This is a challenge I have been facing,need somebody to solve it as this could be a workflow for import export of mocap in softimage and Motionbuilder and cleanup of data exclusively in softimage as well.I want to cleanup the bvh in Softimage and not in Motion builder because I am doing an extensive cleanup on the data and also adding extra animations.I know that cleanup could be done in Motion builder but I want to do it in Softimage as it is my tool.

The following are the steps I am doing :

1.Generating a biped in SI with a shadow rig

2.tagging the biped to import bvh

3.importing bvh on the biped

4.plotting the motion data on the shadow rig

5.exporting the scene as fbx

6.Importing the fbx file to Motionbuilder and characterizing it and creating a control rig

7. plotting data to control rig

8.exporting as bvh


I have attached the images below.note that the bvh when imported in Softimage is a bundle of bones whereas the same bvh when imported in Maya works normally.





Now the problem starts here,as I import this bvh in Softimage as bones it returns an error and no animation is found on the bones but if I import it as hierarchy of nulls it works well.Whereas, the same data opens up in maya normally as joints hierarchy

Use MOTOR to do this.Also make sure you plot your animation to your rig before saving the scene file otherwise it will be corrupt when you re-open it.

Hi there -
Thanks for replying in my post,I do use motor for using Mocap in XSI,but the thing with me is that I want to export out bvh files to be used in other programs other than XSI.XSI does not support a bvh export option,also when I take fbx file from XSI to motion builder and then export bvh from that file in Motion builder I get all faulty data as other program like Maya is opening the file but the hierarchy of joints on the bvh is not as the same that a normal bvh file has.It still retains the eff and root from the xsi file.Its giving me nightmares .could you please suggest any option.
All I want is to cleanup mocap in XSI and export it as bvh.

It seems that the problem you have is in the naming convention used for the bones.There are few variations in the naming conventions ,the standard bvh naming convention is used by programs like motion builder and possibly maya ( I havent had any experience with animation in maya so cant confirm it),3DS max has a completely different naming convention for bvh files.
Open the bvh files of one that works and one that doesn't work and note the differences .Maybe renaming the the bones with string search and replace might fix it.
You could also use BVHacker to check the files.This program not only lets you rename the files but also you can reset the first frame of the animation so it stands in a tpose.
Another route you could try is doing a rig to rig motor transfer and export that to see if that works.
My guess is probably either due to the naming convention used or tpose is missing from first frame.I hope this helps

M

also exporting problem could be solved using polytrans as a converter.Fragmotion and I think ultimate unwrap can do the conversion too....possible 3D exploration.

oh and milkshape 3d supports dotxsi import and exports to bvh

Hmmm,great lemme try them

Thanks friend,hope you remain regular to this forum

Yeah will definately keep on here.
And thanks for the help about the plotting on my side .

Also was thinking that BVHacker may let you delete the end effector from the bvh file you have ...Im not 100% sure about it tho
Also you can export dotxsi to Polytrans and once its imported in it can also resample your animation using its arctic sampling system and also there are a lot of options to restructure and change the outputfile ...it may take a while of trial and error but Im 90% certain you can get something working spat out of it.

Hope this helps

M

Hi
friend,I have downloaded milkshape3D but I can't figure out how to import dotxsi and export .bvh out of it
could you please tell me what options to chose while importing and exporting??
thanks in advance
Kites

I dont really use milkshape .Ive had a tinker about with it a few times and know it imports/exports bvh .

I think maybe the solution you are wanting is a bit more simple.
You want mocap from xsi to import into maya yes?

In that case build a character in maya export to softimage using crosswalk ....retarget animation from biped to the imported crosswalk skeleton > export out and import back into maya using replace scene elements...its a process I use for getting animation back and forward between max and xsi.I cant see maya being any different.

Hope this helps

Kenny