CG Dive: Mixamo Add-on for Blender

Introduction

• Overview of Mixamo Add-on
  • Released a couple of months ago
  • Free tool
  • Allows rigging and applying animations to characters
  • Integrates Mixamo animations with Blender
• Importance of Control Rig
  • Previously required transferring Mixamo animations to other rigs (e.g., Rigify, Auto-Rig Pro)
  • Add-on maintains Mixamo animations while adding control rigs

Retargeting Series

• Ongoing series on CG Dive
• Retargeting: transferring animation from one rig to another
• Mixamo Add-on as a simpler alternative for basic needs
• Limitation: Only works with Mixamo rigs and animations

Getting Started with Mixamo Add-on

1. Download and Install

• Get the add-on from the provided link
• Download the ZIP file without unzipping
• Install the add-on in Blender via Edit > Preferences > Add-ons > Install

2. Add-on Features

• Create Control Rig
• Understand which rigs can be converted

Using Mixamo for Characters and Animations

1. Mixamo Website

• Free service requiring sign-up
• Choose characters and animations, download with default settings

2. Importing to Blender

• Import FBX files into Blender
• Default FBX settings are sufficient
• Identify correct and incorrect bone orientations

Fixing Bone Orientations

1. Correct Mismatched Bone Orientations

• Use 'Automatic Bone Orientation' during import
• Corrects bone orientation issues

2. Testing Control Rig

• Demonstrates working and non-working scenarios

Solution for Reliable Control Rigs

1. Uploading Custom Characters to Mixamo

• Ensure character is in T-pose or A-pose
• Export model from Blender as FBX

2. Rigging in Mixamo

• Use Mixamo's rigging tools

3. Importing Rigged Character Back to Blender

• Import FBX back into Blender
• Apply and test control rigs

Applying Multiple Animations

1. Zero Out Rig

• Deletes current animations and resets character
• Create control rig again

2. Importing Additional Animations

• Download additional animations without skin
• Import multiple animations in Blender

3. Applying Animations to Control Rig

• Remove current source skeleton
• Select new animations and apply

Working with Animations and NLA Editor

1. Combining Animations

• Push Down actions to NLA Editor
• Set blend options for smooth transitions

2. Creating Tweak Layers

• Add new keyframes and adjust character motion

Other Mixamo Add-on Features

1. Bake Animation Option

• Bakes combined animations into a single action

2. Snap IK/FK

• Snap IK to FK positions and vice versa

3. Bake Between IK/FK Controls

• Bake actions from one control set (IK/FK) to the other

Conclusion

• Summary of Mixamo Add-on features and usage
• Encouragement to explore and create
• Mention of Patreon and other support options for CG Dive