Character Rigging is the crucial technical process of constructing a digital, internal skeletal system (or “rig”) and set of controls that allow a 3D model to be posed and animated efficiently. A well-constructed rig uses Inverse Kinematics (IK) for control over limbs (like pulling a hand, and the arm follows) and Forward Kinematics (FK) for precise rotational control (like rotating a shoulder). The quality of the rig directly impacts the animator’s workflow, dictating how easily complex, believable deformations and performances can be achieved.

Our courses delve into the technical art of rigging, focusing on creating clean topology for deformation and establishing intuitive, artist-friendly control interfaces. Students learn to implement complex constraints, blend shapes (for facial expressions), and specialized deformers to handle challenging areas like elbows, shoulders, and mouths. Graduates emerge with the vital technical skill to build the very tools—the rigs—that make high-quality 3D character animation possible.