hi
how can i apply a fbx exported file to a character like Mia in motion builder?

If you're going to apply the motion within Motion Builder, export as '.bvh for Motion Builder'. The process for retargeting in MB is easy but too involved to explain in a single forum post--I recommend visiting 3DBuzz and watching the Motion Builder basics tutorials (they're free.) These are old tutorials but the information is still correct for recent versions. You will need to dig down into the 3D Apps category for 'Motion Builder' to find the videos. This is the preferred method if you're going to be editing in Motion Builder.

If you're going to apply the motion in iPi Studio, then you want to export Mia from Motion Builder as FBX and import that file to iPi Studio after you've have your motion data tracked. Retargeting in iPi Studio is even easier--just make sure the joint names match and you're good to go. If the names don't match the iPi standards, you can remap them in iPi Studio and save the profile for next time. The information for this is in the iPi Wiki:

Animation Export and Motion Transfer

When you're done, export the data in the format you need for your 3D program or game engine. FBX is very common these days.

FYI, at this stage you can even save the FBX for Motion Builder, but if you have Motion Builder and you intend to do all you're editing in it, you may as well do the retargeting in that program as described in the first paragraph as well.

Hope this helps.

G.

_________________
Greenlaw
Artist/Partner - Little Green Dog | My Demo Reels (2013,) (2015,) (2017,) and (2019)

Watch a one minute excerpt on Vimeo now!

i did following steps but animation did not applied to character again.

1- import mia_characterized.fbx to ipi studio
2- check bone names and it was correct.
3- export animation as fbx for motion builder
3- open mia_characterized.fbx in motion builder and merge my exported animation in motion builder scene.
4- choose mia as character but when i want to choose my animation as source it does not apear in list.
(when i chose load character animation motion builder crached).
what should i do?

I'm not sure I understand--it sounds like you're trying to retarget the data twice? If you're going to do this in Motion Builder you should export .bvh for Motion Builder and retarget the data there.

At least, this is how I use the iPi DMC with MB, and it works very well. Hope this helps.

G.

_________________
Greenlaw
Artist/Partner - Little Green Dog | My Demo Reels (2013,) (2015,) (2017,) and (2019)

Watch a one minute excerpt on Vimeo now!

those steps is the way i want to retarget in ipi studio.
there is not any way to use animation without retargeting or one time retarget?

Yes, you should be able to load the iPi retargeted Mia animation to a template Mia in Motion Builder. To do this, load your character (with no animation,) then select 'Load Character Animation...' and choose a load technique. The animation should then be imported and applied to the 'blank' Mia character, assuming it's characterized to receive the data.

I know that Motion Builder FBX will work this way with other Motion Builder files--sometimes I 'archive' motions from Motion Builder as FBX just for this purpose. However, I have to admit I haven't tried using iPi Studio exported FBX as loadable animation in Motion Builder. If it's not working with iPi Studio FBX, I'm not sure why.

All I know is that using iPi Studios' '.bvh for Motion Builder' format works flawlessly and it's very easy to do. After retargeting the .bvh data to my character in Motion Builder, I then save a Motion Builder FBX for use with other other Motion Builder project files or for other 3D applications.

This is just my personal opinion but I think retargeting in iPi and saving FBX is intended more for users who don't have access to Motion Builder. That said, the workflow you've chosen really should work with Motion Builder, so if it doesn't work, hopefully one of the iPi devs will get in touch to help solve this. (You might have to be patient--they may all be busy at Siggraph this week.)

Good luck!

G.

_________________
Greenlaw
Artist/Partner - Little Green Dog | My Demo Reels (2013,) (2015,) (2017,) and (2019)

Watch a one minute excerpt on Vimeo now!