AnimServo is a plug-in for use with Autodesk Maya. It allows you to use a variety of methods to create & record animation from Autodesk Maya and import it to a Pololu Maestro USB Servo Controller using Pololu Maestro Control Center Software.
AnimServo
Solutions for Animation & Animatronics
WELCOME TO ANIMSERVO
CONNECT WITH ANIMSERVO
Create recordings that can control from 1 up to 24 servos depending on which Pololu Maestro USB Servo Controller you are using. Take advantage of Maya’s powerful keyframe animation capabilities or use motion capture performance. AnimServo uses several different methods that allow you to connect to existing controls in Maya or create new ones. In addition, AnimServo has several custom control setups including one for Faceware Technologies facial motion capture products.
CASE STUDY :THE IMP
The “Imp” animatronic head was created for a course at the Stan Winston School of Character Arts. The head consists of 13 servos: Brows(2), Eyes(2), Eye lids(2), Lips(6), and Jaw(1) and a Pololu 18 Channel USB Maestro Controller. Hitec hobby servos were used.
The servo arm limits were noted in the Pololu Maestro Control Center Software.
Inside Maya, the “Victor” head (from Faceware Technologies) was connected to the AnimServo using the servo arm limits determined earlier. The Victor head was animated courtesy of the New York Film Academy Media Lab in Los Angeles. The animation was then recorded and saved to a text file by AnimServo.
The output file from AnimServo was then compiled for the Pololu 18 channel controller using AnimServo’s “ServoRun” program that comes with AnimServo. The resulting file was then copied into the Pololu Maestro Control Center Software Script Editor and run.
MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE
AnimServo can do more than just facial animation, your imagination is pretty much the limit!
In the example to the right, three AnimServo Virtual Servos have been used to create a head control using Maya’s rigging “joints” in the design.
SEEK KNOWLEDGE
This software requires an intermediate to professional level knowledge of Autodesk Maya. Individuals with character rigging experience will be able to easily create new rigs and adapt old ones that use AnimServo.
There are complete courses available online at the Stan Winston School of Character Arts for both AnimServo, creating animatronic heads, and more!
“Animation for Animatronics”, a three part course, provides instruction on how to install and use AnimServo. The course also serves as a beginners course for Autodesk Maya and teaches from the ground up how to use Maya in conjunction with AnimServo.
LET US HELP YOU
We can help you, from consultations all the way to design and on-site installation. We also have professional animators & motion capture specialists available. Contact us for more information.
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LATEST NEWS
AnimServo Congratulates Cyril Wichers
AnimServo congratulates Cyril Wichers for being the first person to earn a “Certificate of Mastery” in the Stan Winston School...
November 22, 2017
AnimServo Premieres at SIGGRAPH 2017
AnimServo was present at SIGGRAPH 2017 held in Los Angeles. Appearing at Faceware Technologies booth, Craig Caton gave demonstrations during...
November 2, 2017
AnimServo Debuts at Monsterpalooza 2017
Horror aficionados and industry professionals were privy to the first public debut of AnimServo at Monsterpalooza 2017 at the Pasadena Convention...
October 17, 2017