Cogs, cranks, wheels, plates, chains, springs and pistons - a nightmare for animators. This book shows 3D artists how to create, setup, control and automate movements for complex and technically challenging mechanical structures all while working on a super-detailed steampunk train! This book will specifically implement current industry trends and techniques for animated mechanical structures. We will be using Autodesk 3ds Max only, with no plugins and no additional software required. Readers will close out this book with a completed steampunk train for their portfolios and practical knowledge to combat other tricky hard-surface rigging and animation challenges.
Key Features
This is the only book available for mechanical setups in Autodesk 3ds Max. Although 3ds Max specific, the techniques and foundations will work for any 3D application. By following the step-by-step guides in this book, you can finish and complete a portfolio-ready steampunk train. Each chapter will include an introduction and a summary, giving significance to the start and end of each section where readers can rest! Boxed step-by-step guides will be used for the creation of technical setups in 3ds Max. A "Memory Refresh" section is included in each chapter, this gives short and quick reminders for the stages needed to complete the chapter setup - helpful as a reference guide for those that have already read the book and just need a reminder, saving them time as they wont have to re-read the whole thing!
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
An accomplished creative professional with experience in film, television, commercials, video games and augmented/virtual reality. Jones is a writer, producer and director, with a background in animation and visual effects where he has worked internationally for most of his career. His previous roles have included everything from Character TD/Animator to CG Supervisor and Production Manager to Head of 3D. He is a full member of the Writers Guild GB, a journal-published MBA graduate, and holds various speaking engagements, lectures and workshops throughout the year at various conferences and colleges worldwide.
