MotionBuilder, Alias’ 3D character building application has become more powerful, offering more integration with Maya 7, and many additional features in comparison with the previous version.

New features in MotionBuilder revolve around actors, characters, the control rig and pose, constraints and handles, and animation. Saving and backing up have been improved as well.

MotionBuilder 7 is still very much a professional-level application, meaning it hasn’t become easier to work with.

In MotionBuilder 7, you can create Character Extensions to control any type of object associated with your character, whether it is an extra limb, a weapon your character carries, or a spot light that follows your character around. 

Character Extensions are particularly useful for character models that have atypical features (such as tails, wings, or extra limbs) or any other associated object (such as a prop or light). All types of objects can be added to a Character Extension so that they can be controlled and keyed along with your character. You can also create and reuse poses based on objects in a Character Extension.

Once you have created Character Extensions for a character, you can use the Properties window to define exactly what is keyed when you set keyframes on the Character Extension. By default, the translation and rotation properties for objects in the Character Extension are keyframed.

In MotionBuilder Pro the Character Controls window now has a File menu so that you can quickly save and load character animation. To use these options, you must have a characterized character in your scene and it must be selected in the Current Character menu.

Another novelty which improves on realism, is floor contact. Whenever a character goes up or down a slope, the feet will position themselves as in real life.

There is now improved visual feedback for Control rigs as you animate a character. Each feedback element is designed to help you identify which part of the rig you are working with, how your character is moving, and how it is affected by manipulations over time.

You can turn the visibility of the feedback elements on or off, or change the color and style of each element in the Properties window.

MotionBuilder 7 has many new constraints. One of the most useful is the aim constraint which allows you to aim an object to a light or other source, so that it looks like there’s interaction between them.