31/01/2006 MakeTarget 1.

1
MakeTarget 1.1 A short introduction
Author:
Manuel Bastioni
English version
(alphabetical order):
Alessandro Proglio
Antonio Di Cecca
Giovanni Lanza
Martin Mackinlay
MakeTarget (c) is a utility script for Blender (www.blender.org) developed to make custom morphings for
MakeHuman.
Making a new target is very easy: modify

the mesh you find in the .blend file and save it as a .target file.
By moving it into one of MakeHuman!s folders" on the ne#t restart of the application you will be able to use
the custom morphing as the default.
MakeTarget . allows you to use a new kind of file: .bs.
The .bs (body settings) file allow you to save the parameters used to make very comple# models. $or
e#ample" if a character has been modeled using % different kinds of morphing (.target files)" the .bs will
contain % parameters each with its own specific value. &nitially" this file format was intended to only
memori'e the work session" but later" it proved to be so versatile that it has become the principal instrument
for creating the main character libraries.
1 Without ever add or subtract vertex, otherwise the target will don't work.
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This is an e#ample of bs file:
targets(neck(neck)old.target".%%%%%%
targets(torso(torso)flabby.target".%%%%%%
targets(r)lower)arm(r)lower)arm)scrawny.target"%.*+%%%%
targets(r)upper)arm(r)upper)arm)scrawny.target"%.,-%%%%
targets(l)upper)leg(l)upper)leg)scrawny.target"%../%%%%
targets(r)upper)leg(r)upper)leg)scrawny.target"%../%%%%
targets(l)upper)arm(l)upper)arm)scrawny.target"%.,-%%%%
targets(abdomen(belly)out.target"%.+%%%%%
targets(l)shoulder(l)deltoid)scrawny.target"%.+0%%%%
targets(r)shoulder(r)deltoid)scrawny.target"%.+0%%%%
targets(r)cheek(r)cheek)hollow.target"%.10%%%%
targets(l)cheek(l)cheek)hollow.target"%.1.%%%%
targets(l)cheek(l)cheekbone)down.target"%.+%%%%
targets(l)cheek(l)cheek)flabby.target"%..0%%%%
targets(r)cheek(r)cheek)flabby.target"%.+/%%%%
targets(r)eye(r)eye)fold.target"%.-%%%%
targets(l)eye(l)eye)fold.target"%.-*%%%%
targets(l)eye(l)eye)e#ternal)corner)down.target"%...%%%%
targets(r)eye(r)eye)e#ternal)corner)down.target"%..%%%%
However" an instrument was also necessary to touch2up the result of the .bs file because it sometimes
lacks in detail and re3uires further morphings to be complete.
The new version of MakeTarget contains a fundamental feature to allow this: the possibility to import the
mesh into Blender" with any value.
This provides two important features in the modelling phase:
)To verify the behaviour of .bs with values variables between 2 and (fig. and *).
*)To apply the .bs" to make enhancements" and to then remove the .bs (with a negative value e3ual to the
positive value applied)" to obtain the enhancement!s target.
The first feature allows you to test the real effectiveness of the chosen variable values. 4s an e#ample we
show the illustrations of a baby bs applied with values " %..+" %.+" %.*+" %:
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The results of this bs can definitely be improved with some target enhancement!s" but the results are already
satisfying and demonstrate the usability of the parameters to obtain different ages of the mesh.
The other new and interesting feature is the visuali'ation of the deformation diagram.
4fter that the file .target is loaded" we can verify that it influences e#actly the desired regions" and that there
are no unwanted movements in verte#es not involved in the target. &n order to see the diagram in Blender we
fig. 1: Bodysetting baby applied with value 1, 0.!, 0.!
fig. ": Bodysetting baby applied with value 0."!, 0
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need to switch from object Mode to Vertex Paint (fig. ,).


4s an e#ample we have loaded some e#pressions targets" and then we have drawn the diagram (fig. 1).
This allows you to verify:
) that the target is optimi'ed" as it works only on the desired verte#es.
*) that the target is correctly symmetric.
fig. #: $ow to enable %erte& 'aint
in Blender
(ig. ): *&pressions targets
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Installation/use o t!e scri"t
The script re3uires Blender and MakeHuman. &ts use is e#tremely simple. 5ou have to un'ip it within the
directory containing the MakeHuman e#ecutable so as to be able to use all targets and body settings.
6nce the file.blend has been opened" right click over the te#t window and select 78#ecute 9cript7. 4 simple
:;& will appear:
The buttons are self2e#planatory and" as you can see" a value can be set when you load either a target or a
body setting. To remove a target or a body setting" you have to apply it again but with the opposite value e.g.
2 if the original value was <. 4fter having loaded a target you can press the button to draw the graph.