Riggings suggestions for animators.

CrisVaquero

Hey guys! I was wondering if you have any cool rig that you specially like, or that is simple but yet versatile. I want to make some shots for the  demoreel but all the models and rigs that I have are student rigs, and I would like to upgrade that a bit as I have been told that is not a good idea to show student material in the portfolio. 

So, do you have any rig suggestion for facial expressions and acting shots?

ysiegel

What do you mean by student rigs? As far as I know, famous rigs that are used by students are absolutely fine to show in a portfolio (you mean showreel, right?), since the employer is looking for your ability to move the rig properly, not for a rig you didn't make in any case.

Check out some rigs by animschool (like Malcom and Marina). Also, try out Norman and Andy rigs.
The rigs you use obviously should depend on what you are using them for. There are plenty of rigs which are built for testing out physics, and general physical activities (stunts, lifting objects, and the like). 

In any case I'll recommend the following guide to look at:
https://rustyanimator.com/free-maya-rigs/

CrisVaquero

I went to a portfolio review in the GDC, and the person reviewing it told me that it would be better to remove from my showreel the rigs that looked so much like a student work, as it didn´t look very professional.  

Thanks for the link, I will take a good look to it  

crappyguy

Hey there Cris!
i hope you're doing well. sorry for this late reply xD
i remember some of your shots from last term at the school. you're going good, keep at it
here are a couple of really good looking rigs you can use [these have just been released recently]

https://gumroad.com/l/ikrQP?fbclid=IwAR2KcXkjwMB2nVKSC7HfjQ_WMrzqovwYGwcYbSAN1iSU7r5GJhki7sHBev4

https://www.cgmeetup.com/product/ruby-rig

Enjoy!

Mark Dygert

As someone who reviews portfolios constantly, it does get hard to tell candidates apart when the same rigs are used over and over again, especially if it's the same assignment from class. The first or second time anyone does anything, its probably going to be rough, even if they got a good grade on it, its still probably pretty rough.

Plus you're fighting the negative impact of other poorly done animations that they've seen on that rig. "Oh this rig again, let me guess, run cycle, jump, ledge pull up? OH how did I know!? I must be psychic..." 

It helps if you can change up the models, maybe switch from some of the cartoonish rigs to something a bit more realistic or game ready (not so much squash and stretch, less lip sync clips and more action ect...)

Personally I think every animator should be at least a little familiar with rigging, not so much that they split their focus and divide their efforts while learning, but know enough that they could take a character from mesh to animation, WITH the aid of a few tools like Advanced Skeleton or The Setup Machine. That way you can use whatever model you have and you demonstrate a slightly deeper layer of knowledge, that always looks good.

Advanced Skeleton: https://www.animationstudios.com.au/advanced-skeleton

TSM3: http://www.anzovin.com/tsm3

Personally I like Advanced Skeleton and use it professionally. It rigs bipeds and quadrupeds plus just about anything else you can think of. It's a great system that's really easy to use.