Maya 8.0 Character Modeling

Chapter 13Character Rigging

Understanding Joints

Refer to Chapter_13 on the companion CD.

In most cases, when we build a character model we expect to be able to animate it. Luckily, we have taken that into consideration during the modeling process. How, you ask? Well, to a great extent we have tried to get our model geometry to follow the natural shape of the muscles, as well as provide enough geometry around areas that will bend and rotate. Even if you don’t plan to animate the model, it would still benefit you to use a skeletal system to pose your model in something other than the current default pose. I think you will agree it would look a lot better on your demo reel.

Now let me warn you that no matter how hard we try, we will never get the ...