Mixamo Releases Free Maya, 3DSMax Scripts For Auto-Rigging Characters

Wow, game developers definitely have a reason to jump up and down and cheer all day long. Following up on news that affordable AI middleware is currently available at a budget price, Mixamo announced that they are releasing free scripts to auto-rig 3D characters in less than a minute using either Maya or 3DSMax. Is that not good news or what?

For those of you who don't remember, Mixamo recently announced that they have a microtransaction-based online store for animations and middleware tools for character creation in video games. This makes it both affordable and easy for up-and-coming (or well established) developers to pick up and buy what they need when they need it to help move a game along in its development. Personally, I can't wait to see some of the projects that evolve out of Mixamo's new service.

Mixamo CEO Stefano Corazza further explained the new scripts and features of the process, saying...

“Until now the automatically rigged character could be animated in Maya and 3ds Max using forward kinematics or by setting up a custom control rig,” ... “The released scripts automatically convert the automatically rigged character into a Biped system or CAT rig in 3ds Max while creating a custom IK/FK control rig for Maya users, making the animation editing process much faster.“

In other words, you'll have that bad-action hero walking, running and leaping tall buildings in no time flat, as opposed to spending hours on end each day setting up the scripts and rigs to function they way you intended. Snazzy, eh?

The scripts are currently available for free, right now, on the Official Mixamo Website. If you need additional animations accompany your fully-rigged character, feel free to browse the site for the exact kind of animations to suit the needs of your game.

Will Usher

Staff Writer at CinemaBlend.