FaceFX and Morph Targets

[jasonseabaugh]

I'm trying to figure out if FaceFX in UDK supports Morph Targets. Anyone know if this is supported or how to make it work?

Here's what I CAN do with FaceFX:
In 3DsMax I can export FXA files which I can then import the FXA into the FaceFX asset in UDK. I use the Default Mapping and can then generate pretty good lip syncs form SoundCues.

What I WANT to do with FaceFX:
Import my Morph Target Set into FaceFX to use for phonemes and facial expressions.

From what I've read online, from the FaceFX website, it doesn't look possible. Morph data doesn't seems to get exported with FXAs, but in a different format instead and can then only be exported out of the stand-alone software... and even then I don't know if it can go into UDK. I suppose I could set up the facial flow in the UDK AnimTree, but I still don't know how to get FaceFX to generate an animation with no imported morph nodes. I did notice that I can add a FUnrealFaceFXMorphNode in the FaceFX editor... but it doesn't seem to link up the Morph Target Set at all.

[geodav]

not quite sure but it might help to buy UT3 and have a look at the FaceFX set-up they used, atm i don#t have it installed but i do remember they added stuff to the graph/tree

you might also want to have a look at the facefx tutorials on this channel http://www.youtube.com/user/lexluthornumber1
might be a little more uptodate than my UT3 version

[jasonseabaugh]

Please do not post if you don't have anything helpful to say. It doesn't help anyone.

I did find a solution! It was actually already supplied. In the FaceFX help file there are a series of buried links to the UDK website... this one is the most relevant:

http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/Unrea...ceFXNodes.html

It explains the pitfalls and gothchas to using these 2 nodes in the FaceFX gaph; FUnrealFaceFXMorphNode and FUnrealFaceFXMaterialParameterNode. The real stumbling block I hit was the FaceFX assets needs to have a Morph Target Set associated with it, but the only way to do so it to right-click on it in the Content Browser and choose "Properties". Obtuse, even for Unreal.

The material node looks awesome for adding face wrinkling normal maps. If I had time for a pet project I would love to add these, but morph targets are already overkill for what I'm doing.

Of course, now that I have the Morph working in FaceFX, it won't play in Matinee.... I'm still missing something.

J

[jasonseabaugh]

Figured it out. The Morph Set needs to be explicitly set on the instance of the skeletal mesh in the scene, just like animtree or animset has too.

on a side note... anyone know how to mark a thread as Solved?

[CodeHei]

Jason can you get a normal animation and a morph work at the same time? I've been trough countless threads and none worked for me yet. It works for some people but they are not sure on what they missed.

[geodav]

i could say edit your first post , maybe Go Advance mode, and edit the title,

then again i'm not sure

Please do not post if you don't have anything helpful to say. It doesn't help anyone.

in future maybe using google will be more usefull than asking on a forum !!!!!