Facial Expressions

[LoTekK]

While wings doesn't have morph targets per se, I still use it to create them anyways, for export to MAX, since I like the interface and tools a lot more than MAX's. :p I don't have any screens of my most recent foray into morph targets in wings, but just wanted you to know you're not alone. :)

[Peter Reynolds]

Same here LoTekk,

I use Wings to create morph targets to bring into Maya.

We are not alone...

[betelgeuse]

Originally posted by Peter Reynolds
I use Wings to create morph targets to bring into Maya.

We are not alone...

What exactly do you mean when you say you create the targets in Wings (I'm not a Maya user - or Max, for that matter)?

Cool stuff, guys.

[Jide]

I believe they can interpolate between the different morph targets with sliders. An option for facial animation

[Peter Reynolds]

That's right Jide.

What's great is that you don't have to create the morph targets (maya calls them blendshapes) within the app itself. This free's you up to use the best tool for the job, which in a lot of cases happens to be Wings.

Although Gollum was animated in Maya, Bay Raitt used Mirai to create the morph targets for the facial expressions (over 800 if I recall correctly).

So if you haven't got Mirai, Wings is probably the next best thing.

[LoTekK]

So if you haven't got Mirai, Wings is probably the next best thing.
Indeed. Wings simply feels so pure in its interface. I've read so much about Mirai, and seen several timelapses of it, and would love to get my hands on it, but am unable to afford the $6000 pricetag. :( But seeing as Wings is inspired almost directly by Mirai, it's definitely the way to go. I find its tools and interface for digital sculpting much more direct than Max or Maya.

[negative9]

The Expression Tool Kit

Expression is an animation system based on an anatomical model of the face. Using basic muscle simulations instead of morph targets, Expression simplifies the creation of lifelike characters, allowing a face to be set up in a matter of hours instead of days.

The demo was impressive, though I think in its current state only works with 3ds...or maybe just with a .3ds file format...if the later is true it could work for facial expressions?

The site is here: http://expression.sourceforge.net/

//negative9//

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