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[ThomasHelzle]

I don't intend to break your joy, but what new version?
2.2 is from march this year...
I think the free shipping lasts quite some while now too.
And what muscle system?
(you may have missed this one: FaceRobot (http://www.softimage.com/products/face_robot/) )
Do you know something we others don't? :shrug:
Or are you having fun?

[Spin99]

Thomas_Helzle

Yes just having fun spamming lol.
Well, maybe the congrats are out of place and asking to be flamed.
Sorry couldn't resist it.

By muscles i mean the muscle bone system.
Yes I've seen the XSI demo too.
Thing is Messiah has been doing it for how long now?
I know nothing as yet, nothing I tell you, *zilch*, rather matteroffactly even..

There's a new Messiah web site :D

[PauHana]

I think he just means the muscle bones. I think they're cool too!

FaceRobot looks promising. Too bad they used such weak animations to showcase the feature.

[carnera]

i just saw the face robot...
i was suprised when i saw it the first time...buts somehow i think something is wrong. i havent read the full docs neither i know about the workflow, but looking at the test anims, I think there is far to much secondary animation going on. it looks to liquid....everything seems to move ...dont get me wrong looks really good....but i have the impression face robot is another tool developed by engineers who are maybe missing the point ...or engineers who think to be smart, thinking that tools can get rid of the artist.....lol

[ThomasHelzle]

I know what you mean, but since it is a technical demo, I wouldn't be too harsh yet. The demos may have been created in relatively short time for Siggraph.
I am sure all the settings can be controlled and the indispensable artist will have to decide how strong things become.
I also would prefer seeing it used on a normal face instead of that massive caricature
But the principle that you can see even through some rough edges is fantastic. I don't think I have seen such "fluid" motion of a face ever before. I especially like the "teeth sucking and spit" scene...
I am very happy that finally someone starts to really dig into facials.
High time IMO.

Cheers,

[PauHana]

My buddy over at PDI is a character TD. He did a facial rig in messiah quite some time back that was pretty impressive. I have the video file but I have to check with him to see if it's ok to post it to the group. I'm not saying it's better or worse than Face Robot, just thought it would be inspiring for others to see.

[ThomasHelzle]

I am sure there is a lot that can be done with messiah and other apps in that direction, but normally in production the problem is, that setting up a really good facial rig takes a lot of time and needs a hell of a lot of knowledge. This time is most often lost for the animator to create good motion with the rig. Especially in small productions.
IMO, 3D has that one huge drawback: It is very technical. That aspect sucks away a lot of time and energy from the creative process. A lot of animations don't even reach the creative state, but basically are a result of some technique.
We all have seen (or done) our share of rather stiff facials :)

If you have a good cloth simulator, you don't have to worry as much about animating it by hand - and man can that add life and depth to an animation... The same is true for skin, hair etc.

I am very sure that in the end, the development of this industry will go more and more towards simulation of those parts that are "simulatable" (fluids, particles, physics etc.) and leave the artist with defining what should happen and driving the "important" stuff. The face is IMO a good example for that. All that smooth tissue, it's interaction while keeping the volume, the muscles etc. are perfect for simulation, but the control of that simulation surely needs the hand of an artist. I don't see that as an contradiction.

BTW. If you are interested in facials, be sure to download the "softimage_facerobot_tech_brief_hires.pdf" from the Softimage website. It is a very nice reference for facial animation in general, showing all the aspects of the face that need attention...

Cheers!

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