itsjustme

Mark Skodacek and I have been knocking a few things around for the next update to the rig. We've got it to where we think we are ready for some feedback, so we are posting our present test version of Squetchy Sam that includes most of the updates (there are a couple that may get added shortly, depending on the results of a few more tests). The next version is going to be v13s or better. Because of the heavy use of the FK/IK switch in several of the updates, v11.1 would be impossible and v12 would require a lot of extra keys being added by the animator. We are going with only a Posable installation, so that means anything before v13s wouldn't be able to use the installation method that I'll be putting a tutorial together for. So, v13s will be the oldest version that will be supported. I'm planning to fix a couple of things in the previous v11.1 and v12 releases to correct a couple of things we found that were broken, so that we don't leave anyone with a problem. However, that is all that I'm thinking about doing for those versions at this point. Here is a list of changes/additions: 1. The arm and shoulder "steady" Poses are solid now, they shouldn't twitch when switching at all. 2. The FACE interface now includes controls for the "Blink" and "eyes_aim_at_Master_EyeTarget" Poses. 3. The spine is now a five position switch. There is the standard FK and IK, then there are the IKSQUETCH, SQUETCH and auto_SQUETCH settings. a.) FK...In FK, you can translate the base of the spine using the "FK_1_stomach" bone, the other spine bones don't translate, they only rotate. In this mode, you can resize each section of the spine by selecting a bone, hitting the 'S' key and manually scaling. b.) IK...In IK, you can translate the spine using the "hips_lower_controller". Both the "IK_chest_controller" and "hips_lower_controller" can be manually resized using the same method as in FK. The mid_section will rotate on its' 'Z' axis 50% of the 'Z' rotation of the "IK_chest_controller" and 50% of the 'Z' rotation of the "hips_lower_controller" in this setting. c.) IKSQUETCH...In IKSQUETCH, the end of the "hips_lower_controller" bone is controlled by the "hips_lower_controller_target" (which is a "translate only" controller), the base of the "hips_lower_controller" can be translated or rotated on the 'Z' axis...both ends will squetch the stomach area of the character and the base will also squetch the mid_section of the character. Translating the "IK_chest_SQUETCH_controller" will automatically squetch the mid_section. The mid_section will rotate on its' 'Z' axis 50% of the 'Z' rotation of the "IK_chest_SQUETCH_controller" and 50% of the 'Z' rotation of the "hips_lower_controller" in this setting. d.) SQUETCH...In SQUETCH, the spine sections are controlled by nulls on the ends of each bone. The nulls are "translate only" controls, the "spine_stomach_auto_SQUETCH", "spine_mid_section_auto_SQUETCH" and "IK_chest_auto_SQUETCH_controller" bones are set to only rotate on their 'Z' axis as controllers in this setting. e.) auto_SQUETCH...In auto_SQUETCH, the base of the spine is translated using the "spine_1_auto_SQUETCH" null, the chest is translated and rotated using the "IK_chest_auto_SQUETCH_controller", the stomach and mid_section auto squetch when translating those controls. The stomach and mid_section can be adjusted and squetched independently using the "spine_2_auto_SQUETCH" null and the "spine_stomach_auto_SQUETCH" bone and the "spine_mid_section_auto_SQUETCH" bones are only used by rotating on their 'Z' axis to twist the torso. 4. The "auto hips" Pose has been redone. The spine needs to be in FK to turn the auto hips on, then, it is meant to be used in the IK spine settings. In standard spine IK, the auto hips will work as it previously did. In spine IKSQUETCH and spine auto_SQUETCH settings, the auto hips will also squetch the stomach and mid_section of the character. In spine SQUETCH, the auto hips will squetch the stomach, but not the mid_section (you can use the "spine_2_SQUETCH" for that in this mode). 5. On-character controls have been added for the "scale-to-reach" limb Poses, the FK/IK limb Poses, chest and stomach in/out, FACE interface, arm steady Poses, shoulder steady Poses, show thumb controls, show Hand Gizmo and show finger controls. The attached videos give a quick run-through of their use (sorry for the small size...I was trying to not exceed 2 MB file sizes). 6. Fixed a problem with the scale-to-reach Pose on the right arm. 7. Fixed an over-rotation of the thigh orient when manually squetching the legs. It would helps us out if we could get some stress testing of the rig and feedback from anyone that has time. We are testing a couple more things that may also be included, then we will be putting together the Posable installations and finally an installation tutorial. ---------------------------------- EDIT ---------------------------------- I forgot to mention, there is also thigh and calf flexing added...it's subtle in Sam, but it is adjustable. ---------------------------------- EDIT ---------------------------------- I deleted this test version of Squetchy Sam, the next test version that incorporates the suggestions listed in this thread is located here. spine_Sorenson3.mov hands_and_arms_Sorenson3.mov face_io_legs_autohips_Sorenson3.mov

