In the following procedure, you define the structure of your character model for MotionBuilder by mapping the required nodes in the Mapping list. Character mapping describes the character model for MotionBuilder, indicating what are the legs, arms, and so on.

Although you can load a skeleton definition template from the Character Controls window to map and characterize a character, or by dragging the Character asset onto a character model, this tutorial shows you how to manually map Mia’s structure.

To complete the character map:

See Prepare the scene.

1. In the Asset browser pane, click the Characters folder to view its contents in the Asset browser display pane.

2. In the Asset browser display pane, drag the Character asset into an empty area of the scene.

   A Character asset is added in the Navigator window Scene browser. The Definition settings for this Character asset are displayed in the Navigator window Definition Settings pane.

   

   Navigator window displaying the Character asset and its Character Settings

3. In the Navigator window, switch to the Character Definition pane and expand the Base (required) group of nodes in the Mapping list (A).

   

   Character Definition pane: A. Base nodes

   This group of nodes is required for MotionBuilder to recognize the structure of your character model. If you had automatically characterized this character, the Mapping list would be populated with the character’s bone names.

4. In the Viewer window, switch to the Schematic view (Ctrl-W) and press A to frame the hierarchy.

   

   Schematic view of Mia’s structure

   The Schematic view makes it easier to select bones from the model’s hierarchy because each bone is represented as a rectangular node.

5. In the Navigator window Scene browser, activate the Lock option () to lock the view of the Character Definition pane.

   

6. In the Schematic view, zoom in ( or Ctrl-drag) and pan ( or Shift-drag).

   These navigation buttons are at the to centre of the Viewer window.

   

7. In the Schematic view, press the keyboard shortcut Shift-N.

   The Find Model By Name dialog appears.

   

8. Enter Mia:LeftUpLeg and click OK.

9. In the Schematic view, locate the Mia:LeftUpLeg node, and select the node.

   Tip:

   You can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl-drag to zoom in and the keyboard shortcut Shift-drag to travel (or pan) in the Viewer window.

   

   Mia:LeftUpLeg node selected

10. Alt-drag the Mia:LeftUpLeg node into the Base (required) LeftUpLeg Mapping List slot.

    

    Mia’s LeftUpLeg node mapped to MotionBuilder LeftUpLeg

    When you characterize this character, MotionBuilder recognizes that for this skeleton the LeftUpLeg node is called Mia:LeftUpLeg.

11. Use the following checklist and figure as guides to map the rest of Mia’s bones to the Base (required) nodes in the Mapping list.

    Note:

    Although Mia has many bones, you are only required to map the Base group of 15 for MotionBuilder characterization.

    Bone	Slot	Mapped
    Mia:Hips	Hips
    Mia:LeftUpLeg	LeftUpLeg	x
    Mia:LeftLeg	LeftLeg
    Mia:LeftFoot	LeftFoot
    Mia:RightUpLeg	RightUpLeg
    Mia:RightLeg	RightLeg
    Mia:RightFoot	RightFoot
    Mia:Spine	Spine
    Mia:LeftArm	LeftArm
    Mia:LeftForeArm	LeftForeArm
    Mia:LeftHand	LeftHand
    Mia:RightArm	RightArm
    Mia:RightForeArm	RightForeArm
    Mia:RightHand	RightHand
    Mia:Head	Head

After completing the character mapping process for the Base group, the Mapping list resembles the Mapping List shown in the following figure.

Mia’s base bones mapped to the Base nodes in the Mapping list

The Character mapping is now complete.

In the Character Controls Definition pane, the green symbol () indicates the mapping is valid.