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Import and OBJ sequence then add audio
Posted: 24 July 2020 08:47 AM   [ Ignore ]  
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Hi. Is it possible to import an OBJ sequence then add audio..

Thank you…

Tesselaar…

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Posted: 24 July 2020 03:33 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 1 ]  
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Hi Tesselaar,

In the past, there were some plug-ins for that, but so far, I was not able to access any of these pages.

If possible, I would recommend using Alembic these days.

However, if you have an obj-sequence, this is the way I have done it so far:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/irWygl1039RhCu666VJ8vB5gFVlZ6cca9Kb57JUw2lN

Go via Content Browser!

I would go with the Sort function, as it seems to be faster, the Blend is linear, but perhaps allows for finer motions if needed.

… and yes, it is annoying to confirm each step of the sequence while importing.

All the best

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Posted: 24 July 2020 04:01 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 2 ]  
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P.S.:

For sound, you create a Sound Track in the Timeline and go from there.

Adding a Sound Track
https://help.maxon.net/us/index.html#CTSOUND
Formats
https://help.maxon.net/us/index.html#6201
Options
https://help.maxon.net/us/index.html#5442

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Posted: 26 July 2020 12:54 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 3 ]  
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Hi.. Thank you for your suggestion Dr. Sassi.. I really appreciated it.. I check out the Alembic software company, but it seems that software might be way too far end for me..

I am only a primary school teacher so I have a lot to learn. Since I have no idea what is possible, makes me try crazy things since no one has told me I cannot do it.. The main reason why I needed a sequence of objects, is the FBX format does not support Morphing. It will support any animation done using bones.. I have animated characters as FBX from Mixamo. But those characters are very limited and besides, I want to add my own. I managed to get a toon to talk using Poser 11.. Then I exported the sequence of obj’s with texture.. I thought I could add the voice audio later. I am using Simlab Composer VR media option.. The idea is the build a VR scene with Taking Characters using students own voice. I managed to use an AddOn in Bforartists to import the obj sequence. It moves its mouth fine, it looks great.. I thought I had the issue sussed, but FBX does not export all the keyframes. Not sure why.. I have asked Simlab Composer developers to add an audio track to the timeline which should allow me to add the students voice to a 3D toon after.. Since it did not work, I thought I would try with Cinema 4D.. But I haven’t got past the import of the objects to try it..  Even if I did work out how to do the import obj sequence I have no idea if Cinema 4D can export the FBX as the animation..

Warm regards

Tesselaar..

Dr. Sassi - 24 July 2020 03:33 PM

Hi Tesselaar,

In the past, there were some plug-ins for that, but so far, I was not able to access any of these pages.

If possible, I would recommend using Alembic these days.

However, if you have an obj-sequence, this is the way I have done it so far:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/irWygl1039RhCu666VJ8vB5gFVlZ6cca9Kb57JUw2lN

Go via Content Browser!

I would go with the Sort function, as it seems to be faster, the Blend is linear, but perhaps allows for finer motions if needed.

… and yes, it is annoying to confirm each step of the sequence while importing.

All the best

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Posted: 26 July 2020 03:50 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 4 ]  
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Hi Tesselaar,

Thanks for the additional information.

Alembic is a file format. Newer and I would think more advanced than FBX, while FBX has many more options than the old obj option.
I checked Simlab, and it seems to stay in FBX is the best option there, haven’t tried it though. They do not offer Alembic, which is odd, as it is for a while the industry standard.

You can send characters to Mixamo, as they provide a semi-automated rigging process.

I would always try to keep the pipeline as short as possible. A decade ago, I was proud to have made a movie with forty different applications in the mix. Today I see that a little bit different. First of all, things have changed, and I have changed. Secondly, each transfer of information might be nice, but if there is a change, the question is, how much will ripple through with a reload option, or is there a need to do it all manually. The latter might be nice for a hobby level, but for anything above that, it is certainly not something I would like to teach anyone.

