Dog Rig Update

Here is the body rig, for the dog I was working on last year. I haven't worked on this for a while, so I'm pleased to have finished the body this week.

The rig is a bit slow at the moment, so I've done this demo with the model unsmoothed, which makes a massive difference.

Dog Rig Progress

I've been working on this rig, and here are a few screenshots of my progress. I'm still working on skinning the legs, and might go back in to the spine, as well. 

Some of this has been pretty tricky, and I've had to fix a few mistakes, but I'm learning a lot from this. The legs have been a challenge, especially the back legs, because I wanted to add control for the extra joint, independent of the rest of the leg.

I have just done a basic skinning job on the legs, so far, I am going to work on improving this next. I wanted to figure out the rig first, so that I knew which joints I would have for skinning purposes, so I have been going into 'evaluate nodes' and hitting ignore all, to make it easier to paint the weights.

There's work left to do, but it's very satisfying to see it start moving.

Finished Dog Model

I've finished the modelling for the dog, and given it a simple texture.

Dog Model Progress

I have started work on the head and it's coming along.

New Project - Dog Model

I want to practise and develop my modelling and rigging skills, so I am making a dog!

I made some rough drawings to use for reference, because I don't really know enough about dog anatomy to draw something I'm sure of for orthographs.

I have also been looking at lots of photographs - I'm basing this on a Rottweiler.

This is my progress on the legs. I will add more edge loops to support the joints.

I'm going to start work on the head, next. I am looking at photographs and anatomical drawings for reference, and will make different drawings for orthographs.

I'm enjoying having a reason to spend extra time with my own dogs, although they are chihuahuas, it's still useful!