How to Rig a Tank in Maya | Tank Rig in Maya | Part 1 Treads

How to rig a tank in Maya: Learn how to create a reliable and effective tank rig in Maya.
**This tool will help speed up the tutorial process:
www.simonpaulmills.com/index.p...
This is the first of a 4 part video tutorial series geared to teach you how to rig a tank in Maya to a professional level. Please keep in mind that this rig is not easy to achieve so be sure to know the rigging basics before watching.
In this video, "How to rig a tank in Maya - part 1", I will be creating a clean joint based tread system where each tread piece moves in sync with one another along a given curve path. The next video will setup the wheels and treads so that they move correctly in any direction and distance.
You can follow along and download the Maya file and expression used in the video here:
www.simonpaulmills.com/index.p...
**This tool will help speed up the tutorial process:
www.simonpaulmills.com/index.p...
HashTags:
#3dproductanimation #3dproduct #3dproducts #3dtool #3drigging #3danimation #autodeskmaya #3dtutorial #3dtutorials #mayatutorial #mayatutorials #cgtutorial #tankanimation
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[@tamerebaid7902]

Thank you so much for this one, it was a great help

[@SimonMills]

You're very welcome!

[@twist6020]

Absolutely insanely awesome channel you have here. Rigging a tank soon for a movie and you just helped me so much

[@SimonMills]

Thanks, I really appreciate the nice comment and I'm glad it helped out!

[@gorgoat2664]

I try it today, and this is awesome! Thank you so much!

[@Ricekrispy10]

This was exactly what I needed for my VFX project, thank you! Also, the tool is amazing as well, but I did 10 treads by hand just to understand what was happening under the hood as well.

[@SimonMills]

Glad it worked out!

[@umg6114]

Thank bro, really i was looking for this video for long long time, you make me happy today. Thanks a lot...we need more and more video like this :)

[@SimonMills]

More on the way!

[@Pedro1227G]

I know this was made 5 years ago but it's still helpful in 2022! Thank you for this tutorial, it's helping me a lot with my Rigging project :)

[@SimonMills]

yep, It still holds up well. Thank you for your kind words!

[@scouts.3958]

very helpful with my gear-heavy unicycling Skylander character, your voice is very soothing.

[@SimonMills]

Thanks Scout, glad it worked out for your project!

[@kristopherpeterson3315]

Great tutorial! Thanks for making this!

[@SimonMills]

More to come!

[@dondrapichrust]

works like a charm, thanks!

[@RANDPLAYER]

I've been in need for a tutorial like this for a long time, finally found the perfect one. Awesome video!

[@SimonMills]

Glad you like it. More on the way!

[@RANDPLAYER]

Hi, coming back to this tutorial (now using my own mesh). I struggle with setting up the treads via the script that you have on this. No matter what I do there's a gap big enough for another tread piece and after some time trying different methods, nothing seems to work. Any ideas what it could be?

[@SimonMills]

Off the top of my head, if you have a gap 1 tread piece thick could you not just duplicate 1 extra tread piece before running the tool. Sounds like you are 1 short.

[@RANDPLAYER]

Tried adding more pieces to it, all it did was keeping the gap the same but decreasing the gap between the rest of them

[@SimonMills]

Try Moving points on your curve after you run the tool. I wonder if you have some odd stretching on the curve handles that could cause a gap. If so you may need to add more curve points. Is the curve closed?

[@xxXadiraelbloodXxx]

Amazing, good work dude

[@TrieuHaX3]

Supper helpful, many thanks

[@Mbw2dTV]

Nice work. Thanks :)

[@maddysloonyartschool907]

u saved my life thank u

Awesome !!!! i will practice

[@Null3322]

Your tutorial is really great. thank you

[@SimonMills]

Thanks!

[@twist6020]

Hey Simon. Could you make a tutorial on how make the slack attribute for the tracks and the power attribute for the turret. Love your channel. Please make more videos

[@swapnilkevat153]

thanks mahn i was searching for a video like this ...waiting for next video.

[@SimonMills]

Soon... hopefully this weekend.

[@swapnilkevat153]

Eagerly waiting for it.

[@swapnilkevat153]

I was making tank rig and your rig made my rig look like shit. I deleted everything except geometry and started from zero.

