Facial Rigging Experiments

[lwaxana]

Hi all, I'm experimenting with creating a more pre-made rig. One of my biggest priorities is to use switch layers so I can get the pose right and preserve it. This one has:
-switch layer with interpolation for mouth phonemes. I'm finding that I still want to use mostly holds, but it's nice to have the option of interpolation.
-switch layer with interpolation for eyebrow positions
-smart bone for eyelid
-blink action

Not sure what the best approach is for the eye. I currently have the iris controlled by translating a bone. Then I have a smart bone that targets iris bone to adjust shape of iris depending on where the iris is. But it's not working at the moment. I also experimented with this method: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=28401. I may go back to that method and try to add the smart bone action there.

And I'm not planning to add head turn functionality, I'll probably create a switch layer of rigs made at different angles.

I'm hoping to nail down some best rigging practices for my workflow. I'd appreciate any tips/ideas you guys have. :D

[Little Yamori]

Wish I could be more help on Smartbone rigging, but I'm struggling with it myself at the moment. One thing that might be worth experimenting with is making one combined switch for the whole head and mouth, with each mouth phonemes built in to each head position (I guess only if the jaw isn't a manipulated by a separate bone), then with each mouth shape you would have the chin and throat in a slightly different position that would be lively in conjunction with the mouth movement.

The eyes look good to me. Not sure how you want to improve them, but I always like to throw in some quick blinks here and there (but that's an animating preference not a rigging one).

Looking good.

LY