Hey All, It’s been a little while since writing a new post. I’m going to have to work on the running stream of ideas that is a blog… However it’s finally spring in Montreal, the start of new things, it’s time to start posting more information.

First I hope everyone has had a chance to check out the new version of Max and the great work that team did! 2010 is really looking nice! When you get your DVD, to plug a bit of MotionBuilder while congratulating the Max team… :-) … we have a 60 day trial of MotionBuilder 2009 on the DVD, if you aren’t currently using MotionBuilder or are interested in checking out 2009, be sure to check this trial offer out!

Also, and this is very cool, the Foundation learning tool, newly refreshed to be current with the 2009 version is included free with this trial! See the information below…

Autodesk® MotionBuilder® 2009 Foundation Learning Tool


This learning tool explores additional techniques and workflows for animating and previsualization in Autodesk MotionBuilder. Learn how to build loopable walk cycles from existing animation, and combine various clips of animation to make one seamless clip. Learn about basic constraints and then use the relations constraint to build procedural animation. Work with motion capture data, lip synching and other challenging animation concepts. You'll also understand how Autodesk MotionBuilder fits into your production pipeline. This learning tool also includes a library of Motion Capture moves courtesy of Red Eye Studio valued at over 0 US to allow you to master the concepts you've learned.

With this DVD, you will explore:
• Creating Looping Clips
• Blending Motion Using the Story Tool
• Use Layers to Modify Existing Animation
• Introduction to Constraints
• The Relation Constraint
• Characterization
• Using the Voice Device
• Using the Actor Face Asset
• Using the Story Tool for Previsualization
• Using MotionBuilder with Other Applications
• Apply and Correct Motion Capture Data on to a Character
• Use the Ragdoll and Physics Solver to Modify Existing Animation

Also check out the Biped-to-MotionBuilder interop! You should see load times back on the biped have received some attention. We’re very excited about this.

Also, if you’re looking for some more information on how to use MotionBuilder, do check out Brad Clark’s latest tutorial on “Editing Characters in MotionBuilder”. It’s in the area under the tutorials and tips section.

Another cool plug is that FBX has also shipped a new version http://area.autodesk.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/25351/

Check out this thread for more info… they post some of the stats on the Biped interop. They’ve also fixed some of the precision errors on import to the Biped.

In Python, sometimes you’ll want to change property values but not really know what you’re looking for. Basically if you can't find the property in the class you are using, but you see that that object in the MotionBuilder UI has this property, don't fear you can still use "PropertyList.Find" to map it to the UI name, and work with that property. Every once in a while the UI name does not map to the property exactly. Instead of searching all over trying to find the property name that we used, it could be faster to just set the property to something recognizable like 999, then save the file out as ascii. Then you can just open the ascii fbx file in something like notepad and search for 999 and voila, you have the property name.

Here is an example of setting a custom property of type Vector3D:

Until next time!