Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Eric Thivierge]

Hey Gavin,

You can go two ways, keep using Species 1.1 for the sequel to keeps things
consistent. Or re-rig the meshes from the first one with the new Species
version. I would not suggest mixing them as it will be very hectic on your
part to be going back and forth when edits are needed. Species doesn't have
dependencies on the plugin version however the AnimTools won't work with
the older rigs (alignments changed a bit).

You could save the weights out from your original Species 1.1 rigs and
reapply them when you get them redone with the 1.5 version.


Eric Thivierge
http://www.ethivierge.com


On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 11:48 PM, Gavin Marais wrote:

> Hi guys, I used Species 1 and 1.1 for an entire project. I didn't upgrade
> to 1.2 due to the size increase. Now that 1.5 has arrived, I have the
> problem that there will be a sequel to the first project, needing both the
> original characters + new ones. I guess I'd now have to re-rig these? Could
> I at least use the weighting to skin them, or are there subtle changes to
> some of the hierarchies that will not allow this? Any other recommendations
> on how to proceed?
>
> Thanks very much!
>
>
> On Monday, July 9, 2012 4:03:06 PM UTC+2, Chris Covelli wrote:
>>
>> Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!
>> Species 1.5 is now available at 
>> Exocortex.com.
>> This is the third major update in six months that adds functionality and
>> further optimizes user work flow.
>>
>> What is Species? Exocortex Species simplifies the process of human
>> character creation from designing your character’s unique attributes,
>> integrating sculpting results, to rig creation, even animation. With
>> Species, you will create higher quality animated characters faster and at a
>> lower cost, while avoiding the generic look that often come when purchasing
>> off-the-shelf models. Exocortex Species supports Autodesk Softimage 2010
>> through 2013 on both Windows and Linux. Floating and node locked licenses
>> are available starting at $299.
>> Improvements in Species 1.5
>> Documentation
>>
>>
>>- Expanded Docs to include Installation instructions and more
>>detailed info on many features
>>- New easy to read Google Docs format
>>
>>
>> New Feature Anim Tools! - A new set of tools to speed up working
>> with our AnimRig
>>
>>- Mirror Pose allows you to mirror the pose of the selected controls
>>to the opposite side of the animation rig
>>- Mirror Select swaps the selected control to the opposite side
>>- Biped MatchFKIK will switch the selected limb from the current FK
>>or IK mode to the opposite while maintaining the same pose.
>>
>>
>> AnimRig Changes
>>
>>- New preset hand poses!
>>- Hand Follow IK Option
>>- IK Offset controls for Arms and Legs
>>- Hand Anchor control to AnimRig for attaching props and other objects
>>- HeadLookAt Control Option
>>- Align LegIK controls to world
>>
>>
>> AnimRig Build Changes
>>
>>
>>- AnimRig build option to adding Transform Setups for Fingers
>>
>>
>> Synoptics
>>
>>
>>- Update synoptics with new controls
>>- Add hand poses to AnimRig Synoptics
>>
>>
>> Bug Fixes
>>
>>
>>- Left ForearmRoll deformers misaligned
>>- Hide FK arm bones on PropRig by default ( hides IK arm bones when
>>switched to FK)
>>- Bank Param on right foot inverted
>>- AnimRig build cancel button doesn't cancel
>>- Only display Dual Quat option if available
>>- Change preferences to be per user not per addon
>>
>>
>> Getting Species 1.5
>> If you are not yet using Exocortex Species, give it a try by downloading
>> the trial from the Exocortex Species product 
>> page.
>>
>> For those already using Exocortex Species, you can download the 1.5
>> update directly from 
>> here.
>>
>>
>> Join the Species User Community
>> Get the most out of Exocortex Species by joining our user support and
>> discussion mailing 
>> list,and
>>  check out our many tutorial videos on our Vimeo
>> group .  These are the best places to
>> learn about Species and get the latest news directly from the developers.
>
>

Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Chris Covelli]

Hi Gavin,

The scale change was actually implemented with v1.1, so if you're using
that version you should be working at the same scale as v1.5 ( now v1.5.1 ).

