Animation and Rigging Tools: FAQ, Known Issues and Feature Roadmap

[ernstAlert]

@AdamZ;336499

Hey ,

I noticed that the Facial Rigging Toolkit will be in a future release. Is that being worked on at all, or do you have an idea of the time-frame for it’s release? Thanks.

One of my guys is working on it right now It’s looking pretty badass.
Current internal ETA for our own projects is early Sept. Would probably get tested a bit then released publicly.

[ernstAlert]

@CyberDev;336239

Maya 2016 is really buggy with this kit, I know you said you did rig a character and go through the process in 2016, but did you export one and not have like a billion warnings through the typical rig creation process? Because I re-installed and tried for hours and maya 2015 seems to run perfectly smooth but 2016 is just a chaos nightmare if you really get into it, hopefully it can be fixed

Also do you have any rig recommendations for quadrapeds and other types of non humans?
Rapid rig modular? http://www.creativecrash.com/maya/script/-rapid-rig-modular-procedural-auto-rig-for-maya

Hmm, I don’t recall seeing tons of warning, though I may have warning turned off in my script editor output. V2 is being tested in 2014, 2015, and 2016 on all 3 platforms as I write it, so I know that will work! Until 2017 comes out… (hopefully not the case haha)

Not sure on quad rigs. We have our own internal tool for it (old) that we still use when necessary, which isn’t that often anymore. V2 will have non-human/quad support. That rig you posted looks promising though! Something is better than nothing!

[ernstAlert]

@CyberDev;336239

Maya 2016 is really buggy with this kit, I know you said you did rig a character and go through the process in 2016, but did you export one and not have like a billion warnings through the typical rig creation process? Because I re-installed and tried for hours and maya 2015 seems to run perfectly smooth but 2016 is just a chaos nightmare if you really get into it, hopefully it can be fixed

Also do you have any rig recommendations for quadrapeds and other types of non humans?
Rapid rig modular? http://www.creativecrash.com/maya/script/-rapid-rig-modular-procedural-auto-rig-for-maya

I should add, if you want, feel free to send me a file that is giving you trouble and I can test in 2016 on my end. (.@epicgames.com)

[ernstAlert]

@wertstoffsack;337018

Hi ,

first, thanks for this toolkit!

With the latest download from dropbox on win7x64 and Maya 2015Ext1sp6, when I try to edit the Mannequin Rig file, have it assume the Model Pose, I get:

Error: RuntimeError: file F:/UNREAL_database/Epic Games/4.8/Engine/Extras/Maya_AnimationRiggingTools/MayaTools/General/Scripts\ART_skeletonBuilder_UI.py line 6641: setAttr: The attribute ‘root.translateX’ is locked or connected and cannot be modified.

Trying to assume Model pose for the Export file (Mannequin_Export.mb) works.

I´m not sure I understand how I could achieve the following:

• Use the Mannequin_Export.mb in Model pose during modeling as a reference/template while creating a character mesh that´ll work nice with the default/sample animations in engine.
• Use the Mannequin Rig in Model pose as a starting point for a new skeleton template with proper proportions and positioning to rig the custom character with

Of course, I could build a new rig using the Character Rig Creator but I want to try and minimize general proportional differences.

Is the EpicGames_Mannequin_Settings.txt the proper Template to load into Rig Builder?

–edit–

In UT 4.8.x, looking at the skeleton mesh of the Mannequin, the default pose exported/shipped with the engine seems to be the model pose, not the animation pose
as in loading a Mannequin_Export.mb. I like the model pose better but could understand why the T-Pose is in the Mannequin_Export.mb, as that probably makes alignment
to Maya´s HIK for using other sample files easier, like from any Motionbuilder samples or Autodesk Character Creator files coming in as HIK T-Pose meshes&rigs?

Looking through the latest dropbox download, I found

EpicGames_Mannequin_Settings.txt (should go into …/SkeletonTemplates)

and

EpicGames_Mannequin_Placement.txt (should go into …/JointMoverTemplates)

It would be nice if you could place these in their respective folders, so they show up as presets without having to manually copy them first.
It took me a few brute force trial&error runs to properly understand which *.txt file to load where and when while creating a new rig using
the Character Rig Creator. I also didn´t realize one has to load two presets, one for the “number of bones” and then in the
next step one for “placement of bones”. Maybe you can hint to that (separate presets, same button location) in the help files?

Another thing:

Thanks again for all this stuff! It´s very, very rewarding to be able to use all the samples you guys provide to learn from.

