly and easily rig characters, then set up their animation using a full-body FK/IK manipulation rig. You can also retarget animation data between characters, as well as blend, edit, and sequence tracks in a timeline editor, combining animation with cameras, digital video, and audio.

As you build your animation, MotionBuilder provides real-time playback of character performance. There is no need to preview or render your work.

This tutorial shows you how to import a character to MotionBuilder, add animation using both the FK/IK manipulation rig as well as data from a motion-capture file, then export your work back to 3ds Max as a fully editable animated character.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

• Label 3ds Max biped skeletons for easy conversion to MotionBuilder
• Export a 3ds Max biped as an FBX file, then import to MotionBuilder
• Characterize a skeleton in MotionBuilder for animation as a full FK/IK rig
• Animate a character in MotionBuilder based on motion-capture data
• Use keyframes to fine-tune character movement
• Export character animation as an FBX file from MotionBuilder, then import to 3ds Max
• Fine-tune character animation in 3ds Max.

Skill level: Intermediate

Time to complete: 1 1/2 hours