Can I use Armatures for Face Expressions?
I've managed to get BlendShapes working (Shape Keys in Blender, exported as .fbx) in a test. But the modifications I need to apply to the mesh are too complex to be made by moving Vertices by hand. So I need to use an armature. But by using armatures to pose the model in Blender prevents you from creating Shape Keys. (or I haven't found out how yet).
Because Lens Studio can "see" the Armatures in the model, I wanted to ask if and how I could use them in conjunction with facial expressions.
BTW: Although the "Face Expressions" template is nice, there's one important thing missing: explaining how to get them working. It took me 2 days to find out that "Blend Shapes" are "Shape Keys" in Blender. Would be nice if that was mentioned more prominently in the manual.
Hi, Mike!
Blender allows you to create a Blend-shape from Armature easily, please check out this forum question answer
There is no straightforward way to use bones with facial expressions template. But you can check out FaceLandmarks template and attach each bone to a face landmark
Let me know if there are any questions!
Also thank you for the feedback, we'll add a note to the guide!
Best!
Olha
Thanks a lot for your reply. With the forum answer you linked, it works but unfortunately the armature is then gone and you have to recreate it. I've found another way:
Note: This only works as long as the original and the copy have exactly the same amount of vertices/faces. So be sure to finish the object entirely before creating all the shape keys.
Mike TheMechanic Thank you for sharing your experience!
very helpful post thanks for this Mike !!!
I'll be making a video and explaining also showing how to start your own face expressions template how to create one all that details posting it soon, on what applications you can do it, etc.
Hi ItzJustSamuel,
Awesome! And i will do the same ;) cant wait!