OC3 Entertainment launches new facial animation system

Games industry specialists target animation and VFX market with new standalone tools for automated facial animation

Games industry specialist OC3 Entertainment has released a standalone version of its FaceFX software, previously used on over 100 major games.

The package takes audio and text files of dialogue and converts them automatically into facial animation, coping with both morph and bone-based rigs.

The system is even capable of using audio files to drive hand or body motion, as evidenced by the brief demo we saw at Siggraph.

OC3 tells us that it is keen to expand outside its games user base and is actively targeting animation professionals. More details below.


PRESS RELEASE
OC3 Entertainment Releases FaceFX Studio Standalone

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. Jul 30, 2009: OC3 Entertainment announces the release of FaceFX Studio Standalone, a new version of a facial animation program used in the development of over 100 triple-A video game titles. Previously, the FaceFX solution was licensed on a per-game-title basis, limiting the adoption of the technology to top tier game developers. Starting at SIGGRAPH 2009, FaceFX will also be available on a per-seat basis to any 3D animation professional requiring superior facial animation technology.

FaceFX (www.facefx.com) is a solution for synchronizing facial movements to an audio file. The software generates curves for lip synchronization, head rotations, eyebrow raises, and other speech gestures using audio and the accompanying text transcription. Animations can be modified and then imported into 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage, and MotionBuilder via custom plugins. FaceFX can be used with bones- and morph-based characters and is compatible with any conceivable character setup.

“Over the past seven years, OC3 Entertainment has developed technology in coordination with the needs of the world’s most respected game developers,” says Doug Perkowski, CEO of OC3 Entertainment. “We are thrilled that FaceFX Studio Standalone will make that technology accessible to more users.” FaceFX Studio Standalone will be sold on a per-seat basis for US $1,995.

About OC3 Entertainment

OC3 Entertainment is a private company dedicated to powering games, television, and the internet with realistic talking characters.

FaceFX is a registered trademark of OC3 Entertainment. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

OC3 Entertainment, Inc.
Doug Perkowski, CEO
(919) 767–0626
info@oc3ent.com