The image I´ve added shows the first draft of my character mesh, hands still mannequin, everything else pretty much kite demo, except for the first few textures…

Hey there!

You have the right of it, that rig creator UI only works within the export file, and not on the rig file. I don’t really make that clear anywhere, apologies.
Our internal workflow is that we export to engine from the export file. It doesn’t really matter which pose you export in, as long as it’s consistent. We tend to export in model pose, as that’s what the artists like to see, but t pose is nicer for using the engine retargeting features!

What you can do to get the rig in model pose though, is an awesome hack using the import mocap feature. Just export out an animation of the character standing in model pose from the export file (exporting only the joint hierarchy), and then import that onto the rig, using the import mocap. Once the mocap comes in (use FK method to import), you could then save that pose to the pose editor

For the templates, you’re right. I’ll get those in the proper folders. It was a quick thing I put in for another forum user and never followed up on actually putting them in the released toolset. I’ll add that to the board.

I’m glad you’re finding it useful! Sorry there are some rough edges to work through. I’m stoked though about V2. I’m making that thing bulletproof. If you haven’t seen it, I have an (outdated) blog I keep here that has the progress up to May. I’ll get a new post up soon with everything that’s been done lately!
http://jeremyernst.com/devblog/

[ernstAlert]

@;337286

I didn’t see a reply to this, and I’m having the same issue. Here’s the stack trace:

# Error: Freeze Transform was not applied because result_leg_ball_l.rotateX has incoming connection.
# Traceback (most recent call last):
#   File "C:/Projects/MyProj/MayaTools/General/Scripts\ART_skeletonBuilder_UI.py", line 8657, in screenshot_take
#     self.publish(project, characterName, handCtrlSpace)
#   File "C:/Projects/MyProj/MayaTools/General/Scripts\ART_skeletonBuilder_UI.py", line 7477, in publish
#     ART_autoRigger.AutoRigger(handCtrlSpace, self.widgets"publishUI_ProgressBar"])
#   File "C:/Projects/MyProj/MayaTools/General/Scripts\ART_autoRigger.py", line 74, in __init__
#     self.finishLegs()
#   File "C:/Projects/MyProj/MayaTools/General/Scripts\ART_autoRigger.py", line 3962, in finishLegs
#     cmds.makeIdentity(thighJoint, t = 0, r = 1, s = 0, apply = True)
# RuntimeError: Freeze Transform was not applied because result_leg_ball_l.rotateX has incoming connection. # 
C:/Users/Johnny/Documents/maya/2014-x64/scripts/
C:/Users/Johnny/Documents/maya/2014-x64/prefs/
C:/Users/Johnny/Documents/maya/2014-x64/scripts/mayaTools.txt
Custom Maya Menu: SetupScene

Update, I think I found the issue. With a clean Prefs folder I did some tests. Upon opening a new instance of Maya before building a character, I made:

1. A rig with Skeleton Creation Settings to default – works fine
2. A rig with Skeleton Creation Settings: in the Left Leg menu click “Include Ball Joint”. In this order: then in Right Leg menu click “Same as Left Leg” (notice the “Include Ball Joint” in right leg gets auto checked). – this builds fine.
3. A rig with Skeleton Creation Settings: in the Left Leg menu click “Include Ball Joint”. In this order: then in Right Leg menu click “Same as Left Leg”, but unclick the Right Leg menu’s “Include Ball Joint” – this will not build and throws the error.

So with #3, I guess I was assuming that it didn’t matter that the Ball Joint box was checked – I thought ‘Same as Left Leg’ kept it checked behind the scenes or something. It might be better to check that box and grey it out, so it is only editable when “Same as Left Leg” is set to off.

Anyway hope that helps anyone stumbling upon this.

that makes total sense. I’m probably making a dumb assumption that the biped is symmetrical and not doing correct checks when building. Sorry!
(But thanks a ton for narrowing that down!)
Added:

[ernstAlert]

@;337287

Not sure if anyone else is having this issue. I’m on latest scripts as of 7/21/15 and am noticing that while the IK knee twists work in 2014, they don’t in 2015 or 2016. In the later versions, the IK knees move the entire foot as well and don’t keep it locked in place.

I’m making the rig in 2014, and then opening it in later versions, so I’m guessing it might be some kind of Maya update causing it.

Edit: If I clear my Prefs folder it works fine in 2015/16. No idea what’s up with that yet.

haha what the!?

