Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!
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Chris Covelli
Jul 9, 2012, 10:03:06 AM7/9/12
to species_ma...@googlegroups.com, soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!
Species 1.5 is now available at Exocortex.com. This is the third major update in six months that adds functionality and further optimizes user work flow.
What is Species?
Exocortex Species simplifies the process of human character creation from designing your character’s unique attributes, integrating sculpting results, to rig creation, even animation. With Species, you will create higher quality animated characters faster and at a lower cost, while avoiding the generic look that often come when purchasing off-the-shelf models. Exocortex Species supports Autodesk Softimage 2010 through 2013 on both Windows and Linux. Floating and node locked licenses are available starting at $299.
Improvements in Species 1.5
Documentation
- Expanded Docs to include Installation instructions and more detailed info on many features
- New easy to read Google Docs format
New Feature Anim Tools! - A new set of tools to speed up working with our AnimRig
- Mirror Pose allows you to mirror the pose of the selected controls to the opposite side of the animation rig
- Mirror Select swaps the selected control to the opposite side
- Biped MatchFKIK will switch the selected limb from the current FK or IK mode to the opposite while maintaining the same pose.
AnimRig Changes
- New preset hand poses!
- Hand Follow IK Option
- IK Offset controls for Arms and Legs
- Hand Anchor control to AnimRig for attaching props and other objects
- HeadLookAt Control Option
- Align LegIK controls to world
AnimRig Build Changes
- AnimRig build option to adding Transform Setups for Fingers
Synoptics
- Update synoptics with new controls
- Add hand poses to AnimRig Synoptics
Bug Fixes
- Left ForearmRoll deformers misaligned
- Hide FK arm bones on PropRig by default ( hides IK arm bones when switched to FK)
- Bank Param on right foot inverted
- AnimRig build cancel button doesn't cancel
- Only display Dual Quat option if available
- Change preferences to be per user not per addon
Getting Species 1.5
If you are not yet using Exocortex Species, give it a try by downloading the trial from the Exocortex Species product page.
For those already using Exocortex Species, you can download the 1.5 update directly from here.
Join the Species User Community
Get the most out of Exocortex Species by joining our user support and discussion mailing list, and check out our many tutorial videos on our Vimeo group. These are the best places to learn about Species and get the latest news directly from the developers.
Tim Crowson
Jul 9, 2012, 11:07:41 AM7/9/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Sweet! Thanks Chris! Any tricks with updating this? Just uninstall
the old and install the new?
�
|
Tim Crowson |
|
Magnetic Dreams Animation Studio,
Inc.
2525
Lebanon Pike, Building C. Nashville, TN 37214
Ph �615.885.6801 | Fax �615.889.4768 |
www.magneticdreams.com
tim.c...@magneticdreams.com
On 7/9/2012 9:03 AM, Chris Covelli wrote:
Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!
Species 1.5 is now available at Exocortex.com. This is the third major update in six months that adds functionality and further optimizes user work flow.
What is Species?
Exocortex Species simplifies the process of human character creation from designing your character�s unique attributes, integrating sculpting results, to rig creation, even animation. With Species, you will create higher quality animated characters faster and at a lower cost, while avoiding the generic look that often come when purchasing off-the-shelf models. Exocortex Species supports Autodesk Softimage 2010 through 2013 on both Windows and Linux. Floating and node locked licenses are available starting at $299.
Improvements in Species 1.5
��� Documentation
- Expanded Docs to include Installation instructions and more detailed info on many features
- New easy to read Google Docs format
���
��� New Feature Anim Tools! - A new set of tools to speed up working with our AnimRig
- Mirror Pose allows you to mirror the pose of the selected controls to the opposite side of the animation rig
- Mirror Select swaps the selected control to the opposite side
- Biped MatchFKIK will switch the selected limb from the current FK or IK mode to the opposite while maintaining the same pose.
��� AnimRig Changes
- New preset hand poses!
