Image Metrics Acquires Character-FX to build realistic 3D game avatars

Image Metrics, a leading facial animation technology provider for video games and film (which recently animated over 100 characters in Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption), has announced today that it is expanding its scope by acquiring Character-FX, an avatar creation company founded by 3D animation pioneer John Riggs.

Character-FX is a toolset for use with Autodesk’s Maya and 3DS Max (two very commonly used tools at game studios). The toolset “helps to create character facial rigs using a proprietary automated weighting transfer system that rapidly shifts a character’s facial motion for incredibly life-like movements.” Image Metrics raised $8 million in a reverse merger in March. See Industry Gamers for more.