Video Training →Learn To Rig A Complex Quadruped In Maya For Games And Film

Everything you need to know to understand rigging a complex, 4-legged character for games!
What you'll learn
Create IK/FK rig systems in Maya
Understand rigging Spline IK systems
Learn to deal with the unique challenges of rigging a quadruped character or creature
Requirements
Autodesk's Maya
Description
Quadrupeds come in various types, and they all have their own unique needs, but in this module we will rig a canine character which covers many of the unique problems in rigging a quadruped. Some of these problems include how to deal with the back leg and setting up a spline ik for the back.
In the first module we will analyze the problem we are attempting to solve. We will start with talking about some basic rigging processes we will use throughout the modules, and then discuss how we will lay out our joints. At the end, we will bind our mesh to the joints and begin skinning. In the second module we will go through the process of skinning our character using tools such as the Paint Weights Tool, the Prune Small Weights function, and the Component Editor. In the third module, we start building the control rig to drive our bind joints, focusing on a simple FK control structure for the tail, and then working on the back dog leg In our fourth and final module, we will finish the rig, completing the front leg as well as the spine and the head/neck area. We will also illustrate how we can deal with some of the quirks we stumble over in Maya and how to overcome and troubleshoot your rig.
(Students - please look under Section 1 / Lecture 1 downloads for the source files associated with the lesson.)
More about the Instructor
Chad Robert Morgan started his career in computer games and animated film after his tour in the US Navy and using his veteran's benefits to attend Sonoma State University in northern California. His first job in the industry was at LucasArts - where he was introduced to Maya and mentored by some of the best people in the industry. From there he spent some time working at ReelFX before moving back to California and joining The Collective, which eventually became Double Helix and worked on such titles as Silent Hill : Homecoming, Strider, and Killer Instinct. Chad has taught several Maya Master Classes for Autodesk and has an article published in 3DWorld magazine. Chad now runs his own fledgling company, Spectral Ink Productions, and works for clients such as WhiteMoon Dreams and UCI.
Overview
Section 1: Understanding Joints in Quadrupeds
Lecture 1 Download Course Files Here!
Lecture 2 Introduction and Course Overview
Lecture 3 Zeroing Controls
Lecture 4 Joint Basics
Lecture 5 Planning Our Skeleton
Lecture 6 Joint Layout
Lecture 7 Binding the Mesh
Section 2: Intro to Rigging the Back, Legs, and Tail
Lecture 8 Introduction
Lecture 9 Skinning the Back Legs
Lecture 10 Skinning the Back Legs - Refinement
Lecture 11 Skinning the Back and Tail
Lecture 12 Skinning the Front Legs
Lecture 13 Skinning the Neck and Head
Section 3: Learning IK Rigging and Set Driven Keys
Lecture 14 Introduction
Lecture 15 Preparing to Rig the Tail
Lecture 16 Rigging the Tail
Lecture 17 Creating the Back Leg FK Rig
Lecture 18 Creating the Back Leg IK Rig
Lecture 19 Setting Up Plane Driver
Lecture 20 Finishing the Back Leg IK Handles
Lecture 21 Setting Up Foot Pivots
Lecture 22 Setting Driven Keys
Lecture 23 Finishing the Rear Leg
Section 4: Refining the IK and RK setups, and Rig Polish
Lecture 24 Introduction
Lecture 25 Building the Front Leg FK Rig
Lecture 26 Building the Front Leg IK Rig
Lecture 27 Dealing with Maya Quirks
Lecture 28 Resetting the Driven Keys
Lecture 29 Creating the Main Controls
Lecture 30 Rigging the IK Back
Lecture 31 Rigging the FK Back
Lecture 32 Stretchy Spline IK
Lecture 33 Head and Neck
Lecture 34 Repairing the Rig
Lecture 35 Finishing the Head and Neck Rig - and course wrapup
Lecture 36 Bonus Lecture: Further Learning with 3dmotive
All those who want to improve their character rigging skills, and understanding of the challenges that rigging brings


Homepage

https://www.udemy.com/course/3dmotive-learn-to-rig-a-complex-quadruped-in-maya/