[@SimonMills]

I'm sure it wasn't that bad! But thanks :)

[@AvidPH.]

you are my hero. amazing

[@SimonMills]

Thanks! More to come.

[@mahbubmyth5564]

Thanks for the tutorial, I have post the python script, which will make the workflow faster. First select the path(curve), then the locator and then the joints and run the script. There will be three parameter in the locator named "U Max", "Offset" and "Cycle". Tweak them to get the desired result.

[@SimonMills]

Thanks Mahbub, but I already have a tool for it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5bQcpSNaL6bopI

[@Miguelus]

hi, how can use the "tread up object"? i download the file(i think is supous to do), but i don`t know how to put in maya. tnx

[@tristangybels8040]

Hey, great tut! If i remove the position markers then i lose the curve to my motionpath

[@unbanvalde9925]

Hey, tried to apply my tracks to the curve using your method, but for every new track the distance between them expands until they don't fit together anymore. Any solution to it?

[@vghhfgg7490]

thanks

[@hearthunter8029]

Nice video, i want Rig my tanks, when i start learn Rig xd

[@malioglu9907]

perfect

[@dylanmercergo7853]

alright, I managed to attach the tread cycle attribute from the tread object node to the dupped anim tread node, all I had to do was just search the damn thing and it worked, now when I try to input the number into the graph editor, it won't move the other (2nd tread) and it doesn't show a curve on the 2nd curve, only the 1st one, yet I did everything correct, I'll also try to look into this, but would be happy for some small explaination!

[@dylanmercergo7853]

hey so when I duplicated special the joints and tracks, the joints just fly of course when duplicating, like the joint won't stay with the track. Help?

[@SimonMills]

In the description is a link to a tool that will help you with the tracks

[@MooRijst]

This is a great tutorial! everything worked fine until suddenly the first joints of each side dont move around curve anymore. they are just stuck on the front. I tried reconnecting them, but it says its already connected. in the graph editor i dont see a line but just 1 singular point and the U value of the joints are 0 and wont change. Do you know how to fix this?

[@SimonMills]

Send me an email with the file, a video or some screen shots of the viewport, node editor & outliner. Send to [e-mail]

[@mrmeireles.rigger]

+Simon Mills, I believe that on a model in which the segments are connected by small links (like on a real tank), there would be a problem keeping them connected, especially on the accentuated parts of the curve. Do you have a solution for that? Great tutorial you made there. Congrats!

[@SimonMills]

MrMeireles - 3D Character Rigger. Great point you make. I approach this by rigging the thread pieces as a 1st step by using the motion chain tool and then running the tool again on the links. Then it is a matter of connecting the 2 resulting cycle attributes together with a small offset by using a plusMinusAverage node.

[@user-ow1gp1nk3p]

anyidea why my trades rotate when my trade path move？

[@LITTDesigns]

Im loving this tutorial! but at 16:14 im having trouble with connecting the duplicated node, the attribute for the tread cycle isnt available like yours right away and when i connect it with the sub menu, it just wont connect to the 2nd tread animation node! i must have missed a step but, any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

[@SimonMills]

Send me a video of the issue - [e-mail]

[@fkmnk1]

Hey Simon, thanks a lot for these great tutorials! I was just wondering how you make it move stationnary to create an anim tree in Unity?

[@SimonMills]

Drive the tank straight, bake the animation and then remove the distance traveled from the baked animation.

[@fkmnk1]

I actually had to copy the value and copy/inverse on the root. Thanks alot for the quick response, the support, and again, this fabulous tutorial🙏

[@hieplethanh4546]

every the end of the loop, my tracks were flipped 180 degree and flip back again. How can I fix that?

[@SimonMills]

This could be a missed point on your tread curves. Does every point have a cluster attached? Are all of the clusters constrained to the tank in some way?

[@caelanchicas7663]

Great Tutorial! I know it's been 7 years but on the slim chance you might see this... Do you make a separate "Tread Cycle" attribute for the right locator? or are both sides using the same attribute to rotate both treads? I'm just a little stuck and I'd love some help! :)

[@late_fate0770]

I was lost on the same thing

[@havvehogan955]

yo i've been wondering that too! @Simon Mills i'd love to know! 🙏

[@SimonMills]

Yes, one for each side. That gives you control over the direction of each.