You are not having the best luck, are you? Sorry man

[ernstAlert]

@;337437

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone can help me figure out why none of my co-workers can open my files made through the art tool? I am using maya 2013 and this is the error they are getting:

“Error: RuntimeError: file Z:/raw_assets/art_rig/MayaTools/General/Scripts\customMayaMenu.py line 343: Unknown Maya file version: 2013ff10.”

Any ideas?

EDIT

Looks like my computer had 2013.5 (extended edition) installed instead of 2013. This seems to be the caused of the issue. Decided to share in case other people had similar problems. Now I have to figure out how to transfer my files over to maya 2013 version. Checking “ignore version” doesnt’t work, and it looks like I can edit the file if they were .ma, but the art tool doesn’t allow that?

EDIT #2

Found a work around! There is most likely a better way to do this, but here is what I did:

1. Open the .mb file in Maya 2013.5
2. Run the following in a mel script. 
	file -type "mayaAscii";
3. Save As an .ma
4. Open the above file in Maya 2013
	a. If you are having trouble opening the file, make sure "ignore  version" is checked on in the "Open" settings (under the File menu)
5. Run the following in a mel script (for the current art tool version, I wanted to keep everything .mb)
	file -type "mayaBinary";
6. Save As an .mb file

Hopefully I helped someone out!

awesome! Thank you for working through that. Sorry I wasn’t able to respond quicker. Hope all is well!

[Efrye]

Hey ,

I’m having some trouble with the latest version of the character rig creator. After updating my Maya Tools I can no longer use the aim mode and symmetry at the same time during joint placement. Turning on aiming always turns off symmetry and I get a bunch of cycle errors. It’s still working fine in an older version of ART though.

Any chance you could look into it for the next update?

edit: Oh, and I’m using Maya 2015!

[ZioYuri78]

I’m try learning how to use this tool and i have a little problem, everytime i add a character for animation (and i always choose the sample mannequin) i have this message

I browse for the correct path and i check both checkbox but seems the two options not work because everytime i have to do the same process, any suggest? Happen both with Maya 2014 and 2015 student versions.

[Mercurial_Forge]

Hi ,

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions. If I run into the build rig crash again I will record any information I can and pass it along to you here.

Cheers!

[jmalaska]

@'[Epic

;338317’]haha what the!?

You are not having the best luck, are you? Sorry man

Heh, it’s all good It’s got to be a Maya/Autodesk thing. Hoping they get back with some response. Not a showstopper by any means.

[wertstoffsack]

Hi ,

thanky for your reply and adding the sorting of the *.txt files to your trello board.

Maybe you could also package the post-script.py for the 4.8 mannequin with the download updates?

When trying a re-export of the 4.8 mannequin, A.R.T. will pop-up a warning for a missing post-script, I guess it´s the one you
shared earlier in this thread.

Having those extra IK bones by default (or as post-script option) seems to be very desireable for pulling off things like adjusted hand positions
on weapon grips per weapon/character and the likes. I think there is a tutorial outlining the process, probably a snippet from a Fortnite stream?

I can´t find the link anymore but there is also a good chance I mix things up…

Cheers,

[wertstoffsack]

Here´s another error for Maya 2015sp6Ext1, win7x64:

Error: RuntimeError: file [Drive]:/UNREAL_database/Epic Games/4.8/Engine/Extras/Maya_AnimationRiggingTools/MayaTools/General/Scripts\ART_exportMotion.py line 791: Invalid file type specified: FBX export

It seems something in the Maya FBX import/export options has changed.

If I try to import Mocap (like from an *.fbx exported from Unreal, any of the animation pack samples) onto the 4.8 Mannequin, instead of getting the animation onto the character like in your learning video,
the Maya fbx import pops up and hitting import there just results in a new rig in the scene with the animation on that.

no (re-)mapping like in your import/export video happens.

Maybe I get it wrong but I had thought importing animation via “mocap” onto a character first pulled in via “add character for animation” would let me import animation sequences exported from unreal into Maya?

…

Somehow, the whole import and export of animation via *.fbx (using your import and export buttons, generally, writing *.fbx via export or export selected works) seems broken?

[anonymous_user_fd2a9f3c1 (anonymous_user_fd2a9f3c)]

Hey ,
I know you can move the clavicle by linking it to the hand controls, but I wanted to move the clavicle independently. Are there options for moving joints independently.

[wertstoffsack]

Hi ,

there seems to be a problem with the rig´s left arm and the left hand bone at least. There´s flipping/twist introduced somewhere, either in export to *.fbx or the rig itself?

Examples where this affects resulting animation would be the Death_1, Death_2, Death_3 Animations from the Animation Starter pack.

