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Seven
11-14-2002, 07:10 PM
Hi
I am currently at university and have some questions regarding Maya 4.5. Ive tried to find tutors but well its quicker and probably better asking you lot :)

Ive been following the in-built tutorials in Maya 4.5 and now im on the character rigging part.

Now ive got my skeleton with IK handles on the arms and legs. See image one down below.

Now when i move the intire skeleton I get image 2, that result.

now to solve this the tutorial says to, and i quote:

If you want to move the entire skeleton, group the back_root and all IK handles under a single node, select the group node, and then use the Move tool. With this grouping, the motion of the entire skeleton won't conflict with the keys you set for the handles.

Now I dont understand how to do this. I have tried to link the 4 IK parts to the back_root in the Hyper.. (sorry i cant remember the name) but when I do this, indeed the intire character does move. But when i play my animation that worked fine when still, the legs/arms go into a spasum. The tutorial says if i 'group' it correctly moving the intire skeleton will not effect the animation.

Any help on how I do the final grouping would be appreicated.

Also how advanced does animation in Maya go, surely placing basic IK's to body parts and skinning it cant be the whole animation ability of Maya.

How else can i control body / skeleton parts.

At uni I do not have access to the manual which is a great shame.

Thanx

Sev
iC4
11-14-2002, 07:21 PM
If you want to move the entire skeleton, group the back_root and all IK handles under a single node, select the group node, and then use the Move tool. With this grouping, the motion of the entire skeleton won't conflict with the keys you set for the handles.

select the back_root and the IK handles and edit/group. if you move this group it should work.

to select the group use the outliner or just select the mesh and use the up arrow
Seven
11-14-2002, 08:09 PM
aahh, never thought about edit :)

thanx
dmcgrath
11-15-2002, 05:59 AM
iC4 is right in recommending the Outliner. I say to everyone to get used to using it when you begin skeletons.
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Also how advanced does animation in Maya go, surely placing basic IK's to body parts and skinning it cant be the whole animation ability of Maya.
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There is a lot more you can do, of course, but most of it involves hours of fiddling around on your own, or actual instruction. You have two types of IK to play with (SplineIk). Then there are some small Expressions you can start using that are simple as well. And set driven keys are very important to learn. Oh yeah, and .....


See what I mean?
The list can go on for a long time. If you are serious about learning and getting a job though. Start on the simple Ik Skeleton side, and just start animating a lot.
Seven
11-15-2002, 08:26 AM
Thanx for the reply, im glad maya has more to offer :)

More tutorials for me then, learn to walk before I can run.
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