[@caelanchicas7663]

@@SimonMills thanks mate, greatly appreciate it! 👍

[@user-ef9zu3eh9o]

Thank you so much for the tutorial!! It's been a big help. by the way there are 75 tracks, do I have to attach nodes like that one by one? can't I at least copy the left tread of the tank and make the right tread?

[@SimonMills]

Use the free motionPath tool to automate the tracks. simonpaulmills.com/collections/store/products/curve-path

[@user-ef9zu3eh9o]

​@@SimonMills thank you so much. I want to put a super thanks, but it's not open

[@devilsforkdigital1490]

What's the purpose of binding the tread pieces to joints before creating the motion paths? So far as I can see the tread pieces could be placed on motion paths directly.

[@SimonMills]

The treads are bound to joints so the tank can be exported as a skeletal animation in an fbx format.

[@albertwu847]

Hey Simons, can you help me with this please? I have one tread falling behind when cycling through the curve... the more it goes around the curve the more it stays behind. I checked the offset, the nodes and I can't find anything wrong with it.

[@albertwu847]

Nvm, I just found you have a tool for this. Thanks Simons.

[@JimmyLewisArt]

First, amazing video! Thanks for the tut! Is it possible to add points on the curves for the wheels after the fact? I am in Part 3 and I just realized that I missed this step. :\

[@JimmyLewisArt]

Figured it out. Not sure if adding CVs to the tread curves at Part 3 will cause problems or not. But it seems to be working.

[@SimonMills]

yep, just find the curve in the outliner, may need to filter with dag objects

[@JimmyLewisArt]

Looks like I was ticking "Keep Original". Thanks, Simon. This series has been super helpful. Thanks a ton!

[@mareknovotny5833]

Why we cannt use mash? for it ?becuse I need a 70 pices on both side and make it by the hand look little stupid..

[@SuperLIGHTMEN]

too good to be true

[@BioClone]

I dont know too much about rigging at all, anybody used to 3ds max knows how similar are the steps here with what is supposed to be done on 3DM?

[@SimonMills]

The idea is the same for both Maya and Max. They both have the same basic rigging tools and components such as joints and IK but they are just handled differently within the software's UI and workflow.

[@harkchhina6508]

hello Simon, i was just wondering what the difference is between using the set driven keys, and just directly having the tread cycle attribute drive the u value in the node editor?

[@SimonMills]

The set driven keys create a loop

[@harkchhina6508]

@@SimonMills Thank you so much for your quick response. Im kinda stupid. I should have realized that you cant use the graph editor to create the pre/post infinity cycle if the tread cycle drove the u value through a node editor connection.

[@SimonMills]

@@harkchhina6508 It was a great question, definitely not stupid.

[@vanesieg6772]

the locator has values? I see that they were already created ...

[@SimonMills]

All the parts are created and positioned. You just assemble them in the tutorial.

[@brunosilva3170]

Hello. Anyone could tell me what's the purpose of putting this root joint at the center? It's game-engine related stuff?

[@SimonMills]

When exporting to a game engine this allows for baked in distance. Starting from the center gives it a clean and accurate start point.

[@xunhuang1692]

hi,Thanks for your tutorial and taught me so much, but i have a question. The drive value will always increase, the wheel can not be reversed Ask how to solve, thank you....

[@SimonMills]

Hey Xun, the Drive value goes in both positive and negative directions. The wheels do reverse as expected when the tank moves backwards. Make sure your drive attribute has no limits on it.

[@WoodysFx]

I actually experienced this issue as well and discovered it was because of an extra couple nodes in the scene. I had to use an old script to remove some unused/unknown nodes. I currently can not locate the expression used though.

[@SadPanda449]

Hi, Simon! Love your tutorials. They have helped me in my rigging journey immensely. Question: when it comes time to attach to motion path (10:31 in the video), my tread snaps to the path just like yours, but instead of being properly leveled/oriented like yours is, it gets attached and its Z-rotation is slanted, and has a random value of 69.074. I'm using my own asset, but I'm following along with your tutorial exactly, and am not sure what's causing this. I go to adjust the value and when I scrub through the U Value, it resorts back to this Z value through the path. Any tips to get rid of this error? Thank you so much for your helpful content and any help!

