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View Full Version : Microraptor rigging and deformation demo

Poroksy
06-17-2009, 06:02 AM
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/poroksy/microraptor/walkCycleComp.jpg
hello cgtalkers,

here is my latest demo reel showing some of my latest thoughts on technical solution for character animation. I picked the microraptor as subject because its locomotion would be interesting and it's also a good subject to study feather/fur.

http://vimeo.com/5195931

the key features in this rig includes:
- a interface based on HUD, where you can access most functions of the rig in viewport so that you won't lose your character.
- numerous seamless switching functions, between fk/ik, among spaces, etc.
- a muscle system based on NURBS curve/surface and utility nodes. What I have tried to acheive is an "abstract" muscle system which could be cheap while keeping a good result, for small projects.

Hope you enjoy the reel and let me know if you have any critics/comments on my ideas.
BrokenAnimator
06-17-2009, 12:51 PM
Pretty cool. Nice deformations.

One detail that I think would really help this character are the feathers on his legs and arms seem a bit stiff. A little secondary animation to make them seem more soft and light would really help IMHO.
joel3d
06-17-2009, 05:44 PM
nice! I like the HUD interface.

I agree that there could be more subtle secondary movements, jiggly-squash and stretchy stuff going on.

looks great! Nice model too.
theflash
06-17-2009, 06:34 PM
It looks nice. I like the muscle part. I want to see close ups of some detail deformations on a smooth version. And I would want to see how much you can push the poses using that muscle deformation system.
Poroksy
06-17-2009, 07:40 PM
Thanks for your comments.

to joel3d and BrokenAnimator: Yes I have to working more on the feathers. Actually the feathers turns out to be the hardest part of this creature. Currently the fur and feather doesn't seem to fit into each other(maybe i'll have to make the fur longer). And aside of the shading, the motion of the feathers is too rigid and look like pieces of plastic. Got to work more on that.

to theflash : This muscle system is meant to solve major deformation problems on the body. What they could do is all shown in the demo, shoulder area, pelvis/leg and neck/jaw. I didn't use it on small body parts such as fingers. If I push the pose much further than in the demo, one serious problem is that the animal will appear to have no bones. I'll post details about that later.
SeanC
06-18-2009, 05:23 PM
very nice work, I love the HUD interface. I will be trying that one on my next rig. Nice work on the muscle system also.

interesting animal, and a very nice solution.
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