immersive art space

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====== Maya ======

===== Create Skeleton =====

The Advanced Skeleton Rigging Tool is needed for this step. It is currently not installed on the Innovation Lab computers.

  - Use Advanced Skeleton Rigging Tool to create a rig
  - Fit Skeletons: Select bipedGame.ma for Unity compatibility
  - Auto Orient: Fit Now and click Update now
  - Click Build Advanced Skeleton to create Rig


{{::maya-1-advanced-skeleton.png?300 |}}
{{::maya-5-bipedgame.png?400 |}}

===== Import Character Model =====

   - Model your character in T-Pose and not Y-Pose to connect the mocap data.
   - File > Create Reference... and choose model file and namespace to link to. Set a short namespace, which is important for import/export.

{{::maya-2-reference-namespace.png?600|}}


===== Characterize =====

Before we can use mocap data, we need to characterize (link each joint to a global label/character node):

  - Display HumanIK: Windows > Animation Editors > HumanIK
  - In HumanIK click on Create Character Definition
  - Rename Character by clicking on the blue icon > Rename Character
  - Map Joints from Outliner to HumanIK (map only main joints, part joints not need to be mapped) by:
    - Select Joint in Outliner
    - Right click on corresponding joint in HumanIK Character Definition and select Assign Selected Bone
    - Map Root in Outliner is the Hip in Character Definition
    - Map Chest to the first Spine (Spine1)
    - Map Neck the first neck (Neck) joint
    - Go on with all other Joints.
  - If the green checkmark is displayed, everything is OK. The character will get orange if there is a problem.
  - Save Skeleton Defintion at the end by clicking on floppy disk symbol at HumanIK window.
  - The prefix of the skeleton defintion needs to be changed since we use a reference. If we import the mocap data, there will be a Namespace (name of the Character in Motive). Delete the "Root" of of the prefix but leave the ":". Change the path to the "data" location in your maya project.
  - Save the Scene

{{::maya-3-create-character-defintion.png?200|}}
{{::maya-4-rename-character.png?200|}}
{{::maya-5-assign-selected-bone.png?300|}}
{{::maya-6-assignement-ok.png?200|}}
{{::maya-7-save-skeleton-defintion-1.png?300|}}
{{::maya-7-save-skeleton-defintion-2.png?300|}}

Remarks: 
  * Map Shoulder does not work if character is not in T-Pose. Rotate Arms so that the Model is in T-Pose until character switches to green.
  * Also the feets must be parallel to the Z Axis. 
  * If you change the model, make sure to clear the assignment data before reassigning the bon it to refresh the offsets. The offsets are calculated when you assign the bones.
  * If you create a new scene, you can import the saved skeleton defintion so you don't have to do it once again.


===== Create Control Rig =====

We do not key joints directly. We key curves/controls in order to fix mocap problems. So we create a custom control rig:
   - Unlock the Character Definition by clicking on the lock in Human IK.
   - Click on "Create Custom Rig Mapping" in Human IK.
   - By default, it assign ankles and hips.
   - Connect controllers to the control rig by select the controller and right click on coressponding control rig point and "Assign selected Effector".
   - Disconnect the translation on the head (deactivate Map Translation).

{{::maya-8-unlock-skelton-definition.png?300|}}
{{:maya-9-create-control-rig.png?300|}}
{{:maya-10-control-rig.png?200|}}

===== Import Mocap Data =====

In order to import motion capture data, you need to [[motive_takeexport|export the correct format (FBX Binary) in motive]]. Choose File > Import and import the motive FBX binary file.

Also the mocap data has to be characterized:
  - Grab all Joints of the mocap
  - Open channel box and set Rotate X,Y,Z=0
  - Select Hip joint and set Translate X=0 and Z=0
  - Select Hips and Translate Y until the that character stands on the ground
  - Open Human IK and click Create Character Defintion
  - Rename the character to "Mocap"
  - Assign all bones from mocap skeleton to character by selecting bone in skeleton and right click on character "Assign Selected Bone".
  - Save Skeleton Definition. There is no need to change the prefix. Change to location to your maya project. Change Template name to "mocap_CD".
  - In Human IK, select the character the character to animate, and select as source the mocap character.
  - Select the pole vector and set it to follow (10) in channel display.
  - You need to bake the mocap animation to the Human IK skeleton: Human IK > Bake > Bake Custom Rig

After that, you can start clean the Mocap Data.

{{::maya-10-connect-character-source.png?200|}}
{{:maya-12-bake.png?200|}}

===== Update Mocap Data =====

  - Import Options > Set File Type to FBX
  - Import Add and Update Animation: it will just update the motion data. You do not have to recreate everything.

===== Fix Mocap Data ===== 

  - Select the Controller to fix
  - Window > Animation Editors > Graph Editor
  - Select parameter to fix and mark area/time range to fix with mouse 
  - Curves > Simplify Curves (set start and end frame)

Do not Simplify over a whole take at once.

{{::maya-11-graph-editor.png?500|}}
{{:maya-12-simplify-curve.png?200|}}

===== Export Rig =====

  - Open the original character file
  - Export only Deformation System for Unity: Open Deformation System in Outline
  - Select Root and Geometry.
  - File > Game Exporter: Export only selection, use File type FBX (Binary)

===== Export Animation =====

  - File > Export Game
  - Use FBX 2018 filetype
  - Activate Animation in Export window.
  - Acitvate Bake Animation
  - Add Animation Clips in Export Window