Gesture Manipulation
Contents
Suggested Reads for this Article
Introduction
FacePoser has the ability to modify the playback of model animations within Source. By using the Gesture tool, scene designers can modify certain aspects of a model’s animation sequence(s) without having to use a 3D modeling application.
Overview
- Create a scene with (null) gesture events
- Alter the timing tags of a gesture
- Change the Ramp of a gesture (optional)
- Play back and tweak the choreography
- Conclusion and Tips
Creating the Scene
The scene has now been created. The A_g_fingptfwd animation consists of the character raising its right arm to form a pointing pose. This pointing pose is extended for about a second, and then is gradually faded out. This article will change the animation into the right arm sluggishly being raised into the pointing pose. The pointing pose will then be held for about half of a second. Another half second will be left for the end of the event, resulting in a quick fade out.
Altering Timing Tags
This resulted in the animation looking similar to the intended description.
Changing the Ramp
Optionally, the ramp of the event can be changed. Changing the ramp allows for the strength of the event to be modified, giving even more customization over the playback of the animation. The ramp of the event was changed to this:
Playing Back and Tweaking the New Animation
Play back the choreography to compare the original animation to the new one. Tweak the timing tag placement and ramp of the events if desired. Consider playing back the .vcd in the engine to see what the animation would truly look like.
Conclusion and Tips
With timing tag alteration, scene designers can have more leeway in what animations would look like in the Source engine. This prevents the need to make modifications to a model in a 3D modeling program for suiting minor discrepancies in an intended animation.
Reference Scene
The scene file used in this article is available here.
