CREATE A PRERIGGED ROBOT
Donovan teaches modelling and animation classes at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. He has worked in 3D since 2002. 3ds Max, ZBrush, Mudbox and Maya are his favourite 3D programs.
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PART 2/4
Welcome to Part 2 in our four-part series on creating a unique fully rigged robot using only a CAT Rig in 3ds Max. In this part you will learn how easy it is to turn CAT Rig bones into Editable Poly objects.
With the freedom to model anything you like, the possibilities are endless. Intricate geometry created in ZBrush or Mudbox can easily be applied back to the CAT Rig model using these techniques. Even just within 3ds Max there is great freedom in the modelling process through the use of a variety of modifiers that can be applied to the base bone object. You will be using Edit Poly, Symmetry and TurboSmooth, just to name a few. This technique even allows you to bypass traditional skinning techniques if you choose or, if desired, it allows you to incorporate skinning on only specific parts as needed. With the ability to snap newly created bones to pivot points on the existing rig, rotating joints on your new robot becomes an easy task. Adding hose objects allows for even more flexibility in the joints.
The CAT Rig system is extremely powerful and versatile. You are limited as to what you can create only by your imagination. Let’s find out what it can do.
01 AVOID PROBLEMS
Firstly, working with the CAT Rig can be a delicate process at times. A crash may occur for no reason, so save iterations often. I save every five minutes. Secondly, there is a particular anomaly that occurs sometimes when you rightclick over a CAT bone object and pick Convert to Editable Poly.