Similar to that is the idea of plugins; there are different kinds of those, some who just allow getting lazy, some to expand, and some just to streamline a pipeline. With that being said, the option that a plugin is not developed for the next update of the hosting package is given. Having invested a little fortune in the ‘90s in plugins, I keep things now to a minimum. Which forces me to invent things and keep it native.

Please have a look at the files and the screen capture: (FBX animation)
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/K9sqJbfahXjSS2Odaf3jjLrHNBCF2bzmz9ZPzuBObax

I can animate with the PoseMorph in Cinema 4d, export it as FBX, and re-import it to a new scene, while all the animation/poses still work.
If your target application has any option to work with Poses, they are included in the file.

You will find here on Cineversity some training with Mixamo and the Animation system, perhaps worth a try?
https://www.cineversity.com/vidplaylist/mixamo_to_cinema_4d_character_workflow/mixamo_to_cinema_4d_character_workflow_series_introduction

Besides, pretty much anything is documented and with a right mouse click> Help, easily accessed.
https://help.maxon.net/us/index.html#FFBXIMPORT-FBXIMPORT_GROUP

The best test is always export and imports it directly back into a new scene. It gives you more certainty with any step after it. Once that certainty is established, things should go more smoothly.

If you come from Mixamo, use Cinema 4D as authoring and animation application, including sound. When the content is ready, export and have a look into Unreal or Unity, to author your VR scenes. I believe that would be of more value to your students than a round trip along with a collection of mini-apps—just a thought.

Have a great weekend.

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Posted: 26 July 2020 05:52 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 5 ]  
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Hi Dr. Sassi.. Thank you so much for the links to download.  I saw immediately that the FBX export has so many more options in Cinema 4D than Blender or Bforartists.. I managed to import the sequence into Bforartists easily and it plays nicely but there is no real option to export more than the first frame as a FBX. I viewed your object import movie many times, I need to do it frame by frame to learn how to do it.. In Bforartists, it was just a matter of import the folder. Everything is easy when you know how…

I am not a 3D modelling expert, I just dabble. I have access to some amazing software, mostly free or very cheap, but I have no idea how to use most of it. I was using Poser to make the characters talk, and years ago I had V3, with Mimic.. Its was great and easy but it will not work anymore. My main task is recording the students voices, then trying to add them to taking toons. The idea is, for students to put on a VR Headset to see a 3D toon talking with their own voices. I have to do things as my skills will allow.. I do not have time to learn all there is in 3D modelling. I loved what you did with the morphing face.. It just goes to so that Cinema 4D can do so much. I teach young students ICT on a basic level, I just need the end result as quick as I can, I certainly do not teach high end software, however, I do it mostly as hobby since I am fascinated by it all. I tried to import my obj files into Cinema 4D but I failed so far.. As soon as I do that, since Cinema 4D has more export options for animated FDX files, I might almost be there if it works in a VR.. The FDX option is a new feature in Simlab Composer 11.. You seem to know so much more about graphic formats, perhaps you can learn how to use Simlab Composer, join the forum and then provide some expert feedback. I love it since I know how to use it since I have been using it for years. However, there are many limitations. Sometimes the Div Team listen to my suggestions but mostly they do not. I will nag them to add an Audio track to the animation tab. That way, I can add all the animation as a single Sequence so it can either play when the VR is opened or be activated by the user within the VR environment. I understand what you mean about keeping the pipeline small.. I use Poser to make the character talk, but it will not export the FDX animated. It seems that the FDX format does not export morphing. Did you try to play your morphed face as a FDX in an FDX player.. Out of Cinema 4D.. That is why I am trying to use a sequence of objects. I do not know if it will work either, but I need to try.. Perhaps if you have time, you can create a FDX out of my obj’s so I can quickly try.. http://tesselaar-romanoff.com/OBJ-MM/Tesselaar-OBJs.zip At least I will know for certain if it will work. If it works I can send you a movie capture of the VR..

