facial animation

[Renatius]

I think you should work with latice (I didn´t try it) or with a IK-Bone chaine (around mouth and eyes and so on (look how every mucle is connected and how your face is moving when you talk or look)) Then I would copy the head and make the lips and so on on the right positions and blend shape it after that.

[ryguy]

I usually make a jaw bone to open the mouth. Then I model out different facial expressions (while looking in a mirror or reference pictures), including 6 or 7 phonomes (AAA, EEE, OHH, SHH, SZZ, BMP, etc).

For modeling different facials, you can use a number of different things in Maya: clusters, lattices, the wire tool, etc. Then use the blendShape tool to hook it up to your original mesh. You can also mix and match blendshapes to create new expressions as well.

I'd play around with it a bit. I've attached a screenshot so you can visualize.

~Ryan

[steveblake]

the above method is the way to go, but you can get away with fewer targets for more styalistic characters.

some hints:
http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19768&perpage=15&pagenumber=2

[nofxsapunk]

ok i neglected to mention that my goblin face is made from polygons, i would like to you use IK setup but i cant find one that will help me with the face

[steveblake]

Not sure if this is the case, but the danger of modelling up such a well known character (is he yoda?) is that you are open to unfavorable comparison. On the other hand developing a good facial system is a good way into any 3d application.

This might be of help (muscle bone):
http://www.markbehm.com/toolsMAYA.html

maybe you could get this effect:
http://www.projectmessiah.com/x2/stories/story_bones_facial.htm

or even these fine examples by Mike RB:
http://www3.telus.net/paratrooper/arm.gif
http://www3.telus.net/paratrooper/demonM2.gif

this is a cool facial system made in Max:
http://www.anticz.com/facialsy.htm

Also you may want to take a good look through these for tips on poly modelling
http://cube.phlatt.net/home/spiraloid/

http://www.izware.com/news/indexa446.html

incidently have you tried CPS? you can use the low-poly cage with all your bones and blends..
http://www.lightstorm3d.com/tools/freetools/html/connectPolyShape.html



:)

[steveblake]

found this image. I guess getting as much reference as you can is always a good idea...

[steveblake]

and this may be good for your facial bones. But do bear in mind that for a short project sometimes simpler is better...

[ReD_MeRkIn]

Blend Shapes are Definatly the way to go, they give you the most control, and they're easy to animate.
Plus, if you mix several shapes and you get something that's almost right, then you can duplicate the deformed mesh, and tweak it to get exactly the shape you want.

Try the Conect Poly Shape Plugin, that SteveBlake sugested, it's very good for this sort of thing.

[steveblake]

I agree.

blendshapes / morphing
http://cube.phlatt.net/home/spiraloid/tutorial/morphing.html

more great modelling tips
http://maxrovat.sns.hu/subdiv/

this yoda is, methinks:
http://maxrovat.sns.hu/subdiv/yoda.gif

[nofxsapunk]

ok i set up the face with IK now i need to know how to do blend shapes so you can click a button and that facial expression sets up so you dont have to do alot of work

[steveblake]

Set Driven Keys are a good way to go...

[nofxsapunk]

how do i do that i am new to everything, lol im getting it fast but i just wanna know how to do it so its easy

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