MotionBuilder 7.5 scaling problem

[VinsanityV20]

Program: Motion Builder 7.5

I've just started using Motion Builder and like it a lot, however this is the first time I've actually grabbed my own mocap data. I've Aligned the VICOM data to an actor, and it works fine once I turn on the 'active' check box like it should.

The problem concerns my model, which was done in Maya. It's insanely tiny when I merge it into the scene, so naturally I can't just drive my character (who is characterized btw) with the edit>input>actor.

I figured I could just grab the Character_Ctrl:Reference and scale it up, which works in the scene. However, when I then go to input the actor's data, the model immediately reverts back her tiny, tiny scale. Naturally, the animation is f***ed.

How do you scale characters in a way that they won't collapse when you input an actor's animation? How come scaling the Character_Ctrl:Reference doesn't cut it?

I need help ASAP, so anything would be appreciated. Please & Thank You!

[Slacker VII]

Hi,

The scale of Maya and MB are the same by default so the character is the same size; The grid size difference makes your character appears smaller in MB.

Using the default cm scale, your character in Maya is probably few cm high (15-20cm usually).

There are few ways to correct this.

Prior exporting to MB; in the export FBX option, set the Scale Factor to 0.01.

Or once in MB;

Add a reference to your characterization (first in the characterization list). This can be any locator or empty nod group above the hips joint. The reference can be use to scale, move and rotate a character, regardless of its input, like an Actor. Scale this back to normal size before bringing the animation back to Maya.

Try to always use a reference in characterization, it's very usefull.

Hope this helps.

Marc

[VinsanityV20]

I hope it helps too thanks for the reply Marc.

EDIT: Didn't have to do that actually. For future reference - and in case this will help anybody else out there - here's what I did.

1. opened the characterized (tiny version) model.
2. Opened up her Character Defintions/Settings in the Navigator
3. Turned off Characterize, then grabbed the entire thing (model, rig, etc.) in the viewport and scaled her up. In my case. 93.29%, to match the Actor
4. Turned back on characterize. Then in the character settings, turned on the input type to Control Rig. At this point, she became ENORMOUS. This is normal, for she'll shrink back in a minute.
5. Save that out. If you're worried about it, make a new save like "character_HUGE.fbx" or whatever. Opened up the file with the actor, who has VICOM motion data aligned to it.
6. Merge into the scene the ENORMOUS character file you just saved out. Now select the character and in the character control window do the ole' EDIT>Input>Actor
7. She will now shrink, and as long as you have the animation Active on the actor, she'll now follow the actor's movements. Select the actor in the Character Control Window and go Show>Actor(all) to turn off the actor.

Thanks for the help Marc, but I simply couldn't find anything in the hierarchy/schematic view to make the reference.

I figured it was something as simple as turning off the characterization, scaling it, then turning it back on. That's how to do it in Max (which I'm NOT a noob in). This isn't quite that easy, but it definitely wasn't a difficult thing to fix either. Gotta remember this for future reference.