Batch conversion

#1

Hello,

I want to convert c3d Files to fbx Files with the Batch conversion. I associated the point cloud with an actor and the actor with my character. This works fine, the character is driven by the actor. When I now click on Batch conversion after choosing a character and the input and output folders etc. I get the message “Character has no reference”, but as I say the Actor Input is on and works fine.

I found something in the help of motion builder that may help but I do not understand what I should do:
“When using optical data you must specify a reference for an actor when using the batch window to do a batch convert. For example if you convert from optical data to a character skeleton, you should specify the optical root as the actor reference.”

Can you tell me where to find the optical root and how to reference the actor?

Best regards,
September

#2

Hi September,
I think The reference for the actor is determined when you allocate the optical data for the actor. in your actor settings you drag the optical markers in each of the slots on the actor diagram on the left. If you click on an open space in the actor diagram it will show the referece slot. Drag the ‘c3d optical’ (this is the optical data root, and is a grey sphere) into the object column (it says <drop object here.).

Hope that helps.

#3

Hi,
okay, that’s great, I found the reference for the actor and applied the grey marker, this is the c3d optical, you are right. But the batch conversion says “the character has no reference” and after your response I had a look in the Character Definition of my character who is driven by the actor and there is a field called “Reference” too. I don’t know which marker I should drag in there, so I decided to fill in the grey marker of the actor too. The batch works great but I’m not sure if this was the right decision. What do you think?

Best regards.

#4

Um ok, The reference is an object that serves as the ‘root’ of the character. The hips for example would be the direct child of your reference node. The reference can just be a box created and exported when you export your character from max or maya. The reference isnt as important as it used to be, but it still allows you to do actions which you cant without a reference in motionbuilder.
In games the reference is sometimes refered to as the ‘god’ node.

#5

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