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Meet MotionMaker: New AI Animation Tool In Maya
Introduces MotionMaker, Maya 2026.1's AI-driven locomotion synthesis tool that generates biped and quadruped motion from a few keyframes or a guide path, trained on dedicated mocap datasets.
Abstract
This talk introduces MotionMaker, a generative locomotion tool built into Maya and powered by Autodesk AI that combines machine learning, motion capture and keyframing to synthesize believable biped and quadruped motion. Animators create a character, set keyframes in space or draw a motion path, then hit generate to produce base motion that can be refined in MotionMaker's dedicated editor with action tags such as jump or sit. The system retargets standard biped or quadruped motion onto custom characters using HIK or custom retargeting solutions, and layers further edits like head turns via animation layers. It also covers path modes for locking motion to timing, speed ramping to move characters faster between points, and motion scale to convey weight for large characters.
How to read this
- Category
- Production talk / tool introduction (MotionMaker, Maya 2026.1)
- Contributions
- Introduces MotionMaker, a generative locomotion tool in Maya powered by Autodesk AI combining machine learning, motion capture and keyframing for biped and quadruped motion.
- Demonstrates generating base motion from keyframes or a drawn path, refining in a dedicated editor with action tags such as jump or sit, and layering edits like head turns via animation layers.
- Covers retargeting onto custom characters via HIK or custom solutions, plus path modes, speed ramping and motion scale to convey weight.
- Context
- Frames a learned in-betweening/locomotion approach in the lineage of work like Robust Motion In-Betweening, packaged as an artist-facing Maya feature.Builds on: Robust Motion In-Betweening
- Correctness
- Vendor introduction, not peer-reviewed; capabilities are product-demonstrated and the underlying mocap training data is described but not evaluated, so a reader should treat motion quality claims as marketing-curated.
- Clarity
- Very accessible overview aimed at animators; one pass conveys the feature set and intent.
- How to read it
- Watch once for what the tool can and cannot do (paths, action tags, retargeting, weight); pair with the quick-start tutorial for the actual workflow.
Builds on
Related work
- Generate animation with AI using Motion Maker in Maya 2026.1 2025 / Maya
- Autodesk MotionBuilder 2022 2021 / MotionBuilder
- MotionBuilder: Essentials Characterization, Retargeting and Baking Animations 2022 / MotionBuilder
- Motion Builder Characterization and Retargeting Tutorial 2022 / MotionBuilder
Keywords
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