Rigging Mechanical Objects in Maya
1h 28mIntermediate2015-12-15
Authors
George Maestri
Animation Director and Producer
Course details
Learn techniques for rigging mechanical objects, machines, and other inanimate objects in Maya. George Maestri shows how to rig complex objects such as piston engines, cams, rocker arms, gears, and pulleys, and combine them all into a mechanized conveyor belt. These Maya tutorials are perfect for animators who want to rig mechanical interactions, vehicles, and robots—any objects other than organic bipeds and quadrupeds.
Learning objectives
Setting up a scene in Maya
Setting up joints to control pistons
Creating a push rod
Simulating springs
Syncing gears to the crankshaft
Creating a belt drive with wire deformers
Rigging the conveyor belt
Preventing flipping in motion paths
Finalizing the scene
Learning objectives
Setting up a scene in Maya
Setting up joints to control pistons
Creating a push rod
Simulating springs
Syncing gears to the crankshaft
Creating a belt drive with wire deformers
Rigging the conveyor belt
Preventing flipping in motion paths
Finalizing the scene
Skills covered
Maya3D AnimationRenderingMotion Graphics and VFXAutodesk3D ModelingVisualization and Real-TimeAECProduct and ManufacturingAnimation and IllustrationDeep Dive (X:Y)
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Welcome
- 02 - What you should know before watching this course
- 03 - Using the exercise files
1. Rigging Pistons
- 04 - Set up the scene
- 05 - Set up joints to control the pistons
- 06 - Attach the piston to the joints
- 07 - Rig the second piston
2. Cams and Rocker Arms
- 08 - Create a push rod
- 09 - Set up cams
- 10 - Add rocker arms
- 11 - Simulating springs
3. Gears and Pulleys
- 12 - Sync up gears to the crankshaft
- 13 - Using expressions to drive gears
- 14 - Create a belt drive with wire deformers
- 15 - Fit the belt using blend shapes
- 16 - Drive the pulleys
- 17 - Animate the belt
4. Rigging a Conveyor Belt
- 18 - Calculate the number of panels needed
- 19 - Connect the conveyor drums to the pulley
- 20 - Prevent flipping in motion paths
- 21 - Sync motion of the first panel to system
- 22 - Add the remaining panels
- 23 - Finalize the scene
Conclusion
- 24 - Next steps