[@SimonMills]

Hey Ham Sandwich, that sounds odd. Are there any initial values on the tread or values on a containing group/parent?

[@SadPanda449]

@@SimonMills if you're referring to post-combine, no. They are all zeroed out. As for before the special duplication and binding to the joints, there were translation values in the X, Y, and Z axes, but no rotation values. The containing group/parent also is zeroed out.

[@SadPanda449]

What I've done for now is used Limit Information to limit the Z axis to 0 so that doesn't happen. It's not clear to me what causes that during that step for me. I'm using Maya 2020 if that helps at all, but I'm not sure if that makes a difference. Additionally, I'm now at roughly the 15:00 mark, and, while I can get the Tread Cycle parameter value to exceed 1 now, the actual motion doesn't continue for some reason. Any ideas on that front? I super appreciate you getting back to me so quickly.

[@SadPanda449]

I'll add that the object twists and turns around the path at odd points, too. Not sure what causes that, as in your project, it stays neatly oriented.

[@SimonMills]

@@SadPanda449 good solution for now but that is really odd, I can't seem to recreate the issue this end.

[@pradeepn6198]

Hi! I tried this method, it worked great at the start, but since I have a lot of tracks for the model I get " Warning: Cached Playback: Memory for caching is running low" message and I did increase the Cached Playback Memory from preference but still the scene is very slow. What do I do? Is there any other method to rig?

[@SimonMills]

Nothing is cached using this rig. There are no dynamics used. What else do you have in your scene?

[@pradeepn6198]

@@SimonMills Nothing much just a model. I just started rigging the tracks and got this message. I've completed rigging the tracks on one side but cause of that the scene works very slow and I'm not able to complete the other side

[@zifah29]

Hi, This is a Really amazing tutorial. definitely learned alot. i have one question. i tried using the motion chain python script that you provided. however i have an issue of the rotation. Hence i went to do manually and realised that the World Up Type i have to change it to Object Rotation Up instead of Up Object. will this affect the workflow? and also was wondering if i could change that comment on the python script for it to work, but i dont know where to change the functions. Thank you:)

[@zifah29]

Its alright!! i managed to find it and it works. HAHAHA Thanksss:)

[@SimonMills]

Awesome!

[@oskabro]

Hi, thanks for this tutorial, its a godsend for the assignment I'm doing! Unfortunately I'm stuck at 16:13 because I can't use the motion path curve tool you made, as I'm a Mac user. Is there anyway to connect the locator to l_tread_anims like this manually? I'm all out of ideas :(

[@SimonMills]

Thanks Brittany. This tutorial is the manual way of doing it. The motion path tool just automates everything in this video. You don't need the tool to rig the tank, it just speeds up the process.

[@oskabro]

Oh, I see, thanks for the reply! However, I'm still unable to plug anything from the locator into the duplicate of l_tread_anim, and I don't know why. Any ideas?

[@SimonMills]

If the Node editor is giving you issues, try using the Connection Editor.

[@oskabro]

That worked, thank you so much for your help! :) Excellent tutorial !

[@SimonMills]

Thanks for watching and good luck with your assignment :)

[@dalahast06]

07:48: use > Delete by type History.

[@user-cd8xn4tq7f]

thanks thanks thanks

[@Kanohoro]

I'm a little stuck on the 13-minute mark. The set driven key feature doesn't recognize the motion path, it simply acknowledges the curve its attached to, so I can't get the locator to drive its U value... I'm using Maya 2018. While I've definitely made the motion path and can access it via the attribute editor of the curve, nothing else recognizes it.

[@SimonMills]

Are you using the free script? kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5bQcpSNaL6bopI&t

[@Collegia_Titanica]

Surely maya 2018+++ have this simplified. There is no way to do this for 140 treads. Any update on this method ?

[@SimonMills]

Use this to speed you up: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5bQcpSNaL6bopI

[@douglashuh9109]

You might want to update to at least 2017 because not everything is the same anymore. The node editor is 1 example. Just letting you know.

[@WoodysFx]

I believe the reason Maya 2015 remains relevant is because many studios still practice with Maya 2015 as it was quite stable/efficient and many local (...in Toronto) companies developed entire pipelines around it.

