In nuce: Ragdoll Dynamics, a plug-in for Autodesk Maya that can be used to generate realistic-looking animations, has been released in a new version: Raydoll Dynamics 3.0. The developer claims that the new version makes animation up to 100 times faster. The new functions include physics-based character posing, replacement rigs for interactive frame rates and a multi-character asset library. According to the manufacturer, Ragdoll Dynamics is also suitable for animating fabrics, hair, muscles and wings.
What does Raydoll Dynamics 3.0 bring? According to the associated press release from Ragdoll Dynamics, character animators spend 80 per cent of their working time on activities that could be automated. The same press release states that a large part of their working time is spent on creating physically correct motion sequences – a routine activity that is detrimental to the creativity and enjoyment of animators. The company’s self-promotion also states that Ragdall Dynamics is used by around 250 studios worldwide – including well-known representatives such as Weta, Sony Pictures Imageworks and DNEG.
In toto: Below are the functions that were emphasised in the press release for Raydoll Dynamics 3.0.
- Live Mode: The new click-and-drag interface simplifies rigs – making animating characters almost as easy as animating a G.I. Joe action figure or a Barbie doll.
- Load Physics: Existing Maya rigs can now be converted into physics-based versions – which should result in a 10 to 100-fold increase in CPU performance.
- The asset library is equipped with fourteen characters (e.g. human, astronaut, alien, dog), allowing you to try your hand at the ragdoll feature set straight away. Ragdolls created by artists can also be saved in the asset library.
- Interactive mode: Allows artists to work with Maya-like controls; this should make animations much faster. This is because there is no need to key animations – including the subsequent viewing of the playback.
- The software is now also offered as Ragdoll Freelancer – but only for individual customers. This makes the software accessible via a freelancer licence, equipped with a full range of functions, unlimited in time, for a price of 199 US dollars. The different prices for the commercial versions of the software can be viewed at ragdolldynamics.com/pricing .
Click further: A trial version can be downloaded via learn.ragdolldynamics.com . Digital Production last reported on Ragdoll Dynamics on 6 August last year – at that time about the early access of a previous version and helpful video tutorials.
