Correct way to rig hand controls?

[Anonymous]

My current method of rigging is using a point constraint between the control and the IK and then an orient constraint between the control and the hand joints. I was wondering whether or not this is the correct way of rigging. 

Additionally, my hand control becomes misaligned when rotating as seen in these screenshots.

[RooftopAnimation · Accepted solution]

Hi there,

I think I may know what's going on.  Your controller and joint pivots need to be aligned to rotate in the same space.

With the Move Tool active, select your controller, press the insert key (or press "D" in Maya 2018) - your manipulator should now look like a mix of the Move and Rotate Tools with a star-type shape in the middle.  This means you are now manipulating your Pivot Point.

Next, hold "V" (activates snapping temporarily) and Middle Mouse Drag to the specific joint.  The Pivot Point should snap to the joint.  Release the "V" key and press insert (or "D" in Maya 2018) to exit Pivot Point manipulation.

This should usually be done before creating your Constraints  otherwise you may get some unexpected results. 

For character rigging, I usually "Maintain offset" in Orient and Point Constraint Options as seen in the below picture, but you may want a different result in some cases.

Hope this all helps, good luck.

Kind regards,

Ed

[Anonymous]

That solved it and makes a lot of sense. Thanks!

[RooftopAnimation]

Great!  I'm glad it's sorted 🙂

If you want to get your controllers in place quicker and are comfortable installing some custom scripts, you can try the options below.  The idea of scripts may be daunting at first, but they can save a lot of time.

You can download this:

https://www.highend3d.com/maya/script/ctrl-o-for-maya

It will put controllers at the original pivot point in the correct rotation.  You can also check a box to zero out the controllers upon placement.

This is another good one:

https://www.highend3d.com/maya/script/kk_controllers-for-maya

For this one, you'll need a custom MEL, zero out script:

global proc mGroup()

{

string $selected[] = `ls -sl -l`;

for ($obj in $selected){

parent $obj `duplicate -po -rr $obj`;

}

}

 mGroup;

[Anonymous]

Wow, I think these will really come in handy the next time I make a rig especially since I've always wanted to get into scripting in Maya. Thanks a lot!