[@sin4153]

I erase two markers at 17: 22, but when I delete the two markers "positionMarker 1" and "positionMarker 2", the key of "l _ tread _ anim _ 02" is also deleted partially and "l _ tread _ 2" It will return to. How can I avoid this? . Also, marker turns off display, is not it? English Do you communicate with this? I translate it on google, so I am sorry if there is a part that does not convey I'm using Maya 2015

[@SimonMills]

You do not need to delete them. If you are having issues, just leave them. You can always hide them instead.

[@sin4153]

Thank you for your reply!

[@kaidkyoung4298]

is there any place to download this progress file(mesh)???

[@SimonMills]

A final rigged version is available on my site.

[@Shineytrooper]

I've tried to scale this up by creating 3 Treads. the middle one has 100, the other two have about 26 or so each. My CPU doesnt even Cap but yet The program freezes for some reason when ever I try to move or edit the treads and when Im not touching the treads its 100% fine. Ive noticed deleting history on the mesh seems to work but it also deletes the skin and detaches the mesh from the joints. It makes the Is there a way to fix or streamline this so that it doesnt cause this problem?

[@SimonMills]

Two others had similar issues. The first issue turned out being a corrupted mesh exported from modo. The other was a viewport 2.0 bug. Using any other viewport renderer it worked fine. The issue was fixed in the end with the newest video card driver. I would suggest ruling these out first.

[@Shineytrooper]

first issue maybe ruled out as the mesh is one I made. However I had to Export it into maya 2017 as I have issues with UV unwrapping in 2018. I imported it back but I dont think its corrupted as it worked fine until I started adding more and more treads. (but I do suppose that it might not be a coincidence that it works fine when I unbind the mesh) Im not sure if its a viewport 2.0 bug as I only seem to have that, renderman and arnold which preview render the objects which is not the same as viewport. I will however check if there is any Driver updates which will fix this. (im also skeptical that it is this as its only when Moving the treads the issue occurs) I send an email to you with the file just encase you want to inspect it and if you want to help me out by looking for other view ports or any other potential solutions

[@Shineytrooper]

I just updated my drivers so thats not the issue. It could still be the viewport or the corrupted mesh but I doubt that. but its still a possibility

[@SimonMills]

To rule out a mesh issue - delete all mesh and traces of it from scene.. now skin a cube to all joints. See if you still get the crash. The gpu driver/viewport 2.0 crash issue occurred only when timeline was played or scrubbed.

[@morin6661]

Hi Simon, thanks for the tutorial. This one really helped me with a tread rig. I am trying to apply this on a rope for the curtain. What I have done is that I have created joints (108 in total) in the center of each loop and able to attach them to the curve in the same place. But I am having trouble making them follow the path in the loop. When I try to add 1/108 factor to 0 and 1 value to the keys, they shift which is natural as the uValue also changes. Can you please suggest how can make them loop without shifting them? Please help :.).

[@SimonMills]

Hey Utkarsh, are you using this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5bQcpSNaL6bopI

[@morin6661]

@@SimonMills Thanks for the quick response. No, I am using my script inspired by the tread tutorial. I am happy to share it with you.

[@morin6661]

@@SimonMills Hi Simon, thanks for the quick response. I am using custom script inspired from your tutorial.

[@SimonMills]

​@@morin6661 Have you tried just using spline IK or do you actually need it to slide along a curve?

[@morin6661]

@@SimonMills It's a close rope for curtain where someone will pull it like chain of bycycle, so I would like to make them slide along the chain. My main goal is to keep the joint position under the loops. your tools works but joints don't align with loops then. I also noticed something. When I add factor value to keys, uValue doesn't have min or max value. For example, if added factor 0.905, uValue have 1.105 instead of 0.905 or 1.905. I think that it should not be like this, right?

[@abultimatetanksimulator6605]

so can we implement this is a engine like unity?

[@SimonMills]

The control rig is only functional in Maya but you can bake down animations and export to fbx. The fbx will transfer to unity or unreal well.

[@vanesieg7097]

How do I duplicate the node min 16:17? I duplicate it but when I try to connect it when I give it other, no input appears to connect, the duplicate node appears without anything.

[@SimonMills]

Click the stack of bars icon on the top right corner of the node. Set it to all 3 bars highlighted and this will display all inputs. If you connect an input, another input slot will appear automatically.

