Introduction to AutoSolve

AutoSolve is an automatically generated pass of animation that is applied to your character when you first open a shot in Retargeter. The results are derived directly from your tracking data and will typically give a good result. For the highest quality, you'll want to retarget with poses, but AutoSolve is ideal for users with little animation experience, are under a very strict deadline, as a general animation blocking pass, or for characters that do not require the same high level of detailed animation, such as background or secondary characters.

AutoSolve vs Pose-based Retargeting

AutoSolve is entirely separate from the regular posed-based retargeting workflow in Retargeter and the two are incompatible. If you have poses created, then the AutoSolved animation will pop where the poses exist as they conflict with the AutoSolve results. Please choose one workflow or the other based on your needs and skill level.

AutoSolve Workflow

Step 1: Get an FWR File from Analyzer

In order to use Retargeter and create animation, you'll need an FWR file that was created in Analyzer

*Note: Be sure to include a Neutral Frame when you 'Parameterize' in Analyzer for best results.

Step 2: Complete your Character Setup

Before you can create animation in Retargeter, you'll need to setup your character. You will also be required to create an Expression Set within your Character Setup process. AutoSolve will not work without an Expression Set. See the articles below to learn about Character Setup and Expression Sets.

Character Setup Walkthrough

Creating your Expression Set for use with AutoSolve

Step 3: Open a Performance and Retarget

1. Open Retargeter and navigate to “Performance -> Open…”.
2. Select the appropriate files and enable the “Generate AutoSolve” checkbox on the bottom right. Clicking ‘OK’ will open your performance and create AutoSolve animation on each of your Pose Groups.

If you prefer to work on a group-by-group basis, you have the option to do so. For each group, check on the AutoSolve box on the far right. Pressing the "Retarget" button will now created AutoSolve animation for the given group.

If this is checked off, no AutoSolve results will be generated and the next time you Retarget, only your Poses will be used to create animation. This option will be "Off" for each group by default when you first open a performance. You can find more information about creating poses here: Retargeter Workflow

Improving your AutoSolve Result

If you’re looking to improve the quality of the AutoSolve animation result, there are several ways to do this:

• The first thing is to take a look at it is your tracking data in Analyzer.  Do your best to make sure the tracking is accurate and free of jitter.
• Within Analyzer you should a Neutral Frame to your AutoSolve data when you parameterize. This gives the solve more information about the current actor and can help to get more accurate results in Retargeter.
• Adjusting your Expression Set is an easy way to change the way some of your shapes look in the AutoSolve animation. All facial rigs and characters are different so you’ll need to experiment a little to find the optimum facial expressions for use with AutoSolve.