06.04 Mocap Retarget Animation Exercise Assignment

Assignment Deliverables

1. Rendered video of original 3D character retargeted to Motion Capture Animation with sound
   • Label file YYYY-MM-DD Lastname Firstname Motion Capture Animation (.mp4)

Requirements

• Minimum 1 retargeted Mocap Animation onto an original humanoid character
• Minimum 1 light in the scene
• Minimum 2 additional 3D mesh objects in the scene (For example: a plane and a cube)
• Minimum 2 different camera angles
• Minimum 1 original sound effect created by you

Assignment Overview

Use Blender to retarget motion capture from Motive onto a character auto rigged in t-pose with Mixamo. In this assignment, you will connect raw motion capture data and final 3D character animation.

Process

1. Export as FBX for Auto Rigging with Mixamo

1. Prepare character for export from Blender.
   1. Create a duplicate Blender file and apply all modifiers.
   2. Join mesh objects into a single mesh.
      • Blender Cylinder Character Single Mesh
   3. UV Unwrap and bake textures if needed.
2. Export an fbx version of your character from Blender. Open your Mixamo-rigged character in Blender and confirm that it is in a T-pose or A-pose with its textures connected.
   • FBX Embed Textures Blender

2. Auto Rig character with Mixamo.

1. Log in to Mixamo with your Adobe credentials.
2. Upload your exported fbx character to Mixamo.
3. Use Mixamo to auto rig your character. Choose the no fingers skeleton if your character does not have fingers.
4. Download rigged T-pose of character from Mixamo.
   • T-Pose Armature From Mixamo

3. Retarget Motion Capture with Rokoko Plugin in Blender

1. Create a free Rokoko account
   • Create a free Rokoko Account
2. Install and enable the Rokoko plugin. Select the Motive armature as the source and the Mixamo character armature as the target.
   • Install Rokoko Plugin in Blender 5.0 / 5.1
3. Build and review the bone mapping, then retarget the motion onto the character.
   • Retarget Motion Capture Animation with Rokoko Plugin
4. Import the FBX motion-capture file exported from Motive.
   • How to import mocap armature with Aligned Bones
5. Confirm that the animation plays.
6. Extend the length of the Blender animation beyond the default 250 frames so you can see the entire mo-cap animation.

4. Render and Export Animation from Blender

1. Trim the timeline to the strongest section by setting the beginning and end frames.
2. Add at least one light and two additional mesh objects, such as a ground plane and a cube, to establish a simple 3D environment.
3. Create at least two cameras. Switch camera angles with timeline markers. To bind a camera on the timeline, position the playhead on the desired frame, hover your mouse in the timeline, press Control + B or Command + B and that camera will be set on the timeline. Move the playhead to a new frame, select the second camera and press Control + B or Command + B.
4. Render the finished animation as an MP4 with sound. Watch the exported file before submitting it to confirm that the animation, camera changes, lighting, and audio rendered correctly.
   • Render Animation Sequence Blender
5. Add at least one original sound effect and synchronize it with the movement. Add in Blender prior to export or add in Adobe Premiere.
   • Adobe Premiere Add Music and Sound

Assignment Resources

Mocap Retargeting

Grading Rubric