What it does
Autodesk MotionBuilder edits character animation and motion-capture performances. Its Story window arranges clips and layered actions, while curves and the Dopesheet provide more detailed motion editing. Regular use requires a named-user subscription and sign-in, with a 30-day trial available.
Story lets an animator assemble clips without changing the current take. Keep the captured action available while arranging a different sequence in the Story timeline.
Choose a track type before importing motion. An Animation track can contain ordinary FBX animation; a Character Animation track expects FBX motion plotted onto a characterised skeleton. Add a track by dragging an asset into the Action track list or by using its Insert menu.
Clips on one track can blend horizontally. Higher tracks take priority over lower ones, with Additive, Override and Passthrough settings controlling the combination. Constraints sit below the animation tracks they affect. Flattening consolidates clips, tracks or subtracks of the same type while preserving the originals.
MotionBuilder is available for Windows and Linux through subscription, with a 30-day trial. A subscription user can install it on up to three computers but can run it on only one at a time. This suits an animator moving between workstations; it does not provide three simultaneous users.
Strengths
- Story arrangements preserve the current take for comparison.
- Track order and blend modes control layered motion.
Watch out for
- Character Animation tracks require motion plotted onto a characterised skeleton.
- One subscription user can run only one instance at a time.
Best for
- Animators editing captured performances
- Teams assembling and revising character-motion sequences
Sources
- Autodesk MotionBuilder | Product Overview (Oct 28, 2026)
- Buy MotionBuilder | Subscription and FAQ (Oct 28, 2026)
- Animating Using the Story Window (Oct 28, 2026)
- Story Tracks | MotionBuilder Documentation (Oct 28, 2026)