I really appreciate you time in helping me achieve the results I need. Once I learn how to import my obj files into Cinema 4D I will feel much happier about what I am trying to do..

Warm regards

Tesselaar..

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Posted: 26 July 2020 06:57 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 6 ]  
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Hi Dr. Sassi.. I did not realise that you sent me the Cinema 4D files.. So I exported your finished ball as an animated FDX and it works!.. The concept idea is proven to work!!. Just wonderful. Morphing will not work but I have worked out a way to make it work.. Not sure what the final VR quality will be, but I can work on that..  http://tesselaar-romanoff.com/OBJ-MM/Ball-Ring.mp4 Sorry the TV was on, there is background sound….

Fantastic.. Thank you so much for making the test.. Once Simlab add the option to add sound into the animation track, I can then try a talking character. I sure wish they would listen to users needs. This opens up many more options to add flexible animations in a VR…. If I could import a sequence directly into Simlab Composer, with sound, it would all be very easy.. Then I only need to use Poser, and Simlab Composer, and a recording software..

I have actually been granted to purchased a reduced price for Carrara Pro and Mimic Pro.. I am just waiting to see how I can buy it. See here the results.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgeImElQcsY Poser used to be great years ago but the last version I had, V10, stopped working due to no update for the Flash player.. Stupid.. I updated Flash due to other software but Poser 10 did not recognise it so it stopped working.. V11 is horrible. V3 and 4 were great.. I hope I can do what I need in Carrara.. My little NoteBook has Windows so I am hoping it will work on that, but I will do the main work on my Mac from home.. Not time during school time.

https://www.daz3d.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=carrara 8.5 pro

Seems Cinema 4D has partnered with them in some way.. I see the icon.. https://www.daz3d.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search | Brand | International&utm_content=daz pro&utm;_term=+daz +pro&utm_matchtype=b&utm;_creative=&gclid=CjwKCAjw0_T4BRBlEiwAwoEiAQkDHK0dNc4n8TeG14fTrpoKkI1vEdbNWFpDDZg_b4enlzdibR_oXxoCp4QQAvD_BwE

At least I am getting somewhere..

Just wonderful.. Seeing the animation work proves that my Talking Toon sequence should work. I have looked at your video tutorial heaps of times but my GUI is different.. Perhaps its a Mac thing.. Once I work out how to import the OBJ files, I can do the rest.. Can’t believe I am stuck with just importing obj files. You made it look so easy..

Tesselaar.

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Posted: 26 July 2020 07:42 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 7 ]  
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Hi. I managed to work out how to import all the obj files form the Desktop folder.. The tabs are on the other side of my GUI.. I emptied everything other than the obj’s mtl and texture from the folder to avoid confusion…. The problem I had, I had to click OK to every single obj.. and when I was finished doing that, nothing showed on the stage.. I must have done something wrong.. Your video is very helpful.. I have to play it frame by frame..

Tesselaar..

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Posted: 26 July 2020 08:16 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 8 ]  
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I do not seem to have the same options.. What am I doing wrong.??. http://tesselaar-romanoff.com/CINEMA-GUI/GUI.jpg

Tesselaar..

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Posted: 26 July 2020 05:01 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 9 ]  
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Hi Tessalaar,

Did you mean FBX? I can’t find anything about FDX.

Since you are teaching ICT, you should set up first a flowgraph. All applications you like to use as a square and then the connections among them. Each with a clear definition of what they should produce and provide along the way. Any connection that comes an goes from Cinema 4D is of interest to me. What happens with all the apps you like to combine, I have my doubts that I can help you with this. After all, this is a Cinema 4D forum, and it has a focus on the connectivity, but as long as it excludes Cinema 4D, I would suggest visiting the fora that are specialized for the individual app.