As Eric mentioned it may be better to keep using the same version you
started the project with.  If you really need to update mid-project here
are a few things you can do to quickly transfer your older characters to
the new rigs:


   - If you have characters at the original 1.0 scale follow this tutorial
   video - https://vimeo.com/37260802

Otherwise:


   - You can store the configuration of your old PropRigs using our PropRig
   StorePose tool.  Next, import a 1.5 PropRig into your scene and drag and
   drop the stored pose from your old PropRig into the new PropRig's mixer.
   Now you can select the pose in the new PropRig and run the PropRig
   ApplyPose command to resize the new PropRig to match the old PropRig.  You
   may need to adjust the hands and fingers slightly to match your old
   character as our default hand poses have changed.


   - Next you can use the PropRig ReplaceMesh function to transfer the mesh
   from your old character to the new resized PropRig.  If you have a custom
   envelope on your old character you should be able to load it after this
   step as the names of our deformers have all remained the same.  After
   loading a custom envelope, be sure to rename the envelope ( under the
   EnvelopeWeightCls ) to "Envelope_Weights" and do a Freeze M on the mesh.


Hope this helps!

-Chris


On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 9:49 AM, Chris Covelli  wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
>
> Just an FYI, we discovered a small bug with our licensing code that was
> causing a few crashes for some of our users.
>
> The problem has been fixed and we have issued an update which can be found
> here -
> http://exocortex.com/releases/ExocortexSpecies1.5.1.zip
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 3:49 AM, Szabolcs Matefy wrote:
>
>> Well, it’s not just production J Actually it decreases the time I spend
>> on technical parts (basemesh, posing, skinning), and let me be creative J
>> 
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Thanks guys,
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Szabolcs
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> *From:* softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:
>> softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] *On Behalf Of *Eric Turman
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, July 10, 2012 8:17 AM
>> *To:* softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
>> *Subject:* RE: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> The funny thing is, Eric was against such a tool back in 2008. Funny how
>> productions can change a persons perspective. ;)
>> On Jul 10, 2012 12:52 AM, "Szabolcs Matefy"  wrote:
>> >
>> > Amazing tool. Though I was originally against such a tool, as a
>> character artist it helped me the most in the recent months. I love it!
>> >
>> > You rock guys!
>> >
>> > -Original Message-
>> > From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:
>> softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Rob Chapman
>> > Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 6:31 PM
>> > To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
>> > Subject: Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!
>> >
>> > yeah looks really handy stuff!, now if only I was involved in a
>> production that needed loads of different sized type of characters
>> rigged..! :)
>> >
>> > On 9 July 2012 17:26, Oleg Bliznuk  wrote:
>> > > Congrats with the release guys!
>> >
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Chris Covelli
> http://kylevargas.net/
>



-- 
Chris Covelli
http://kylevargas.net/

Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Chris Covelli]

Hi Everyone,

Just an FYI, we discovered a small bug with our licensing code that was
causing a few crashes for some of our users.

The problem has been fixed and we have issued an update which can be found
here -
http://exocortex.com/releases/ExocortexSpecies1.5.1.zip

On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 3:49 AM, Szabolcs Matefy wrote:

> Well, it’s not just production J Actually it decreases the time I spend
> on technical parts (basemesh, posing, skinning), and let me be creative J*
> ***
>
> ** **
>
> Thanks guys,
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> Szabolcs
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:
> softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] *On Behalf Of *Eric Turman
> *Sent:* Tuesday, July 10, 2012 8:17 AM
> *To:* softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
> *Subject:* RE: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!
>
> ** **
>
> The funny thing is, Eric was against such a tool back in 2008. Funny how
> productions can change a persons perspective. ;)
> On Jul 10, 2012 12:52 AM, "Szabolcs Matefy"  wrote:
> >
> > Amazing tool. Though I was originally against such a tool, as a
> character artist it helped me the most in the recent months. I love it!
> >
> > You rock guys!
> >
> > -Original Message-
> > From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:
> softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Rob Chapman
> > Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 6:31 PM
> > To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
> > Subject: Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!
> >
> > yeah looks really handy stuff!, now if only I was involved in a
> production that needed loads of different sized type of characters
> rigged..! :)
> >
> > On 9 July 2012 17:26, Oleg Bliznuk  wrote:
> > > Congrats with the release guys!
> >
>



