- \n
- Create a Simple Scene\n
- \n
- – Open a new scene and change to the top view.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Draw three joints defining an arm.<\/li>\n
- – Change to perspective view<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Create two polygonal cylinders and place them over the joints. see img<\/em>.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_000.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_000\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Parent the Geometry\n
- \n
- – Select the left cylinder, then SHFT + SELECT the left joint.<\/li>\n
- – Parent the objects: Press “p”<\/li>\n
- – Repeat the process by parenting the right cylinder to the right joint<\/li>\n
- Note: The geometry is now a child of the joints<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_001.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_001\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Test the Joint Rotations\n
- \n
- – Select the bones and rotate them to see the results.<\/li>\n
- Note: Selecting bones have a higher selection than geometry.<\/em> This is true if the joints are not parented to the geometry otherwise both will be selected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Rigid Binding<\/h2>\n
Rigid Binding works like parent binding except it affects the geometry.\u00a0 Rigid binding works, by the vertices closer to a certain joint, will be more inclined o follow that joint.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Create a Simple Scene\n
- \n
- – Change to the top view<\/li>\n
- – Draw three joints defining an arm.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_002.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_002\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Select the first joint and duplicate and move them side by side.<\/li>\n
- – Switch to perspective <\/em>view.<\/li>\n
- – Create a polygonal cylinder and a NURBs cylinder<\/li>\n
- – Place each cylinder so it entirely covers each joint chain.<\/li>\n
- – Set the polygonal cylinder’s Subdivision Height: 10
\n<\/em><\/li>\n- – Set the NURBs cylinder’s Span<\/em>:10<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_003.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_003\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Rigid Bind\n
- \n
- – Select the first joint chain, then SHFT + SELECT the polygonal cylinder.<\/li>\n
- – Apply Rigid Bind. ANIMATION || Skin > Bind Skin > Rigid Bind.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- – Select the second joint chain, then SHFT+SELECT the NURBs Cylinder.<\/li>\n
- – Apply Rigid Bind. ANIMATION || Skin > Bind Skin > Rigid Bind.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Test the Joint’s Rotations\n
- \n
- – Select the joints for each and compare the joint’s rotations.<\/li>\n
- Note: The polygonal cylinder folds in on itself while the NURBs cylinder looks much smoother.<\/em><\/li>\n
- Also Note: The geometry is not parented in the outliner<\/em><\/li>\n
- Below img: polygon on the lft. NURBs on the rt.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_004.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_004\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Edit Membership Tool\n
- \n
- Change the rigid binding defaults so certain points follow a joint. The Edit Membership Tool<\/em> allows you to specify the points on a geometry that are affected by the joint.<\/li>\n
- – Select ANIMATION || Edit Deformers > Edit > Membership Tool<\/strong><\/li>\n
- – Click on the middle joint of the polygonal cylinder.<\/li>\n
- Note: you will see all the highlighted vertices affected by the joint.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Remove points: CTRL + CLICK DRAG MARQUEE OVER POINTS<\/li>\n
- – Add Points: SHFT + CLICK DRAG MARQUEE OVER POINTS<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_005.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_005\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nFlexors<\/h2>\n
Flexor is a type of deformer used with rigid bound<\/em> surfaces. A flexor can smooth out the binding region between the bones, preventing the geometry from cracking. Flexor points can be keyed<\/em> to modify their positions as bones rotate. Ex: you can modify an elbow shape when an elbow bends.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Create a Flexor\n
- \n
- – Reset the previous bones to their default positions.<\/li>\n
- – Select the middle joint for the first joint chain.<\/li>\n
- – ANIMATION || Skin > Edit Rigid Skin > Create Flexor<\/strong><\/li>\n
- (Option window pops up)
\n<\/em><\/p>\n- \n
- Create Flexor Options<\/li>\n
- – Flexor Type:<\/strong> Lattice<\/li>\n
- – Position the Flexor:<\/strong> On<\/li>\n
- – Click [CREATE]<\/li>\n
- (The flexor is created at the joint’s position and is selected so you can position it correctly.)<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_006.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_006\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n– Translate and scale the flexor to cover the bending region<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_007.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_007\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Test the Joint Rotations\n
- \n
- – Select the middle bone<\/em> and rotate it to see the result of the flexor on the geometry.<\/li>\n
- (Notice: the bending area is much smoother)<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_008.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_008\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- Hide a flexor: STAGE || Show > Deformers<\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_009.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_009\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Set Driven Keys\n
- \n
- – Zero the rotation of the bones.<\/li>\n
- – Select ANIMATION || Set Driven Key >Set<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Notice: A window with two section appears.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Select the middle joint.<\/em> This joint will be the driver<\/em>. The driver<\/em> modifies whatever it is connected to. In this case it would be called the driven<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- –<\/em> In the Driver section, while the joint is still selected, load the middle joint<\/em> by clicking on load driver. <\/em>This assigns the middle joint as the driver. Next, highlight\/select the Rotate Y<\/em> attribute on the right.<\/li>\n
- Note:This says when the middle joint’s RotateY-axis is modified, also modify the driven objects. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT ATTRIBUTE HIGHLIGHTED FOR YOUR DRIVER TO MODIFY THEN DRIVEN.
