Problem with Human IK controls generated by Quick Rig tool

[Anonymous]

I've been self-tutoring on Maya at home until schools reopen in the UK. I thought I was well on my way to getting a model I bought on CGTrader rigged but I've encountered an issue that I don't know how to resolve. I don't think it's specific to the model I purchased; I think it's just me not having the knowledge. I created the skeleton and control rig. In the Human IK window, in the Definitions tab, everything is lit green. In the Controls tab, only three joints are lit in green. They are the only joints I can move manually with the Quick Rig generated "circle" controllers. The controllers for the remaining joints don't move at all. I've been following instructions from the Maya Learning Channel on YouTube and I don't think I've missed any of the steps. In the Maya Learning Channel videos, the tutor uses the controllers to move parts of the character's body. Any idea as to what could be wrong?

[t_chanma · Accepted solution]

Hi Randy,

This is actually the correct behavior given your current situation (from what I can see in the image anyway).  Just a bit of background, in HumanIK the "circle" controls are IK controllers while the yellow "bone" controls are FK controls (the yellow "bone" controls).  Meanwhile, the green or grey show which what "mode" that particular effector is in (IK or FK mode).  Green is for IK mode, grey is for FK mode (specifically, each dot is divided into Left and Right for Translation and Rotation, so you can actually mix and match them for the two transforms).  Also, if you notice in the Character Controls panel, up above the "Controls" tab, you're currently in "Selection" mode.  This mode prevents you from manipulating an IK control if it's not active (as is your current case) or vice versa.  This is why you can move the IK controls for the feet or waist, but not the arms.

To turn IK controls on, select the corresponding dot in the Character Controls panel and, underneath, turn the IK Blend slider all the way up for either T, R, or both (for Translation, Rotation, or both).  This will flip the effector to IK mode.

Alternatively, you can also change your current mode above the "Controls" tab to either Full Body or Body Part.  Either of those modes will let you use all controls at all times.  

For more info on how to use HumanIK blends, check this out: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAYAUL/2020/ENU/?guid=GUID-D747B5B4-9C15-4770-8B01-2AD8ED0921DA

And in general, I recommend reading up on the concepts of IK and FK which are central to the concept of rigging (if you aren't already familiar with them).

[Anonymous]

THANK YOU, MATT!! I knew it had to be a lack of knowledge.