MotionBuilder Workflows

There are two workflows you can use when working with the MotionBuilder software and the 3ds Max software. The Autodesk interoperability workflow and the Autodesk generic workflow. Although some of the procedures in the last tutorial (Sending 3ds Max Scenes to MotionBuilder) use the Send To single-step interoperability workflow, you can opt to use the generic workflow.

Use the Autodesk interoperability workflow when you are working on a project that includes interoperability with MotionBuilder and Maya or MotionBuilder and 3ds Max to streamline your process.

Use the generic workflow when you are using pre-2012 versions of Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Maya, or when you are using another 3D software package with MotionBuilder. See Generic workflow.

Although these tutorials assume you are using MotionBuilder for a character animation project, the workflows can be easily adapted to any animation project where MotionBuilder is used in conjunction with other 3D modeling or rendering software.

Autodesk interoperability workflow

MotionBuilder has the Single-step interoperability feature that enables you to send your model to Maya or 3ds Max via the File Send To Maya and File Send To 3ds Max menu options.

3ds Max and Maya both have the Single-step interoperability feature that enables you to send your model to MotionBuilder via the File Send To MotionBuilder menu option.

To use the interoperability workflow with 3ds Max:

1. Create a character model in 3ds Max and send it to MotionBuilder.

   For example, see Create and send a 3ds Max biped to MotionBuilder.

2. Prepare the model for animation.

   For example, see Characterize the 3ds Max biped and Add a control rig to the characterized 3ds Max biped.

   The first tutorial also shows you how to load character models into MotionBuilder and prepare them for animation. See Loading and Characterizing Character Models.

3. Add a Control rig and customize it to fit your character animation needs.

   Control rigs are an animation tool that make it easy to control and position your character model.

   The second tutorial shows you how to customize a Control rig and add character animation features such as floor contacts and Auxiliary pivots.

   See Creating and Customizing a Control Rig.

4. Add Character Extensions to support props or non-human body parts.

   The third tutorial shows you how to augment your character with an extra limb, in this case a “Servo arm” with giant pincers attached to the character’s right shoulder.

   See Creating a Character Extension.

5. Create your animation using keyframing and character animation features.
   • One efficient method of creating animation involves creating a set of poses that can be pasted onto your character at various points over time. The fourth tutorial shows you how to use the Control rig and the Pose Controls to create a walk cycle.

     See Creating a Walk Cycle.

   • The seventh tutorial shows you an alternative method for creating a walk cycle using clips in the Story window.

     See Creating a Loop.

6. Edit and refine your animation.
   • The sixth tutorial shows you how to use layers to edit animation.

     See Editing the Character Animation.

   • The eighth tutorial shows you how to combine animations using the Story window.

     See Manipulating Clips.

7. Retarget your animation between Character models.

   During animation projects, the Character model you use might change. Although not a required step for creating animation within MotionBuilder, instead of re-creating the animation on a new model, you can simply apply the same animation to the desired model(s).

   The fifth tutorial shows you how to transfer animation and Character Extensions between character models.

   See Retargeting Character Animation.

8. Animate a 3ds Max character in MotionBuilder and send the animated character back to 3ds Max.

   The last tutorial Sending 3ds Max Scenes to MotionBuilder shows you the major steps for sending 3ds Max models to MotionBuilder, animating in MotionBuilder, and sending back animated models to 3ds Max.

   See the following topics:

   • 3ds Max skeletons
   • 3ds Max bipeds
   • 3ds Max characters

Generic workflow

When you export your work from a modeling software package, the FBX Plug-in enables you to save your character model in the .fbx file format. This format enables you to load your models in MotionBuilder, animate the models in MotionBuilder, and export them for rendering in the software of your choice using the appropriate FBX Plug-In.

You can download the latest FBX Plug-ins from: http://www.autodesk.com/fbx.