![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_000.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_000\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n- \n
- Open your last scene.\n
- \n
- – 032812_13-Rigging_01.ma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Geometry Group\n
- \n
- – Select all the bound geometry in your scene.<\/li>\n
- Note: It might be easier to select the geometry from the Outliner.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Press CTRL + G to group it together.<\/li>\n
- – Rename group to geo<\/em>.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_001.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_001\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Create a Master Node\n
- \n
- – Change your view to top <\/em>view.<\/li>\n
- – Create an EP Curve: ANIMATION || Create > EP Curve ><\/strong> \u25a1<\/li>\n
- \n
- EP Curve Options:<\/li>\n
- – Change the Curve Degree<\/strong>: 1 Linear;<\/li>\n
- – Click [CLOSE];<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- – Hold down “x” and draw four arrows shape as indicated;<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_003.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_003\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Hit [ENTER] to complete the curve.<\/li>\n
- – Rename the curve master.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Hierarchy\n
- \n
- – Switch view to Persp\/Outliner<\/em>. STAGE || Panels > Saved Layouts > Persp\/Outliner.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- – In the Outliner, select all the character set-up nodes and Parent them to the master<\/em> node. Parent not Constrain Parent.<\/em><\/li>\n
- General || Edit > Parent<\/strong><\/li>\n
- (Note: Do Not Parent the bound geometry or the geometry group to the master node. There should only be two groups in the Outliner: geo and master node)<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_0022.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_002\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Node Names\n
- \n
- – Make sure all the node names are named correctly. Best practice is to have a unique name for each item.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Visibility of Layers\n
- \n
- – In the Layer Editor<\/em>, create a new layer and name it setupLayer.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Select master <\/em>node in the perspective view, them RMB on the setupLayer<\/em> and click on Add New Selected Objects<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- \n(Note: All the character rig nodes can now be hidden by hiding the setupLayer.)<\/address>\n<\/li>\n
- – Create a new layer and name it geoLayer.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Select the geo<\/em> node in perspective then RMB over geoLayer<\/em> and select Add Selected Objects.<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_004.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_004\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/p>\n
Selection Sets<\/h2>\n
Selection Sets simplifies the process of selecting multiple objects. In this setup, it would be great to be able to select the spine and neck joints <\/em>at once in order to be able to bend the character’s back easily.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Select the Spine and Neck\n
- \n
- – Select the spine, <\/em>then SHFT + SELECT spine1, neck, neck1 <\/em>and head <\/em>joint.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Create a Set\n
- \n
- – GENERAL || Create > Sets > Quick Select Set<\/strong><\/li>\n
- \n
- In the window:<\/li>\n
- – Name it spineSet.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Click [OK]<\/li>\n
- (If you scroll down the Outliner, there will be a set called spineSet)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Use The Selection Set\n
- \n
- – Select spineSet <\/em>in the Outliner.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – RMB over spineSet <\/em>and select Select Set Members <\/em>(in pop-up menu).<\/li>\n
- (Note: all the objects are selected)<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_006.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_006\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Press “e” to access the rotate tool and test out your joints by rotating them together.<\/li>\n
- Note: If you notice some joints are not rotating correctly, it’s probably because the joint’s local rotation axes are not aligned correctly.<\/em><\/li>\n
- <\/li>\n
- <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Fix Joint Local Rotation Axis\n
- \n
- – Switch to Component Mode<\/li>\n
- – Display Local Rotation Axes: General || Display > Transform Display > Local Rotation Axes<\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_007.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_007\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – In the Component Selection<\/em> Bar, turn off the points and any other buttons selected. RMB over the “?” and check mark Local Rotation Axes.<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_008.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_008\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Select your local rotation axes and modify their alignment.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_009.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_009\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_010.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_010\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Edit a Selection Set\n
- \n
- It’s best if the head did not rotate with the other joints so lets remove the head from the selection set.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Select Sets: GENERAL || Window > Relationship Editors > Sets.<\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_011.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_011\\"")
<\/a><\/strong>\n- \n
- Relationship Editors\/Sets Window Options:<\/li>\n
- – On the left side: Click on spineSet<\/em> to highlight it.<\/li>\n
- – On the right side: you’ll notice the objects in the spineSet are highlighted as well. Click “+” sign next to spineSet <\/em>to see the set.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_012.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_012\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- On the left side, you can add or remove items of your selection set by highlighting the items.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Save\n
- \n
- – 033012_13-Rigging_01.ma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/p>\n
Custom Attributes<\/h2>\n
Some attributes on the rig are not easy to access. Place attributes on strategic nodes for easy access. Since the arms and leg IK handles use custom setups, it’s a good idea to place useful IK attributes on the hand manipulator and reverse foot bones.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Add new Attribute <\/em>\n
- \n
- – <\/em>Select the following items. SHFT + SELECT. lHandManip, <\/em>the rHandManip, <\/em>the lHeelControl<\/em>, and the rHeelControl<\/em><\/li>\n
- – While the items are selected, GENERAL || Modify > Add Attribute <\/strong>\n
- \n
- Attribute Window:<\/li>\n
- – Long Name:<\/strong> Twist;<\/li>\n
- – Data Type: <\/strong>Float;<\/li>\n
