[Bf-funboard] Feature proposal

[Roland Hess]

This is something that I've actually spent a lot of time thinking about, 
researching and even developing in my past work on BlenderPeople.

What most systems like this do is not so much to blend between different 
pre-built walk-cycles, as to paramaterize the process. The walking 
motion is generated via algorithm, based on the parameters set in the 
control panel. You get real-time feedback in the preview window. Of 
course, this means that the walk system only works with a single 
armature -- the parameter system and algorithms are developed around it. 
It really is great for:

- Quickly creating lots of walking characters;
- Creating a basis for hero character motion. You want a system that can 
generate decent walks, then bake that into live animation data that you 
can tweak or build on for hero-level animation.

This IS possible in Blender, but I think we would be better served to 
create a slightly more flexible system that won't tie animators to a 
single "approved" armature. Ideally, we want to have a system where you 
can simply point to your armature and designate which bones are the 
controls for feet, hands, pelvis, hips, etc.; set your walk parameters 
with an interactive preview; key your armature along the course you want 
the character to walk; then have it create the walk. This is do-able, 
and as it's a kind of mini-application, it should really be a script.

Although I hate the term script for such things. It makes them seem 
rinky-dink, when in fact they aren't. Why not let's start calling stuff 
like this a "Plug In"?

Roland
harkyman