Mograph Techniques: Rigging a Robot Arm in Cinema 4D
1h 11mIntermediate2014-01-23
Authors
EJ Hassenfratz
Motion Graphics Producer for clients such as the NBA, NHL, and ESPN
Course details
Learn to rig and animate a 3D robotic arm in CINEMA 4D. EJ Hassenfratz leads this project-based learning experience, which relies on C4D's inverse kinematics (IK) tools. First, you'll prepare the model hierarchy for animation, before adding joints and applying an IK tag that transforms your joint system into an IK chain. Then you'll animate the entire rig and use constraints tags and Xpresso data to control all the moving parts in the arm. Last, EJ shows you how to render the project and import it into After Effects for further refinement.
Learning objectives
Setting up the model
Creating an IK chain
Adding animation controls
Constraining position, scale, and rotation
Adding depth of field and motion blur in After Effects
Learning objectives
Setting up the model
Creating an IK chain
Adding animation controls
Constraining position, scale, and rotation
Adding depth of field and motion blur in After Effects
Skills covered
RiggingCINEMA 4DMAXON3D AnimationAfter EffectsRenderingMotion Graphics and VFX3D ModelingVisualization and Real-TimeAdobeAECProduct and ManufacturingAnimation and IllustrationDeep Dive (X:Y)
Concepts
Introduction
- Welcome
- Choosing the right version of CINEMA 4D
- Using the exercise files
Preparing the Model for Inverse Kinematics (IK)
- Describing the model setup and hierarchy
- Understanding IK and forward kinematics
Creating the IK Chain
- Introducing joints
- Applying an IK tag
- Freezing and resetting transformation values
Adding Animation Controls
- Adding a Constraint tag to keep parts aligned
- Creating Xpresso user data to control rotation
- Constraining a part's movement range with the Range Mapper node
Animating the Robot Arm
- Setting up the rig for animation
- Animating the arm movement using keyframes
- Using position, scale, and rotation constraints to place a logo element
Rendering and Finishing in After Effects
- Setting up to render by adding Compositing tags and multipasses
- Importing the rendered project into After Effects
- Adding depth of field and motion blur in After Effects
Conclusion
- Next steps