-- 
Chris Covelli
http://kylevargas.net/

RE: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Szabolcs Matefy]

Well, it's not just production J Actually it decreases the time I spend
on technical parts (basemesh, posing, skinning), and let me be creative
J

 

Thanks guys,

 

 

Szabolcs

 

From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Eric
Turman
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 8:17 AM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: RE: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

 

The funny thing is, Eric was against such a tool back in 2008. Funny how
productions can change a persons perspective. ;)
On Jul 10, 2012 12:52 AM, "Szabolcs Matefy" 
wrote:
>
> Amazing tool. Though I was originally against such a tool, as a
character artist it helped me the most in the recent months. I love it!
>
> You rock guys!
>
> -Original Message-
> From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Rob
Chapman
> Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 6:31 PM
> To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
> Subject: Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!
>
> yeah looks really handy stuff!, now if only I was involved in a
production that needed loads of different sized type of characters
rigged..! :)
>
> On 9 July 2012 17:26, Oleg Bliznuk  wrote:
> > Congrats with the release guys!
>

Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Eric Thivierge]

Well from recent discussions and from getting my hands dirty in some real
production you definitely appreciate tools that can speed up your
iterations. :)

Relating Species to the recent post from Brad Gabe, I believe that the
Species AnimRig has been designed well to give a very good base rig that
can be extended for a wide range of productions. I think that focussing
Species Hominid on a solid Biped setup helps make it less fragmented than
other generic auto-rig tools as well. There is a time and place for those
too though.


Eric Thivierge
http://www.ethivierge.com


On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 4:16 PM, Eric Turman  wrote:

> The funny thing is, Eric was against such a tool back in 2008. Funny how
> productions can change a persons perspective. ;)
>

RE: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Eric Turman]

The funny thing is, Eric was against such a tool back in 2008. Funny how
productions can change a persons perspective. ;)
On Jul 10, 2012 12:52 AM, "Szabolcs Matefy"  wrote:
>
> Amazing tool. Though I was originally against such a tool, as a character
artist it helped me the most in the recent months. I love it!
>
> You rock guys!
>
> -Original Message-
> From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:
softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Rob Chapman
> Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 6:31 PM
> To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
> Subject: Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!
>
> yeah looks really handy stuff!, now if only I was involved in a
production that needed loads of different sized type of characters
rigged..! :)
>
> On 9 July 2012 17:26, Oleg Bliznuk  wrote:
> > Congrats with the release guys!
>

RE: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Szabolcs Matefy]

Amazing tool. Though I was originally against such a tool, as a character 
artist it helped me the most in the recent months. I love it!

You rock guys!

-Original Message-
From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Rob Chapman
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 6:31 PM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

yeah looks really handy stuff!, now if only I was involved in a production that 
needed loads of different sized type of characters rigged..! :)

On 9 July 2012 17:26, Oleg Bliznuk  wrote:
> Congrats with the release guys!

Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Eric Thivierge]

FYI,

After installing / connecting to the new 1.5 version restart Softimage to
refresh the Python modules.


Eric Thivierge
http://www.ethivierge.com


On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 8:56 AM, Eric Thivierge wrote:

> Sorry, I meant to say the MatchFKIK won't work with 1.2 rigs. :) Must have
> coffee before posting to list...
>
> 
> Eric Thivierge
> http://www.ethivierge.com
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 7:15 AM, Eric Thivierge wrote:
>
>> Mirror pose may not work with the feet on the 1.2 rigs as we had to
>> orient them in a more consistent way for the 1.5 anim rigs to have the tool
>> work I a generalized way.
>>
>> Test first and if you are on a project using 1.2 rigs please stay on them
>> to finish the projects rolling down the pipe. Then move to 1.5 for the
>> next.
>> On 10 Jul 2012 02:31, "Rob Chapman"  wrote:
>>
>>> yeah looks really handy stuff!, now if only I was involved in a
>>> production that needed loads of different sized type of characters
>>> rigged..! :)
>>>
>>> On 9 July 2012 17:26, Oleg Bliznuk  wrote:
>>> > Congrats with the release guys!
>>>
>>
>

Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Eric Thivierge]

Sorry, I meant to say the MatchFKIK won't work with 1.2 rigs. :) Must have
coffee before posting to list...


