Caterpillar Track Rig

The Model, Rigging and Animation has been done in Maya Software.

This model was very easy to Rig.

Master Control is created to Move, Rotate and Scale the rigged model.

Blend Shape and Wire Deformer are the 2 main tools used to Rig the model.

I have also set the Attributes to stop the Animation when attribute is set to 0 (zero), Move it slow when the attribute is set to 1, and Fast when attribute is 5.

In this video, the attribute is 5 which is fast.

Tree Rig

This Rig was done in Maya Software. Rigging this was not at all easy. 

IK Spline Handle, Expression Editor was used to create the rig.

NDynamics, nhair was used to create rig for the leaves. 

   

The Tree Trunk stretches and squashes when the controls are moved.

                   

    The leaves are rigged with the Dynamic simulations.



   The Bend and change in shape of the tree trunk is controlled by FK controls.

Book Rig

The model of the Book is been Rigged in Maya Software. Rigging this was a bit tough.

The Book has the curve controls to control the movements of the book, cover of book, single page, fanning the pages of the book.

Cover Texture and Color can be changed using Set Driven Key and Expression Editor.

To rig the Cover, I have used Joint tool and Skin tool. Component Editor is used to adjust the shape of the cover while it is bending.

To rig the Book, I have used Deformer and Blend Shape.

To rig the Loose page; I have used Mid Point Formula to fan the pages, Deformer to bend the pages, Blend Shapes and Set Driven Key.

• The Book opens and closes when the cover right, cover left, book right and book left controls are moved.
• The Spine rotates on two pivots.
• Loose pages turn Page flip control is moved.
• Fan Pages control can fan many pages rapidly.
• The fan is affected by the opening and closing of the book.

Wheel Rig

The model of an Wooden toy Elephant is been Rigged in Maya Software.

Wooden toy Elephant is a very cute model. It was easy Rigging this model.

 Stretch and Squash is created using Deformer and it is controlled by the Iconic curve.

 The Wheels turn when the model moves forwards or backwards (expression driven rig). The Rigging of Wheels are created using Expression Editor.

 The rotation and speed of the Wheels are in sync with their respective diameters. Iconic curves are used for the controls.

 World control is created to move, rotate and scale the entire setup.

A Triangular Curve is used to control the movements of the model of Elephant. The Auto Wheel attribute is used to turn Off and On the rotation of the Wheels. Orient Constrain, Parent Constrain and Scale Constrain are the Constrains used for the Rigging connections.

Animation for the Rig of the Wheel.

Bow and Arrow Rig

The Bow and Arrow is rigged in Maya Software.

Rigging this was very fun.

The Arrow has a Space Switch control to :

a) Function independently

                             b) Stays with the bow

                               c) Stays with the string.
                World control is added to the Arrow Model.

         The Bow bends when the string is pulled.

         I have used Skeleton from the Menu for the joints of the Bow and IK Handles to bend the Bow.

        Deformers are used for the String of the Bow.

          Parent Constrain is used for the connections.

  Cubical curve is used to control (bend, move, scale, rotate) the Bow, Spherical curve is used to control the String of the Bow and Circular curve is used to control (adjust, spin, space switch) the Arrow.

Animation is done for the Bow and Arrow Rig.

Wooden Toy

Source Image to identify the names of the parts related to the model.

Model of a Wooden Toy.
It is a very cute Toy which we used to get in olden days.
I have used Orient Constrain and Point Constrain to connect the parts of the model to get a better Rig.
Outliner in the Maya interface shows the details.
Perspective view of the Wooden Toy :

Back View of the Wooden Toy :

Front View of the Wooden Toy :

All the Cams rotates when the crank shaft rotates. 

The Followers moves up and down when the Cams rotates. 

The Followers also remains in contact with the Cams.

The Wooden Toy pieces on the top moves in sync with the Followers.

 

Iconic Curves are created for controls.

Animation of the Wooden Toy

Juice Box rig

Model of a Juice Box and a Straw with Rigging connections constructed in Maya.

It was really fun and easy Rigging this model. 

 The box will squash along the direction it is moved.

 The box will stretch along the direction it is moved.

 The box bends to its left on top.

 The box bends to its right on top.

 The box can twist.

 Sipping action is connected to the straw.

Iconic Curves are used to control the movements of the model. When the model is moved in any direction, the straw tip jiggles when the model stops.

Ball Rig

Normal position of a beach Ball. 

Squashed position of a beach Ball.

Stretched position of a beach Ball. 

Rigging is done using Deformers and Curves in Maya. Outliner shows the details.