WIP - Blender Rigging Framework

 WIP - Blender Rigging Framework

Joint Based Automatic Facial Rig

A learning exercise for for facial rigging. Scripted in Mel and Python

Lip Sync Test

I recently had a read of Jason Osipa’s book "Stop Staring" and what a great book it is.  I can instantly see the potential in Osipa's way of thinking regarding Visimes Vs Phenetics. Time to go back to basics and learn to do this properly. This is a quick test so it's a little average but it's very quick. 

 

I never knew my voice could sound like that :)

One thing I should make note of for myself comes in the form of the McGurk effect which shows us that the visual shape of a sound  can over ride the sound itself - for example "B" can become "F". HERE is the link to a BBC documentary about it. This is one of the reasons that visuals shapes have to look right or the viewer might be confused. 

Sticky Lips in Maya

Just playing around with this Maya pluggin for sticky lips...

Video:

Might take some playing but kinda cool and useful for lots of stuff :)

WIP - Facial Rigging - Primary Facial Expressions

I rigged this head with a little UI in Maya and incorporated the primary expressions of Contempt, Fear, Anger, Disgust, Happiness, Sadness and surprise. I don't think it would really work for animation but it's fun to play with...

 

P.S. You can take the Paul Ekman Micro Expression sample test HERE to see if you can instinctively pick up on other peoples emotions/feelings. Strangely the only one I ever miss is anger but I usually get it right because it's the only one I'm ever unsure about.