- Hand Follow IK Option
- IK Offset controls for Arms and Legs
- Hand Anchor control to AnimRig for attaching props and other objects
- HeadLookAt Control Option
- Align LegIK controls to world
��� AnimRig Build Changes
- AnimRig build option to adding Transform Setups for Fingers
��� Synoptics
- Update synoptics with new controls���
- Add hand poses to AnimRig Synoptics
��� Bug Fixes
- Left ForearmRoll deformers misaligned
- Hide FK arm bones on PropRig by default ( hides IK arm bones when switched to FK)
- Bank Param on right foot inverted
- AnimRig build cancel button doesn't cancel
- Only display Dual Quat option if available
- Change preferences to be per user not per addon
Getting Species 1.5
If you are not yet using Exocortex Species, give it a try by downloading the trial from the Exocortex Species product page.
For those already using Exocortex Species, you can download the 1.5 update directly from here.
Join the Species User Community
Get the most out of Exocortex Species by joining our user support and discussion mailing list, and check out our many tutorial videos on our Vimeo group. �These are the best places to learn about Species and get the latest news directly from the developers.
--
�
Chris Covelli
Jul 9, 2012, 11:37:29 AM7/9/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Thanks Guys,
@Clinton - Should be fine between 1.2 and 1.5 i.e; after you update, if you take a 1.2 PropRig and run the Hominid>AnimRig function it will produce a stable 1.5 AnimRig with all the new features. I have gotten errors trying this with PropRigs from versions 1.0 and 1.1 however.
@Tim - The easiest way Ive found to update to new versions is through the Workgroups section of the Plugin Manager. Open the Plugin Manager, go to the Workgroups tab, right click on the entry to your old Species workgroup and select disconnect workgroup. Then hit the Connect button, navigate to your Species 1.5 Workgroup ( remember to navigate inside the folder called Workgroup ) and hit OK.
Id also restart XSI after connecting to the new workgroup.
Hope this helps,
-Chris
--
Chris Covelli
http://kylevargas.net/
@Clinton - Should be fine between 1.2 and 1.5 i.e; after you update, if you take a 1.2 PropRig and run the Hominid>AnimRig function it will produce a stable 1.5 AnimRig with all the new features. I have gotten errors trying this with PropRigs from versions 1.0 and 1.1 however.
@Tim - The easiest way Ive found to update to new versions is through the Workgroups section of the Plugin Manager. Open the Plugin Manager, go to the Workgroups tab, right click on the entry to your old Species workgroup and select disconnect workgroup. Then hit the Connect button, navigate to your Species 1.5 Workgroup ( remember to navigate inside the folder called Workgroup ) and hit OK.
Id also restart XSI after connecting to the new workgroup.
Hope this helps,
-Chris
On Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 11:07 AM, Tim Crowson <tim.c...@magneticdreams.com> wrote:
Sweet! Thanks Chris! Any tricks with updating this? Just uninstall the old and install the new?
Tim Crowson
Lead CG Artist
Magnetic Dreams Animation Studio, Inc.
2525 Lebanon Pike, Building C. Nashville, TN 37214
On 7/9/2012 9:03 AM, Chris Covelli wrote:
Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!
Species 1.5 is now available at Exocortex.com. This is the third major update in six months that adds functionality and further optimizes user work flow.
What is Species?
Exocortex Species simplifies the process of human character creation from designing your character’s unique attributes, integrating sculpting results, to rig creation, even animation. With Species, you will create higher quality animated characters faster and at a lower cost, while avoiding the generic look that often come when purchasing off-the-shelf models. Exocortex Species supports Autodesk Softimage 2010 through 2013 on both Windows and Linux. Floating and node locked licenses are available starting at $299.
Improvements in Species 1.5
Documentation
- Expanded Docs to include Installation instructions and more detailed info on many features
- New easy to read Google Docs format
New Feature Anim Tools! -
A new set of tools to speed up working with our AnimRig
- Mirror Pose allows you to mirror the pose of the selected controls to the opposite side of the animation rig
- Mirror Select swaps the selected control to the opposite side
- Biped MatchFKIK will switch the selected limb from the current FK or IK mode to the opposite while maintaining the same pose.
