Last but not least, this update introduces the Motion Director (MD) Editor, providing an infinite range of options to customize and interact with MD toolsets. This allows you to precisely steer characters around the scene and trigger motion sequences precisely as desired.
Most existing crowd simulation solutions are composed of plugins for off-the-shelf software such as 3ds Max or Maya. This fragmentation commonly lacks readily available assets for immediate production and is frequently priced beyond the means of smaller studios. In contrast, Reallusion has developed a comprehensive character production and crowd simulation toolchain that is both practical and affordable for real-time simulation.
This toolchain includes a spectrum of tools ranging from 3D character creation (Character Creator) and character animation (iClone) to an extensive library of motion and character assets (Actorcore), complemented by an asset developer ecosystem comprising the Content Store and Marketplace. The integrated suite empowers users to design custom characters tailored to specific thematic needs and seamlessly integrate personalized animations, including complex crowd behavior.
Motion Matching has been integrated for smooth navigation control, enabling easy addition of new idle and perform triggers to Motion Director via drag-and-drop interface. Motion Mixer lets users direct upper-body motions while the legs are controlled by standing, walking, or jogging iMD states. Moreover, the Mixer features specific sub-mixer actions, enabling actors to perform tasks like making a call, sending a message, or simply glancing at a handheld device. Know more about Motion Director Official Page Tutorial Manual
Access the ActorCore roster to enlist scanned actors and their matching mocap loops. Use Character Creator to design modular actors, decimate the mesh for massive crowd simulations, or auto-rig with AccuRIG. Spawned crowds can be randomized based on user-defined actor and motion lists that match them with predefined accessories and material options.
iClone includes 8 crowd characters, each featuring 5 texture options. To enhance your crowd simulation experience, consider obtaining the two essential packs for additional crowd extras. For a broader selection of 3D actors offering loopable ambient motions created from authentic mocap data, explore the vast offerings available in ActorCore.
The Motion Mixer feature enables you to blend motions seamlessly, including Locomotion animations. This allows for more fluid and realistic character movements by combining different motion sequences.
Get a real-time stream of motion capture data in iClone with minimal latency. This makes it possible to drive characters, rigid bodies or any other iClone object. You can also stream from previously recorded mocap data files (non real-time)
The Motion LIVE Plug-in for iClone is a full body motion capture platform that connects motion data streams from multiple industry-leading mocap devices to simultaneously animate 3D character faces, hands and bodies.
Other functionality includes: full facial and skeletal animation of human and animal figures; lip-syncing;[2] import of standard 3D file types including FBX; a timeline for editing and merging motions; a Python API and a scripting language (Lua) for character interaction; application of standard motion-capture files; the ability to control an animated scene in the same manner as playing a videogame; and the import of models from Google 3D Warehouse, among many other features. iClone is also notable for offering users royalty-free usage of all content that they create with the software, even when using Reallusion's own assets library.[3]
iClone v3.0 was launched in August 2008, adding a revised UI featuring scene manager for organizing projects and enabling the viewport for live direct object picking and interaction. G3 characters enhanced Clone Cloth options and made character faces more refined with facial Normal Maps. The Editor Mode and Director Mode were introduced to enable a scene editing mode and a live real-time director control mode where users could pilot characters and vehicles with videogame-like keyboard controls W, A, S, D. Animation created in Director Mode built a series of live motion data on the iClone timeline and was able to be tweaked in Editor Mode. Multi cameras were added in iClone v3.0 with camera switcher for filming scenes in multiple real-time angles. Character animation was made possible with motion editing for inverse and forward kinematics. Material editing became possible from within iClone so enhancing any prop or actor was capable by exporting and editing material textures and reapplying them to iClone. The stage was enhanced with Terrain, Sky, Water and the first appearance of SpeedTree natural tree and foliage designer. Multiple shader modes in Preview, Wireframe and Pixel shading became options for users to balance the screen output with their machine performance.The Certified Content creators program opened allowing iClone users to upload and market their custom content to a Reallusion hosted portal for content sales.
iClone 5.0 and 5.5 released over 2011 and 2012 adding functions for motion capture, Human IK and a pipeline for importing and exporting FBX characters and props for use in game engines and other 3D production tools. Reallusion put emphasis on cross-compatibility with Unity, UDK, Autodesk 3D Studio Max, Maya, Z-brush, Allegorithmic, DAZ and Poser. The iClone Animation Pipeline became a trio of products: iClone PRO, 3DXchange for import, export and rigging, and the Mocap Device Plugin enabling real-time motion capture with the Microsoft Kinect for Windows and OpenNI sensor supported devices. The addition of HumanIK from Autodesk gave natural human motion to iClone and provided animation editing enhancement to generate better motions, foot & hand locking and reach targets for prop interaction. Animation generated with 5.0 and 5.5 could be exported for use external programs. Video game developers benefited from the iClone Animation Pipeline as a way to prepare custom actors for games with face and body animation ready to import into game projects. The iClone Animation Pipeline opened a portal for artists to access the Reallusion marketplace to acquire models, characters and motions for use in games and 3D development.
Motion capture known as Mocap, is another iClone feature that allows users to connect multiple motion capturing hardware, from popular industry sources, and combine them into one or more subjects in real-time. This is done through iClone's universal mocap platform Motion LIVE.[8] With iClone Motion LIVE users are able to acquire profiles (plug-ins) for their necessary hardware (gear) to seamlessly stream, capture and later edit animation data inside iClone's buil-in motion editing suite. These motions can then be exported by using iClone's 3DXchange Pipeline software using FBX and BVH. iClone also includes an Unreal Engine 4 LIVE LINK plug-in which live streams full-body, hand and facial animation directly from iClone to UE4 for realtime animation production. A similar plug-in is currently being developed for use with iClone and Unity's Mecanim system.
Version 7.0 introduced a reworked architecture that would finally grant iClone customization options for users who wished to create their own Python based plug-ins for use with a wide range of motion capture suits, facial mocap profiles, hardware devices and others.
One of the key features of iClone 8.4 is the Motion Director (MD) Editor, which provides users with endless options to customize and interact with motion toolsets. This allows for precise control over character movements and the triggering of motion sequences.
Unlike existing crowd simulation solutions that rely on plugins for off-the-shelf software, iClone 8.4 offers a complete toolchain. This comprehensive suite includes tools for 3D character creation, animation, and a vast library of motion and character assets. It empowers users to design custom characters tailored to their specific needs and effortlessly integrate complex crowd behavior.
Furthermore, iClone 8.4 offers directable characters with intricate facial expressions, various accessories, and diverse animation styles. Users can easily generate realistic characters and direct their locomotion using keyboards, game controllers, or mouse-click waypoints.
The versatility of iClone 8.4 allows for alternate performances, converting characters into Lite actors for optimized performance. Users can also benefit from the Motion Director Editor, which integrates motion matching for smooth navigation control.
2. How does iClone 8.4 make crowd simulation accessible?
iClone 8.4 democratizes access to crowd simulation by making it affordable and accessible to small and mid-sized studios. It offers a complete toolchain that includes 3D character creation, animation, and a vast library of motion and character assets.
3. What is the Motion Director (MD) Editor?
The Motion Director (MD) Editor is a key feature of iClone 8.4. It provides users with endless options to customize and interact with motion toolsets, allowing for precise control over character movements and the triggering of motion sequences.
6. How can users direct the characters in iClone 8.4?
iClone 8.4 offers directable characters with intricate facial expressions, various accessories, and diverse animation styles. Users can direct the locomotion of characters using keyboards, game controllers, or mouse-click waypoints.