What is MotionPlus?

The MotionPlus is a new format that includes all motion data in one file. It is easy to reuse for different characters in iClone. By using 3DXchange, you can quickly animate your custom characters in iClone and export the characters along with the animations (in MotionPlus format) to your favorite 3D software.

The Benefits of MotionPlus

The benefits of using MotionPlus are listed below:

• One File for All: Instead of separately saving a character's facial expressions, body motions, constraints result, visibility, sound, accessories and accessories' data into different custom libraries for further reuse, you are able to use MotionPlus to include every item listed above in order to build a single custom library with all-inclusive motion data.
• Reuse in iClone: The MotionPlus format is suitable for standard and non-standard iClone charactesr. Therefore, to copy a character's motion data from one to another one is easier than ever. Even though the characters may have different bone structures or attached accessories, MotionPlus can still be used to apply the data that responds to the identical parts the characters have.
• Build Persona Right-click Menu: The character's persona can not only trigger the body motion as before, but also the character's facial expressions as well as other data as mentioned above. Simply use the perform command in the right-click menu and the character can perform complete animations.
• Minimum Files for Export: If you want to export characters with their motions, expressions and accessories to external 3D tools, then you do not need to separately export them into different FBX files and combine them later on in 3D tools like in previous versions of iClone. Simply use the MotionPlus format to reduce the total number of required files to export.

Data Included in MotionPlus and Transferred into FBX

The MotionPlus is a new format for combining different motion or animation types of the iClone character. It can include the body motions, facial animations, constraint keys, spring data or even accessory data. Please refer to the table below:

Although MotionPlus contains many types of data, when you want to export it into FBX format, some data unsupported by FBX will be ignored and removed from the file, meanwhile, the motions or animation-related data will be merged and baked to bones (please also refer to the Icon in Motion Library section for more information):

Character's Data in iClone		Includable by FBX
Body Motion		O (baked to motion)
Facial Animations	Voice Clips	X
	Lipsync Keys	O (baked to motion)
	Expression Clips	O (baked to motion)
	Facial Layer Keys	O (baked to motion)
Sound		X
Visible		X
Spring Effects		O (baked to motion)
Accessory Data	Animations	O (baked to motion)
	Sound	X
	Visible	X
	Spring Effects	O (baked to motion)

To sum up, the motion data flow from iClone to FBX can be shown in the illustration below:
(Please note that the character's voice is includable in MotionPlus but will be removed when being exported into FBX)

Please refer to the links below:

Reusing MotionPlus Data for iClone Characters

• Exchanging Body Motions and Constraint Keys
• Exchanging Body Motions and Facial Expressions
• Exchanging Body Motions, Accessory Animations and Spring Effects
• Splitting Motion Groups in Timeline

Creating Custom Character Persona

• Including Visibility in Perform Command
• Performing with Sound to Enhance Dramatic Sensation

Exporting Character's Data to External 3D Tools

• Exporting Face-body Animated iClone Character to 3D Tools
• Exporting Character Attached with Animated Accessories

Utilizing MotionPlus for Characters Made by Other 3D Tools

• Bringing iClone Animations to Bone-based Characters
• Bringing iClone Animations to Morph-based Characters