AnimRig Changes
- New preset hand poses!
- Hand Follow IK Option
- IK Offset controls for Arms and Legs
- Hand Anchor control to AnimRig for attaching props and other objects
- HeadLookAt Control Option
- Align LegIK controls to world
AnimRig Build Changes
- AnimRig build option to adding Transform Setups for Fingers
Synoptics
- Update synoptics with new controls
- Add hand poses to AnimRig Synoptics
Bug Fixes
- Left ForearmRoll deformers misaligned
- Hide FK arm bones on PropRig by default ( hides IK arm bones when switched to FK)
- Bank Param on right foot inverted
- AnimRig build cancel button doesn't cancel
- Only display Dual Quat option if available
- Change preferences to be per user not per addon
Getting Species 1.5
If you are not yet using Exocortex Species, give it a try by downloading the trial from the Exocortex Species product page.
For those already using Exocortex Species, you can download the 1.5 update directly from here.
Join the Species User Community
Get the most out of Exocortex Species by joining our user support and discussion mailing list, and check out our many tutorial videos on our Vimeo group. These are the best places to learn about Species and get the latest news directly from the developers.
--
--
Chris Covelli
http://kylevargas.net/
Tim Crowson
Jul 9, 2012, 11:46:16 AM7/9/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Ok. Should we be worried about compatibility with AnimRigs from v1.2
once the connection to v1.2 is broken? ( I see your answer to
Clinton, but have yet to see his question, so I'm not sure if that
answers this AnimRig question or not)
-Tim
-Tim
On 7/9/2012 10:37 AM, Chris Covelli wrote:
Thanks Guys,
@Clinton - Should be fine between 1.2 and 1.5 i.e; after you update, if you take a 1.2 PropRig and run the Hominid>AnimRig function it will produce a stable 1.5 AnimRig with all the new features.� I have gotten errors trying this with PropRigs from versions 1.0 and 1.1 however.�
@Tim - The easiest way Ive found to update to new versions is through the Workgroups section of the Plugin Manager.� Open the Plugin Manager, go to the Workgroups tab, right click on the entry to your old Species workgroup and select disconnect workgroup.� Then hit the Connect button, navigate to your Species 1.5 Workgroup ( remember to navigate inside the folder called Workgroup ) and hit OK.
Id also restart XSI after connecting to the new workgroup.
Hope this helps,
-Chris
On Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 11:07 AM, Tim Crowson <tim.c...@magneticdreams.com> wrote:
Sweet! Thanks Chris! Any tricks with updating this? Just uninstall the old and install the new?
�
Tim Crowson
Lead CG Artist
Magnetic Dreams Animation Studio, Inc.
2525 Lebanon Pike, Building C. Nashville, TN 37214
Ph �615.885.6801 | Fax �615.889.4768 | www.magneticdreams.com
tim.c...@magneticdreams.com
On 7/9/2012 9:03 AM, Chris Covelli wrote:
Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!
Species 1.5 is now available at Exocortex.com. This is the third major update in six months that adds functionality and further optimizes user work flow.
What is Species?
Exocortex Species simplifies the process of human character creation from designing your character�s unique attributes, integrating sculpting results, to rig creation, even animation. With Species, you will create higher quality animated characters faster and at a lower cost, while avoiding the generic look that often come when purchasing off-the-shelf models. Exocortex Species supports Autodesk Softimage 2010 through 2013 on both Windows and Linux. Floating and node locked licenses are available starting at $299.
Improvements in Species 1.5
��� Documentation
- Expanded Docs to include Installation instructions and more detailed info on many features
- New easy to read Google Docs format
���
��� New Feature Anim Tools! - A new set of tools to speed up working with our AnimRig
- Mirror Pose allows you to mirror the pose of the selected controls to the opposite side of the animation rig
- Mirror Select swaps the selected control to the opposite side
- Biped MatchFKIK will switch the selected limb from the current FK or IK mode to the opposite while maintaining the same pose.
