How To Use The Tween Machine

Below is a simple guide to installing and using the TweenMachine plugin, one of the most useful free plugins available to Maya animators.

The free TweenMachine plugin, created by Justin Barrett, helps animators to create breakdown poses in Maya on stepped curves. It's a time saving tool that takes much of the labour out of breaking down your poses - once you are happy with the timing of the main blocking of your animation. It has recently been updated (2024) for py3 - you can find the updated version here. 

What is the tweenMachine?
The tweenMachine is a free Maya plugin designed to simplify the process of creating breakdown poses between your key poses.  It has recently been updated (2024) for py3 - you can find the updated version here. 

How do you download the TweenMachine plugin?
You can find the free plugin here: http://justinsbarrett.com/tweenmachine/. It has recently been updated (2024) for py3 - you can find the updated version here. 

How to Use the TweenMachine
To animate with the Tween Machine, watch the video below


Who created it?
The tweenMachine was created by Justin Barrett.

Installation (2014)
The tweenMachin comes with a Read Me file, which you should definitely read.
To install the tweenMachine,  first find these files:
tweenMachine
tweenMachine.xpm
xml_lib

Copy the files into your scripts folder in Maya. The path should look something like this: username/myDocuments/maya/2016/scripts
You can also copy the files into any other scripts folders you see - such as older versions of Maya - while you are there.

Once you have copied the files into your Maya scripts folder, open Maya.

Now open up the script editor (bottom right hand corner of yourr screen) and type this in the MEL (not Python) command line: tweenMachine. This should launch tween machine.

In the script editor, copy the command, and create a shelf tab so you can use the tweenMachine any time you like. Name it tween, or TM

Click on the shelf tab to activate the tweenMachine. A pop-up slider should appear:

Installation (2024)

Windows:

Move the tweenMachine.py file to your default Maya scripts directory.

C:/Users/username/Documents/maya/version_number/scripts

Save the icon into the “prefs/icons” folder for the same Maya version.

C:/Users/username/Documents/maya/version_number/prefs/icon

Once everything is installed, open Maya. In the script Editor, type the following in a Python tab:

import tweenMachine

tweenMachine.start()

Highlight the line, then select File–>Save Selected to Shelf to turn it into a shelf button. Use the Shelf Editor to assign the icon to the shelf button.

Mac OS

Move the tweenMachine.py file to your default Maya scripts directory.

/Users/username/Library/Preferences/Autodesk/maya/version_number/scripts

Save the icon into the “prefs/icons” folder for the same Maya version.

/Users/username/Library/Preferences/Autodesk/maya/version_number/prefs/icon

Once everything is installed, open Maya. In the script editor, type the following in a Python tab:

import tweenMachine

tweenMachine.start()

Highlight the line, then select File–>Save Selected to Shelf to turn it into a shelf button. Use the Shelf Editor to assign the icon to the shelf button.

Troubleshooting
If the tween Machine won't install, work through this checklist. Have you:

1. copied the program files into your scripts folder? Remember that you must copy the individual program files into the scripts folder. If you just copy the folder which contains the files, the tweenMachine may not work.
2. copied the program files into other scripts folder, such as Maya 2015 and Maya 2016 subfolders? Copy the files into any scripts folders you can see.
3. saved your scene and re-opened Maya? Re-opening Maya forces the software to refresh itself.
4. closed Maya and re-started it again?
5. re-booted your computer?

Hopefully one of these methods will make the tween machine work.

How do you test it out?
To test the tweenMachine, first create some break down poses on a simple moving object, such as a sphere.

1. Create a sphere. Create/polygon primitives/sphere.
2. Move the sphere to one end of the grid, and set a keyframe on it
3. Click on the preferences tab in Maya, and set your animation curves to stepped curves, not spline.
4. Back in your timeline, go to frame 25. In the viewport, move the sphere to the other end of the grid, and set a key frame. Press play. You should now see the sphere move, but in a very staccato fashion.
5. Go to frame 13 in your time line. Set a keyframe on the sphere, and click on the tweenMachine button. Use the slider on the tweenMachine to adjust the position of the breakdown pose. The slider allows you to favour one key pose over another.


Ok, got it. Now, how do I use it for proper animation?
Now use the tweenMachine to create break down poses on a complex human biped.

1. Import a human biped, such as the Morpheus or Max rig.

2. Create two poses, one at frame 1, and a second at frame 25, following the thumbnails below.

3. Now select all the controls, and set a keyframe at frame 13. Click on the tweenMachine tab, and use the slider to adjust the spacing of the breakdown position.

4. Once you have done your pose at frame 13, go ahead and add breakdown poses at frame 5, 9, 17 and 21, using the tweenMachine.

Planning and Blocking Animation

To see more resources on Planning and Blocking Animation, read these posts:

• How to plan a Dialogue Shot
• How to block out and plan creature animation
• How to use the Tween Machine
• Why Thumbnail sketches need facial expressions
• How do Pixar Animators plan their shots?
• Pixar Animation Workflow with Mike Makarewicz
• "Little Mermaid" thumbnails by Ruben Aquino
• Lipsync & Dialogue Tutorial
• Why animators need snappy timing

To find out more about Animation Apprentice, click here for a link to Frequently Asked Questions. To sign up for our next classroom at Animation Apprentice, follow this link.