More Animation! - Introducing Maya 2011

Graphics Programs Reference

In-Depth Information

Load the file block_man_v02.mb from the Block_Man project folder on the CD for a good

reference of the grouping structure. This file shows you what a skeleton hierarchy does.

In the Hypergraph Hierarchy window, choose Options ➔ Layout ➔ Freeform Layout

to position the nodes any way you want. To make selections easier, you can arrange the

nodes as if they were on a body (see Figure 9.6). You can toggle between freeform and

automatic, and your freeform layout will be retained.

Figure 9.6

A freeform layout

in the Hypergraph

Hierarchy window

Creating the Skeleton

The basis of how the block man is laid out and grouped is what skeletons are all about.

Skeletons make character animation easier by automating, at the very least, the hierarchy

and pivot placement described earlier.

t he p elvis as r oot

Traditionally, the pelvis is the basis of all biped setups. The root of any skeletal system (whether

using bones or geometry as the example) is the character's pivot point—the center of balance.

Because a biped character centers itself on two feet, its pelvis becomes the root of its skeletal

system. In CG, the pelvis becomes the parent node of the whole system and is the node used

to move or orient the entire character. In a skeleton system, this would be the root joint.

The root is then the top parent of the system below it and runs the entire chain. Therefore,

selecting character parts straight from the Outliner or the Hypergraph is sometimes easier.

You can see that a good naming convention is always important with character setups.