Maya Character Rigging

Here we build a skeleton for the character and bind the skeleton to the geometry in Maya. This is also known as rigging a character.

Character rigging is important. Advanced Rigging makes it easier to animate your character. View joints and nerves so that you may easily select parts of the character. Check out this Maya animation tutorial video from Sessions Online School of Game Art's "Character Animation ...more

This tutorial shows you how to take your Zbrush character into Maya, pose it, and import the pose back into Zbrush. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this hour long tutorial. A download link is provided on the page for the full WMP tutorial.

In this tutorial you will learn how to setup a basic rig in Maya. Animation rigs are the bone and muscle structures used to animate and move characters and objects made in Maya. If you plan to make anything you model in Maya come to life, you will need to learn the basics of r ...more

This clip offers instructions on how to do non-character rigging for animation in C4D. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this fr ...more

This tutorial shows you how to export a character out of Maya and into the generic browser to animate it in Unreal Engine 3.0 for Gears of War.

Learn how to take advantage of the CAT feature in 3ds Max 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the 3ds Max 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For ...more

Having a little trouble putting skin on your 3D animated characters in Autodesk Maya 8.5? Well, check out this five-part video tutorial on how skinning is done for your animation. You'll need those bones built, a nice skeleton structure to put some skin on, so get started. In ...more

If you've designed the perfect 3D animated character in Autodesk Maya 8.5, then you might need to learn how to pose him correctly, right? Well, this video will show you how to pose the animated character correctly and in an easy way, watching out for the skin and bones and wit ...more

Check out this video for how to character set in Autodesk Maya 8.5. You should already have everything set up, everything's weighed, the bones are working properly, the skin is on right, and everything moves smoothly, then this is the next step for an awesome 3D animated chara ...more

This is the basic bone animation using a character set and the hypergraph within Maya. Geared for kids to learn 3D modeling and animating this video is great for beginners.

This tutorial shows you how to fix scaling issues you may get while trying to rig a character in Zbrush.

Learn how to convert a skeleton of a character for Unreal Tournament 3 (UT3) from 3D Studio Max to Maya and import it into the Unreal engine.

The female torso is arguably the most popular thing to depict in the history of art. Go figure. This seven-part video will teach you how to create a 3D character model of a female torso using Maya. The creator uses a background image that we could not track down, but you can p ...more

If you want to be a character animator, you should probably learn Maya, and definitely learn rigging. This tutorial shows you how to create muscle movement simulations (or muscle rigging) for any creature or character with bones.

This tutorial shows you how to create a working piston in Maya. The key is to use constraints so that as one piece moves, the others move accordingly. Even if you don't want to make pistons, this is a good constraint example(something essential to creating skeletons and riggin ...more

Cinema 4D is an amazing program, but not a one-stop source for animation needs, especially if you're planning on making a 3D video game, for which you'll need Unity 3D. This three-part video covers the process of rigging a character in Cinema 4D and transferring to Unity 3D. ...more

Rigging low poly character models with vertices and physique is one of the most important parts of animating a character in 3DS MAX. This four-part video series will show you how to vertex rig a World of Warcraft low-poly character model, allowing you to use them in your hybri ...more

The sampler deformer tool is a great way to blend or "morph" characters or objects. In this tutorial you'll see how to use this tool with an example from X-Men and the character Mystique. Morph characters like Mystique in Maya. Click through to watch this video on vtutorial.com

Need some help figuring out how to create bones for character rigging within Adobe Flash Professional CS5? It's simple. And this video presents a complete walkthrough of the process. Whether you're new to Adobe Flash or merely unfamiliar with Flash Professional CS5, you're sur ...more

If you need to create an animated character, Maya is the software program for you. If you don't know how to make that character you've dreamed up, then maybe you should check out this Maya video tutorial on an important step -- creating a skeleton structure. Creating bones cou ...more

Check out this two-part video tutorial on learning some components and polyprimitives of vertices in Autodesk Maya 8.5. You'll get the best info on geometry for 3D animation in this 3D modeling video. See how to scale, rotate, and move vertices of your built animated character ...more

If you're in a 3D modeling class, then you might want to check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 two-part video tutorial. These videos cover how to do a duplicate mirror merge. So, if you want to build an animated character in Maya, just watch for these tips on a dup mirror merge. Pa ...more

See how to use viewports in Autodesk Maya 8.5. If your 3D modeling skills are in need of a little refreshing, then watch this five-part video to see how to effectively use a viewport in Maya for your character animation. Part 1 of 5 - How to Use viewports in Maya 8.5. Use view ...more

If you're a master at Autodesk Maya 8.5, then great, but if you are feeling a bit rusty, maybe this review on cleaning up your geometry will help. This video tutorial will help your animated character come to life in Maya by doing a little geometry cleanup. So, for great 3D mo ...more

If you've started bending your 3D animated character around in Autodesk Maya 8.5 and came across a broken bone sticking out that needs to pivot, then you've got a huge weighting issue. Check out this three-part video tutorial on how to correctly weight objects down in Maya. So ...more

If you are apart of Jason Welsh's Autodesk Maya 8.5 online class, then you might want to check this six-part video out. If not, if your just some 3D modeler out there who needs a little help, then you can watch, too. You'll see how to use the split polygon tool, extrude, work ...more

If you want to learn how to use Autodesk Maya 8.5, then starting off in the video could be a good thing for your animation projects. In this tutorial, you'll learn some basic Maya parenting techniques to help you along your way to magnificent character development. So, if your ...more

Check out this four-part video tutorial on geometry in Autodesk Maya 8.5. You'll learn about extraordinary vertices and non-extraordinary vertices balls. If you're a 3D modeler, then why not look at this video? Your 3D animation skills might need a little brush up, so make you ...more

This tutorial explains how to create lip sync and facial animations in Maya on a figure. This is an important skill to have if you plan on becoming a character animator. Create lip sync animations in Maya. Click through to watch this video on vtutorial.com

Take a gander at this 3D animation video tutorial on how to move pole vectors in Autodesk Maya 8.5. So, if you need to move that pole vector so it doesn't flip, and see where to put it if you want to let your character do the split. Also see how to rotate the pole vector in Ma ...more

Okay, make some bones with no orientation and watch this Autodesk Maya 8.5 video tutorial. This video will show you the industry standard IK Handle tool and how to use it with your character's animated bones. So, if you're a wannabe 3D modeler, then you should probably watch t ...more

Something that's particularly useful in Autodesk Maya 8.5 is masking. Check out this video tutorial on masking for your animation. There's going to be all kinds of nasty little things in your character development, like bones, curves, geometry, and a lot more. This video will ...more

Check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 video tutorial on how to use the Trax editor for your 3D animated object. If you're 3D modeling, then this is a must know. So watch this three-parter to animate your character with Trax, in a series of poses that need looped. Part 1 of 3 - How ...more

This Blender tutorialc overs the creation of a game-friendly model (i.e. low-polygon), texturing, rigging, animating, and bringing it into the game engine with basic forward and back controls, as well as turning left and right, and running. Whether you're new to the Blender Fo ...more

Say you want to bring two objects together so they automatically flow from one piece to the next in Autodesk Maya 8.5, well, then you're going to have to bridge them. Check out this video tutorial on how to do just that. Combine them, then bridge them. It's that simple. So, fo ...more

Dissect the object of its parts. Select the curves to rotate, model or scale the whole character. The Maya hot keys are as follows: W translates, R scales and E rotates. Check out this Maya character animation tutorial video from Sessions Online School of Game Art's "Characte ...more

This video is to get you started with the initial setup of the Doom 3 to Maya workflow. Topics covered (in order) are set up, export your first character ingame, texturing, animations on character cycles, load game models into Maya. Part 4 is a WMP video. Project files: www.h ...more

Animation controls run on the bottom of the screen. The time slider is the most important control for designing frames in Maya. Playback is exactly intuitive. This is a basic overview of Maya animation protocol and a lesson in using Maya tools. Check out this Maya animation t ...more

The bouncing ball animation is a classic beginning point for animating in every 3D software package. This tutorial shows you how to do it in Maya. Part two will concentrate on keyframes. Part three will turn the bouncing ball into a character set. Part four will cover using th ...more

Pretty much every efficient type of modern vehicle features some sort of suspension to cushion its landings and smooth its ride. This means that modeling a suspension accurately is an important part of creating 3D models of vehicles. This four-part video will teach you how to ...more

This clip provides a complete guide on creating a full body rig for a 3D model within Blender. It demonstrates how to do a full setup on the left half (creating and placing bones, and also applying constraints), and copy it over to the right side for a perfectly symmetrical ri ...more

Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take ...more

Learn how to generate basic character rigs for animating your 3D models within 3ds Max 2010 or 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served ...more

See how to create a simple character rig within 3D Studio Max 2010. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more ...more

If you are working on characters or rigs, you are definitely working with joints. This video shows you how to insert a join in a joint chain if you need more or happened to miss one.

In the following lessons you will learn some essential tools and techniques for working with muscles in Houdini. In the first lesson, you will learn how to rig up a simple muscle arm using Houdini's Muscle tool. The Muscle tool uses meta-balls to capture your character's skin ...more

Have you ever wanted to modify the 3D images from your favorite video games yourself? This video is here to help! It will teach you how to import and rig a 3D character (in this case a Bloodelf from World of Warcraft) in 3D Studio MAX. Now you can edit the character however yo ...more

Time Remapping is a feature of Adobe After Effects used for rigging your animated characters, which can be most useful when trying to make your lip syncing look realistic. This is a quick tutorial on how to use this feature for your next project.

This clip presents a general overview of how to go about creating a custom face rig for character animation within Blender 2.49 or 2.5 Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting ...more

If you think you have all the essential tools figured out in Autodesk Maya 8.5, you probably don't. So, if you want to create awesome 3D animated characters, then maybe you should watch this Maya video to make sure you know how to keep faces together after you already know how ...more

If you are building 3D characters using Autodesk Maya 8.5, but are still having trouble, maybe you forgot about snapping? Well, check out this beginning tutorial video on snapping in Maya, to make your animation much, much easier. 3D modeling is just the beginning folks.

Learn how to create and rig a 3D model of a 3D character in Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips and tricks, you're sure to be well serve ...more

If you've ever wanted to make an even slightly fantasy-flavored film, you've probably wanted to make one of your characters fly. Unless you're working with a bird or some really crazy rigging, you're going to need to make this special effect happen in After Effects, or whateve ...more

Learn how to create a character rig when animating 3D models in Blender. Specifically, this clip addresses the following topics: Bone creation, splitting and re-parenting. Weighting with bone heat, mirrored weight painting and posed weight painting. IK setup, bone roll, and po ...more

Check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 two-part video tutorial on how to move objects around. You'll learn about the channel box and how to use your mouse to move around those animated 3D characters. You'll see how to rotate and flip objects and be the best 3D Maya modeler around. Y ...more

This five part Houdini 9 video series covers an entire rigging workflow using the H9 Quadruped Auto Rig shelf tool. Take an in-depth look at setting up joint controls, creating proxy geometry, generating animation and deformation rigs, and painting weights. The concepts presen ...more

This series is easy enough for kids and adults but should be alot of fun for both that want to learn how to build and animate 3D characters. Jason Welsh teaches how to get all your software for free and setup for the students workflow for his tutorials..