I stick with the idea to use Cinema 4D and a state of the art game engine, like Unreal or Unity. The game engine companies offer plenty of help for education. As I wrote, it is nice to imagine that a large collection of apps will somehow solve all your problems, but given the posts above, I strongly recommend to focus on just a very few.
On the other hand, the more apps you just throw into the mix, the more learning you have to do, not less. You wrote that you want very little effort in doing so. The more apps you use, just because you can, the weaker the pipeline gets. We are not really in a time where that is needed. Several contribution applications to a central authoring app, yes, but a long chain of apps is killing the performance on many levels, especially when one works alone. In a larger studio set up, where the pipeline requires to move that data from one artist to the next, then this is a different theme.

Besides, the idea might also be better to use MovesByMaxon. In that way, the talking characters don’t look like a failed attempt to lipsync, with nervous mouse-movements, etc.

In short, draw a diagram. Be 100% clear what each application does, and what the reason is given you don’t use any other for that. As an ICT teacher, you should make a decision, it works – or it doesn’t: It is in or out.


BTW, I do not click on private links for security reasons. Use Dropbox, Amazon, Google, Apple, or Adobe, share the full link.
I have sent an upload link to your Cineversity Private Messages.

Good luck with your explorations.

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Posted: 26 July 2020 08:26 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 10 ]  
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Very cleaver.. Sadly we do not have a iPhone.. Might have to try to borrow one..

Yes, sorry, I keep writing FDX.. I do mean FBX..

I will check out the share options…

Thank you for being so helpful..

Tesselaar..

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Posted: 26 July 2020 08:33 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 11 ]  
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Thanks for clearing that, Tesselaar, very kind of you.

You’re very welcome. I try not to limit your enthusiasm – while I try to keep you focused on what could be the best outcome. Of course, it is difficult to know if my suggestions are correct, not seeing what you envision the apps might do for you. Anyway, I hope some of my tips or suggestions help to see through the forest of options.

My best wishes

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Dr. Sassi V. Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
Cinema 4D Mentor since 2004
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Photography For C4D Artists: 200 Free Tutorials.
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Posted: 26 July 2020 08:51 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 12 ]  
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I will still persist with trying to work out your video tutorial… Hard to see what you click on sometimes. Since I know this option works using your own ball and hoop it should work for my sequence…..

All the best to you too..

Stay safe…

Tesselaar..

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Posted: 26 July 2020 08:59 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 13 ]  
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… you can download the screen capture and move step by step through it. It is by no means meant to be a tutorial, hence the one-minute length, etc.
I do these little clips to give an impression about the flow, nothing more.
Typically 3D artists are naturally more on the visual side, so my hope is that these give a glimpse about. I haven’t heard any complaints so far wink and I already did over one thousand of them.
My tutorials are longer, typically based on my own productions and have gotten rigorous research first. I’m not really a friend of not well research stuff. Then tested again and recorded. So, no comparison to these little clips at all. Sorry if I caused any confusion.

I have had sent you an upload link; without, I can’t do anything.
Stay safe, stay healthy.
Have a nice Sunday.

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Posted: 10 September 2020 05:27 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 14 ]  
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P.S.:

R23

New function for the Wavefront OBJ Import/Export as well as the FBX Export

https://help.maxon.net/r23/en-us/Default.htm#html/33010.html?TocPath=_____2

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Posted: 10 September 2020 07:18 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 15 ]  
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Hi Dr. Sassi.. I requested using the form link you sent me to ask for an option to make it easier to import an obj sequence. Would that be it.?. I opened C4D22, but there are no updates.. Perhaps that is due to the fact I only have the Education version, so I am unable to test the new features out at the moment.. It’s really good to hear this though.. SLC do not seem to be listening and my Poll did not pan out as I would have liked it..

I am getting my head around the profile and Loft options to use for animating rubber parts.. C4D is just awesome in this animation process, it looks so real. I also learnt that I can copy frames to repeat the key frames. If I can learn how to animate in C4D, anyone can.. I will have more time after next week to learn more over the Term break..wink

Thank you for apprising me on this..


Tesselaar..

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