pcd wrote:
End a film production rig you may really want to take a look at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo6Lue1TMZU
[/quote]
I'd be free to act as advocatus diaboli and say that this one, really does not show anything.... impressive. Looks like author was impressed by ability to put something under envelope, not hesitating to put this trick anywhere possible. So, old fashion, imho wrong approach, based on 'let's see what this OP offers'.
Imho, much more creative would be, to go with a brand new concept, once the 3d app already doesn't offer the 'classic" workflow. Let's say
1: improved interaction - that is, rig behaves differently in manipulation and playback. Some kind of bi-directional behavior, but without (at least, visible) simulation under the hood. My wild guess, both can't be done with supplied tools.
2: what probably can be done: a way of automatic, or half-automatic procedural or simulated animation, as an comment or correction on top of hand made key-framing. Automatic calculation of 'weighting', maybe. Traditional animators won't be happy with this - but I believe this should be much more interesting.
Long story short, if 3d app is already 'different', if I'll defend the cause, I'll try to put more on that, 'different'. Wouldn't go into discussion, does it have animation mixer, trax, or not.
edit: I've removed one frequent word in this thread