Comments on: A New Take on Shape Keys http://www.harkyman.com/2007/09/07/a-new-take-on-shape-keys/ FEEL THE LOVE Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:02:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: admin http://www.harkyman.com/2007/09/07/a-new-take-on-shape-keys/#comment-68 admin Sat, 15 Sep 2007 13:06:55 +0000 http://www.harkyman.com/2007/09/07/a-new-take-on-shape-keys/#comment-68 Heh. If you notice the "Follow Up" at the bottom of the post, that was exactly what I was suggesting! Both a Time and Influence Ipo for NLA Strips. I had started coding it myself, but got busy with something else. If you're doing the same thing, awesome! And the fact that we both came up with the same solution gives me good confidence. The rest of the discussion in the earlier post is really implementation and interface work, suggesting a way that this can be put to use, but as I mentioned in the follow up, with Ipos attached to NLA strips, Python can take over for interface experimentation. Heh. If you notice the “Follow Up” at the bottom of the post, that was exactly what I was suggesting! Both a Time and Influence Ipo for NLA Strips. I had started coding it myself, but got busy with something else. If you’re doing the same thing, awesome! And the fact that we both came up with the same solution gives me good confidence.

The rest of the discussion in the earlier post is really implementation and interface work, suggesting a way that this can be put to use, but as I mentioned in the follow up, with Ipos attached to NLA strips, Python can take over for interface experimentation.

]]> By: Aligorith http://www.harkyman.com/2007/09/07/a-new-take-on-shape-keys/#comment-67 Aligorith Sat, 15 Sep 2007 12:07:03 +0000 http://www.harkyman.com/2007/09/07/a-new-take-on-shape-keys/#comment-67 In some of my (as of yet unpublished or coded) experimental concepts for the evolution of the NLA system, I've got the following in mind: * Each NLA-strip (shapekey or otherwise) basically gets two IPO curves which control how this strip interacts with the other strips -- Time: For each frame, the time IPO is checked to see which frame from the source-action should be used -- Influence: For each frame, the influence IPO is checked to see how much the data from the source-action should be applied * All of the existing blendin/out, start/end range, etc. stuff basically become parameters which are used to create parametric versions of these curves (using IPO-Modifiers) I agree with malefico about how this system you mention sounds a bit on the complicated side. In some of my (as of yet unpublished or coded) experimental concepts for the evolution of the NLA system, I’ve got the following in mind:

* Each NLA-strip (shapekey or otherwise) basically gets two IPO curves which control how this strip interacts with the other strips
– Time: For each frame, the time IPO is checked to see which frame from the source-action should be used
– Influence: For each frame, the influence IPO is checked to see how much the data from the source-action should be applied
* All of the existing blendin/out, start/end range, etc. stuff basically become parameters which are used to create parametric versions of these curves (using IPO-Modifiers)

I agree with malefico about how this system you mention sounds a bit on the complicated side.

]]> By: basse http://www.harkyman.com/2007/09/07/a-new-take-on-shape-keys/#comment-55 basse Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:40:29 +0000 http://www.harkyman.com/2007/09/07/a-new-take-on-shape-keys/#comment-55 love the video-effect on the duck. .b love the video-effect on the duck.

.b

]]> By: malefico http://www.harkyman.com/2007/09/07/a-new-take-on-shape-keys/#comment-52 malefico Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:19:51 +0000 http://www.harkyman.com/2007/09/07/a-new-take-on-shape-keys/#comment-52 Currently the shapekey combination (aka vertices being moved by several shapekeys at once) only adds deformation giving weird results. Let's say you organize your keyframing in expressions or whatever, what you need is a way to blend transparently all these shapekeys. I rather not use shapekeys for facial deformation more than adding a little extra thing or for lipsync. Instead I use lattices, which give smooth deformation and somehow gives you the feeling of actually working with skin and muscles in the face. Your idea to me sounds like overcomplicating things, I would like the idea of creating facial expressions and mixing them up in NLA if weren't for the fact that NLA is pretty useless most of the time for real quality character animation. When animating I go from one facial "pose" to the other in one unique action, this is fast and clean. Otherwise I can only think of spending long time setting up expressions and in the end thinking they look too repetitive. Best regards ! malefico Currently the shapekey combination (aka vertices being moved by several shapekeys at once) only adds deformation giving weird results. Let’s say you organize your keyframing in expressions or whatever, what you need is a way to blend transparently all these shapekeys. I rather not use shapekeys for facial deformation more than adding a little extra thing or for lipsync. Instead I use lattices, which give smooth deformation and somehow gives you the feeling of actually working with skin and muscles in the face.

Your idea to me sounds like overcomplicating things, I would like the idea of creating facial expressions and mixing them up in NLA if weren’t for the fact that NLA is pretty useless most of the time for real quality character animation. When animating I go from one facial “pose” to the other in one unique action, this is fast and clean. Otherwise I can only think of spending long time setting up expressions and in the end thinking they look too repetitive.

Best regards !

malefico

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