FPS Mesh Tool

I'm proud to announce the release of FPS Mesh Tool, the quickest and easiest way to prepare character models for use in FPS games.

FPS Mesh Tool makes it quick and easy to prepare any skinned mesh for use in an FPS. It splits your base mesh into separate submeshes for the body, head, and arms, allowing you to apply different materials (eg invisible) to the arms, head, or body as needed. This works beautifully for transitions between first and third person, and is fully compatible with the full body awareness features of Opsive's Ultimate Character Controller and UFPS. Additionally, FPS Mesh Tool can create meshes that only include the body parts you choose, which makes creation of FPS arms a snap from any skinned mesh.

Features

• New: Works with Opsive's Ultimate Character Controller.
• New: Runtime helpers make material toggling easier than ever.
• Quick and easy creation of FPS-ready mesh from any skinned mesh.
• Create FPS arms from any skinned mesh.
• Use standard humanoid animations with FPS arms.
• Optionally separate left and right arms and legs.
• Compatible with UFPS.
• Adjust bone weight and vertex count thresholds to fine tune body/arms/head borders.
• Preview results in realtime.
• Invisible shadow casting materials included.
• Support for blend shapes (requires Unity 5.3+)
• Works with all Unity versions from 5.3 to 2018.3.

Model Compatibility
FPS Mesh Tool works great with Unity character models from most sources. Here's a list of some sources we've tried. In addition to the specific sources listed below, I've tested it with several standalone third-party characters on the asset store, and it's worked great on all of them.

Works Great:

• Mixamo
• Fuse
• Poser
• Daz3D
• MakeHuman
• Morph 3D (MCS) (Requires Unity 5.3+)
• IClone

Needs Help:

• UMA*

*FPS Mesh Tool relies on being able to create a prefab for the final mesh. Initial testing with UMA hasn't been fruitful, but it might work fine with UMA Power Tools, since that allows creation of UMA prefabs.

Using it is simple:

• Open the FPS Mesh Tool window from the Window menu.
• Select a GameObject or prefab.
• If you selected a prefab, click Instantiate.
• If you don't want to process all mesh renderers, deselect the ones you don't want.
• Click Create Preview.
• FPS Mesh Tool will make its best guess at the head, left arm, and right arm transforms. If they're not correct, adjust them.
• Drag weight and vertex threshold sliders until you like the result.
• Click the Build FPS Mesh button
• ???
• Profit!

Video:

Screenshots:






You can get FPS Mesh Tool on the Asset Store here.

 

12 erros upon import

Assets/CBG/FPSMeshTool/Editor/FPSMeshToolWindow.cs(438,42): error CS1729: The type `Triangle' does not contain a constructor that takes `0' arguments

Assets/CBG/FPSMeshTool/Editor/FPSMeshToolWindow.cs(442,53): error CS1729: The type `Triangle' does not contain a constructor that takes `2' arguments


Assets/CBG/FPSMeshTool/Editor/FPSMeshToolWindow.cs(512,34): error CS1061: Type `Triangle' does not contain a definition for `verts' and no extension method `verts' of type `Triangle' could be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)

Assets/CBG/FPSMeshTool/Editor/FPSMeshToolWindow.cs(546,22): error CS0021: Cannot apply indexing with [] to an expression of type `Triangle'


Assets/CBG/FPSMeshTool/Editor/FPSMeshToolWindow.cs(546,18): error CS1502: The best overloaded method match for `System.Collections.Generic.List<int>.Add(int)' has some invalid arguments


and so on

 

Sorry about that. It looks like you're seeing a namespace conflict. I've put together a new build that should work for you. If you email your invoice number to support@codebison.ca, I'll send you the new build.

 

Does your asset support the ability to separate the legs as well? So that I could only show the legs and arms from a first person view?

 

This isn't supported currently. I'll look into this and see if it's practical to add this feature.

Thanks for your question!

 

If it could cut somewhere around the waste it would fit my project needs perfectly. Right now I'm currently using separate arms and legs. Let me know if you choose to implement this and I will buy!

 

Seems like a bit of an odd request, but you could probably get somewhat close by making your "Head" object start much lower at say the Spine (or the lowest object above your two legs). It would probably look a little odd in the editor, but in essence it would have the arms, the Hips down and you could make the Hips up invisible with the correct material.


http://bit.ly/1DcJEcJ

 

I've added this in version 1.0.2. Here's a preview:
I've submitted the new version to the Asset Store. If you don't want to wait for the update to be approved, you can email your invoice number to support@codebison.ca and I'll send you the latest build.

 

Thanks for the update! I just got the asset.