\n<\/em><\/li>\n- – Assign the driven objects to be affected by the middle joints Y-rotation. Select the flexor<\/em> and press F8 to go into component mode.<\/li>\n
- – Select ALL the flexor’s lattice points and click [LOAD DRIVEN] in the Set Driven Window.<\/li>\n
- – Highlight all the driven attributes in the Driven section.<\/li>\n
- – Click [KEY] button to set normal position<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_020.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_020\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Return to Object mode. Rotate the middle joint on the Y-axis by about 80 degrees<\/li>\n
- – Select the flexor and press F8 to go back to component mode.<\/li>\n
- – Move the flexor point to make a nice elbow shape on the cylinder.<\/li>\n
- – Select all the points on for the lattice.<\/li>\n
- – Click [KEY] to set the bent position.<\/li>\n
- (Note: The points may not move exactly as expected since they are using local space of the middle bone)<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_010.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_010\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Test Joint Rotations\n
- \n
- – Select the middle bone and rotate it.<\/li>\n
- Notice you can achieve a much better crease by using a driven flexor<\/em>.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_011.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_011\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nLattice Binding<\/h2>\n
Lattice binding is another option to achieve nice skinning. Lattice binding can create a very smooth binding using the simplicity of rigid binding.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Detach the Skin\n
- \n
- – Select the polygon cylinder from the previous exercise.<\/li>\n
- – ANIMATION || Skin > Detach Skin<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Notice: If your joint was bent, the geometry will snap back to a straight cylinder once you detach the skin from the joint.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Select the middle joint<\/em> and zero it’s rotation back to default.<\/li>\n
- – Delete a flexor. Select the flexor and press delete.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Create a Lattice\n
- \n
- – Select the polygonal cylinder<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- – Create a Lattice: ANIMATION || Create Deformers > Lattice.<\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_015.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_015\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- Note: A lattice is created and fits the geometry perfectly, so it may appear as if nothing is present.<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_013.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_013\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- With the lattice<\/em> selected, display your Channel Box. Change he value of he T Divisions to 9. CHANNEL BOX || Shapes > T Divisions: 9<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_014.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_014\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Rigid Bind the Lattice\n
- \n
- – With the lattice still selected, SHFT + SELECT the first bone in the joint chain.<\/li>\n
- – Rigid Bind the selection: ANIMATION || Skin > Bind Skin > Rigid Bind.<\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_016.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_016\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Test Joint Rotations\n
- \n
- – Select the middle bone<\/em> and rotate to see the effects of the lattice on the geometry.<\/li>\n
- Note: Right now it is not much different than a normal rigid bind.<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_012.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_012\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Adjust the Lattice\n
- \n
- – Select the lattice object.<\/li>\n
- – In the Outputs section of the Channel Box, highlight the ffd1<\/em>node.\n
- \n
- ffd1 Node Options:<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n
- – Local Influences S: 4;<\/li>\n
- – Local Influences T: 4;<\/em><\/li>\n
- <\/em>– Local Influences U: 4;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- The deformation should be much smoother.<\/em><\/li>\n
- \n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_017.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_017\\"")
<\/a>before<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n - \n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_018.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_018\\"")
<\/a>after<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n - Edit The Membership\n
- \n
- It is now much easier to adjust the membership of the lattice points rather than adjusting the vertices of the geometry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Driven Lattice\n
- \n
- If the Edit Membership Tool doesn’t provide enough control over the deformation of a geometry, you can use driven keys to achieve a much better deformation. See Flexors.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_021.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_021\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nSmooth Binding<\/h2>\n
Most advanced type of skinning is smooth binding.<\/em> Smooth binding allows a geometry’s vertex or CV to be affected by multiple bones according to a percentage.<\/p>\n