[@vanesieg7097]

The animation node appears to me without input, I couldn't connect it :(@@SimonMills

[@SimonMills]

@@vanesieg7097hmm, try creating a new node instead of duplicating. Do you get the same issue?

[@yarugatyger1603]

I was stuck on the tracks for a week now because the track pieces would always rotate when I attached them and if I managed to get them into the start position I wanted they'd flip along the path. I found out that I could set the desired rotation in the channel box and then break that connection to keep it at the right rotation, it would follow the path normally and not flip. Is that just a short term fix or the solution to my issue?

[@SimonMills]

Rotate the tank and drive it in different directions to test if the treads rotate correctly.

[@yarugatyger1603]

@@SimonMills I haven't gotten that far, I'm at the stage of attaching the tread pieces to the motion path, but because they don't directly attach in the correct orientation like with your path I need to do some extra steps and therefore it takes longer especially if you have 320 total track pieces :D Although I attempted rotating the model, curve and locator, no changes though.

[@SimonMills]

@@yarugatyger1603 Are you using the free tool? kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5bQcpSNaL6bopI

[@yarugatyger1603]

@@SimonMills I found it later on in your machine gun rig, there you mentioned it, otherwise I wouldn't have read the description. I also had to set up the tracks in a separate file from the tank otherwise there would have been further orientation issues, although using your tool that worked super smooth, although it was some trial and error work setting it up with working links between the tread pieces.

[@josiahsaunders7358]

Thank you! You are an excellent teacher and this was extraordinary helpful. I do, however, have a question about the tread placement. I'm working on a game that involves me having to create multiple tank treads. From following your tutorial, I've been able to create one great set of treads. This was a tedious process however. I was wondering if you would be willing to make a tutorial on how to write a scaleable Mel script that places tread segments along curve? I'm very new to scripting and a tutorial would be extremely helpful. Thanks again

[@SimonMills]

Here is a script that automates the process: simonpaulmills.com/collections/store/products/curve-path

[@josiahsaunders7358]

Oh was that there before? I must have missed that... Thank you very much!

[@sacredlamb3021]

for some reason (at 16:13) it wont let me connect the locator to the "L_tread_anim_02" that i duplicated

[@sacredlamb3021]

how do you make the little "other..." window appear? and then chose Input?

[@SimonMills]

This tool will help speed up the tutorial process: www.simonpaulmills.com/index.php/curve-path-tool/

[@sacredlamb3021]

I'll try to use this thing...never used outside scrips before (i'm a student so we are allowed but they try to teach us with only the given assets stuff), don't know why but before the tread pieces flipped at certain locations in the curve hopefully with this it wont do that

[@WeeMono93]

At 16:16 I cant get the "L_Tread_up_object" to connect through TreadCylce to my duplicated "L_T_anim_02" and I'm not sure what to do to sort it

[@SimonMills]

This will help you out with part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5bQcpSNaL6bopI

[@WeeMono93]

ok I'll give this a try first see how i get on!

[@dylanmercergo7853]

Hello again! So when I placed my track on the curve, then when I slid the factor to move around the curve, it jumps pretty far even tho I pressed control on the keyboard. So... 1. Do I have to scale my entire model to make the rig correctly calibrated? or 2. Just leave as it is, and let the rigged wheels do the work? Cuz my model is somewhat real-world scale so I kinda wanna retain that, so thanks in advance for the heads-up!

[@SimonMills]

Hold shift (might be ctrl) when dragging the attribute to change the increment

[@dylanmercergo7853]

@@SimonMills no no like I did just that, and it would just jump so far!

[@SimonMills]

@@dylanmercergo7853 Not sure what is happening. Send me a video - [e-mail]

[@dylanmercergo7853]

@@SimonMills maybe the scale is quite low

[@dylanmercergo7853]

@@SimonMills wait so shift to make small increments and ctrl to make big increments?

[@SadPanda449]

Hi again! I wanted to follow up. I started this again with my asset from scratch, using Maya 2020.4. I followed exactly this time, using no scripts of my own to ensure my workflow wouldn't ruin the tutorial, and the part where you set the Set Driven Keys for the Tread Cycle Attribute from 13:32-15:00 does not result in an attribute that allows for the tread to travel along the path. Only from values 0-1 on that attribute does the attached tread travel at all, and beyond that value, it does not, despite setting Post and Pre Infinity Cycles and a linear tangent in the Graph Editor. I've repeated this several times now, and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Any ideas? Thanks again!

