FaceControls
The FaceControls object defines a set of properties for controlling the facial expressions of a character head capable of animation.
The FaceControls properties are based on the Facial Action Coding System (FACS), a comprehensive system for describing all visually discernible facial movement based on anatomy. FaceControls properties can only be set between 0 and 1. Different combinations of the FaceControls property values create different facial expressions. Recording multiple facial expressions over time creates facial animation.
What is a Animatable Head?
A animatable head is a MeshPart that implements a facial rig and is capable of playing facial animations and triggering facial expressions. A FaceControls object that is a child of a head MeshPart can change the facial expressions of the head.
A head consists of the following three components:
- Skinned MeshPart instance for the head geometry with an internal rig that deforms this skinned MeshPart
- FaceControls instance that drives the internal rig when properties such as FaceControls.JawDrop are changed.
- Cage WrapTarget instance for tight fitting facial accessories
In a third-party modeling tool, such as Blender or Maya, an artist can create a joint-driven facial rig, pose the joints to match each of the individual FACS controls, and save as an FBX. When a head .FBX is imported in Studio, a facs-to-joint mapping is created. This mapping deforms the mesh geometry when FaceControls properties are changed. The mapping and the facial rig (including Bone instances) are not exposed to developers and can only be accessed through the FaceControls instance. The MeshPart for a Dynamic Head looks and behaves the same as a regular MeshPart except when a FaceControls instance is a child of the MeshPart. Editing the properties of the FaceControls deforms the MeshPart's geometry. These properties are available to animate in the Animation Editor.
See Facial Animation for more information on usage and creation of a animateable head.
Summary
Properties
Raises the chin up; moves the lower lip upwards.
Moves the upper lip when ChinRaiser is engaged and touching the upper lip.
Brings the left and right brows inward together.
Moves gaze down.
Moves gaze left.
Moves gaze right.
Moves gaze up.
Also known as lip tightener; brings the corners of the mouth inward and pressing the lips back against the teeth.
Lowers the left brow down.
Puffs up the left cheek.
Squints the left eye.
Moves the corners of the mouth back in Z.
Closes the left eyelid.
Raises the left eyelid upwards to reveal more of the eye white above the iris.
Raises the interior half of the left brow upwards.
Lowers the corners of the mouth downwards in a frown.
Raises the corners of the mouth upwards in a smile.
Stretches the corners of the mouth apart.
Lowers the lower lip down away from the upper lip revealing the lower teeth.
Raise the left nostril, pulls the brow down slightly, and wrinkles on the side of the nose.
Raises the outer part of the left brow upwards.
Raises the left upper lip away from the lower lip revealing the upper teeth.
Presses the lips together.
Brings the lips together relative to JawDrop.
Rolls the lower lip up over the teeth.
Moves the mouth right.
Lowers the right brow down.
Puffs up the right cheek.
Squints the right eye.
Moves the corners of the mouth back in Z.
Closes the right eyelid.
Raises the right eyelid upwards to reveal more of the eye white above the iris.
Raises the interior half of the right brow upwards.
Lowers the corners of the mouth downwards in a frown.
Raises the corners of the mouth upwards in a smile.
Stretches the corners of the mouth apart.
Lowers the lower lip down away from the upper lip revealing the lower teeth.
Raises the right nostril, pulls the brow down slightly, and wrinkles on the side of the nose.
Raises the outer part of the right brow upwards.
Raises the right upper lip away from the lower lip revealing the upper teeth.
Bends the tongue down.
Rolls the upper lip around the teeth.
Methods
Events
Properties
ChinRaiser
Raises the chin up; moves the lower lip upwards
ChinRaiserUpperLip
Moves the upper lip when ChinRaiser is engaged and touching the upper lip
Corrugator
Brings the left and right brows inward together
EyesLookDown
Moves gaze down
EyesLookLeft
Moves gaze left
EyesLookRight
Moves gaze right
EyesLookUp
Moves gaze up
FlatPucker
Also known as lip tightener; brings the corners of the mouth inward and pressing the lips back against the teeth
Funneler
Makes a 'O' shape with the mouth
JawDrop
Lowers the jaw downward opening the mouth
JawLeft
JawRight
Moves mouth and jaw to the right (character right)
LeftBrowLowerer
Lowers the left brow down
LeftCheekPuff
Puffs up the left cheek
LeftCheekRaiser
Squints the left eye
LeftDimpler
Moves the corners of the mouth back in Z
LeftEyeClosed
Closes the left eyelid
LeftEyeUpperLidRaiser
Raises the left eyelid upwards to reveal more of the eye white above the iris
LeftInnerBrowRaiser
Raises the interior half of the left brow upwards
LeftLipCornerDown
Lowers the corners of the mouth downwards in a frown
LeftLipCornerPuller
Raises the corners of the mouth upwards in a smile
LeftLipStretcher
Stretches the corners of the mouth apart
LeftLowerLipDepressor
Lowers the lower lip down away from the upper lip revealing the lower teeth
LeftNoseWrinkler
Raise the left nostril, pulls the brow down slightly, and wrinkles on the side of the nose
LeftOuterBrowRaiser
Raises the outer part of the left brow upwards
LeftUpperLipRaiser
Raises the left upper lip away from the lower lip revealing the upper teeth
LipPresser
Presses the lips together
LipsTogether
Brings the lips together relative to JawDrop
LowerLipSuck
Rolls the lower lip up over the teeth
MouthLeft
Moves the mouth left
MouthRight
Moves the mouth right
Pucker
Makes a kiss-like shape with the mouth
RightBrowLowerer
Lowers the right brow down
RightCheekPuff
Puffs up the right cheek
RightCheekRaiser
Squints the right eye
RightDimpler
Moves the corners of the mouth back in Z
RightEyeClosed
Closes the right eyelid
RightEyeUpperLidRaiser
Raises the right eyelid upwards to reveal more of the eye white above the iris
RightInnerBrowRaiser
Raises the interior half of the right brow upwards
RightLipCornerDown
Lowers the corners of the mouth downwards in a frown
RightLipCornerPuller
Raises the corners of the mouth upwards in a smile
RightLipStretcher
Stretches the corners of the mouth apart
RightLowerLipDepressor
Lowers the lower lip down away from the upper lip revealing the lower teeth
RightNoseWrinkler
Raises the right nostril, pulls the brow down slightly, and wrinkles on the side of the nose
RightOuterBrowRaiser
Raises the outer part of the right brow upwards
RightUpperLipRaiser
Raises the right upper lip away from the lower lip revealing the upper teeth
TongueDown
Bends the tongue down
TongueOut
Extends the tip of the tongue out of the mouth
TongueUp
Bends the tongue up
UpperLipSuck
Rolls the upper lip around the teeth