What is MotionPlus? (New for 5.5)

MotionPlus is a new format that includes all motion data in one file. It is easy to reuse for different characters in iClone. By using 3DXchange, you can quickly animate your custom characters in iClone and export the character along with the animations (in MotionPlus format) to your favorite 3D software.

The Benefits of MotionPlus

The benefits of using MotionPlus are listed below:

• One File for All: Instead of separately saving a character's facial expressions, body motions, constraint results, visibility, sound, accessories and accessory data into different custom libraries for further reuse, you are able to use MotionPlus to include every item listed above in order to build a single custom library with all-inclusive motion data.
• Reuse in iClone: The MotionPlus format is suitable for standard and non-standard iClone characters. Therefore it's easier than ever to copy complete animation data from one character to another. Even though the characters may have different bone structures or attached accessories, MotionPlus can still be used, and will apply relevant motion data to any identical parts the characters both have.
• Build Persona Right-click Menu: A character's persona can not only trigger body motion as before, but also the character's facial expressions and more other data as mentioned above. Simply use the perform command in the right-click menu and the character can perform complete animations.
• Minimum Files for Export: If you want to export characters with their motions, expressions and accessories to external 3D tools, then you do not need to separately export them into different FBX files and combine them later on in 3D tools like you used to do. Simply use the MotionPlus format to include all and the number of files required for export can thus be minimized.

Data Included in MotionPlus and Transferred into FBX

MotionPlus is a new format used for combining different motion or animation types into a single iClone character. It can include the body motions, facial animations, constraint keys, spring stages or even the accessories' data. Please refer to the table below:

Although MotionPlus contains many types of data, when you want to export it into FBX format, some data unsupported by FBX will be ignored and removed from the file. Meanwhile, the motions or animation related data will be baked and flattened to the bones (please also refer to the Icon in Motion Library section for more information):

Character's Data in iClone		Includable by FBX
Body Motion		O (baked to motion)
Facial Animations	Voice Clips	X
	Lipsync Keys	O (baked to motion)
	Expression Clips	O (baked to motion)
	Facial Layer Keys	O (baked to motion)
Sound		X
Visible		X
Spring Effects		O (baked to motion)
Accessory Data	Animations	O (baked to motion)
	Sound	X
	Visible	X
	Spring Effects	O (baked to motion)

To sum up, the motion data flow from iClone to FBX can be shown as the illustration below:
(Please note that the character's voice is includable in MotionPlus but will be removed when being exported into FBX)

Please refer to the links below:

Reusing MotionPlus Data for iClone Characters (in iClone)

• Baking Constraint Results - Path, HumanIK, Link, LookAt
• Body Motion and Facial Expressions
• Accessory Animation and Spring Effects
• Splitting Motion Groups for Timeline Editing
• Filtering Out Separate Motions from a MotionPlus File

Creating Custom Character Right-click Perform List (collaborating with iClone)

• Including Visibility in Perform Command
• Performing with Sound Effects

Exporting Character's Data to External 3D Tools (collaborating with iClone)

• Exporting Face-body Animated iClone Character to 3D Tools
• Exporting Character Attached with Animated Accessories

Utilizing MotionPlus for Characters Made by Other 3D Tools (collaborating with iClone)

• Bringing iClone Animations to Bone-based Characters
• Bringing iClone Animations to Morph-based Characters