how to build a leash rig on dog to walk?

[stevenfila7]

Good day all,

So, I am new to rigging/parenting/dynamics/etc.   I have heard of many ways to do this and just looking for a simple one that will not slow down my anim or playblast time.

I have a biped character walking a dog with leash.  I want to to put character's hand holding leash in IK for parenting purposes.  The dog will be walking next to char.

Is there a simple set up to make a leash and parent it to dog's neck and then IK hand?  If so, are there any videos / tutorials or screen shots that explain this since I am new to this?

Thank you,

Steve

[faline.custodio.da.silva]

@stevenfila7 

Thanks for posting! What version of Maya are you using? Maya 2019 offers cached playback which could help speed up your animation workflow.

I found this handy tutorial that could be helpful for creating the dog leash: Maya 3D Basics - Animating a Swinging Chain

[stevenfila7]

Good day Faline,

I am currently using 2018.5.  The video is pretty cool.  However, it doesn't really go into detail about attaching one end of the leash/object to a character and the other end of the leash to another character.

If you know any ideas or suggestions by all means I would appreciate it greatly.

Thank you,

Steve

[faline.custodio.da.silva]

@stevenfila7 

I would suggest a simple parent constraint to hold the leash to each side. Check out this page: Animate and constrain an object

This will be keyable so you can animate picking up and releasing the leash for example.

[stevenfila7]

Good day,

Thanks for getting back.  Greatly appreciated.  So, when I follow the video how would I set up simple controllers on the joints for easy access when selecting dog leash?  From there I would need to create null groups, locators for offset?

The parenting stuff I can relate to but it is the building of the leash is what I struggle with.

Please advise and best,

Steve

[sean.heasley]

Hi @stevenfila7 

I'd recommend following along with something like this:

Once you get this to a steady point you could parent it to a dog model and go from there.

[stevenfila7]

Hey Sean,

I will give it a whirl.  I have yet to find something where there is a rig set up for a dog leash.  Not sure if this will work when constraining to a character's hand?

Please advise and regards,

Steve

[sean.heasley · Accepted solution]

Hi @stevenfila7 

If you get the core of the leash rig working it should just be a matter of parenting and hierarchy order of the rigs for it to stay attached to the hand and follow its motions etc but please let me know how it goes!

[stevenfila7]

Thanks Sean!

If I cook something up, I will let you know:)

best,

steve

[Anonymous]

Have you cooked some thing. Thanks to this post because of this i am able to learn to create dog's leash . That's fantastic.