MY NOTES:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
- \n
- Set-up the Scene\n
- \n
- – Switch to top view.<\/li>\n
- – Create a joint with three points to resemble an arm.<\/li>\n
- – Create a polygon cylinder.<\/li>\n
- – Position the elements so the joint resides inside the polygon.<\/li>\n
- – Select the joint’s first point and SHFT+SELECT the polygon.<\/li>\n
- – ANIMATION || Skin > Bind Skin > Smooth Bind.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- – Rotate the second joint’s Y-axis 90.<\/li>\n
- – Select the polygon and apply Paint Weights tool. ANIMATION || Skin > Edit Smooth Skin Bind > Paint Skin Weights Tool >\u00a0\u25a1.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- – My Settings: Mostly default.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_022.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_022\\"")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_023.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_023\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- \u00a0<\/strong>Hopefully, this solves the problem. You should see this.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/10_skinning_024.gif\" "\\"10_skinning_024\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nUPDATE:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Restarting Maya and recreating a polygon with a joint. Seemed to have fixed it.\u00a0 IMPORTANT: If you delete all by type > history,<\/strong>\u00a0 This will disable paint weights tool. Also, NURBs seem to have a better tolerance to the paint weights tool.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/p>\n
Book’s Notes:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
- \n
- Set-up the Scene\n
- \n
- – Switch to top view.<\/li>\n
- – Create a joint with three points to resemble an arm.<\/li>\n
- – Create a polygon cylinder.<\/li>\n
- – Position the elements so the joint resides inside the polygon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Smooth Bind\n
- \n
- – Select the joint’s first point and SHFT+SELECT the polygon.<\/li>\n
- – ANIMATION || Skin > Bind Skin > Smooth Bind.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Test Joint Rotations\n
- \n
- – Select the middle joint and rotate to see it’s influence.<\/li>\n
- – Rotate the joint to y-axis 90 degrees<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Edit Smooth Bind Influence\n
- \n
- – Select the polygon<\/li>\n
- – STAGE || Shading > Smooth Shade All<\/strong><\/li>\n
- – Bring up the Paint Weights Tool. ANIMATION || Skin > Edit Smooth Skin > Paint Skin Weight’s Tool > <\/strong>\u25a1<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- The polygon should look like the below:<\/li>\n
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/p>\n
Binding the Penguin<\/h2>\n
Since the penguin is composed of deformable objects, you will bind it’s geometry using Smooth Binding. You will also bind the eyes and claws.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Open The Last Scene\n
- \n
- – Open a scene with just the penguin geometry and the skeleton chain.<\/li>\n
- – Save file as Skinning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Set Preferred Angle\n
- \n
- When binding geometry to a skeleton, you need to test the rotations. By doing so you should be able to return the skeleton to it’s default position quickly. MAYA has two commands called Set Preferred Angle<\/em> and Assume Preferred Angle<\/em>. These commands allow you to set the default skeleton pose then return to that pose whenever you want.<\/li>\n
- Note: The preferred Angle also defines the bending angle for IK handles.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Select the pelvis<\/em> joint.<\/li>\n
- Note: The preferred Angle also defines the bending angle for IK handles.<\/em><\/li>\n
- When binding geometry to a skeleton, you need to test the rotations. By doing so you should be able to return the skeleton to it’s default position quickly. MAYA has two commands called Set Preferred Angle<\/em> and Assume Preferred Angle<\/em>. These commands allow you to set the default skeleton pose then return to that pose whenever you want.<\/li>\n
- – Bring up the Paint Weights Tool. ANIMATION || Skin > Edit Smooth Skin > Paint Skin Weight’s Tool > <\/strong>\u25a1<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Test Joint Rotations\n
- Set-up the Scene\n
- Set-up the Scene\n
- \n
- \n
- ffd1 Node Options:<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Note: Right now it is not much different than a normal rigid bind.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Create a Lattice: ANIMATION || Create Deformers > Lattice.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Notice: If your joint was bent, the geometry will snap back to a straight cylinder once you detach the skin from the joint.<\/em><\/li>\n
- Notice: A window with two section appears.<\/em><\/li>\n
- (Notice: the bending area is much smoother)<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Position the Flexor:<\/strong> On<\/li>\n
- (Option window pops up)
- – Select ANIMATION || Edit Deformers > Edit > Membership Tool<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Also Note: The geometry is not parented in the outliner<\/em><\/li>\n
- Create a Simple Scene\n
- – Open a new scene and change to the top view.<\/em><\/li>\n