Courses start in 40D / 7H / 34M : 36S
Feb 24 / 2025
40+ Hours
12-Weeks
Certified
Objective
Master the fundamentals of rigging and joint placement for a variety of characters.
- Build advanced control systems for animators, including FK/IK setups and facial rigs.
- Optimize rigs for performance, ensuring smooth deformation and real-time playback.
- Troubleshoot and refine rigs to meet production standards, including integration with animation and VFXworkflows.
- Produce a portfolio-ready rig that demonstrates a thorough understanding of professional rigging practices.
Requirements
- Intermediate knowledge of 3D software such as Maya.
- Basic understanding of anatomy and character animation is beneficial.
- Access to Maya.
- A computer capable of handling complex rigging tasks.
- A commitment to problem-solving and attention to detail in creating production-quality rigs.
Skill Level
Advanced
Software
Maya
Location
Online
WEEKLY BREAKDOWN
1
Introduction to Rigging & Tools Overview , students will dive into concept ideation, exploring creative strategies for story development and visual storytelling fundamentals to kickstart their projects.
2
Spine Rig Setup , students will master the foundational skills of blocking out shapes and forms, focusing on structure and proportion to establish strong 3D models.
3
Arm Rig Setup , students will learn essential techniques for matching 3D cameras to real-world footage, laying the groundwork for seamless integration of CG elements into live-action scenes.
4
Leg Rig Setup , students will study anatomical structures and stylistic influences, refining their understanding of form and proportion to create more accurate and expressive characters.
5
Neck/Head Rig Setup , students will explore advanced sculpting methods, focusing on refining details, textures, and forms to elevate their digital sculptures to a professional level.
6
Connecting all in one , students will learn to create clean, efficient topology for animation, with a focus on setting up facial features for expressive and flexible creature rigs.
7
Additional Arm/Leg Setup , students will master the process of unwrapping and mapping UVs for complex creature models, ensuring accurate texture application and optimized workflow.
8
Tips and Tricks + Review , students will learn to apply and manipulate textures and details through projection mapping, enhancing the realism and depth of their 3D models.
9
Q&A Session , students will uncover industry secrets and advanced techniques, gaining valuable insights to enhance their workflow and achieve exceptional results in their projects.
10
Skin Torso and Head , students will master techniques for adding intricate skin textures and subtle details, enhancing realism and depth in their character models.
11
Skin Arm and Legs , students will experiment with dynamic and expressive poses, learning to capture movement and emotion to bring their characters to life.
12
Final Refinements & Submission , students will perfect their projects by focusing on detailing, polishing, and adding the final enhancements necessary to achieve a professional, high-quality finish.
Project
Benefits
Gain access to job-focused training
Learn from artists who have worked on big films
Receive personalized feedback
Join a supportive active community
Instructor
Yang Xiao
RIGGING
Yang Xiago is a highly skilled Rigger artist with extensive experience in the animation and VFX industries. Known for his precision and expertise in creating advanced rigs, Yang specializes in developing flexible and intuitive rigging systems that bring characters and creatures to life. As a mentor, Yang brings his deep knowledge of anatomy, deformation, and technical rigging to guide students through industry-standard workflows. His passion for teaching and commitment to student success make him an invaluable resource for aspiring riggers, preparing them for the demands of professional production environments.
Transformers, Boba Fett, Invasion