��� AnimRig Changes
- New preset hand poses!
- Hand Follow IK Option
- IK Offset controls for Arms and Legs
- Hand Anchor control to AnimRig for attaching props and other objects
- HeadLookAt Control Option
- Align LegIK controls to world
��� AnimRig Build Changes
- AnimRig build option to adding Transform Setups for Fingers
��� Synoptics
- Update synoptics with new controls���
- Add hand poses to AnimRig Synoptics
��� Bug Fixes
- Left ForearmRoll deformers misaligned
- Hide FK arm bones on PropRig by default ( hides IK arm bones when switched to FK)
- Bank Param on right foot inverted
- AnimRig build cancel button doesn't cancel
- Only display Dual Quat option if available
- Change preferences to be per user not per addon
Getting Species 1.5
If you are not yet using Exocortex Species, give it a try by downloading the trial from the Exocortex Species product page.
For those already using Exocortex Species, you can download the 1.5 update directly from here.
Join the Species User Community
Get the most out of Exocortex Species by joining our user support and discussion mailing list, and check out our many tutorial videos on our Vimeo group. �These are the best places to learn about Species and get the latest news directly from the developers.
--
�
--
Chris Covelli
http://kylevargas.net/
--
�
Chris Covelli
Jul 9, 2012, 12:06:02 PM7/9/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Whoops! Trying to do too many things at once, lol. Clinton just made a
general inquiry on the Species List about how compatible this new
version is with old rigs and I was trying to answer both your questions
at the same time.
To answer your question, both the new Mirror Pose and Mirror Select functions will work for 1.2 AnimRigs. However the new Biped MatchIK|FK needs certain IK Offset objects that were created specifically for 1.5 in order to do the IK-FK matching.
To answer your question, both the new Mirror Pose and Mirror Select functions will work for 1.2 AnimRigs. However the new Biped MatchIK|FK needs certain IK Offset objects that were created specifically for 1.5 in order to do the IK-FK matching.
On Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 11:46 AM, Tim Crowson <tim.c...@magneticdreams.com> wrote:
Ok. Should we be worried about compatibility with AnimRigs from v1.2 once the connection to v1.2 is broken? ( I see your answer to Clinton, but have yet to see his question, so I'm not sure if that answers this AnimRig question or not)
-Tim
On 7/9/2012 10:37 AM, Chris Covelli wrote:
Thanks Guys,
@Clinton - Should be fine between 1.2 and 1.5 i.e; after you update, if you take a 1.2 PropRig and run the Hominid>AnimRig function it will produce a stable 1.5 AnimRig with all the new features. I have gotten errors trying this with PropRigs from versions 1.0 and 1.1 however.
@Tim - The easiest way Ive found to update to new versions is through the Workgroups section of the Plugin Manager. Open the Plugin Manager, go to the Workgroups tab, right click on the entry to your old Species workgroup and select disconnect workgroup. Then hit the Connect button, navigate to your Species 1.5 Workgroup ( remember to navigate inside the folder called Workgroup ) and hit OK.
Id also restart XSI after connecting to the new workgroup.
Hope this helps,
-Chris
On Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 11:07 AM, Tim Crowson <tim.c...@magneticdreams.com> wrote:
Sweet! Thanks Chris! Any tricks with updating this? Just uninstall the old and install the new?
Tim Crowson
Lead CG Artist
Magnetic Dreams Animation Studio, Inc.
2525 Lebanon Pike, Building C. Nashville, TN 37214
On 7/9/2012 9:03 AM, Chris Covelli wrote:
Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!
Species 1.5 is now available at Exocortex.com. This is the third major update in six months that adds functionality and further optimizes user work flow.
What is Species?
