(say bye to IK ,FK:)using morph targets to animate limbs(animated gif)

[sirquadalot]

When Zb 1.55b first came out, I thought it would be cool to try and animate a character in Poser using only morph targets. For example to rotate a whole leg so that it is perpendicular to the toarso, and when it is at that point, be able to bend the knee. I tried this for quite a while, with mix results. Eventually I put it aside for later, much later. I ran into Pix's post today dealing with morph targets, and it got the wheels rolling again. I started with a zsphere character I made, saved the default obj pose. Then I moved the arms up for the second pose(morph target). And finally for the third pose(2nd morph)I moved the arms back to the original base pose and rotated them at the elbows inward toward the chest. I needed to mess aroung a little with importing and re-exporting the objects in Poser but eventually I got all the shapes to line up correctly and it worked quite nicely. I did a quick 30 frame animation and then created a gif file for those interested to see. I think the file is around 180K so I should be able to post it here. Anyways I have never placed a gif on this forum, so hopefully I will have no problems. Please remember that all animation is the results of using morph targets(blend shapes) only. :) http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/uploaded_from_zbc/200305/user_image-1052186679dzn.gif

[sirquadalot]

Somethings acting goofy with the gif. To watch the animation again press back on your browser and then forward again or hit refresh. Sorry :(

[bholtzman]

I am interested in animation from ZBrush. I haven't gotten into this yet. I'm uncertain how comprehensive the animation tool set is for ZBrush. It uses morph targets I think. But that's completely inside of zbrush. If I go outside of zbrush to poser then I was thinking I'd make a model in zbrush of a character and then bone and skin it in poser. Then I was thinking that I could animate the character in poser since poser does dynamic cloth and dynamic hair.

Take Care,

Ben

[sirquadalot]

Hello bholtzman,
Zbrush and poser compliment each other very well. The animated gif you see above is actually all morph targets. I did not do any character set up in Poser. I simply (it's not really simple but)imported an obj file from zbrush ( of a character) and used the morph target feature (in zbrush). I created two different poses based upon the abilities of being able to move Zspheres. Then I exported them from ZB imported into poser as morph targets and whalla. My goal, with this experiment was to be able to animate an entire character using morph targets only. The biggest problem that I was having was that yes I could morph the initial obj., but when I I tried to morph that morph, which is essential to my idea, it did not work. I solved that issue, and it works. I think this is really cool. I can't imagine why no one else is really interested in this? I know that morph target/blend shapes take up more memory, but would it not be cool to literaly create cg claymation and throw IK and FK out the window?

[Digits]

Looks cool! You might want check out my Zsphere Widget, it might be what you are lookin for

Topic: Zsphere Widget version 2.8 (update 10-3-02 ) (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=007694)

There is more Documentation for it here

Digit's Zsphere Widget Documention (http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/scripts/zsphere_1.htm)

I am hoping that Pixolator will release his Animation Script soon that we got a peek at a few months ago, which I am sure will be alot easier to use.

[gummie]

I don't get it. :) Looks interesting but.. but.. I really don't get how you use this in Zbrush, is it just exporting? Is that a Poser render?

[sirquadalot]

Thanks Digits :cool: I will try this out!
Gummie, the character and it's morph targets currently have to be exported to a 3D animation program. I use Poser when I'm at home to do some experiments, and then if they work out, I can load them into Maya at work. I would love for ZBrush to have multiple animation capabilities for not just the 3D tools, but also the brushes. :) Hope this clears things up a bit.

[Reactor]

I've just started using Poser 5, and am not sure why you'd want to do an animation that way. Sure, you can, but why? I like IK :)