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View Full Version : automatic random eye blinking

bsteagal
08-22-2010, 10:33 PM
I'm looking for a way to add random automatic eye blinks to characters in motionbuilder. I'm using characters in live performances and with motion capture sessions and I would like to make them more realistic. I can link the blinks to any key on the keyboard, but I'd like to just bypass this altogether if possible.

I'd imagine that there should be some sort of expression that I can use to trigger these blinks.. but I just can't get my head around it.. has anyone out there implemented anything like this? any ideas on how I could approach this?

Thanks in advance for your help

Bryan
Green-Man
08-23-2010, 08:48 PM
I think Relation Constraint should help you. Just Drag&Drop there any object (not only models but Rig, Character Face etc.) and build any expression. There is a reference of existing functions of Relation Constraint in MotionBuilder help.

See example in attachment. Instead of Random box you can use Pulse for less "randomness" :)
bsteagal
08-24-2010, 04:08 PM
Green-Man

Thanks! I never would have looked at it this way.. let me try and I'll post my results..

thanks again

bryan
bsteagal
08-25-2010, 07:40 PM
Green-Man

works like a charm! Now I'm going to work on perhaps adding a damper to it, so that it is not so on/off...

here's the result:

http://www.kkstudio.us/cc/mb_dino_test.mov

I really appreciate your help

Bryan
Green-Man
08-26-2010, 06:58 AM
Try to use Damp function (or clock-based damp).

But if you want to have more realistic blinking you should build more complex algorithm. Maybe based on rotation of the head of your character. Of course blinking isn't random closing ang opening eyes (even with damping) but pretty compound process.
bsteagal
09-21-2010, 03:20 AM
Green-man

I know, it is not a simple process, and I am going to tweak this more.. but for now, for what I use it , this works. One of the main purposes for using this constraint is to free myself from having to use either a wireless trackball mouse button (which only has a certain distance that can be used effectively) or someone sitting in front of my laptop when doing live performances with mocap. (to do manual blinks with a key..) One less thing to think about

Now I need to find a good controller, either wireless or wired, that I can use with mb that has several keys that can be assigned and can be used one handed...

thanks for all the help

Bryan
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09-21-2010, 03:20 AM
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