Sounds good Although not versed in scripting language and will have to learn the syntax. I do program and have for many years so when we reach this crossroad I will be ready willing and able...

I've met many programmers.... and those whom learn to rig.... Become GODS of CGI
You got this hands down! You just don't know it.

Here's what I've learned.... 
I do NOT know syntax from Cynthia! :P
...but I know how to control a bone. :rolleyes:

9/2017)[/b]

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paulg625,

Eye Rotation:.... also introduces you to building Facial User Interface... Like Reallusion's Face Puppet.
...using the previous example, "Brow and Head"


All makes sense Thanks so much, looking forward to more. I appreciate all your help!!!

I've met many programmers.... and those whom learn to rig.... Become GODS of CGI
They quickly become, "Technical Directors."
...because they can read it... write it... walk the walk and talk the talk!
You got this hands down! You just don't know it.

Here's what I've learned.... 
I do NOT know syntax from Cynthia! :P
...but I know how to control a bone. :rolleyes:

Please understand that I've shown you "some" basic rigging practices, but there is much more to go over.
~ Changing Controllers
* TCB
* Quaternion
* Euler
BEZIER and (3-Point Controls)
....and more.

Yes I understand much remains to be learned.  Looking forward to learning... Thanks for sharing you knowledge....

You Welcome!:)

Are you able to add facial bones to a character?
Example:

iClone requires a simple FK Skeleton.
To add face bones:
~ Set them to fit the area of skin.
~ Give each bone a point helper (as its Parent)
~ Link the helpers to the Head bone.
Skin It...
POOF! :)
_____________________________________________________________________

EDIT:
The reason you want to add point helpers is for the "Expression Editor."
To raise the inner or outter Brow.... Move the bone.

Please let me know if your able to follow me.
...so I can wrap this up by showing you "The Final Piece."  (Jaw and Tongue bones):)

If you're able to follow... I can show you how to add "Realism" to the Mouth.
~ When the Jaw opens... the mouth corner bones moves downward (approx. 1/3 the distance of the Jaw's rotation)
~ This enables very nice Phonemes & Viseme morphs.

You add this functionality.... "Weighting" an "Orientation Constraint" (Between 2 Objects) ;)

It's super EZ...
1. You give the Jaw bone a (2ND) point helper.
2. You apply an Orientation Constraint (to the 2ND point helper) and the Jaw bone.
This means you are constraining the (2nd point helper) to the Jaw bone.

When the Jaw rotates open....
~ You WEIGHT the (2nd) point helper = 33.5 percent.
~ You WEIGHT the (Jaw bone) = 66.5 percent.


You can use Orientation constraints in iClone... but you can NOT "Weight" the value between (2) bones or objects.
This opens up a whole new world.
Feedback Tracker :)

Yes with you so far.

If you're able to follow... I can show you how to add "Realism" to the Mouth.
~ When the Jaw opens... the mouth corner bones moves downward (approx. 1/3 the distance of the Jaw's rotation)
~ This enables very nice Phonemes & Viseme morphs.

Now you place many more bones around the mouth area. Would you only have to influence the two in the very corner bones?

You add this functionality.... "Weighting" an "Orientation Constraint" (Between 2 Objects) ;)

It's super EZ...
1. You give the Jaw bone a (2ND) point helper.
2. You apply an Orientation Constraint (to the 2ND point helper) and the Jaw bone.
This means you are constraining the (2nd point helper) to the Jaw bone.

Ok This second helper, I think it's helping to move the corners of the mouth. Is this right? So in the bone hierarchy is the helper is it before the Jaw bone to head or between the Jaw and mouth corners? Or outside this to allow you to control jaw separate and the helper is attached to both so when you move the helper it moves both based on the influence of the settings you describe?     Want to make sure I understand the placement of the second helper...

When the Jaw rotates open....
~ You WEIGHT the (2nd) point helper = 33.5 percent.
~ You WEIGHT the (Jaw bone) = 66.5 percent.


You can use Orientation constraints in iClone... but you can NOT "Weight" the value between (2) bones or objects.
This opens up a whole new world.
Feedback Tracker :)

I will be studying this entire document for some time as I move forward glad you had me start the post it will always be easy to find and review as I am studying this. 

Update: Started re-watching my Lightwave rigging tutorial series this morning.  And to reset the local XYZ coordinates in Lightwave it has a short cut so it is a fairly simple process of resetting the local zero and than resting the bone ( as they call it). 

Still with you ... Master Rigger... I'll hold questions because seems the next step would have answered them anyway...