Motion Symphony is designed in a modular way to help improve flexibility and re-usability of data. The first module that you need to create to get started is the ‘Motion Config’ module (or asset).

What is the Motion Config Module For?

The motion config module is used to define exactly what it is you want to match. In the case of motion matching this is the past and future trajectory points and the bones you wish to match in the pose. This module will inform your motion database, your trajectory generator and your runtime motion matching node what data is relevant for matching.

Please read the next few sections learn how to create a config module and set it up properly.

Creating the Module

To create this asset right click in your content browser and navigate to ‘Animation > Motion Match Config’. After choosing 'Motion Match Config’ a new asset will be created as shown in the below image.

After naming your config asset you will be prompted to set a skeleton on associate with the asset.

Module Setup

Open up the details editor for the config module (see below) by double clicking on it and follow the steps below:

Step 1: Declare the Skeleton - Choose a skeleton as the ‘source skeleton’ in the ‘general’ foldout. This is the skeleton that you intend to use motion matching with for any particular character. This is required before setting any bones in the pose configuration.

Note that you will need to have a different configuration for every different source skeleton you wish to use with motion matching.

Step 2: Define the Trajectory - Under the ‘Trajectory Config’ foldout, add trajectory points to the provided list. The value in the float box is the time in seconds of each trajectory point. Negative values mean the trajectory point is in the past while positive values mean the trajectory point is in the future. Trajectory points must be ordered from lowest to highest and the configuration shown in the image above is recommended as a good starting point (i.e. -0.66s, -0.33s, 0.33s, 0.66s, 1s).

Question: Do I need to have past trajectory points?

Answer: No but you will get better results if you do as past trajectory points improve weight shifting and preservation of momentum in motion matching.

Step 3: Define the Pose - Under the ‘Pose Config’ foldout, add bones to the provided list. If you have setup your ‘Source Skeleton’ properly, you should be able to use the combo boxes to pick the bones that you like. It may be tempting to pick a lot of bones to get better results. However, most of the time you only need the feet and the hips. In some cases you may wish to match a hand or two depending on your gameplay but avoid matching too many bones otherwise performance and memory will suffer.

What Next?

Once you have completed the initial setup of the ‘Motion Config’ module you shouldn’t have to change it again. It will be slotted into your ‘Motion Data Asset’ and ‘Trajectory Generator’ for use later in the pipeline. Please refer to the relevant sections of the manual for more details.