Animation systems, rigs, and pipelines that scale to real-time production.

Approach

I architected a unified automation pipeline that completely bypassed the manual cleanup phase. By leveraging maya.cmds and PyMEL, and hooking directly into the studio's proprietary API, I built a single-click solution that automatically parsed the animatic scene, sanitized the data, and built the final animation hierarchy. The tool was designed with scalability in mind, allowing for easy updates as the pipeline evolved. I updated the tool from project to project, adding new features and optimizations based on animator feedback and changing production needs.

Impact

The Shot Prep tool was a game-changer for the animation department, reducing the shot preparation time from several hours to just a few minutes per shot. Now it is a standard part of the pipleine.

The Shot Prep tool encompassed several key features:

• Automated scene versioning/backups (backUpScene), garbage collection of empty groups (removeEmptyGroups), and algorithmic deletion of deprecated assets based on what is visible in the camera (assetVisibility).
• Automated the reparenting of assets (changeParentGroup) and executed complex renaming logic, specifically handling cast-type assets and props constrained to character rigs (constrainRename).
• Scripted the automated baking and removal of Time Warp curves (timeWarpBake).
• Programmed the tool to automatically toggle visibility states for Animatic groups (shotVisibility) and generate a final "shotblast" for immediate Director/Lead review (shotBlasting).
• Logged per-shot inputs, actions, and results to trace failures quickly and verify correct output.

Impact

The Shot Prep tool not only saved time but also significantly reduced errors and improved the overall efficiency of the animation pipeline. By automating the most tedious and error-prone aspects of shot preparation, it allowed animators to focus more on creative work rather than technical troubleshooting, ultimately leading to higher-quality animations and a smoother production process.

Approach

I developed an automated import tool that streamlined the process of bringing Unreal Engine animation data into Maya. By utilizing the builtin Maya Python API and automatizing internal legacy MEL tools and internal API calls, I created a system that could read Unreal Engine export files, parse the animation data, and automatically apply it to the corresponding rigs in Maya.

Structure

I had to work closely with cast TDs and Unreal Engine specialists to ensure that the tool could handle the specific requirements of our pipeline and the unique challenges of working with real-time assets. With this collaboration, we standardized the proccess and ensured that the tool could handle a wide range of scenarios, from simple character animations to complex scenes with multiple rigs and assets.

Implemented features included:

• Shot creation in Maya and database, based on CSV input from Unreal Engine.
• Manipulating legacy MEL tool's window state and UI elements based on the fbx file's rig type and content.
• Using internal API calls to create the correct hiearchy and shot structure in Maya.
• Importing camera animation and applying it to the correct camera rigs in Maya.
• Automated animation data import to correct assets.
• Necessary animation modifications (e.g. retiming, charcter-specific adjustments) based on the project's needs.
• Automatic animation cleaning with Euler filtering.

Impact

Standardized the UE-to-Maya animation import process, significantly reducing the time and effort required to bring Unreal Engine animation data into Maya. This tool not only saved time but also reduced errors and improved the overall efficiency of the animation pipeline, allowing animators to focus more on creative work rather than technical troubleshooting.

Approach

Extended the UE-to-Maya pipeline to handle Metahuman-specific facial rigs and control curve mappings. Used the Maya API to create a robust import system that could read Unreal Engine exports and apply the facial animation data to the corresponding controls in Maya. Worked closely with the Unreal Engine team to understand the structure of the Metahuman animation data and ensure that the import process preserved the fidelity of the original performance.

Impact

Enabled faster facial animation iteration by automating the import of UE-generated Metahuman facial performances into Maya, allowing animators to focus on refining the performance rather than dealing with technical issues.