I didn't get the pose exactly right, but this is what I meant. This is a screen grab from about the 12 second mark of your clip and an approximation of what I'm suggesting. I don't think that you should change it at every place that the lips curve upward, but I think there are several places where the upper gums should be exposed. Hope that helps. -------------------------------- EDIT -------------------------------- I'm pretty sure Sam's face can do pretty much any mouth shape...if the FACE controls can't accomplish it, there are more controls in the "Animation_Controls/Face_underlying_controls/lips" folder that isolate sections of the mouth (especially in the "mouth_ud_individual" and "mouth_lr_individual" folders).

LOL! I'm not sure if it's directly from the movie (it's been a while since I watched it), but that dialogue is from "Big Trouble in Little China"...one of my favorite movies! Nice choice. Nice job! I only have two little nitpicky things. I think that either the center of the upper lip needs to move higher or the corners need to even out the mouth more by moving down when the mouth widens out since the wide mouth Poses are also smile Poses. Also, when he puts his hands on his head, the shoulders don't move upward...it would make it look more natural if they did. Good work all around.

You have your priorities in the right order, Tai Shan. Taking time off from a project doesn't hurt the project, but definitely don't give up on it. Good luck on the job hunt!

Make a bone for the base of the barrel and a bone for the part that extends. Then, in a Pose, put a translate limit on the bone for the extension with everything set to "0" except for the "Maximum Z"...make that the length of the base. That should make it where the extension can slide only from the base of the barrel to the end of the base of the barrel. Hope that helps.

Tai Shan...are you insane?! You've got a very good looking project started. Lack of feedback could mean a lot of things...from me, it means I'm on dial-up, large video files would take forever to download. Feedback is nice, but shouldn't make or break what you're working on. If I based what I do on how many responses I get, I wouldn't do anything.

The spine update relies heavily on the FK/IK switch, so that means it would be impossible to make a v11.1 version (a cut-down re-designed version might be able to be done, but it wouldn't be the same spine at all). The FK/IK switch is partially supported in v12 (the animator would have to manually set keys when switching), so I could probably make one for that if there are requests for it. The Posable installation method requires v13s or better because exporting models from an Action had problems before that. In order to not confuse people, I was hoping to show just one installation method in the tutorial I'm going to put together. So, I was thinking of going with a v13s or better installation as the standard. If I make any other versions, like a non-Posable installation version for v12 or v13, they probably wouldn't be part of the installation tutorial. If I go that route, I'll also have to make Posable installations for the Quad rig so that the installations are similar. So, I could make non-Posable installations for v12 (that would also cover pre-v13s) if necessary, but if I did they probably wouldn't be part of the installation tutorial. That's what I'm thinking at the moment, George.

A lot of people in the community have made contributions to the rig (it's a very long list), it wouldn't be half as good without the help I've gotten. At the moment, Mark Skodacek has been working with me on the spine update that's going to be in the next version...it's going to be a lot better. Once that is finalized, we'll get an update released, then the tutorial. I don't think it will be too much longer.

There have been a lot of fixes and updates since that version...and I'm not sure I have that one anymore, I'd have to do some digging to see. It won't be very much longer until the next release, that one is going to make the rig stable for a long time (barring any problems that are found) and will allow me to put together an updated installation tutorial. There isn't a set timetable, but it will be done as quickly as free time permits.

After you finish the installation Poses, export the Action as a re-named model, open the new model, delete the installation Poses, import the "FINAL_IMPORT" model into the new model, save the updated new model as a safety, run the InstallRig plugin and then reset the compensates. Hope that helps, Steve.

