Project 1: Character Model/Rig

For project one, I was instructed to model a character, and create an underlying skeleton (a rigging) that would allow the model to be moved and manipulated through a series of joints, bones and handles. Below are several of the reference images that I drew prior to this project. Click on the images to get a larger view.






And here are some movies of the animations that I made using the character rig, plus one of a maquette that I digitized using a 3D scanner.

Rig for Character

After completeing lessons 12-17 in my Modeling and Animation Handbook, I was able to rig up my character in much a similar fashion to Leon (see post below this one). For this rig, there are many IK handles that are connected to the skeletal structure, which allow the joints to move as if controlled by muscles. My rig allows my character to walk, move his arms, hands, head, and torso individually, as well as his fingers. Keep an eye out for a walk-cycle animation, which I will be working on next. As always, click on the images below to see the actual size picture.