Eric Thivierge
http://www.ethivierge.com


On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 7:15 AM, Eric Thivierge wrote:

> Mirror pose may not work with the feet on the 1.2 rigs as we had to orient
> them in a more consistent way for the 1.5 anim rigs to have the tool work I
> a generalized way.
>
> Test first and if you are on a project using 1.2 rigs please stay on them
> to finish the projects rolling down the pipe. Then move to 1.5 for the
> next.
> On 10 Jul 2012 02:31, "Rob Chapman"  wrote:
>
>> yeah looks really handy stuff!, now if only I was involved in a
>> production that needed loads of different sized type of characters
>> rigged..! :)
>>
>> On 9 July 2012 17:26, Oleg Bliznuk  wrote:
>> > Congrats with the release guys!
>>
>

Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Eric Thivierge]

Mirror pose may not work with the feet on the 1.2 rigs as we had to orient
them in a more consistent way for the 1.5 anim rigs to have the tool work I
a generalized way.

Test first and if you are on a project using 1.2 rigs please stay on them
to finish the projects rolling down the pipe. Then move to 1.5 for the
next.
On 10 Jul 2012 02:31, "Rob Chapman"  wrote:

> yeah looks really handy stuff!, now if only I was involved in a
> production that needed loads of different sized type of characters
> rigged..! :)
>
> On 9 July 2012 17:26, Oleg Bliznuk  wrote:
> > Congrats with the release guys!
>

Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Rob Chapman]

yeah looks really handy stuff!, now if only I was involved in a
production that needed loads of different sized type of characters
rigged..! :)

On 9 July 2012 17:26, Oleg Bliznuk  wrote:
> Congrats with the release guys!

Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Oleg Bliznuk]

Congrats with the release guys!

Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Tim Crowson]

Title: Signature

  
  
Ok. Should we be worried about compatibility with AnimRigs from v1.2
once the connection to v1.2 is broken? ( I see your answer to
Clinton, but have yet to see his question, so I'm not sure if that
answers this AnimRig question or not)
-Tim


On 7/9/2012 10:37 AM, Chris Covelli wrote:
Thanks Guys,
  
  @Clinton - Should be fine between 1.2 and 1.5 i.e; after you
  update, if you take a 1.2 PropRig and run the Hominid>AnimRig
  function it will produce a stable 1.5 AnimRig with all the new
  features.  I have gotten errors trying this with PropRigs from
  versions 1.0 and 1.1 however.  
  
  @Tim - The easiest way Ive found to update to new versions is
  through the Workgroups section of the Plugin Manager.  Open the
  Plugin Manager, go to the Workgroups tab, right click on the entry
  to your old Species workgroup and select disconnect workgroup. 
  Then hit the Connect button, navigate to your Species 1.5
  Workgroup ( remember to navigate inside the folder called
  Workgroup ) and hit OK.
  
  Id also restart XSI after connecting to the new workgroup.
  
  Hope this helps,
  
  -Chris
  
  
  On Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 11:07 AM, Tim
Crowson 
wrote:

   Sweet! Thanks Chris!
Any tricks with updating this? Just uninstall the old and
install the new?
 

  

  
Tim Crowson
Lead CG Artist
  
  

  

  

Magnetic Dreams Animation
  Studio, Inc.
2525

Lebanon Pike, Building C. Nashville, TN 37214
Ph  615.885.6801 | Fax  615.889.4768
| www.magneticdreams.com
tim.crow...@magneticdreams.com

   


On 7/9/2012 9:03 AM, Chris Covelli wrote:

  Exocortex

  Species 1.5 Released!
  
  Species

1.5 is now available at Exocortex.com.
This is the third major update in six months that
adds functionality and further optimizes user work
flow.
  