Exocortex Species simplifies the process of human character creation from designing your character’s unique attributes, integrating sculpting results, to rig creation, even animation. With Species, you will create higher quality animated characters faster and at a lower cost, while avoiding the generic look that often come when purchasing off-the-shelf models. Exocortex Species supports Autodesk Softimage 2010 through 2013 on both Windows and Linux. Floating and node locked licenses are available starting at $299.
Improvements in Species 1.5
Documentation
- Expanded Docs to include Installation instructions and more detailed info on many features
- New easy to read Google Docs format
New Feature Anim Tools! -
A new set of tools to speed up working with our AnimRig
- Mirror Pose allows you to mirror the pose of the selected controls to the opposite side of the animation rig
- Mirror Select swaps the selected control to the opposite side
- Biped MatchFKIK will switch the selected limb from the current FK or IK mode to the opposite while maintaining the same pose.
AnimRig Changes
- New preset hand poses!
- Hand Follow IK Option
- IK Offset controls for Arms and Legs
- Hand Anchor control to AnimRig for attaching props and other objects
- HeadLookAt Control Option
- Align LegIK controls to world
AnimRig Build Changes
- AnimRig build option to adding Transform Setups for Fingers
Synoptics
- Update synoptics with new controls
- Add hand poses to AnimRig Synoptics
Bug Fixes
- Left ForearmRoll deformers misaligned
- Hide FK arm bones on PropRig by default ( hides IK arm bones when switched to FK)
- Bank Param on right foot inverted
- AnimRig build cancel button doesn't cancel
- Only display Dual Quat option if available
- Change preferences to be per user not per addon
Getting Species 1.5
If you are not yet using Exocortex Species, give it a try by downloading the trial from the Exocortex Species product page.
For those already using Exocortex Species, you can download the 1.5 update directly from here.
Join the Species User Community
Get the most out of Exocortex Species by joining our user support and discussion mailing list, and check out our many tutorial videos on our Vimeo group. These are the best places to learn about Species and get the latest news directly from the developers.
--
--
Chris Covelli
http://kylevargas.net/
--
Oleg Bliznuk
Jul 9, 2012, 12:26:15 PM7/9/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Congrats with the release guys!
Rob Chapman
Jul 9, 2012, 12:30:37 PM7/9/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
yeah looks really handy stuff!, now if only I was involved in a
production that needed loads of different sized type of characters
rigged..! :)
production that needed loads of different sized type of characters
rigged..! :)
Eric Thivierge
Jul 9, 2012, 5:15:53 PM7/9/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Mirror pose may not work with the feet on the 1.2 rigs as we had to orient them in a more consistent way for the 1.5 anim rigs to have the tool work I a generalized way.
Test first and if you are on a project using 1.2 rigs please stay on them to finish the projects rolling down the pipe. Then move to 1.5 for the next.
Eric Thivierge
Jul 9, 2012, 6:56:47 PM7/9/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Sorry, I meant to say the MatchFKIK won't work with 1.2 rigs. :) Must have coffee before posting to list...
--------------------------------------------
Eric Thivierge
http://www.ethivierge.com
--------------------------------------------
Eric Thivierge
http://www.ethivierge.com
Eric Thivierge
Jul 9, 2012, 9:39:04 PM7/9/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
FYI,
After installing / connecting to the new 1.5 version restart Softimage to refresh the Python modules.
After installing / connecting to the new 1.5 version restart Softimage to refresh the Python modules.
Szabolcs Matefy
Jul 10, 2012, 1:51:47 AM7/10/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Amazing tool. Though I was originally against such a tool, as a character artist it helped me the most in the recent months. I love it!
You rock guys!
You rock guys!
Eric Turman
Jul 10, 2012, 2:16:44 AM7/10/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
The funny thing is, Eric was against such a tool back in 2008. Funny how productions can change a persons perspective. ;)
Eric Thivierge
Jul 10, 2012, 2:35:06 AM7/10/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Well from recent discussions and from getting my hands dirty in some real production you definitely appreciate tools that can speed up your iterations. :)
Relating Species to the recent post from Brad Gabe, I believe that the Species AnimRig has been designed well to give a very good base rig that can be extended for a wide range of productions. I think that focussing Species Hominid on a solid Biped setup helps make it less fragmented than other generic auto-rig tools as well. There is a time and place for those too though.
