A long time coming, free rigging script for Maya..
polycounter lvl 9
It's been a long time since I gave back to this community ( the last time I was really here was waaaay before we had an animation section!).
In all that time I've progressed technically, in my day to day jobs I've been needing to create quick and simple hybrid rigs that could be humanoid, quadrupeds or just straight up odd.. Most of the free tools out their are essentially humanoid only or bolted on extras.
So I set myself the challenge a loooong time ago to learn how to make my own rigging tool that was more akin to Lego, you can use it to create some of the oddest rigs you can think up, they dont even have to be characters, mechanical rigs, organic, limbs or not.. doesnt matter.
I'm going to release the version I have as is, no support, no wiki, just a simple timelapse video to get the ball rolling and later if theres enough interest I'll update with support and files as I'm moving essentially onto version 2 but I know some of you guys are struggling for tools so here goes!
Rigs possible with my python script.. average of about a few hours, mostly creating nice looking controls..
https://vimeo.com/121486288
Simple timelapse video explaining features and a few bits more..
https://vimeo.com/121613195
And the python script, copy paste the whole thing into a maya python script window and save/run..
http://pastebin.com/6mAryuuq
Let me know thoughts ideas and rigs you've created, all the best guys! (ps I'll happily take donations as I work on the next iteration ha!)
In all that time I've progressed technically, in my day to day jobs I've been needing to create quick and simple hybrid rigs that could be humanoid, quadrupeds or just straight up odd.. Most of the free tools out their are essentially humanoid only or bolted on extras.
So I set myself the challenge a loooong time ago to learn how to make my own rigging tool that was more akin to Lego, you can use it to create some of the oddest rigs you can think up, they dont even have to be characters, mechanical rigs, organic, limbs or not.. doesnt matter.
I'm going to release the version I have as is, no support, no wiki, just a simple timelapse video to get the ball rolling and later if theres enough interest I'll update with support and files as I'm moving essentially onto version 2 but I know some of you guys are struggling for tools so here goes!
Rigs possible with my python script.. average of about a few hours, mostly creating nice looking controls..
https://vimeo.com/121486288
Simple timelapse video explaining features and a few bits more..
https://vimeo.com/121613195
And the python script, copy paste the whole thing into a maya python script window and save/run..
http://pastebin.com/6mAryuuq
Let me know thoughts ideas and rigs you've created, all the best guys! (ps I'll happily take donations as I work on the next iteration ha!)
Replies
Thanks so much for giving back
Killer animation reel you got there! To think you can also easily rig characters like that amazes me! I hope to gain your knowledge on the matter one day!!
I think having some rigging knowledge always helps an animator finding job in the field, am I right?
Oh man, cool scripts man. Thanks for sharing! Im definitely going to have a look at em this weekend.
Thanks
Cheers Dustinbrown for adding an image!
I was wondering if you have any written breakdown of how to use the tool? Thank you!!
Also,how easy is it to learn?..With 0 experience.
I'm on an old laptop
This tool looks cool unfortunatly i can't try it
-EM- That usually happens on funky copy pasting into Maya, perhaps try copy pasteing again?
King, it should run fine, nothing overly fancy besides the actual creation process, it creates super simple rigs of IK - FK.
Pay me back using my PayPal.Me link: https://paypal.me/animflynny
Update and videos soon, my laptop I just bought has severe dpi issues in windows 10 ><
that is a very good idea! but i fear that some deafs artists like me wouldn't be able to understand... rest assured, if you show well enough how to do, we will understand you better
i'm from europe but there is a problem : i never learned the BSL sign language, beside, i start to forgot what i learned as sign language considering that i can speak normally (and hearing thank to these devices!) so.. ^^;
Well I'll be organising a twitch soon with a friends amazing character soon, people let me know if you're interested, it'l be UK time.
Just a heads up currently winding down hopefully on the project so I'll be having free time very soon to do my first twitch videos on this thing. I'll possibly be releasing a slight update that is purely cosmetic beforehand. I'm thinking Sunday 6th or 13th of March UK Lunchtime for the videos..