  What

  is Species?
  Exocortex


  Species simplifies the process of human character
  creation from designing your character’s unique
  attributes, integrating sculpting results, to rig
  creation, even animation. With Species, you will
  create higher quality animated characters faster
  and at a lower cost, while avoiding the generic
  look that often come when purchasing off-the-shelf
  models. Exocortex Species supports Autodesk
  Softimage 2010 through 2013 on both Windows and
  Linux. Floating and node locked licenses are
  available starting at $299.
  
  Improvements

  in Species 1.5
  
     

  Documentation
  
  
Expanded

Docs to include Installation instructions and
more detailed info on many features
New

easy to read Google Docs format
  
     

  
    New Feature Anim Tools! - A
new set of tools to speed up working with our
AnimRig 
  
Mirror

Pose allows you to mirror the pose of the
selected controls to the opposite side of the
animation rig
Mirror

Select swaps the selected control to the
opposite side
Biped

MatchFKIK will switch the selected limb from the
current FK or IK mode to the opposite while
maintaining the same pose.
  
  
    AnimRig Changes
  
New

preset hand poses!
Hand

Follow IK Option 
IK

Offset controls for Arms and Legs
Hand

Re: Exocortex Species 1.5 Released!

[Tim Crowson]

Title: Signature

  
  
Sweet! Thanks Chris! Any tricks with updating this? Just uninstall
the old and install the new?
 

  

  
Tim Crowson
Lead CG Artist
  
  

  

  

Magnetic Dreams Animation Studio,
  Inc.
2525
Lebanon Pike, Building C. Nashville, TN 37214
Ph  615.885.6801 | Fax  615.889.4768 |
www.magneticdreams.com
tim.crow...@magneticdreams.com



On 7/9/2012 9:03 AM, Chris Covelli wrote:

  Exocortex
  Species 1.5 Released!
  
  Species
1.5 is now available at Exocortex.com.
This is the third major update in six months that adds
functionality and further optimizes user work flow.
  
  What
  is Species?
  Exocortex

  Species simplifies the process of human character creation
  from designing your character’s unique attributes, integrating
  sculpting results, to rig creation, even animation. With
  Species, you will create higher quality animated characters
  faster and at a lower cost, while avoiding the generic look
  that often come when purchasing off-the-shelf models.
  Exocortex Species supports Autodesk Softimage 2010 through
  2013 on both Windows and Linux. Floating and node locked
  licenses are available starting at $299.
  
  Improvements
  in Species 1.5
  
     
  Documentation
  
  
Expanded
Docs to include Installation instructions and more detailed
info on many features
New
easy to read Google Docs format
  
     
  
    New Feature Anim Tools! - A
new set of tools to speed up working with our AnimRig 
  
Mirror
Pose allows you to mirror the pose of the selected controls
to the opposite side of the animation rig
Mirror
Select swaps the selected control to the opposite side
Biped
MatchFKIK will switch the selected limb from the current FK
or IK mode to the opposite while maintaining the same pose.
  
  
    AnimRig Changes
  
New
preset hand poses!
Hand
Follow IK Option 
IK
Offset controls for Arms and Legs
Hand
Anchor control to AnimRig for attaching props and other
objects
HeadLookAt
Control Option
Align
LegIK controls to world
  
  
     
  AnimRig
Build Changes
  
  
AnimRig
build option to adding Transform Setups for Fingers
  
  
     
  Synoptics
  
  
Update
synoptics with new controls    
Add
hand poses to AnimRig Synoptics
  
  
     
  Bug
Fixes
  
  
Left
ForearmRoll deformers misaligned
Hide
FK arm bones on PropRig by default ( hides IK arm bones when
switched to FK)
Bank
Param on right foot inverted
AnimRig
build cancel button doesn't cancel
Only
display Dual Quat option if available
Change
preferences to be per user not per addon
  
  
  
Getting
  Species 1.5
  
  If
you are not yet using Exocortex Species, give it a try by
downloading the trial from the Exocortex
  Species product page.
  
  For
those already using Exocortex Species, you can download the 1.5
update directly from here.
  
  
  Join
  the Species User Community
  
  Get
the most out of Exocortex Species by joining our
user
  support and discussion mailing list,
and check out our many tutorial videos on our
Vimeo
  group.
 These are the best places to learn about Species and get the
latest news directly from the developers.


--