MasterClass - I missed this one off!

Not sure how I missed off this button in the UI but I obviously did. Just updated the MasterClass AnimationBinder.py module so that the MakeStabilizer button is in the UI. This is the call I used to make the stabilized wires that extract the animation data from the raw point cloud data in the MasterClass

AnimationBinder.py

cheers

Mark

MasterClass Binder Module updated

Thought I'd share an update to the MasterClass AnimationBinder.py as requested by a friend who was having problems binding up a Quadruped. In the original file that I shipped with the MasterClass there was a call for making the AimBinder node that I show in the class but I never added it to UI call. So this new file has a button, "AimBinder" that builds the complex AimBind for you in one go.

This button call expects 3 nodes selected. The first is the node that you want the bind to aim at, the second is the Controller on the rig you want to drive and the third becomes the parent to the bindNode itself as well as being used to parent an UpVector locator to stop the aim from spinning. Its basically the node as I build manually in the video.

updated AnimationBinder.py

cheers

Mark

MasterClass download links

I've just moved the MasterClass modules into a sub-folder in Google Docs as it's really confusing now linking to Python modules, it just looks like the files don't exist when you click on them. Thanks to Jaewon Song for pointing this out.

Download link : MasterClass Python Module (Pymel and Cmds versions)

MasterClass finally on Vimeo

Finally added the MasterClass to Vimeo for you all to enjoy... thanks for watching!
Autodesk MasterClass - Live Animation Binding from Mark Jackson on Vimeo.
Don't forget the Toolkit link below

MasterClass - New Maya cmds compatible version

After a number of requests I've gone through the MasterClass toolkit and made it backward compatible with Maya 2008 onwards (actually I've only run it back to 2009 but should still work on 2008). This is kind of tested but if you get any issues let me know and I'll fix them. Basically all I've done is to remove the PyMel calls and replace them with cmds, also made it Python 2.5 compliant.

Anyway, here's the link to the new AnimationBinderCmds.py module file. Install is easy, like the main class all you do is drop it into the Maya scripts folder, or any folder on the Maya scripts path, then in a Python Tab type: (with no tabs or spaces at the front of each line)

import AnimationBinderCmds as AB
AB.AnimBinderUI.Show()

Here's the link:


AnimationBinderCmds.py


Thanks for the interest

Mark

MasterClass update

I've been asked by a few people for a version of the MasterClass code that will run in earlier versions of Maya. The code I shipped originally relied on PyMel as well as Python 2.6 so wouldn't run under Maya 2009. I'm just finishing converting the module, no bug deal really. Hopefully should have a version ready in the next day or two.

cheers

Mark

MasterClass links now up!

Just checked on TheArea and it looks like the MasterClass links are up a day early:

http://area.autodesk.com/siggraph2011/masterclasses

Also it looks like Autodesk forgot to add the download link to the Python Module so I've added it here for the time being until they sort the site out:


AnimationBinder.py 

Hope you enjoy....and yes you do have to register to see them, I think they're tracking numbers.

If you're having issues logging in please be aware that when you've registered you have to logout and log back in to view it, as per the banner that Autodesk put up which nobody, including me has read:

Mark

MasterClass - Live Animation Binding

A few folk have mailed to ask when the MasterClass is being presented so I thought I'd do some blatant self promotion and spill the beans...... The MasterClasses are now online only, Autodesk figure they get a bigger audience this way and it stops me looking like an arse doing it live! (well, less of an arse anyway!) It should go live on TheArea under their Siggraph feed on Tuesday 9th. Here's the basic outline, although it got expanded slightly since this into using HIK as an intermediate object, and mapping to raw optical moCap data. Hope you find it useful!

"This Master Class will outline a method of transferring character animations between any source data and a given animation rig using a binder template file. This method was originally designed to enable Motion Capture data to be mapped to our in-house rigging systems whilst allowing for easy manipulation, but quickly evolved into a retargeting system in its own right. In the most basic form it allows for MoCap fbx files to be dropped directly onto your animation rigs. However, expanding the technique allows you to transfer animations between characters even when their skeletal structures and proportions are completely different. Because it relies on a Binder File and isn't code based it gives you the flexibility to manage any skeleton structure, allowing you to add custom bind nodes between any character specific joint and it's relative Rig Controller. Finally because the bind is a preset file it makes it very easy to bulk process animations, casting CharacterA's animation library straight to CharacterB."

MasterClass - FINISHED!

Autodesk MasterClass 'Live Animation Binding':

Damn that took a lot of work, hope its worth it and people actually find it interesting. So hopefully in the next few weeks it'll be up on the Area just before Siggraph, not sure when Autodesk start the advertising push so keep your eyes open for it. Think I deserve a beer now, might even treat myself to a nice bottle of single malt...

MasterClass Approved - Live Animation Binding

Just had the nod from Autodesk that the MasterClass I've been preparing for the last few months has been approved for the Autodesk MasterClass sessions for this years Siggraph! HAPPY DAYS! Should go live on the Area a few weeks before Siggraph late July. Just got to finish it now...