We need to go over a few important concepts and elements before we start rigging:
NODES:
A node can be considered a body part. Nodes can be connected to other nodes through their attributes so that they will move with them.
In this example, the ‘L_Fingers’ node is connected to the ‘L_Arm’ node, so the fingers will move when the arm moves.
You can create new nodes in several ways:
- From the ‘Inventory’ docked widget, under the ‘Nodes’ tab, double-click on a node in the list.
- From the ‘Inventory’ docked widget, under the ‘Nodes’ tab, drag and drop a node onto the workspace.
- Press Tab when your mouse cursor hovers over an empty spot in the workspace; a quick-create-node window will appear; double-click on a node.
A node has two ‘modes’: ‘Template’ and ‘Build’
- ‘Template‘ – Creates guides in the Maya scene for you to position and orient to match your model proportions.
- ‘Build’ – Creates the rig based on the guides positions and orientations.
To switch between modes:
- On the tools shelf, press ‘Template All‘ or ‘Build All‘ to switch all nodes in the scene.
- Right-click on a node and press ‘Template Node’ or ‘Build Node’.
- Select the nodes you want, right-click on an empty spot in the workspace, and click on ‘Template Selected Nodes’ or ‘Build Selected Nodes’.
Node also have ‘states’:
- ‘None’ – When you create an Arise node, no Maya nodes are created yet; the node is in its ‘None’ state, indicated by a red line at the top of the node.
- ‘Template’ – As the name implies, it indicates the node is in ‘Template’ mode, with a blue line at the top of the node.
- ‘Build’ – As the name implies, it indicates the node is in ‘Build’ mode, with a green line at the top of its shape.
- ‘Modified’ – Once a node has been modified, such as changing its connections or attributes, it has to be rebuilt in order for those modifications to take effect. So to indicate the node has been modified, the top of the node will appear yellow .
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachments are added to nodes. They extend or modify the node functionality, like changing ctrls colors and shapes or making the node joints dynamic.
You can create a new attachment in a few ways:
- While a node is selected, from the ‘Inventory’ docked widget, under the ‘Attachment’ tab, double-click on an attachment.
- From the ‘Inventory’ docked widget, under the ‘Attachment’ tab, drag and drop an attachment onto a node.
- Press Tab when the mouse hovers above a node in the workspace, a quick-create-attachment window will appear, double-click an attachment to create it.
PRESETS:
Presets are like recipes made up of nodes and attachments that create a whole rig, such as a biped, a bird, a dog, a fish, etc.
Most new users will start here.
Once you create a preset, you to quickly get started positioning their guides and skinning your character.
You can create new presets in several ways:
- From the ‘Inventory’ docked widget, under the ‘Presets’ tab, double-click on a preset.
- From the ‘Inventory’ docked widget, under the ‘Presets’ tab, drag and drop a preset onto the workspace.
Watch Video Tutorial
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