Mechanical Creations in 3D

TABLE OF CONTENTS






Preface



Acknowledgements



About the Author



Contributors






CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION





Chapter Overview



Preparation



Art and Science



Principles



Naming Conventions



Layered Setups



3 Stage Asset Build (3SAB)



Colors



Companion Website



Memory Refresh



Summary




CHAPTER 2: MODEL





Conceptualization





Reference



Scribbles and Concepts




Building the Model





Technical Considerations



Rough Blocking



Refinement



Polish




Naming of the Steampunk Locomotive



Memory Refresh



Summary




CHAPTER 3: RIGGING PREPARATIONS





Model Breakdown



Redundant Geometry Removal



Setting the Scale



Geometry and Wireframe Colors (Optional)



Names, Names and Naming



Creating the Geometry Hierarchy



Resetting and Aligning Pivots



Reset the Transforms



Cleaning Up the Scene



Setting the Display Layers (Layers Explorer)



Memory Refresh



Summary




CHAPTER 4: COMMON RIGGING TECHNIQUES





Hierarchies



Skeletons



Forward and Inverse Kinematics



Skinning



Constraints



Controllers





Interactive Viewport Controllers (Animation)



On-Screen/On-Viewport Controllers (Animation)



Reaction Controllers (Transform)



General Controllers (Transform)




Wire Parameters



Custom Attributes



Modifiers



Pivots and Movable Pivots



Memory Refresh



Summary




CHAPTER 5: BASE RIG





ROOT Node



Controller Group, Rigging Group, WIP Group



BRANCH Nodes



Component Breakdown





Norah #1 - BRANCH





The Bell



The Bumper



The Joiner



The Valves



Front and Rear Budge



The Cogs



Chains



Pistons



Wheels and Beams



Side Pistons



First Carriage Tubes/Hoses




Norah #2 - BRANCH





Bogie, Wheels and Joiners



Chains and Suspension



Tender and Fans



Second Carriage Tubes/Hoses




Norah #3 - BRANCH





Frame and Joiners



Front and Rear Budge



Bomb




Norah #4 - BRANCH





Front/Rear Budge and Joiner






Attaching the Geometry



Adding the Controllers



Memory Refresh



Summary




CHAPTER 6: ANIMATION AND AUTOMATION RIG - PART 1





Norah - Carriage #1





The Bell



The Bumper



The Joiner



The Valves



Front and Rear Budge



The Engine





Cogs



Chains



Pistons



Wheels



Beams



Side Pistons



Budge Wheels






Memory Refresh



Summary




CHAPTER 7: ANIMATION AND AUTOMATION RIG - PART 2





Norah - Carriage #2





Tender





Fans



Suspension Rods



Chains



Tubes/Hoses




Bogie




Norah - Carriage #3





The Frame (Main)





Bomb




Front and Rear Budge





Wheels






Norah - Carriage #4



Linking Up



The Cleanup Crew





Hierarchies, Hiding and Locking



Display Layers



Display Tab



Controller Cleaning




Memory Refresh



Summary




CHAPTER 8: DEFORMATION RIG





Automated Wheel Rotation



Technically Accurate Chain Rigging



Dynamic Rope and Wires



Rumble and Vibration Controls



Memory Refresh



Summary




CHAPTER 9: MORE MECHANICAL RIGGING





Train Tracks



Hydraulic Pistons



Animating Pivot Points



Soft Tire Rigging



Memory Refresh



Summary




CHAPTER 10: CONCLUSION





Resources and Included Rigs



Norah - The Front Cover Render



Memory Refresh is missing!



What Next?



A Quick Note



Goodbye and Good Luck