Yves' skylight tutorial and skylight downloads Yves' lighting tutorial thread "Dub lights" thread

The eyelid installation looks different than the last tutorial because the individual eyelid controls were added (along with a few other eye tweaks). When you unhide the eye INSTALL bones, you will see all of the eye bones, including the eyelid installation bones. You can hide the eyelid bones using the hiding Poses that are found in the "upper_eyelids", "lower_eyelids" and "eyelid_corners" folders in the "Step 6/eye_install" folder. That would leave you with the eye "geom" bones exposed...you can use the Poses in the "Step 6/eye_install" main folder to position the eye bones, then, unhide the eyelid bones to position them. As soon as I get the next update released, I'll put together an updated installation tutorial while I work on a personal project...I've been trying to get to both for way too long. Hope that helps, Steve.

It looked like Alex's right hand needed some CP Weighting work done on the thumb area, but it's looking really good so far Tai Shan!

Yes, you can manually move the cheeks...on the version you have, just translate the "cheek_left_geom" and "cheek_right_geom" (it's a Pose slider in the latest version). If you check the "Animation_Controls/FACE Interface/Upper Face Poses/LeftSquint" and "Animation_Controls/FACE Interface/Upper Face Poses/RightSquint" Poses in Squetchy Sam you'll see that's what I translated. The lip targets are for the lip "geom" bones to translate to...that's all they are for, that way the scaling of the mouth bones doesn't scale the lip "geom" bones when the lips are moved in/out. To set up the face, you first have to have your base controls working like you want (this process is different on the latest version, you shouldn't have to dig into Poses now). First, you'll have to edit the Poses in the "Animation_Controls/Face_underlying_controls/lips/mouth_ud_individual" folder so that they have the range of up/down movement you want. Then, you'll have to edit the "Animation_Controls/Face_underlying_controls/lips/mouth_lr_individual" Poses to get the left/right movement you want. Once those are to your liking, you'll have to set the limits for everything in the nose (nostril base, nostril, nose main, etc) and set the percentages on the "aim at", "translate to" and "orient like" constraints in the nose Poses....they should be in the "Animation_Controls/Face_underlying_controls/head_on/off_constraints/nose_targeting" Pose. Then, adjust the "Animation_Controls/Face_underlying_controls/head_on/off_constraints/cheek_constraints", "Animation_Controls/Face_underlying_controls/head_on/off_constraints/ear_constraints" and "Animation_Controls/Face_underlying_controls/head_on/off_constraints/jowl_constraints" to get the movement you want for those parts of the face when the lips move. Then, use the lip "roll" bones (and muscle movement if necessary) to make the lip curling Poses located in the "Animation_Controls/Face_underlying_controls/lips" folder. Once that is done, you should be able to start making the FACE Poses. For something like the "RightSmileWide" and "LeftSmileWide" Poses, I use a separate Action to figure out what I need to make them. I open a new Action and move the lip Pose sliders until I get what I want for a complete smile. Then, I split the Pose into left and right versions by using the percentages for the full smile. For the center, the sliders for each side will be 50% of the full smile, for the "RightSmileWide" the first section of the lips that is right of center will have 75% of the full smile values and the first section of the left side will have 25% of the full smile values...the far right side will have 100% and the far left side will have 0%. Then do the same thing for the "LeftSmileWide", reversing the values. The present method (which is for the rigs after the one you have installed) is located here...it's different, but it might help you if my explanation thus far hasn't. Hope that helps, Steve. After the next rig update, I'm going to try to do an updated installation tutorial.

It's different when you're using the bones setup, Steve. The lips are moved using the "mouth_ud" and "mouth_lr" Pose sliders, they are in the "Animation_Controls/Face_underlying_controls/lips/mouth_ud_individual" and "Animation_Controls/Face_underlying_controls/lips/mouth_lr_individual" folders. You will probably have to edit the Poses to get the range of movement for your specific character (that changed with the version after the one you are installing...it's easier now). I don't use "copy/paste mirrored" much with the bones rig...what I do is use an Action to work out what something like a smile should look like, then I just split the Pose manually using the slider percentages (dividing the center number in half, 75% on the side of the Pose and 25% on the side opposite of the Pose). The eyebrow bones don't have Pose sliders, they get moved manually. For those, it is similar to the mouth...I work out what both eyebrows up (or whatever) should look like, then I divide the percentages like for the mouth Poses for each side. For the lip curling, I adjust the weighting between the "lip_geom" and "lip_roll_geom" bones so that I can manually grab the "roll" bones and use them as handles to roll the lips in and out for the lip curling Poses in the "Animation_Controls/Face_underlying_controls" folder. Then, I use those Poses to set up other FACE Poses. So, build the smaller Poses in the "Animation_Controls/Face_underlying_controls" folder, then use those to build the FACE Poses. The last two versions of the rig includes a "face_setup_11_12_2007.act" that runs the bones rig through a set of Poses to aid in setup...there were quite a few changes in the bones setup in the version after the one you're using, so that Action might not be as helpful. Squetchy Sam is a good guide for how things should be set up...use the Squetchy Sam for the release you are installing because that will match what you've got. If you run into any problems, post, PM or e-mail.

