Using the provided scripted tools, Axel demonstrates the benefits of a multi-pose approach to skeleton setup. The separation of deformation and control hierarchies is also used and in conjunction with the pose system, provides the flexibility to easily go back to the bind pose and make changes. Through the process, he details the importance of keeping joint chains planar as well as keeping the joint rotations zeroed out, while showing you how to achieve this through a number of production tricks. Once the joints are all properly mapped, he then moves on to creating the control rig for the character. The next phase involves setting up controls like stretchy IK for the spine, IK and FK with blending for arms and legs, and foot/reverse foot controls. Once the controls are created, Axel wraps things up by generating curve controls for the animators to quickly grab and work with.

Topics Covered:

Model Inspection
Production Concerns
Joint Orientation
Scripted Toolsets
Bind Pose vs. Rig Pose
Rig Attach/Detach
Space Switching
FK/IK Layering Setup
Spline IK Setup
Animator Usability
Importance of Rotation Order

Chapters:

Model Cleanup and Preparation
Mapping the Joints - Part 1 "The Basics"
Mapping the Joints - Part 2 "Joint Orient"
Mapping the Joints - Part 3 "The Spine"
Mapping the Joints - Part 4 "Arms and Neck"
The Control Rig - Part 1 "Rig Pose Setup"
The Control Rig - Part 2 "Fine Tuning"
The Control Rig - Part 3 "Leg FK/IK Controls"
The Control Rig - Part 4 "Adding Foot Controls"
The Control Rig - Part 5 "Arm FK/IK Controls"
The Control Rig - Part 6 "Arm Pole Vector"
The Spine - Part 1 "Spine and Chest Controls"
The Spine - Part 2 "IK Setup"
The Spine - Part 3 "Stretchy IK"
The Spine - Part 3 "FK Layering"
Hands - Part 1 "Mapping the Joints of the Hand"
Hands - Part 2 "Creating Controls"
Hands - Part 3 "Hand IK Setup"
Control Curves - Part 1 "Creation and Shape Parenting"
Control Curves - Part 2 "Animation Controls Setup 1"
Control Curves - Part 3 "Animation Controls Setup 2"
Rig Cleanup - Part 1 "Rotation Orders and Space"
Rig Cleanup - Part 2 "Final Tweaks and Locking Down the Rig"

DOWNLOAD