 

Glad I could do something to improve the tool for you. Let me know if you have any requests or suggestions.

 

a quick question, I have skinned and animated some aircraft.
I forgot to separate the prop.(I actually thought I could animate them into a natural blur..wrong!)

instead of going back and redoing all of them..

can I use this tool just to separate one specific bone?



The prop? (I know..pretty stupid!!)

Does it matter what bone? what the skin mesh is?..biped or other..
I can not imagine that it would...but

Simply put...is this script based? Are you looking for string values , ie " %_RightArm"., "%_Head"....where are those 3 'Bone' values coming from?? A private array of transforms..populated by a Hard coded values?

My skin , weight maps and Bone's are originally Poser, to Daz (Decimator), to Maya, to Unity.
Very Hard Edges, that matches the mesh topology...

I should be able to just drag my prop bone..done..saving me 20-30 hours..

I will gladly pay!! to avoid that workload again..

But before I try..I just would like your feedback.

Thanks.

Patrick

 

How close is it being able to use UMA?

 

Hi Patrick,

The bone values are autodetected based on name, but you can override them. All you'd need to do would be put the prop bone in all three slots (head, left arm, right arm). You'd then be able to replace the prop texture with an invisible one, which sounds like it should serve your needs. As long as the prop is a child of the mesh's root bone, all should be well.

That said, if you try it and it doesn't work for you, I can whip you up a custom version that will work for your planes.

Does that answer your question?

 

that does answer my question, because it means I can override those values.

yeah the prop is a direct child of the root bone. it acts just like a character skin except it's more solid on the weight maps, meaning there's no gradient. its either black or white.

that's why I assumed There should be a simple way that I can override those values just pop in my one single bone it would work, thanks for the response.

P

 

Nowhere near, unfortunately. By its nature, UMA doesn't use prefabs. Since FPS Mesh Tool works exclusively on prefabs, there's really no overlap there. As the original post mentions, it might work with UMA Power Tools. If you have/use power tools, I'd be happy to give you a license so you can try FPS Mesh Tool with it.

 

I don't have power tools atm
Thanks anyway

 

Looks cool but for an FPS tool it would be great to have some screenshots in First Person!

 

Hi
Bookmarked for future need. Thx!

Re. UMA (and others), I wonder if it would combine well with SimpleLOD ? (which can create single mesh from a UMA model at runtime or in-editor.)

HTH, R.

 

Haha, good point. I'll see what I can do.

 

That does look promising. I'll check it out this weekend. Thanks!

 

Just submitted 1.0.2b to the asset store. Bugfixes to handle null root bone and null materials in mesh renderer (previously caused endless error spew).

 

CodeBison - Any possibility of actually splitting the mesh into pieces as well?

This would be really useful - not only could other mesh pieces be used (skinned or unskinned) but also more efficient...

Problem with just hiding using material is that it is inefficient - vertices still be sent down pipeline to be rendered.

Either way - thanks for creating the tool - going to go purchase

 

This is something I've been looking at, though I'm considering the best way to do it.

One of the things I'm considering is whether to include the complete skeleton when splitting, or just relevant bones. Complete skeleton would allow use of human animations without issue, but just relevant bones would be more efficient. Ultimately I may end up including both options. Do you have a preference?

 

Okay, done. I've uploaded version 1.0.3, which lets you choose which body parts to include in the final mesh. Note that the entire skeleton is still included, which means you can still use standard humanoid animations regardless of how much of the mesh you chose (eg just head, one arm, body and left leg, etc).

Here's a preview:

If you don't want to wait for the new version to be approved on the asset store, email your invoice number to support@codebison.ca and I'll send you the new build.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

Awesome!!!

Email sent

 

Nice update. Good purchase.

 

Update works great!!!

Now you can specify which parts to include in final mesh output

I am using it to enable zombie headshots ;-)

Thank you CodeBison

 

This is on the top of my must buy list. From the videos looks like you couldn't have made it any easier to work with.

 

I've certainly tried to make it easy and useful. When you end up getting it, please let me know if you think of any way I can make it work better for you.

Cheers!

 

Oh, it didn't take my edit yesterday (or maybe I was posting in the wrong thread lol). I was looking at this for UFPS but also "Bloody Mess." It looks like a good alternative to manually doing this stuff in a 3D program. Actually, that's where I posted in the Bloody Mess thread asking if your asset would work for separating meshes.

Good stuff regardless and will definitely use it with UFPS.

 

Hi, how does it work with UFPS Full Body Awareness?

 

Have you found out if this will work with bloody mess? If so ill buy this.

 

It works very well with UFPS and Full Body Awareness. That's what it was designed for. UFPS 1.4.8 was the reason I made this tool.

