sunrise1028 / metahuman_rig_transfer

A series of python scripts to modify the metahuman rig into a new one for Maya.

Metahuman Rig Transfer Script

A series of python scripts to modify the metahuman rig into a new one for Maya.

Link to youtube video demo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF-z1aZQUYE

Table of Content

1. Prerequisite
2. Instruction
3. Optional Instruction
4. License

PREREQUISITE:

(written in Py 2.7)

Will not work in Maya 2022 unless it starts with python 2 enabled. By default you can use the python-3 branch (untested) or you can use this tutorial to change Maya 2022 to start with python 2.

1. The new head to which the bones are to be rigged must share the same UV and topology as the original metahuman head. A program like R3DS Wrap will help with it.
2. The file you download from Metahuman will have its embeddedNodeRL4 node named after the DNA_RL file, something like Kristopher_rl or rl4Embedded_Kristofer_rl, if the name of the metahuman was Kristopher. Change that to rigLogicNode
3. 
4. 

Good Practices

It's advised to save a copy of your maya file before attempting this, as it creates new nodes in the rig logic network and is not undoable.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Save all the files in some folder, preferrably the script folder of your maya project.
2. Open the Combined_MH.py script in maya. You don't have to touch the others.
3. Copy and paste the location of the said folder into the script. No need to change the forward slash or anything else.
4. Copy and paste the name of the newly formed head as shown in the image. Replace "NewHead" with that mesh's name.
5. Execute the file, and wait for a prompt that says Proceed now
6. Now the bones should be aligned to the surface of the new mesh. It's time to rig the new head and transfer bone weights.
7. Select DHIhead:spine_04 and then the New mesh together in the outliner in that order. Go to Skin >> bind skin (options) and make sure you have the settings like this
8. 
9. Now its time to copy skin weights. Select the original metahuman head and the new head in the outliner in this order, then to go skin >> copy skin weights and make sure the settings looks like this.
10. 
11. You are now done, play with your new rigged head.

Optional

If the joints are too big for you to see how they are aligned, you can select DHI:spin_04 from the outliner, and then run the select joint children.py script to select all joints in the heirarchy. You can now go to the channel box and change the bone's radius to something like 0.2 instead of the original 1.

License

Not for commercial use, even if modified. Attribution not needed but is appreciated.