I ended up making two modified 2001 Rigs that have Squetch Rig hand controls...they are located here. Hope that helps.

These are modified 2001 Rigs that have the hand controls from the Squetch Rig...there is a five finger and four finger version in the ZIP file. To install, set up the 2001 Rig bones as you would normally, use translate mode, scale mode and rotate mode to move the red "right_hand_INSTALL" and "left_hand_INSTALL" bones so that they are in the same position and size as the "Right Hand" and "Left Hand" bones, position the hand bones as you would while installing them in the Squetch Rig (the process is shown in the installation videos that are linked to on the Wiki page), run the "InstallRig" plugin (included in the ZIP) and then assign CP Weighting. For the Squetch Rig hand bones, assign the weighting to the "geom" bones. This should work for v11.1 to the present version. v12_2001_Skeleton_with_Squetch_hands_installations.zip

It would take some modifying to get that done...I'll make a hands-only version with some instructions for you. If I understand you right and what I see in the file, the Biped Squetch Rig is not set up with the controls like the hands are. There is the standard biped rig and the biped rig with the Foot Gizmo...they are identical except one has the Foot Gizmo added (which is a foot setup for a character with hand-like feet, like a monkey).

Never mind on the hand add-on since these do not have the gem bone in them. I ether have to adapt them to the existing 2001 rig or copy the hold hand Bones and Relationship over and adapt them to it. And I don’t know enough to do that yet. I don't understand what you're trying to do....are you trying to add the hands to the 2001 rig? What is the "gem" bone? Is that a typo that should read "geom" bone? I'm confused about what you're asking. There’s no instruction with the files. There should be a text file named "resetting_all_compensates_12_05_2007.txt" included with the installation rigs. The toe add-ons are for the standard Squetch Rig...the one's without the Foot Gizmo. To install them, you just import the toe add-ons, position the toes using translate mode, rotate mode and scale mode, then run the "InstallRig" plugin. If you need the Foot Gizmo taken out of what you've got, delete all of the bones under the "right_foot_Gizmo_toes_INSTALL" and "left_foot_Gizmo_toes_INSTALL" then delete any Poses for the Foot Gizmo and toes. If you need someone to clean out the things you need rid of, either post, PM or e-mail me to let me know where to get the model that needs fixing and I'll get to it as fast as I can.

I'm not sure what you mean by the hand add-ons...what kind of add-ons? Oh, that was something that I forgot to delete. The compensate resetting instructions are included with the rig...I edited the Wiki.

The links should be fixed now...I just re-posted them and linked to the new files.

The Foot Gizmo was meant for hand-like feet like you would have on a monkey. What you need are the biped Squetch Rig toes that are located in the "Add-ons" section of the Wiki. Hope that helps.

Very cool, Marcos!

I didn't know that, Dale. Thanks! It will help a lot.

The "auto_controllers_INSTALL" bone has the "auto_controller" bones as children, those bones are used in calculations within Expressions for the face rig. There is a constraint that will translate them to the hips that is already set to "on", so that's where they will be in any Action. I would move the "auto_controllers_INSTALL" bone using translate mode so that its' origin is at the origin of the hips, but that is just for neatness. Those are the only installation tutorials besides the tutorial that Mark Skodacek made for the Posable installation versions of the rig. There have been a lot of updates since those original five...I actually stopped at that point because of how fast things had changed. One thing off the top of my head, the leg INSTALL bones are now supposed to end at the ankle instead of going to the floor. There's going to be an update to the spine when I can get to it, then I have a personal project that I've been trying to get to...I'm going to try to make a new installation tutorial while doing the rigging for that. If you have any questions, feel free to post, PM or e-mail.