iClone 7 Roadmap for 2019
For 2019, Reallusion will refocus more iClone team members toward the development of iClone 8. In the process, iClone 7 will still see the release of many exciting new features. For the year ahead, you can look forward to the following activities:
- More effort will be spent on supporting developers who wish to work with the iClone Python API in a push to extend iClone's native functionalities.
- Besides adding new professional mocap profiles, popular consumer level mocap devices will also be supported by Motion LIVE 2.0 including Kinect and SteamVR.
- We will advance our efforts for streamlined game engine pipelines; Especially with the inclusion of Unreal Live Link which allows the Unreal Engine to render live motion from iClone.
Open iClone Ecosystem with New Python APIs and Plugin Marketplace
iClone 7 is evolving into an OPEN program with robust extensibility. Case in point is the Motion LIVE mocap plugin built with the iClone 7 API which is a prime example of external technological integration with iClone. Creative developers can now easily augment animation tools and add custom devices to iClone with Python scripting. More>
The first version of iClone’s Python API was launched at the end of 2018 and in just one month, we’ve already seen some impressive plugins made by developers.
Check out some interesting samples:
To better support plugin developers, both Plugin Developer Center and the Plugin Marketplace will be ready for developers to upload, share, and even sell their plugins.
Additionally, more Python APIs will be released for each quarter, such as particle control, render parameters, physics interaction, data in/out and mesh edit. Along with the new APIs releases, more creative applications of the plugins will be made possible.
Moreover, to encourage more outstanding developers to join the iClone OPEN ecosystem, a Plugin Design Contest will be held in 2019. Reallusion will provide a highly competitive reward for the developers who can build the most creative yet practical plug-ins.
Motion LIVE 2.0 with IK Driven Mocap and Animation Trigger
The IK Driven design allows a relatively simple Mocap device, such as Leap Motion, Kinect or SteamVR (VIVE, Oculus hand controllers) to naturally drive a character’s arms and upper body movements. It can effectively facilitate applications like virtual host, live broadcast, as well as fast animation production.
Stream iClone Animation to Unreal by LIVE LINK
In 2019, real-time connection between iClone and Unreal will become a reality. Via Live Link, iClone will be able to synchronize character motions directly to Unreal for unmatched real-time render quality and cut out the tedious task of manual importing.
Film Level Facial Animation, Facial Hair, and Face Creation Plugin
Besides the functions mentioned above, 3D characters will be greatly enhanced with muscle detail and animation realism. We will also include facial hair, facial morph with wrinkles, as well as Joint Controlled Morphs (JCM) in iClone. The highly anticipated Photo-to-3D Face Plugin will be part of the plan in 2019.
Looks to be another exciting year for all of us!
Please stay tuned for more to come! :)
Tony
Product Marketing Manager
www.reallusion.com