Relating Species to the recent post from Brad Gabe, I believe that the Species AnimRig has been designed well to give a very good base rig that can be extended for a wide range of productions. I think that focussing Species Hominid on a solid Biped setup helps make it less fragmented than other generic auto-rig tools as well. There is a time and place for those too though.
Szabolcs Matefy
Jul 10, 2012, 3:49:45 AM7/10/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Well, it’s not just production J Actually it decreases the time I spend on technical parts (basemesh, posing, skinning), and let me be creative J
Thanks guys,
Szabolcs
Chris Covelli
Jul 10, 2012, 9:49:29 AM7/10/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Hi Everyone,
Just an FYI, we discovered a small bug with our licensing code that was causing a few crashes for some of our users.
The problem has been fixed and we have issued an update which can be found here -
http://exocortex.com/releases/ExocortexSpecies1.5.1.zip
Just an FYI, we discovered a small bug with our licensing code that was causing a few crashes for some of our users.
The problem has been fixed and we have issued an update which can be found here -
http://exocortex.com/releases/ExocortexSpecies1.5.1.zip
Chris Covelli
Jul 10, 2012, 10:14:17 AM7/10/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Hi Gavin,
The scale change was actually implemented with v1.1, so if you're using that version you should be working at the same scale as v1.5 ( now v1.5.1 ).
As Eric mentioned it may be better to keep using the same version you started the project with. If you really need to update mid-project here are a few things you can do to quickly transfer your older characters to the new rigs:
The scale change was actually implemented with v1.1, so if you're using that version you should be working at the same scale as v1.5 ( now v1.5.1 ).
As Eric mentioned it may be better to keep using the same version you started the project with. If you really need to update mid-project here are a few things you can do to quickly transfer your older characters to the new rigs:
- If you have characters at the original 1.0 scale follow this tutorial video - https://vimeo.com/37260802
- You can store the configuration of your old PropRigs using our PropRig StorePose tool. Next, import a 1.5 PropRig into your scene and drag and drop the stored pose from your old PropRig into the new PropRig's mixer. Now you can select the pose in the new PropRig and run the PropRig ApplyPose command to resize the new PropRig to match the old PropRig. You may need to adjust the hands and fingers slightly to match your old character as our default hand poses have changed.
- Next you can use the PropRig ReplaceMesh function to transfer the mesh from your old character to the new resized PropRig. If you have a custom envelope on your old character you should be able to load it after this step as the names of our deformers have all remained the same. After loading a custom envelope, be sure to rename the envelope ( under the EnvelopeWeightCls ) to "Envelope_Weights" and do a Freeze M on the mesh.
Hope this helps!
-Chris
Eric Thivierge
Jul 10, 2012, 10:15:21 AM7/10/12
to species_ma...@googlegroups.com, soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Hey Gavin,
You can go two ways, keep using Species 1.1 for the sequel to keeps things consistent. Or re-rig the meshes from the first one with the new Species version. I would not suggest mixing them as it will be very hectic on your part to be going back and forth when edits are needed. Species doesn't have dependencies on the plugin version however the AnimTools won't work with the older rigs (alignments changed a bit).
You could save the weights out from your original Species 1.1 rigs and reapply them when you get them redone with the 1.5 version.
On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 11:48 PM, Gavin Marais <grump...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi guys, I used Species 1 and 1.1 for an entire project. I didn't upgrade to 1.2 due to the size increase. Now that 1.5 has arrived, I have the problem that there will be a sequel to the first project, needing both the original characters + new ones. I guess I'd now have to re-rig these? Could I at least use the weighting to skin them, or are there subtle changes to some of the hierarchies that will not allow this? Any other recommendations on how to proceed?
Thanks very much!
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