3D Rigging is Beautiful, Here's How It Works!

Rigging is the key to making a 3D character ready to animate, but everyone finds it so intimidating. Even I was afraid of it at first. But now I find it beautiful, so I want to show you how it works!
🤍 Patreon: / doodley 🤍
Store: shop.doodley.org/
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More Videos: doodley.org/
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Video by David Oneacre
✒️ Portfolio: davidoneacre.com/
✉️ Contact: [e-mail]
Music by Jayfoo
www.jayfoo.com/
📼 Subscribe: bit.ly/2D0PhjX
🎵 Soundcloud: / jason-fujita
🐦 Twitter: / jasonfujita
Made with the help of Jellybox Studio!
www.jellybox.studio/
Producer: Sean Aitchison
Voice Over Editing: Clem
Special Thanks to Gene Goldstein
Gimberly uses kamone's toon shader, which you can find here:
kamone416.gumroad.com/l/hnddn
List of Maya rigs collected by Animation Methods: animationmethods.com/rigs.html
Rigging reels shown at the end:
Cole O'Brien, Just Cause 4 Pipeline Tools: vimeo.com/obriencole
Chris Luckenbach, Wildstar Rigging Reel 2015: • Wildstar Rigging Reel ...
Olov Burman/Mindbender Studio, The Food Thief RIGG: olovburman.com/foodthief
Blender Studio, Sprite Fright Open Movie Showreel: • Sprite Fright - Blende...
Martin Gunnarsson and Tyrel Scott, Yum Yummy Making-of: deerstranger.com/project/yum-...
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0:00 Intro
0:36 Skeletons
3:32 Skinning
7:13 Controls
12:19 Outro

[@doodley3d]

This one took a while! Nearly 4 months of work and almost 12 minutes of raw animation, lots of overnighters. I refuse to add sponsors to educational videos, but since this video took longer than expected, it pushed out a December video that was sponsored. With all that in mind, consider signing up for my Patreon! 🤍 www.patreon.com/doodley 🤍 Patreon lets me make what I want to make without relying on sponsors, and makes situations like that way less scary. That said, if you're a college student scraping by, it's okay. Ultimately I'll be fine, just wanted to be realistic. I hope you like the video. Thank you for the support as always!

[@CheeseLordAlmightytheOneGod]

Burger 🍔🤑👍

[@SMBGAMERHDTV]

fire🔥

[@Impactor-it1pl]

Doodly All I have to say is that you are the greatest animator to ever animate, 🎵PERFECT ANIMATION! PERFECT ANIMATION! PERFECT ANIMATION!

[@CheeseLordAlmightytheOneGod]

Burger pt. 2 🍔😳

[@sun_png]

Can you make a video on controls for blender if thay exist. I have never found a video on controls for blender. the farthest I have seen a video get is weight painting. Even then thay use automatic weights. If thay are not available for blender you can just say that thay are not available.

[@cartooncrazy007]

I studied basic 3D modelling and rigging in school and this video basically covers pretty much all the basic points in rigging, including some of the more technical things like controls and skin weights. This video helpfully explains these concepts in a fun visual manner. One point I'd like to emphasise on is joint orientation. You want to make sure that the joint orientations are set up correctly before you parent/connect them together, or otherwise it will create a lot of issues like not pointing in the right direction. Rigging was a huge pain because I didn't know how to properly deal with the weirdly rotating fingers and feet, so it definitely takes quite some practice.

[@alanaflynn8878]

I'll be taking a rigging class in this upcoming semester, so I read, screenshotted, and saved your comment. Thank you! (Summary to self: give extra attention to correct joint orientation before parenting/connecting together. If body parts start rotating weirdly, it might be an orientation problem from before the parts were connected.)

[@Vera_Nova]

It's been a while since I was in courses for all of this, but am I remembering correctly that said orientation problem is referred to as gimble lock? (Might be misremembering something)

[@doodley3d]

@ZetaPhi Joint orientation is related to and can cause gimbal lock (as bad joint orientation can make gimbal lock worse + rotation order stuff), but gimbal lock is its own thing caused by the limitations of tracking rotations on three axes.

[@Coolguy_2491]

YOU LEARNED WHAT IN SCHOOL??????

[@L.J.Xlovesarts]

My reaction, i didnt know they taught this 😭​ at least where I'm from@@Coolguy_2491

[@cool_dasher0224]

I love how expressive the characters are! like in 2:28 Gimberly is like "Come on not again..."

[@Two_Teapod]

ikr

[@ShamsnurArefin]

oh hi BFDI fan!@@Two_Teapod

[@almondjoy4938]

Best part of these tutorials. Add SO much life to what could have been static 3D puppets.

[@alezers]

​@@ShamsnurArefinYIPPEEE

[@nddragoon]

these kids and their fancy schmancy rigging software have it so easy. back in my day we animated by manually moving every single vertex in the model by hand, uphill both ways, through the snow, and we liked it!

[@TearMetoBitsDarling]

BACK IN MY DAY, WE DIDN'T HAVE "VIRTUAL PUPPETS" WE JUST HAD REAL HUMAN BODIES!

[@GamingwithTai]

I know this is a joke, but this has happened. It's rough. For example, Crash Bandicoot. Although that was by choice.

[@ali32bit42]

thats genuinely what they used to do before proper 3D software was a thing. even the vertex positions were typed by hands

[@ali32bit42]

they did not move vertex positions by hand. they recorded them from a professional animation suite@@GamingwithTai

[@JohnnyH-om3yx]

*Sniff sniff* I shmeel an Asian dad reference!! (That probably looks weirder in text than it does in actual visual and audio)

[@Alvarito_El_Payasito]

3:48 I love how Doodley's hair is actually part of his skull.

[@m.i.g.2023]

As 3d rigging, i can confirm this is how i work

[@Josuh]

real

[@khiempham3006]

very relatable

[@mario.gaming]

I identify as a 3d rigging model as well

[@horrormanCZ]

​@@mario.gaminglol i also realized he said it wrong

[@AltKaxREAL]

thank you 3D rig, you're a life saver 🙏

[@hilariousskullnamedcatzo647]

I can finally sleep in peace knowing why the banana was made Epic video as always Doodley

[@nathankoziol7368]

Sup bro

[@sapah8945]

i was there during the stream and now i saw this coming like a mile away, when he was displaying other shapes and im like "okay hes saying anything, is he gonna put the banana" then after a few moments of suspense i pogged out of my mind when he put in the banana

[@ElGamerDesafortunado]

I'm a videogame and animation student and all you said was 4 months of classes summarized incredibly well in less than 15 minutes!! Also, I love the way you explain and how everything looks in your videos!

[@placeholderdoe]

Makes sense since this video apparently took 4 months to make!

[@mr.boomguy]

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. This is why I love youtube tutorials (when their done right)

[@firenzarfrenzy4985]

Just a few weeks ago I was watching one of my artist friends rig a VTuber model for another friend. I was on the discord call thinking "how do you navigate this... mess" I remember seeing those spheres and stretched pyramids. Those lines and vertices, those heat spectrum looking colours. After watching this, I feel educated. It's that feeling you get that I can only describe as when you're doing this boring math at school like trig and you're confused. Then a math youtuber comes in and breaks it down and you suddenly understand all these connections. Why pi divided by this number is special. How triangles relate to circles. In the same way, you have done that for me. It still looks like a lot to navigate sure, but understanding that this image means X thing now, feels good. 3D rigging is indeed beautiful. Just like math. All it takes is someone to help you understand it and let it finally... click!

[@Dasher...]

I don't care I have 5 exams tomorrow, if Doodley uploads a new video, I WATCH IT 🗣️🗣️🗣️

[@gambilious9690]

"With all that in mind, lets talk about SKINNING." - Doodley

[@roadkill.highway]

8:01 “you could literally use a banana if you wanted, i’m not a cop.” sounds like something a cop would say

[@IdioticRandmz1421]

7:12 "What do you mean don't say that part out lou-" got me dying.

[@Birdofthetacklebox]

It amazes me on how much effort you put into your videos in a pretty short timeframe! They’re super helpful and easy to understand. Plus it’s fun watching Gimberly do stuff.

[@JNSStudios2]

@@PotatoBeanTestAccountdid anybody ask you though

[@Isigia_Official]

I completely agree! This is the first vid I see from him and am absolutely blown away…

[@antoniobordonhos1672]

These videos are so helpful. Everytime i start a blender project it can be so confusing or demotivating when you get to a step you dont understand. Your helping to make everyone have more fun creating art!

[@doodley3d]

Thank you so much!!

[@apestheape7482]

Yeah what he said --^

[@OnedeC529]

what this guy said--^

[@theydontknow_officialll]

^-----Yeah yeah what this guy said, i think he's pretty cool.

[@qwontz]

----^ yep, what they said

[@SwordsArt]

It’s always a good day when Doodley uploads a video.

[@MauricioLSB]

You are pretty right

[@MauricioLSB]

The first guy hate things because peopke love them Lets ignore him

[@henryhere]

It's a bot, let's just report it and then ignore him​@@MauricioLSB

[@apestheape7482]

@@henryhereWell my speedrun for finding "always a good day when *creator* posts” speedrun comes to 2.79 seconds not my pb tho

[@FishGang101]

You got that right 😊

[@NINGEN18oo]

This is the best channel for 3d animation learning. Hands down

[@StarDustel]

As a professional Rigging TD, im gonna say well done on deconstructing this process in a digestible way! I will be showing those outside the Industry this video when they ask about my job ❤

[@Queen_Coda]

I recently commissioned a 3D model to use in my videos and I was SUPER confused about what the controls did, but seeing you talk about the ik/fk switch and showing the gears and the arrows as well as the hip rigging REALLY helped clear it up as my model has all of those. Thanks Doodley! You're doing wonders for the animation community

[@madlemonred]

i studied this at school almost two years ago and ngl, it was traumatizing, super complex. but last year i made peace with 3D animation and discovered that i love rendering and animating. but now, after watching this video, i got curious about rigging again…

[@placeholderdoe]

As someone who isn’t really interested in making 3D art this video is really interesting and the work you put into it is obvious and very appreciated

[@Loansome_]

Should also mention that rigging is a discipline almost everyone is scared to do or doesn't know about, so it's a very sought after role in the industry! If you can learn to become a rigging artist, it's a surefire way to get your foot in the door of the games or animation industry (though game rigging may have another step to hop over to make them work in engine)

[@AntonioYuAnimation]

Hello Doodley, as a student of animation, 3D weights was one of my struggles to understand, also didn't help that there's ANY video or documentation about the topic. This video help me a lot. Thanks, as always, for the quality videos that you make. PD: Sorry if there are grammatical mistakes, English is not my first language.

[@bossbabyfunnymoments6187]

Doodley, every video is better than the last in entertainment and education, I love watching your videos so much and I can’t thank you enough, it inspires me thoroughly. I love every time I join your streams. Thank you so much

[@daito5114]

Best explanation of what rigging is I've ever watched

[@jeffrey3066]

7:08 love it loll what a charming creator you are! I love your style

[@Thelongestshrimp]

Even as a skeleton, doodley’s mustache stays.

[@iplayminecraft2248]

7:06 things like this are why I'm subscribed to the channel

[@VyouttarAnimations]

As a 3D animator i really enjoyed your video, thanks a lot for helping the animation community ❤

[@ellerree]

he got me with that audible wink and on-screen text that says subscribe

[@CherrySteinz]

Maybe knowing a little less than half of this helped me in the long run, but regardless this is one of the most simple, clear, and visually simple to understand explanations of character modeling I've ever seen

[@0x150]

12:47 “Rigging is its own form of art” - doodley

[@danielwesley5051]

Doodley’s hair is now canonically a part of his skeleton, and that scares me.

[@MemoDeemo]

When I saw this video I straight up yelled out *DOODLEY!* and everyone in the room stared at me like I’m a child

[@monecue9891]

I have always struggled with rigging but this video broke it done pretty well!

[@isg4]

All this technical talk makes me want to cry I'm not ready for all these details in 3d animation

[@JennJurassic]

rigging is actually my favorite part of 3D, It's between both art and and technicality. Like I get to take this thing and give it the ability to freaking move! I get to play god with this thing's capabilities and people WANT me to do that?!? It's also so much fun watching people give life to this thing which I gave the ability to move. It's unironically the "hooray I'm helping" aspect when I see someone play with my rigs, I made it walk so you could run (ok you did both, but I made it so it could even do that in the first place). Also side note, I may have gotten bored and made a realistic version of the SLUG pokemon goomy, rigging it was so much fun (so many spline IKs...). YOU DO NOT KNOW PAIN UNTIL YOU RIG A PARTIALLY AMORHPUS CREATURE OR BIRD WINGS (so many feathers...), and I find that part fun/frustrating at the same time XD

[@_NeonKnight]

As always, these videos never fail to both teach and surprise. Thanks Doodley for guiding us in the world of art.

[@MedioCurtAtBest]

Amazingly done, Doodley! I knew about most of the things you were talking about, but never quite understood the *controls* part of the rig. Thank you for explaining! I hope you can grow further so you can reach more people with this knowledge. You deserve all the support!

[@cage5591]

OMG YES THANK YOU. I was so confused when skin painting i didn't know where the eblows and knees start or end. Thank you so much doodley

[@spencerfromthehitshowicarly]

Doodley, I might not be an animator or do I make 3D Rigs, but god do I love watching your videos , it’s so visually appealing and very informational!! Thank you so much and I can’t wait for whats to come!

[@JonathanTash]

That was awesome! I've recently started learning 3D rigging for a game I'm working on in my [limited] spare time. I always love your videos for being chill, educational, and entertaining. I love the way you add expression to your characters during demonstrations too.

[@xavinoticias4971]

Man i seriously love how you can make anything so easy to understand!! Ive been a blender 3d modeler snd have done rigging and this is such a great way to understand how everything works!! Incredible video!

[@starslabyrinth3666]

This is by far the best explanation I've seen for rigging. Every other tutorial I've watched was either an hour long and boring, or wasn't explained in a way that made sense to me. Everything finally clicked for me this time! Thanks for these tutorials :)

[@psychoshiko9384]

I recently finnished a technical arts class. This is actually a perfect video for those getting into character rigging and I know this would have cleared up alot for me if I was just starting the course. Your videos are so entertaining! Keep up the good work. :)

[@subtlecapg]

This is amazing! I feel appreciate and will show this to people to explain what I do for a living!!

[@zarblitz]

I really appreciate that you focus on principles and concepts rather than any specific software. As someone new to animation and 3D artistry in general (but not new to learning technical subjects), content with a focus on the principles is exactly what I need.

[@ObiWanJaKobe]

wow! the animation throughout this whole video is so smooth. I can't imagine how much work went into this. I'm sure this will help a ton of people feel less overwhelmed while learning. well done!

[@TimDownsAnimation]

I think this is gonna be THE video I share with friends/family who ask me what I do for a living lol! Wonderful work as always, Doodley!

[@entangledatoms7153]

This is rigged.

[@jamievalorin1347]

Yeah

[@plasmaguy6434]

I'd hope

[@drewabcede]

That is absolutely correct

[@all69stoff]

Literally lol😂

[@crystalizationism]

It already was from the start, haven't you noticed?

[@aussie_mozzie]

Gimberly throwing a badass pose was a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.

[@Coreybyte]

you literally made this so easy to understand, when i struggled understanding it in my high school animation class, please keep up the good work

[@ashimates]

Thanks so much for these tutorials. I'm a 2d artist but I've gotten really interested in 3d animation especially with the new movies and art styles coming out. I'm learning on Lynda with autodesk maya but these videos are beyond helpful thanks so much :')

[@cloudshifter]

Having done rigging I can confidently say it's a pain in the ass and I respect those who torture themselves into doing it.

[@mcpokeman]

So glad that you’re taking the time to create polished videos on topics like these

[@almondjoy4938]

These videos are simply fantastic. This should be required viewing for any up and coming 3D artist. The presentation is fun, the characters are charming, and you make complex concepts that seem impossible from an outside viewer digestible for the layman.

[@emallard4465]

Bisexual arm 5:08 bisexual arm

[@Eaten_squid_cake]

They mentioned transition Trans arm 5:08 trans arm

[@theprotopotato2531]

Is there a Blender tutorial for how to manually set up the hip controls you showcase at 10:00?

[@M6rtyr._]

I haven't touched blender in a few years, and when I watched your videos, most of my knowledge about the software came flooding back. 10/10 video(not rigged)

[@mook8685]

Was JUST looking for a video like this, I love your content.

[@FirestoneAnimation]

0:53 exactly what happens when a Lego character does ×_×

[@watergames8449]

2:56 you wish lol

[@doodley3d]

quaternions do be a little quirky

[@Creepy_LeRoi]

it helpeld me a lot to understand despite I have few months with 3d, thank you so much! your animations makes this easier to understand!!

[@JayPhyJP]

Insane content! I've been learning riggimg in the last few mounths and i've never seen a content so clear aboult the fundamentals.

