Advanced Character Rigging in 3ds Max
In this 3ds Max tutorial, we will learn several methods and tools for creating complex rigs that are capable of producing very stylized deformations! We'll start by creating a modular rig we can insert into our control rigs for flexibility and speed. Software required: Autodesk 3ds Max 2013.
What you'll learn
In this 3ds Max tutorial, we will learn several methods and tools for creating complex rigs that are capable of producing very stylized deformations! We'll start by creating a modular rig we can insert into our control rigs for flexibility and speed. We'll learn how to create IK FK systems, and learn how to enhance those systems to produce more exaggerated results. We'll also create robust counter-twist systems that do a great job at holding volume. We've got a ton of great content in store for you that will increase your knowledge of rigging so that you can create robust and flexible rigs. Software required: Autodesk 3ds Max 2013.
Table of contents
- Customizing 3ds Max and a Look at the Flexi-line 6m
- Starting on the Flexi-line 9m
- Completing the Controls for the Flexi-line 12m
- Setting up Advanced Twisting Control for the Flexi-line 18m
- Finalizing the Flexi-line Twist Rig 12m
- Adding Squash and Stretch to the Flexi-line 10m
- Completing the Flexi-line's Squash and Stretch System 15m
- Cleaning up the Flexi-line and Creating Its Envelope Objects 9m
- Wrapping up Our Work on the Flexi-line 4m
- Rigging the Torso 9m
- Creating Controls for the Torso 8m
- The Center-of-gravity Control 6m
- Adding a Global Control 5m
- Connecting a Flexi-line to the Torso 11m
- Improving the Back Control Selection 2m
- Progress Check: The Torso 9m
- Starting on the Head Rig 7m
- Dynamically Parenting the Head to the Chest 11m
- Connecting a Flexi-line to the Neck 11m
- Finishing the Neck Flexi System 7m
- Progress Check: The Neck / Locking Control Objects 4m
- Creating the Leg Bones 9m
- Adding Ankle Bones 9m
- Building a Counter-twist Solution for the Legs 10m
- Bones Systems for IK / FK Legs 11m
- Switching Between IK and FK 5m
- Rigging the IK Legs 12m
- Animation Controls for the IK Legs 11m
- Connecting Our IK Foot Rig to the Control Object 7m
- Setting up Auxiliary Controls to the Drive the IK Foot Rig 10m
- Banking Control for the Feet 8m
- Progress Check: The IK Legs 8m
- Creating FK Leg Controls 5m
- Connecting the FK Leg Controls to the FK Systems 12m
- Finishing Our Work on the FK Legs 17m
- Controlling the Visibility of Our IK and FK Controls 4m
- Stretchy IK Limbs 15m
- Creating a Switch to Turn the Stretchy Systems for the IK Legs on and Off 7m
- Connecting the Stretchy Systems to the Primary Legs 12m
- Progress Check: The Stretchy Legs 5m
- Attaching a Flexi-line to the Left Thigh 10m
- Setting up the Twist Behavior for the Flexi-line Connected to the Left Thigh 5m
- Wrapping up Our Work on the Left Thigh Flexi-line 10m
- Connecting a Flexi-line to the Left Shin 7m
- Setting up the Twist Behavior for the Flexi System Connected to the Left Shin 13m
- Completing the Left Shin Flexi Rig 7m
- A Knee Stretch Control 8m
- Progress Check: The Final Leg Rig 2m
- Creating the Arm Bones 8m
- Creating Finger Bones 13m
- Mirroring the Left Arm 2m
- Adding Our Counter-twist Rig to the Left Shoulder 8m
- A Look at the Right Shoulder Counter-twist Rig 1m
- IK / FK Systems for the Arms 8m
- IK Controls for the Arms 5m
- Creating FK Arm Controls 6m
- Connecting the FK Arm Controls to the FK Systems 8m
- Locking the Wrists to the IK and FK Systems 4m
- Updating the Counter-twist Rig Tied to the Left Shoulder 12m
- Updating the Right Arm Counter-twist Rig 3m
- Stretchy FK Arms 3m
- Rigging the IK Arms to Stretchy 11m
- Tying the Stretchy Systems into the Primary Arms 6m
- Controlling the Clavicles 5m
- Progress Check: The Arms 3m
- Connecting a Flexi-line to the Left Shoulder 7m
- Setting up the Twist Behavior for the Left Shoulder Flexi Rig 7m
- Finishing the Twist Control for the Left Shoulder Flexi-line 2m
- Completing the Left Shoulder's Flexi Rig 5m
- Attaching a Flexi System to the Left Forearm 4m
- Setting up the Twist Behavior for the Left Forearm's Flexi Rig 6m
- Finishing the Left Forearm's Flexi-line 4m
- The Elbow Stretch Control 8m
- Progress Check: The Final Arm Rig 3m
- Adding Finger Controls 8m
- Wrapping up Our Finger Controls 9m
- Creating a Squash and Stretch Head Rig 3m
- Skinning the Character to Its Control Rig 9m
About the author
Delano works avidly as an animation author at Pluralsight. Starting his career at animation studios like Shilo, Delano has developed a strong passion for his talents. His animation and rigging background help him teach and create some of the most-watched training on Pluralsight. A few of his favorite projects that he has contributed to include: Character Interaction in Maya and in Softimage, Rigging the Human Face in Maya, Rigging Sea Creatures in Maya, and Rigging and Animating Transforming... more