Rigging

 This is my attempt at rigging. I started to do it in Blender but I was running into issues with the auto-generation so I decided to try it out in Maya. I got a lot of help from my friend Erika and watching YouTube tutorials by Dikko.   

(Blender Rig)

This was the ChatGPT response to the question, "detailed steps for the rigging process of a character in maya"

Sure, here are the detailed steps for rigging a character in Maya:

"1. Plan the rig: Before you begin rigging, it's important to plan the rig by deciding on the rigging style, the level of detail, and the control mechanisms. You can sketch out your ideas on paper or use digital drawing software.

2. Model the character: The first step is to create the 3D model of the character. You can use Maya's modeling tools to create the character or import it from another software.

3. Create the skeleton: Use the Joint tool to create the bones for the skeleton. You can create a hierarchy of joints by clicking on one joint and then Shift-selecting another joint and clicking the "Parent" button.

4. Position the joints: Move and rotate the joints to match the character's pose. You can use the Move and Rotate tools to adjust the joints. Make sure the joints are aligned with the character's anatomy and proportions.

5. Create IK handles: To make it easier to pose the character, you can create IK handles. Select the joints you want to use as the start and end points for the IK handle and then go to Skeleton > Create IK Handle. You can adjust the IK handle's settings in the Attribute Editor.

6. Bind the mesh to the skeleton: Select the character's mesh and then go to Skin > Bind Skin > Smooth Bind. This will bind the mesh to the skeleton so that it deforms correctly when you move the joints.

7. Paint weights: The next step is to paint weights to control how the mesh deforms. Use the Paint Skin Weights tool to adjust the weights of each vertex of the mesh. You can also use the Component Editor to adjust the weights numerically.

8. Create controllers: To make it easier to pose the character, you can create controllers. Select a joint or a group of joints and then go to Animation > Create Deformers > Nonlinear > Sine. This will create a controller that you can use to move the joints. You can also create custom controllers using the NURBS curve or Polygon Cube tools.

9. Add constraints: You can use constraints to control the movement of the character. For example, you can create a pole vector constraint to control the orientation of the IK handle.

10. Create custom attributes: You can create custom attributes to control the rig. For example, you can create an attribute to control the character's facial expressions.

11. Test the rig: Pose the character and test the rig. Check for any issues, such as unnatural deformations or limited movement. Make adjustments as needed.

12. Add advanced features: You can add advanced features to the rig, such as stretchy IK or a dynamic hair system.

13. Save and export: Once the rig is complete, save it as a file and export it to your animation or game engine software.

Remember that rigging a character can be a complex and time-consuming process, so it's important to take your time and plan carefully to ensure the best results."

My current task is to make the FK and IK rigs. I'm not strictly following the ChatGPT steps but following Dikko's tutorial and my friend Erika's expertise in rigging.