–

Is there a way to get ART to create a T-Pose that will work for HIK? HIK is ******** about the arm bones not parallel to x even when using the ART T-Pose?

Is there any chance you could consider not forcing Z up for at least the ART 2.0 update?

Motionbuilder (2015) doesn´t support working in Z up. It seems actually hardcoded to Y up. It´s difficult to constantly switch Maya between Z up and Y up depending on project or task at hand
or manage multiple environments for the same user easily, e.g. 30fps/Zup, 24fps/Yup, etc.

Maybe, a future version of UE will support alembic, quads, subdivision, Y up, customized fps settings and the likes to cater to requirements/limitations outside the games realm so it would be nice to have Z not hardcoded.

Cheers,

-----------edit---------------

The HIK mapping problem for the rig created using the 4.8 mannequin template settings (+.txt files) and an auto T-Pose inside Maya 2015sp6Ext1 does not show in Motionbuilder 2015.
The exact same rig (the skeleton) will not map to HIK/Maya but a *.fbx export from that will map to HIK in Motionbuilder for me?

There is a good chance I miss something or there is a setting in the way preventing Maya from completing properly.

In any way, this clouds my joy and once again helps me believe Maya´s primary function is to torture, by generally stopping just short enough of solving any type of problem at all in an easy way.

This must be hell

[ZioYuri78]

Have another problem here, i can’t save after import or export an animation.

[jmalaska]

Getting an error using the Ghost Pose functionality. When I try to snap the new ghost pose, it gives me this error (stack trace included). The pose deletes ok when I hit ‘close’.

// Error: Could not add constraint or connections.
# Traceback (most recent call last):
#   File "C:/Projects/MyProj/MayaTools/General/Scripts\ART_poseEditor.py", line 2021, in ghostPose_snap
#     constraint = cmds.pointConstraint(loc, self.character + ":" + control)[0]
# RuntimeError: Could not add constraint or connections. //

I’m using 2016 so that could be the issue.

[ernstAlert]

@Stormtempter;332292

Greetings ,

Having a bit of trouble trying to edit my skeleton. The quick version is that I want to move some joints, I go to the drop down and select edit existing character and edit rig file. It opens up and the tool is between skeleton placement and build control rig. Clicking on skeleton placement will give me the standard warning about drastic changes but then I get an error. In the script editor it shows this:

Error: ValueError: invalid literal for int() with base 10: ‘Nothing counted : no polygonal object is selected.’

This happens whether I have the mesh selected or not and it refuses to go to skeleton placement. I am using Maya 2014 64bit and the version of ART that was in UE 4.7 if that helps.

@'[Epic

;334876’]When I see this, it is usually because I have a model in my scene that is named the same as something else in my scene. The most common is having a head mesh and a head bone named the same. Or a mesh and a material. The other time I’ve seen it is when the model is not polygonal, and instead a nurbs or subD model.

If you can turn on the stack trace in the script editor as well as show line numbers, and post the result, that might help narrow it down if it isn’t the above two issues. Anytime you can send a file as well will really help me get you an answer quickly (.@epicgames.com)

Cheers!

We looked at this over email and I’m a dork. I should’ve read the post more carefully. The problem was, in order to edit joint placement, you actually want to edit the export file, not the rig file. When I try to edit the rig file, and use the rig creation tools, and go back to placement, I get the exact same error.
Hope that helps others!

[ernstAlert]

@Efrye;338482

Hey ,

I’m having some trouble with the latest version of the character rig creator. After updating my Maya Tools I can no longer use the aim mode and symmetry at the same time during joint placement. Turning on aiming always turns off symmetry and I get a bunch of cycle errors. It’s still working fine in an older version of ART though.

Any chance you could look into it for the next update?

edit: Oh, and I’m using Maya 2015!

confirmed this is the case. I think I know what might have happened here. I’ll add it to the trello board and let you know when it’s been addressed.
Thanks!

[ernstAlert]

@ZioYuri78;338591

I’m try learning how to use this tool and i have a little problem, everytime i add a character for animation (and i always choose the sample mannequin) i have this message

I browse for the correct path and i check both checkbox but seems the two options not work because everytime i have to do the same process, any suggest? Happen both with Maya 2014 and 2015 student versions.

This is a Maya thing unfortunately. For some reason, Maya uses hard-coded paths to references instead of relative paths.
The checkbox should keep those changes, but in cases where it doesn’t, I’ll go to the reference editor and make sure the resolved and unresolved names are the same, which will fix the issue: