Chapter 7

Rigging and Muscle Systems

Rigging is the process of creating an organized system of deformers, expressions, and controls applied to an object so that it can be easily and efficiently animated. A good rig should intuitively allow an animator to concentrate on the art of animation without the technical aspects of rigging getting in the way. In addition, a good rig should be well organized so that it can easily be changed, repurposed, or fixed if there is a problem.

Rigging as a practice is continually evolving in the industry. New technologies, concepts, and approaches emerge every day and are widely discussed and debated among professional technical directors throughout the world. Although this chapter offers advice on how best to approach ...

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