The UFPS Manual here mentions FPS Mesh Tool by name (under Head & Arm material setup).

 

Hi the asset works great with no issues which seems rare for a unity asset lol. I was wondering if you could help me with a hopefully small extra feature i would like to have. I would really like to have each arm and leg use a different material. So on the FPS-mesh character creation i would have 6 total materials.

thanks

 

Sure, I can do that. I'll let you know when it's ready.

 

Awesome thank you

 

I've added this feature and submitted the new version to the asset store. If you don't want to wait for the new version (normally takes a few days), you can email your invoice number to support@codebison.ca and I'll send you the new build.

Cheers!

 

@CodeBison Your the man !!! Thanks, ill email you shortly.

 

neat feature update Thanks for requesting it @JBR games

 

Yep, With that feature you can now basically decapitate limbs with fps mesh tool. I used a double sided shader and particles to hide the hole, also there really seems to be little performance cost since the model is using 6 of the same materials normally. Stil only getting one draw call.

 

Haha nice! I'd love to see video of that.

 

Hi @CodeBison - do you know if there are any changes to UFPS 1.6 that may have an impact on FPS mesh tool?

 

I don't have any inside information about upcoming UFPS versions, unfortunately. Have you found something that shows some sort of upcoming changes to their Full Body Awareness system? If that system changes, it might need some minor tweaks to FPS Mesh Tool, but as long as that system stays the same (eg still relies on materials with "arm," "head," or "body" in the name) then everything should work fine.

 

Jumping the gun I'm afraid (Sorry!) - I assume that if they are doing an overhaul, then this may mean some changes to the full body awareness. 3rd person does need some work in comparison to other assets out there, its a shame they can't just provide a hookup with a camera switch so you could bolt on any 3rd party add-on, or at least a UFPS supported one.

 

@CodeBison. Still working on getting the body parts to spawn corectly when shot. When i get it working and looking decent ill post a demo. Thanks.

 

@CodeBison I'm sorry to just plop in the middle of the thread. I searched and searched for an email but alas couldn't find one.

I need to add animated arms to capsules. I know that may sound silly but still, I want to do it. XD
I like the idea that I can use any humanoid model be it an asset or one I make myself to achieve this. - The modeling, I'm not so worried about, it's the animation. I suck at that still. But you say you can use Mecanim still with your asset? So does that mean I can use Animation Baker as well and slap some quick animations onto these arms and then just position them on a capsule or something static and have them move accordingly? (Basically I'm worried you have to use them in First Person) - or can you put your "FPS Arms" anywhere you wish? If so I will be purchasing this weekend no doubt!

Thank you for your time.

 

No worries. If I understand what you're trying to do, then the answer is yes, you can absolutely do that. FPS Mesh Tool splits any skinned mesh into submeshes based on bone weights (eg head/body/arms etc), optionally excluding some parts of the mesh (eg keeping only the arms if that's what you want). There are no restrictions on what you can do with the resulting mesh. If you could do it with the original, you can do it with the resulting mesh. You can use any animation system or third party asset that works with skinned meshes. So yes, if you want to rip the arms off an existing character mesh and stick them on a capsule, you can absolutely do that.

Hopefully this answers your question? If not, please let me know.

 

@CodeBison That sounds great! Thank you! I can't wait to get started.

 

Hi, I have just purchased this asset and it works great, except for one issue.

I am using Morph3D characters and they have blendshapes within the Skinned Renderers, when I use your asset it removes the blendshapes.

This is a real shame, as I want my FPS visible body parts to still be able to have blends applied at runtime, imagine an fps game where the character touches or drinks something that turns him into a monster, or ages the character, Morph3D characters have all these blendshapes, and it would be great to see my fps characters human hands for instance turn into clawed creatures hands.

Do you think your asset could be updated to support retaining blendshapes after generating the additional the materials?

 

Given my understanding of how Morph3D models work, I don't think this is likely. I've had similar problems getting FPS Mesh Tool to work with UMA, and haven't found a solution. Sorry about that - it would indeed be cool to have a morphing first person character. I've been looking at Morph3D for my own use as well. How are you finding working with it?

Thanks for pointing out the compatibility problem between Morph3D models and FPS Mesh Tool. I'll update the asset store description so this doesn't surprise anyone else.

If this problem changes your mind about the value FPS Mesh Tool has to you (eg if you'd like a refund), please hit me up at support@codebison.ca and I'll get you sorted out.

Cheers!

Update: Documentation is here in case you haven't seen it: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wEq3hl1F72EZ6jHxstTGP2iF5ohpY8CtYlK9MMlP_YU