MotionBuilder Interoperability

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

Preparation for This Tutorial

If you have not already downloaded the tutorial files (MAX scenes and other assets), download them now and unzip them into a project folder called \Autodesk 3ds Max 2012 tutorials. See Where to Find Tutorial Files.
On the Quick Access toolbar, click Project Folder and set your current project to Autodesk 3ds Max 2012 Tutorials.

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