We would like to use a Magpie Pro text file to drive presets for facial animation using bones via the Pen-Attribute Holder(from Paul Neale).
Currently we use a script (by the Magpie publisher) that interprets the Magpie text file and drives the Morph Modifier for our facial animation.
The Magpie text file lists the target names then a value for each target on every frame of animation.
We are using a facial bone system similar to the one Chris Harvey posted in the rigging forum recently.
If required we can post the Magpie script(hopefully ok with the Magpie people) and a text file example.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
If Magpie is spitting out a formated txt file with the data that you need it wouldn’t be to hard to write a script to read it in and set the data to custom attributes on my PEN Attribute Holder. If you are interested in having this done for you, you can contact me at info@paulneale.com and we can discuss what it is that you need.
I just finished writing a huge script which could work for you. This script is
not for magpie, but for a new lipsync application called ‘The Lipsync Tool’
by Annosoft LLC, Texas.
I found it the best available tool for lipsync among the ones I have seen so far…
very simple, but very powerful, and very flexible.
My script, I call it ‘Lipscript’, can be used to integrate the data generated by Lipsync Tools
into 3ds Max. I’ve used Lipscript along with Lipsync Tool successfully, to make some characters
talk in Max.
Lipscript can be used to create Lipsync for :
#Morph based Facial Setups,
#Bone based Facial Setups,
#Setups using a combination of both, and also
#Facial rigs run by spinner based custom Attributes, sliders, etc.
Lipsync Tool is capable of recognizing 40 different phonemes.Using Lipscript, you can
combine these phonemes in any order to make different visemes, which then can be
mapped to a facial setup, be it morph-based, bone-based or custom-attribute-based.
For example, you could either map “m”, “b” and “p” to separate morph targets/sliders/bone
Controls or you could club all 3 together and map the combined viseme.
Same for all the 40 phonemes.
You can visit www.annosoft.com and request an “export/save” enabled trial version for free,
to try out Lipsync Tool.
You can find Lipscript in the link below:
Download Lipscript Ver 1
Download Lipscript Help
Screenshots of my script:
Lipscript screen 1
Lipscript screen 2
- shibu
shibumenon74@yahoo.com
Just so you know I have responded to your post in the rigging section of the boards.
Thanks alot Paul, your information was exactly what we needed.
We’re getting together some more specific info to email you shortly.
Thanks also, aaaaCHoooo. We’re too far down the magpie path to go for a new solution at the moment, but your input is appreciated.