[@rubenreyes1388]

9:45 on the left i see a face. It doesnt loo happy

[@Eaten_squid_cake]

Like a 😮or :(

[@rubenreyes1388]

Like a :( in the middle of the 2 arm boxes

[@QuartzRoolz]

5:15 bisexual weight painting

[@PlantGothKira]

Exactly the info I needed right now. Tysm!!

[@DoriDERP]

Ive seen a lot of tutorials on how to rig 3d models, but none of them really explained why they did those steps. This really helps me understand actually why im supposed to do certain things

[@cheesecake4204]

This is perfect for understanding what you’re learning to do, before starting a step-by-step tutorial on it. Thanks Doodley!

[@AshT8524]

This is a goldmine of a Channel, How did I not know about this before

[@rogerrandom3840]

gotta love your vids, I'm a game dev but not much of a modeller, but it always helps to see how they work simply to better write what I intend to do.

[@greenpuprazor9704]

the amount of effort this video took is definitely worth the final product, it's something educational for those who are new to 3d animation, and at the same time it's so fascinating to watch each step of the process

[@izzyhope58]

next quarter I'm going to (hopefully) be making my first 3D animated short film for school, and your vids have been extremely helpful watching over winter break. Thanks so much for the teaching of the concept and the why, rather than telling us what to do, but we have no clue why. That's the way I've always learned best.

[@paschence]

this is a beautiful way to teach, thanks so much Doodley!

[@Quinold]

YES! This is such a good explanation. Anyone regardless of background can actually understand this

[@fictiondreemz]

This makes so much sense now! I have been considering learning how to make a 3D model, and this has given me a lot more confidence. Thank you so much!

[@Spidyy]

This was sooo clear and easy to understand! Thank you!

[@ridwanjodi1429]

Yeah, this is the part I love in 3D! You will love when your model moves while figuring out its movement.

[@jamese.7346]

fantastic vid! I've just been getting into rigging easily, so having everything explained clearly and concisely like this is super helpful

[@j1nxxj9]

I love how passionate you are about these topics!

[@chickenpork10]

Explanation is easy to digest, and visuals really help with understanding. Great Video

[@Ron1n_Sim]

Overall your effort on designing and creating scenes for your video is astounding. All that handwork put into showing and telling to teach others how rigging works is awesome!

[@andrewwoan]

THIS IS AN INSANE VIDEO!!!!!! Thanks so much for all the effort!!!

[@ParagonAnimationsStudio]

Being a 3d character artist and animator with blender (still just a hobby right now) I already know all of this but I just love the way that Doodley explains it.

[@Levi_Zacharias]

best free intro to rigging theory I've come across. Definitely sharing this one!

[@Dessa_draws]

The animation you do is so nice I understand how this video took 4 months animating but it looks amazing!

[@nathitappan]

Another amazing video! You're such a good and smooth explainer. I'm just starting down the rigging journey and I'm glad I found your channel. Looking forward for Gimberly's face rig video.

[@bananamak2630]

Always a good day to see you upload again!!!

[@katemcneely556]

Love this omg!! Sending this every time someone asks what I do

[@oliveukulele]

It’s incredible how much work you put into these videos - we’re really getting quality content y’all

[@Slydime917]

Ugh this video is just so satisfying to watch. Quality!

[@Orsonster]

3:33 - This beats Linus Tech Tips on segways to sponsors, this was so smooth.

[@bulletkin1899]

I just found your channel today and the fact that you made an action figure version of the model is the kind of attention to detail/quality I love. Your videos are incredibly informative and just plain fun. I also think making gimberly so expresive is why she is so appealing. Not going with a mannequin was a great choice.

[@laukir]

just wanna say thank you for makin this video doodley! i may not animate in 3d but i know this'll be very helpful for those who do :] n this was entertaining either way hope everyone has a good 2024!

[@eancklean7922]

Hell yeah, new video. Hope u continue doing your stuff next year!

[@JeldDell]

Amazing video! This type of content is really inspiring and makes animation seem so friendly, even if it’s complex. Hope to see more!

[@bazaci]

This is a must watch for everyone new (or not so new) to this topic. Thanks!

[@E_Mosi]

I’m probably never going to 3D animate but you have no idea how much even I wanna learn from you. I’m sat down, mouth shut and eyes on the screen for this✨✨

[@stopmotionadventures4812]

this explained rigging pretty well, thx

[@johnsondo552]

THE best video on this subject ever! Thank you so much! You made it really easy to understand!