Transforming Robot Production Pipeline Volume 6: Rigging
In this tutorial, we will learn the methods that are used to rig a transforming robot. Software required: Autodesk Maya.
What you'll learn
In this tutorial, we will learn the methods that are used to rig a transforming robot. Throughout these lessons, we will learn the tools and techniques used in the setup process of both our robot and truck. The goal is to break this complex idea down into a simple and manageable form. We'll cover the rigging process in its entirety, and along this journey, we'll be introduced to several tools that will help make this all come together efficiently. By the end of the course, you'll have the set of skills needed to rig your own transforming robot. Software required: Autodesk Maya.
Table of contents
- Starting on the Robot's Rig 8m
- Rigging the Robot's Left Leg 14m
- Completing the Left Leg's Base Rig 16m
- Creating a Hip Joint and Mirroring the Left Leg 6m
- Starting the Foot Roll Rig 10m
- Connecting the Reverse Foot Rig 10m
- Extra Joints for Toe Bend Control 5m
- Connecting the Leg and Hip Meshes 14m
- Primary Leg Controls 9m
- Organizing the Rig 5m
- Starting on an Animator-friendly Foot Roll Rig 8m
- Wiring the Foot Roll's PlusMinusAverage Nodes 9m
- Finishing the Foot Roll Rig 6m
- Toe Bend Controls 11m
- Knee Controls 8m
- Cleaning up the Leg Rig 8m
- Rigging the Wheels Connected to the Robot's Legs 8m
- Finalizing the Leg Wheels 11m
- Creating a Hip Control 7m
- Rigging the Wheels Connected to the Robot's Hip 7m
- Constraining the Wheel Geometry Connected to the Robot's Hip 4m
- Dynamically Parenting the Hip Wheels 10m
- Chest Control 8m
- Completing the Chest Rig 10m
- Setting up the Wheels Connected to the Back 6m
- Custom Attributes for the Back Wheels and Connecting the Back Rails 7m
- Dynamically Parenting the Back Wheels 3m
- Constraining the Spine Geometry 6m
- Creating a Center-of-gravity Control 4m
- Rigging the Neck's Base Plates 6m
- Setting up the Robot's Main Neck Plates 7m
- Re-orienting the Neck Joints 2m
- Rigging the Neck with Inverse Kinematics 8m
- Optimizing the Scene 2m
- Rigging the Robot's Head 9m
- Custom Attribute for the Neck's Base Plates 3m
- Starting on the Arms 7m
- Setting up the Elbows 9m
- Adding Arm Controls 5m
- Constraining the Arm Groups and Connect Curves for the Elbows 10m
- Dynamically Parenting the Arms 2m
- Rigging the Fingers 8m
- Connecting the Fingers 3m
- Creating Finger Controls 6m
- Wrapping up the Hands 12m
- Starting to Rig the Arm Pistons 7m
- Finalizing the Pistons 12m
- Finishing the Robot's Rig 8m
- Beginning the Truck's Rig 3m
- Rigging the Truck's Wheels 4m
- Automating the Wheel Rotation of the Truck 7m
- Finishing the Wheel Rotation Expression 3m
- Rigging the Truck's Body and Controlling the Front Tires 5m
- A Technique for Simulating Tire Pressure 3m
- Wrapping up the Tires 9m
- Finalizing the Transforming Robot's Rig 7m
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