| On this page |
|
In order to perform an animation retarget operation, you first need to bring in the target character you want to retarget the animation to and the source animation skeleton or character you want to retarget the animation from.
To help you with this process, there are several ways to import animation skeletons, captures (skins), and characters into KineFX.
Unpack SOP characters or import from disk ¶
-
If you have a stashed or bundled SOP animation skeleton or character that you now want to unpack, then you can unpack the character data stored in the
Stash SOP node or 
Object Merge SOP node with the 
Character Unpack SOP node. -
If you want to unpack a SOP character’s data stream that is saved on disk, and then have the option of using the sequence on disk or a live stream, then you can use the
Character I/O SOP node. -
If you want to import a SOP animation skeleton or character that is saved in a file on disk, then use the regular
File SOP node.
Bring in motion capture data ¶
You can bring motion capture data into KineFX in the following ways:
-
Import Acclaim, BioVision, or Motion Analysis motion capture animation files into KineFX with the
Mocap Import SOP node or with the File > Import > Motion Capture main menu item. -
Stream live motion capture data directly from Faceware Studio, Live Link Face, Optitrack Motive, Perception Neuron, Rokoko Studio, Vicon Shogun, or Xsens MVN to KineFX with the
Mocap Stream SOP node. -
Stream live raw motion capture data (UDP or TCP) to KineFX with the
Mocap Stream SOP node.
For more information about about importing and streaming motion capture to KineFX, please see Working with motion capture.
Bring in agents from Crowds ¶
You can bring agents or agent clips into KineFX for use with SOP characters and MotionClips in the following ways:
-
Generate a SOP animation skeleton from an agent with the
Agent Animation Unpack SOP node -
Create a MotionClip or multiple MotionClips (packed MotionClip) from an agent with the
Agent Animation Unpack SOP node -
Generate a SOP character from an agent with the
Agent Character Unpack SOP node.
Tip
If the animation skeleton that the Agent Animation Unpack SOP generates for you has a different joint hierarchy than the SOP character you want to retarget its animation to, then you can constrain the animation skeleton’s joints to its target character by using the 
Rig Copy Transforms SOP node.
Bring in USD data from Solaris or other sources ¶
You can bring in the animation skeleton, character, or capture (skin) from a UsdSkel character (the Skeleton primitive underneath the SkelRoot primitive in a Solaris stage) in the following ways:
-
Use the
USD Animation Import node to import the animation skeleton from a UsdSkel character. -
Use the
USD Character Import node to import a UsdSkel character. -
Use the
USD Skin Import node to import a UsdSkel character’s capture (skin).
Import FBX data ¶
You can import FBX files into KineFX in the following ways:
-
Use the
FBX Animation Import SOP node to import an FBX animation skeleton. -
Use the
FBX Character Import SOP node to import an FBX character. -
Use the
FBX Skin Import SOP node to import an FBX character’s capture (skin).
Bring in object-level character data or HDAs ¶
You can use the 
Scene Character Import SOP node to import object-level characters or HDAs into KineFX.
Tip
If there are any problems with your character now that it is in KineFX, please see Troubleshooting your characters after import into KineFX.
For best results, do the following:
-
Select the Scene Character Import SOP node.
-
In the Import tab, turn off every Type except Geometry.
This imports only the geometry responsible for the skin deformation.
Type parameters
Bring in character data from other DCCs ¶
Troubleshooting your characters after import into KineFX ¶
Problem: Character’s global scale is off ¶
-
Problem 1: If your imported animation skeleton or character is dramatically larger or smaller than it should be, then your animation skeleton or character may come from a source that uses different world units than Houdini (for example, meters vs. centimeters).
Solution: To correct this problem, locate the Convert Units parameter on the KineFX import node you used to bring in your character or motion data, and then turn it on.
Example: Convert Units parameter on the FBX Animation Import SOP node -
Problem 2: If the source or target characters you want to retarget are dramatically different sizes, then you can use the
Rig Match Pose SOP node’s bounding box matching to automatically resize their skeletons and conform them to each other.
Example: Enable Match Bounds parameter on the Rig Match Pose SOP node
Problem: Skeleton is broken into separate joint chains ¶
Sometimes when you import an animation skeleton or character into KineFX, parts of the hierarchy do not make it through.
To correct this problem, you need to re-attach the broken joint chains.
You can re-connect joints with the 
Skeleton SOP node or the 
Parent Joints SOP node.
Problem: Control objects are missing or they are garbled ¶
Often times when you import a character rig, the links between the control geometry and the joints they drive will not survive the process or the control objects will not come through at all.
To correct this problem, you need to re-attach your control geometry to your character or attach new controls. For more information, see Setting up control geometry.