Edge loops for elbows and knees

Pope Adam · Jul 2008

Hey forums!

I'm tasked with re-modeling a character for a prototyping assignment we have at school. The first model had some errors when it came to rigging - the knees and elbows just werent deforming correctly. Are there any tricks out there that I should know about before tackling this again?

I do understand the concepts of edge loops, and the importance of them, just looking for those extra tips and tricks for the elbows and knees (face, chest and hips are all good to go)

cheers~!
adam

LEViATHAN · Jul 2008

hi/low-res?

Rob Galanakis · Jul 2008

http://pig-brain.com/tut02/tut02_02.htm

Kawe · Jul 2008

images on the errors as well as wireframes would help

EDIT: nice link

Pope Adam · Jul 2008

I haven't got any screenies from the character right now (well, at least not one that were rigged to give an example of the deformation. I'll talk to my buddy that did the rigging and get a more accurate explanation of the deformation and make a post in the next day or two.

Great link, I agree! I'll reference it during my rebuild.

LEViATHAN · Jul 2008

Here's a wire of my arm rig.

rube · Jul 2008

those are fingers.

LEViATHAN · Jul 2008

YOU HAVE A KEEN EYE SIR

also applies to elbows and knees

Cyph3r · Jul 2008

he said "those are fingers" becuase you said it was wires of your ARM rig

Rob Galanakis · Jul 2008

Last I checked, my arm had fingers, but whatever.

A single edge to 'collapse' into will only work if the joint is placed at the optimal position. Generally you'll want to reuse rigs and animations so multiple characters will need to share the same rig. It is better to build it with the two collapsing edges, rather than just one, it is much more forgiving to a less precise joint placement.

LEViATHAN · Jul 2008

I agree that having 2 full loops is better, but also wanted to show that just having 1 doesn't always mean that it'll end up looking terrible (as suggested on Ben Mathis's site).

Eric Chadwick · Jul 2008

Added some things here.
http://wiki.polycount.net/Topology

Cyph3r · Jul 2008

Professor420 wrote: »

Last I checked, my arm had fingers, but whatever.

A single edge to 'collapse' into will only work if the joint is placed at the optimal position. Generally you'll want to reuse rigs and animations so multiple characters will need to share the same rig. It is better to build it with the two collapsing edges, rather than just one, it is much more forgiving to a less precise joint placement.

I dunno, last i checked my hand had fingers, not my arm

Rob Galanakis · Jul 2008

Cyph3r wrote: »

I dunno, last i checked my hand had fingers, not my arm

I would check your hand is attached to your arm, not your ass, inside of which another part of your body seems to be.

If you want to try and make smart comebacks, make sure you at least say something else worthwhile during the thread. I have no idea why someone would care when they ask how to model topology for a tube that bends in a single axis and then are shown tubes that bend in a single axis.

Michael Knubben · Jul 2008

I'm pretty sure that was a joke. And if you wanted to reply in a smart-arsed manner, it would've helped if what you said was actually smart. Your fingers aren't attached to your arms.
And Cypher also wasn't the one who originally made the joke, he only clarified because you didn't seem to get it.

Rob Galanakis · Jul 2008

I am beyond confused. The brilliant Cyph3r could probably spend his time much more fruitfully if he actually absorbed what he was reading instead of pointing out completely irrelevant semantical problems (if they are problems at all- your fingers are attached to your palm, your hand is the super-set of your fingers, and your arm the superset of your hand- it makes no more sense to say 'my fingers are attached to my hand' than 'my fingers are attached to my arm'- they are attached to neither, but are members of both) with advice someone gives or reference someone posts. The only two people who have actually posted help in this thread are myself and Leviathan- thank you, Cyph3r, for your brilliant irrelevant quips and dragging this thread off-topic.

Eric Chadwick · Jul 2008

Take a stress pill Dave

LEViATHAN · Jul 2008

I think that only a rap-battle will settle the score here.

ElysiumGX · Jul 2008

Professor420 wrote: »

I would check your hand is attached to your arm, not your ass, inside of which another part of your body seems to be.

Professor420 wrote: »

your fingers are attached to your palm, your hand is the super-set of your fingers, and your arm the superset of your hand- it makes no more sense to say 'my fingers are attached to my hand' than 'my fingers are attached to my arm' blah blah blah i need some Midol.

Actually, the fingers, or phalanges, are attached to the metacarpals, which make up the hand, one side of which is considered the palm. These then connect with an arrangement of 8 carpal bones, which I won't bore you with naming...as you seem to have very little time these days for details. These bones allow the function of the wrists. Proximal to them are the bones that create the arm, forearm to be specific. So honestly, the fingers are connected to the hand, not directly connected to the arm, unless you're referring to the attachment and insertions of muscles.

Hi, I studied anatomy, and I approve of this thread. Also, my arms have nipples.

Rob Galanakis · Jul 2008

Arm: the upper limb of the human body, esp. the part extending from the shoulder to the wrist.

I'm wrong. Whatever. Does anyone have anything else to contribute to the thread? Or would you all rather continue the pointlessly insulting one another and responding to well-intentioned posts with off-topic drivel?

Pope Adam · Jul 2008

coolest thread ever

Ruz · Jul 2008

the knee bone connect to the thigh bone , now hear the word of the lord:)

Mark Dygert · Jul 2008

dem bones...

Cyph3r · Jul 2008

*slowly backs out of the thread*

breakneck · Jul 2008

jesus. . . see what you started adam?

Kawe · Jul 2008

What if the character is actually an Elbowknee?

(I just couldn't resist)

Edge loops for elbows and knees

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