Characters are 18+ years of age and were modeled as such.
UNIVERSAL CHARACTER RIG
This month was spent mostly tackling a question of how to arrange character rigging in a most effective way. Using other people's releases is great until a point where we have to deal with inconsistencies between rigs and how well they're built overall.
So a decision was made to invest time and assemble a rig that will be mostly reusable between different character models, will have all necessary corrective shapes set up (goodbye constant manual sculpting every time character's arms are down), finger pose library, IK fingers and so on.
While the rigging process produces nothing too exciting to show, internally this decision should significantly cut down on unnecessary work going forward.
Another benefit is the ability to utilize facial mocap to animate faces. At least getting 90% there, as cleanup / manual work is always required. This wasn't practical for us to utilize before.
https://www.redgifs.com/watch/worldlybitesizedgreathornedowl
Some less refined tests:
https://www.redgifs.com/watch/majesticpaltryammonite
https://files.catbox.moe/fpp0o3.mp4 (With Sound)
https://www.redgifs.com/watch/happyunkemptphalarope
https://files.catbox.moe/gb53as.mp4 (With Sound)
Additionally, stuff like eyelashes were done with hair particles for easy customization and predictable behavior, regardless of character head shape.
Adapted for Jessie:
Adapted for Yuffie:
Jessie model received a port to this new rig. Desire to work with the old model for the rest of Thirst Up was diminishing every day. Robust facial controls are too good to go back to the old setup.
Quick Yuffie rig port: