Maya Rigs by Squiggly Rigs - Free & Premium

What is rigging?

Although its literal translation is rigging, the meaning of rigging is how we create, from a three-dimensional (3D) model or digital sculpture, the necessary structure to deform and animate characters. In the same way that we would do with a puppet, bones and controls are created within a geometry to animate the body, muscles, facials, skin, and the clothes and hair of the characters through said Maya rigs.

Nodes, bones, manipulators, graphics, panels, and almost anything make life easier for the 3d animator. 

Of course, we must not forget that this engineering also allows Rigs applications to create gears, ropes, etc. in vehicles, ships, boats, even doors or windows, and other elements that need a mechanical system to move or rotate.

How to Make a Good Maya Rig

To make an excellent Maya rig, you have to keep three points in mind. From the animation point of view, the deformation point of view, and another from the technical point of view (Pipeline)

• Animation. A good rig has to meet the technical requirements of the animator or animation team. It should be as simple as possible and intuitive for the animators. And most importantly, a good rig should be as fast as possible. This is something that animators continuously suffer. There is nothing worse than working with a slow rig.
• Deformation. There are two things to keep in mind here. First, the deformation must be anatomically correct. And second, meet the art requirements. For example, at the facial level, the art department determines how this deformation should be.
• Technical. Your rigging has to fit within the Pipeline of the company you are working for. Remember that other departments where your Maya rig has to cover a series of criteria and functionalities that they need before and after this process.

Rigging Programs

Here is a summary of the most used programs in creating Maya rigs for 3d character animation.

The main rigging programs are Maya, 3D Max, and Blender. Inside (and outside) each of them, many tools facilitate the creation of particular elements. This is Python’s case (Tools with Programming), Marvelous Designer (Clothing simulation), or even programs to create semi-automatic rigs such as Mixamo or IKMax.