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[johnar]

 Inspired by a post in script requests by captaindrewi re wav files in scene mode

 For syncronising wav files i've always used magpie pro and a pen and paper. You can download and use the free version, as all you need is the image of the wav file next to the list of frame numbers.

 If you'd rather not use pen and paper, you can arrange magpie to look like this... (1st image)

 Another way, which just came to me, is shown in the second image.
 Basically, the wav file you see is  another way it is shown in magpie.  I drag-copied that part with 'snagit' image capture and applied the image to a tall box which i made in anim8or and then imported to scene mode.  
 As you work further along the wav file, if it doesn't all fit on the box, its just a matter of adding  the next image to the box as required. (or moving image with UV)

EDit:  You can add the text in magpie by double clicking in the 'comments' box and adding the relevant letter/sound.
 I've posted a third image where you can see this.  The part wav file says "oh fascinating". (only some is showing).
 The letters are a little hard to see, (magpie does that), and the box needs to be a little wider because the text is 3 collums along. But, theres probly a way to sort those small issues  out.

[cooldude234]

I do the same thing but with different software, but thanks for sharing non the less (I don't really have any thing good to say ).

[captaindrewi]

Thanks for sharing this interesting approach Johnar.

[johnar]

 Inspired by ianross, script requests, reference/storyboard images in Sequence mode.

This one is a similar theory as the 'temporary' box in Scene mode with the '.wav file' texture, except this 'picture box' is added in Figure mode.
 I've used a flat area, added image, (just an example), and added that object to a bone in the figure.(fig mode)
 If you attach it to the wrong bone, you can come across problems with the ref image moving.
  It seems that the best place to attach it to would be a small bone just above the root bone. That bone would have zero movement. Think of it as a second root bone, whose only purpose is to allow you to add reference images in Figure mode, which in turn, allows you to view images in Sequence mode. (and Scene mode)
  The object doesn't need to be actually 'on' the bone, so you can  place the 'reference image' pretty well anywhere, once you've 'added it to that bone. So you can move it quite a way behind the figure, out of the way.
 You can also make them quite large.
 (Actually, if you added 2 images you could probly set it up just like in object mode, front view and side view.) 
 

[ianross]

Good idea, Johnar,  I also use magpie check out the below link, but now I started using Papaga8or, have you tried using this technique?

[johnar]

 Hi Ian,
  Re Papaga8or, can't say i've actually tried it.

 As far as lipsyncing goes, i just stick with old-school, (by hand), 'match the animation frames with the sound file frames'.
 The graph editor in Anim8or is really awesome for lip syncing and facial movements, because it gives you such 'real time' fine control over the strength of the morph targets.  Perfect also when mixing 'a little bit of this with a little bit of that'. Expands the possibilities.  

 Takes a bit of time, but i haven't seen any ' lip syncing software' that does a better or easier job, yet.

 (These aren't tuts, below, just a couple of short vids. Have been thinking about making a lip sync tutorial for quite a while now....)

 

   



  

[ianross]

Please try Papaga8or, if you need help with it, I can help you, the videos are great.

[johnar]

 Hi.  Sorry took so long to reply.  

I've been playing with papaga8or.  

 Firstly, thanks Ianross for twisting my arm to finally try it out, and also, GR8 program neirao!!
(i was busy when this first came out, and never got round to trying it later on. Man , time flys!!))
 
 As an 'automatic morph sequencer', it works really well. Excellent.
 As an 'automatic speech sequencer', it also works really well, and it could be gr8 for laying out some basic sentences,
as long as your characters phenomes are set up correctly.
 As with any 'type written automatic speech system, the biggest draw backs are timing related and tweaking related.
 For more realistic mouth movements you would need to go through the keys tweaking morph strengths, and adjusting timing, but,  Its definately a well written program, it does exactly what it says it does, and with a an update or 2, has real potential as an even better automatic speech sequencer for Anim8or.
( The timing thing could possibly be improved, perhaps by something like entering start frame numbers into the text, so you could create pauses in the speech etc...)

 Hav got a couple questions, thoughts, for Neirao, so in the next day or so will visit his original Papaga8or post.

 Its a great tool for the Anim8or toolbox. Thanks again for bringing it back to light.....

[johnar]

 Have been playing a bit with lipsyncing, and found, so far, what i consider a pretty good set up for manually lip syncing speech.
 In the pic you can see how it is. (just had to show it off). 
 I've discovered that if the programs aren't overlapping, then magpie doesn't keep minimizing every time you click on anim8or. So this setup actually works perfectly.
 Its awesome. Would recommend it to anyone wanting to try some lipsyncing. I'm really happy.       

note. ( Magpie has a 30 day trial, but if you can find an older version, (v 1.1 or earlier) it doesn't seem to have a trial period that expires.)