Archive notice: This article was originally published on August 12, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
At SIGGRAPH 2008 today, Autodesk is presenting Autodesk MotionBuilder 2009, the latest version of its real-time 3D character-animation solution for game, film, and television projects. Version 2009 provides high-quality visualization in the 3D viewport, an intuitive real-time simulation tool, and expanded scripting capabilities for tighter pipeline integration.
“Autodesk MotionBuilder 2009 is one of the most important releases since its introduction,” said Marc Petit, senior vice president of Autodesk Media & Entertainment. “This release includes improved workflows for technical directors and a stronger focus on interactivity—including capture, simulation, and high-quality real-time playback. Animators can therefore be more productive, while directors and cinematographers gain comprehensive creative control.”
“Autodesk MotionBuilder has long been one of the most powerful and reliable animation tools on the market, for both keyframing and editing motion capture,” said Petr Mores, lead animator at Crytek GmbH and a MotionBuilder beta tester. “As an animator, I am thrilled by the robust new body physics and rag-doll solvers in version 2009, which make it easier to perfect many movements that would otherwise be difficult to capture realistically. Directors will also welcome the new Python script editor and the ability to create custom user interfaces that fully integrate MotionBuilder into pipelines.”
Autodesk expects MotionBuilder 2009 to become available in October 2008. The software will ship for 32- and 64-bit Microsoft Windows operating systems, now including 64-bit Microsoft Windows Vista Business. Autodesk’s suggested retail price for MotionBuilder 2009 is around €4,500. The suggested price for upgrading from MotionBuilder 7.5 to MotionBuilder 2009 is €1,125.
Real-Time Simulations
Animators can now perform robust body-dynamics simulations within the software, making the workflow for creating realistic animation more efficient. Real-time collision support prevents characters, objects, and other scene elements from penetrating one another. This is particularly useful for efficiently editing 3D animations involving characters interacting with objects. Users can also run simulations dynamically through a new rag-doll solver, such as when a character falls and hits the ground. 3D artists can conveniently control character behavior by layering animation over the simulation for greater realism.
Expanded Pipeline Integration
MotionBuilder 2009 strengthens support for digital-content-creation applications, allowing directors and developers to integrate the software into production pipelines and display data quickly and accurately. Python scripting includes a new script editor with syntax checking and highlighted commands, enabling technical directors to create custom tools and scripts more efficiently. Improved support is also available for workflows between MotionBuilder and the Autodesk 3ds Max Biped system or Autodesk Maya’s FBIK (Full Body Inverse Kinematics) character rig.
Real-Time Viewport Rendering
MotionBuilder 2009 supports advanced hardware shaders, improving the quality of real-time viewport display. New normal-mapping CG-shader support lets artists use existing normal maps created in Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, or Autodesk Mudbox and view them in real time in the viewport. The new Light Attenuation CG Shader gives artists greater subtlety and realism by providing more complete control over the attenuation and falloff of real-time lighting. MotionBuilder now also supports version 2.0 of the CgFX library, allowing animators to use the latest CgFX shader technology.
Related Links:
- Autodesk MotionBuilder
