Update: Check out my animation exporter download and tutorial.
Back in May of this year, I posted about my work on a script to export animations from Blender to SL-compatible BVH files. Well, as you can see from the comparison screenshot below (click to enlarge), I’ve made a lot of progress since then.
(Mind you there’s some difference between the camera angle in the two shots, and possibly some slight mis-rotation of the hands from SL’s rather zealous animation ‘optimizing’ algorithm.)
Some difficulties I’ve encountered:
- As mentioned in my earlier post, the axes of rotation for the bones in the SL skeleton differ from the Blender skeleton. That is, in the Blender skeleton, the Y axis always points along the length of the bone. In the SL skeleton, it varies between bones.
- Furthermore, the order of rotation for the Euler angles varies from bone to bone in the SL skeleton. I have had to employ code to convert from one order to another to correct for this. It seems to have done the trick.
- SL has a bug which duplicates the first frame of an animation. (VWR-3783)
- Using IK on the Blender skeleton, especially in the legs, tends to cause jittering in the SL skeleton — that is, wobbly knees and ankles. My best guess at the moment as to the cause of this is SL’s insistence on converting all joint angles to integer degrees.
Subtlety, be banished!
- Certain rotations result in a significant difference in the appearance of the animation. I’m pinning the blame for this one on Gimbal Lock. That’s right, I’m looking at you, Mr. Lock.
Nevertheless, my animation exporter script is a very significant step up from Qavimator: smooth blending between keyframes (controlled by my most-beloved Bézier curves); custom rigs for different types of animations; inverse kinematics to provide that extra stick in the feet; layering and blending single actions to create longer animations; and all the rest.
And as it happens, I’m currently in a trial period as animator for one ChronoForge 4D, a manufacturer and purveyor of sharp, pointy things with which to poke and jab at other similarly-minded avatars. So next time you stab someone through the heart and then kick their body to the ground (in SL), you might say a little thanks to the kindly, peace-loving artist who made it all possible.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:21 am
it would be good if it is extended.it is good u have taken much time on this.thank u for giving us such an important topic.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:37 am
you are fantastic cool dude
August 6th, 2009 at 2:11 am
I like this animation plece give to me animation
thank you
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:44 am
is there a good 3d website that i can use
March 7th, 2010 at 7:41 am
how much education want for animation diplomo?
March 7th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
is there any possibility to teach me up
March 20th, 2010 at 1:38 am
Hy this is very nice animation which u has given us
tnx dude
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:00 am
I WANT TO LEARN THIS, BUT HOW ? WHT A BUDGET ? DURATION ? SCOPE ?PLS TELL US .