- – Default: <\/strong>0;<\/li>\n
- – Click [ADD];<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_014.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_014\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- \n(this will add an attribute to the nodes while keeping the window open)<\/address>\n<\/li>\n
- – Add another attribute<\/li>\n
- – Long Name:<\/strong> ikBlend;<\/li>\n
- – Data Type: Integer<\/strong>;<\/li>\n
- – Default: <\/strong>0;<\/li>\n
- – Click [OK];<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_013.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_013\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Connect the New Attributes\n
- \n
- – Select General || Window > General Editors > Connection Editor.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- – Select lHandManip<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Connection Editor: Click [RELOAD LEFT]<\/li>\n
- – Scroll down and highlight Twist<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- – Select lArmIk.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Connection Editor: Click on [RELOAD RIGHT]<\/li>\n
- – Scroll down and highlight Twist.<\/em><\/li>\n
- (You just connected the twist attribute of the hand<\/strong> to the left armIK handle twist<\/strong> attribute)<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Highlight the ikBlend<\/em> attribute on the left side of the editor<\/li>\n
- – Highlight the ikBlend<\/em> attribute on the right side of the editor<\/li>\n
- (ikBlend attribute of the handManip is now connected the left armIK handle ikBlend attribute)<\/em><\/li>\n
- Note: The “ikBlend” attribute must be set to 1 in the Channel Box in order to see the effect of the HandManip on the body. <\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_015.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_015\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Repeat\n
- \n
- – Repeat the previous step to the rest.. rHandManip, <\/em>the lHeelControl<\/em>, and the rHeelControl<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- – Close the connection editor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Hide the IK Handles\n
- \n
- Since the manipulators(ie; rHandManip, lHeelControl, etc.) are connected to the IK handles, you can hide them from view.<\/li>\n
- – Select the lArmlk, rArmlk, lLegIk and rLegIk.<\/li>\n
- – Set the Visibility<\/em> attribute to “0” to hide them.<\/li>\n
- – Highlight the “Visibility” <\/em>attribute name.<\/li>\n
- – RMB in the Channel Box > select Lock Selected.<\/em><\/li>\n
- (Doing so will prevent the IK handles from being displayed if the user goes to <\/em>GENERAL || Display > Show > All)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Selection Handles<\/h2>\n
There are several nodes you need to select for animating, but will find them difficult to select. This is where the selection handle comes to play.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Show the Selection Handles\n
- \n
- – Select lHeelControl, rHeelControl <\/em>and the pelvis<\/em> joints<\/li>\n
- – Select GENERAL || Display > Transform Display > Selection Handles<\/strong><\/li>\n
- – Clear the current selection.<\/li>\n
- Notice: Crosshairs should appear by the selected items.<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_016.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_016\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Move Selection Handles\n
- \n
- – Switch to Component mode.<\/li>\n
- – Make sure the Selection Mask <\/em>is the only one enabled.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_017.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_017\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – CLICK + DRAG a selection box over the entire character in the viewport.<\/li>\n
- – Select only the Selection Handles<\/em> for lHeelControl, rHeelControl, and pelvis.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Select the translate<\/em> tool.<\/li>\n
- – Translate the selection back on the z-axis, until it is out of the geometry.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_018.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_018\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Go back to Object Mode<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Save\n
- \n
- – 040112_13-Rigging_01.ma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/h2>\n
Eye Set-up<\/h2>\n
You will create an aim constraint<\/em>on the eyes which will force an object to aim at another object. You will also create an attribute for the blinking.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Look-At Locator\n
- \n
- Locator<\/em> will be used to specify a point where the eyes will be looking.<\/li>\n
- – Select GENERAL || Create > Locator<\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_019.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_019\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Rename it lookAt<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Snap the locator<\/em> to the head<\/em> joint<\/li>\n
- – Move the Locator<\/em> in front of the penguin about 10 units on the z-axis.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/13_rigging_020.gif\" "\\"13_rigging_020\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Parent the lookAt<\/em> locator to the Master <\/em>node. Select the lookAt<\/em> and SHFT + SELECT the master<\/em> in the Outliner and Press P.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- – Select GENERAL || Create > Locator<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Locator<\/em> will be used to specify a point where the eyes will be looking.<\/li>\n
- Look-At Locator\n
- – Select GENERAL || Display > Transform Display > Selection Handles<\/strong><\/li>\n
- – Select lHeelControl, rHeelControl <\/em>and the pelvis<\/em> joints<\/li>\n
- – Highlight the “Visibility” <\/em>attribute name.<\/li>\n
- – Select lHandManip<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Data Type: <\/strong>Float;<\/li>\n
- – While the items are selected, GENERAL || Modify > Add Attribute <\/strong>\n
- – <\/em>Select the following items. SHFT + SELECT. lHandManip, <\/em>the rHandManip, <\/em>the lHeelControl<\/em>, and the rHeelControl<\/em><\/li>\n
- Add new Attribute <\/em>\n
- – On the right side: you’ll notice the objects in the spineSet are highlighted as well. Click “+” sign next to spineSet <\/em>to see the set.<\/li>\n
- – Select Sets: GENERAL || Window > Relationship Editors > Sets.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- – RMB over spineSet <\/em>and select Select Set Members <\/em>(in pop-up menu).<\/li>\n
- Create a Set\n
- – Select the spine, <\/em>then SHFT + SELECT spine1, neck, neck1 <\/em>and head <\/em>joint.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- – Select master <\/em>node in the perspective view, them RMB on the setupLayer<\/em> and click on Add New Selected Objects<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- – In the Layer Editor<\/em>, create a new layer and name it setupLayer.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – In the Outliner, select all the character set-up nodes and Parent them to the master<\/em> node. Parent not Constrain Parent.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Create an EP Curve: ANIMATION || Create > EP Curve ><\/strong> \u25a1<\/li>\n