[@SimonMills]

try keying something simple.. a cube sliding. Does post/pre infinity work on that?

[@SadPanda449]

@@SimonMills Oddly enough, yes, that did work. My last guess now is that it is this lingering output node causing the issues: "MayaNodeEditorSavedTabsInfo." Do you know how I might get rid of that? This appears on the duplicated joints and duplicated locator. That's the only thing I can see that's different in the two objects (the tread and cube). I'm not sure where this node came from. Again, thanks for all your troubles!

[@SimonMills]

​@@SadPanda449 I doubt it is that but worth a shot. This shows you how to remove them: forums.autodesk.com/t5/maya-forum/delete-history-but-still-keep-some-transform-because-wired-node/td-p/8067430

[@SimonMills]

no idea.. it is bugging me that I cannot recreate this. Try running this in the script editor (python tab) Select the object with the keys attached first though :) import maya.cmds as ma ma.setInfinity( pri='cycle', poi='cycle' )

[@SadPanda449]

So I think I found the issue, and I do feel like a dummy! 😂 What's odd is that this doesn't happen with the cube, lol. When setting the Post/Pre infinities, in my version of Maya, I have to manually select the keys first before setting them for it to have effect on my asset. For the cube, I can just set Pre/Post Infinity like your video without select-dragging over the keys first manually. I think it's all working now. Sorry for all the confusion!

[@jemsrai5537]

Will this be counted as dynamics?? I have to use dynamic for my project.. Answer ASAP please!!

[@SimonMills]

No, this is a joint based rig, nothing simulated is used here:(

[@jemsrai5537]

Thank You for your information :)

[@SimonMills]

Good luck on your project!

[@jemsrai5537]

Thanks

[@swapnilkevat153]

I had 74 tread parts and mahn i had to do 148 joint connection... Can't you make some kind of loop in script editor?

[@SimonMills]

Yes for sure you can. It requires a little bit of Mel or Python knowledge though. If you are new to scripting, try the option in the script editor, "echo all commands". From there you can watch the mel script print out as you manually do your tasks. You can then copy + paste the lines of code and tweak the values. It's not easy, but it will open the door to scripting.. which is where rigging gets awesome.

[@Mirahor]

I have 94 tread.....

[@swapnilkevat153]

its redirecting nowhere

[@SimonMills]

oops, updated the link

[@NinjaFlibble]

it didn't happen the first time, but for some reason the second time I'm constraining the right side treads, they're going reverse of the left side. Everything is copied, not mirrored and , like I said, the first time I did this they went the same way. Any ideas?

[@SimonMills]

Lots of things could have caused it but its not a big deal. You can just multiply everything on that side by -1 with a multiply divide node or even easier, use the reverse curve tool. I mention it in the end of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5bQcpSNaL6bopIm46s

[@daliahileman6917]

ok, thank you :) I knew I could just run the animation into a reverse node, but wasn't sure if that would screw anything up either now or down the line. Nodes are relatively new to me.

[@rogersiuraneta9467]

For me it isn't working. I am following the tutorial to the most minute detail, but when it is time to attatch the link the motion path, when selecting world up object (the locator) it gives me an //Error: line 0: in the debug log, and can't proceed. Maybe is something I'm missing? Something is parented to something I'm anaware of? All the other world types work, but the object up option does not. Great tutorial, in any case.

[@SimonMills]

Hey Roger, can you open the script editor, go to the "History" heading and turn on "Line numbers in errors" and also "show stack trace". Recreate the issue and paste the detailed error message on here. Thanks!

[@rogersiuraneta9467]

@@SimonMills Hey, thanks for respondign so quick! I found ut the problem was that I wasn't deleting the U path keyframes. I'm smashing my head with other problems, but that question is solved. Thanks!

[@rogersiuraneta9467]

Just one more question. I have managed to make everything in the tutorial work, with one problem. The bones for the links flicker their Y axis orientation when moving through the path, switching inside and outside of the tread (not at random, they appear to switch at particular segments of the spline). I don't know what could be causing this; it even happens when using a generic nurb circle, and when I swap the motion path mode to others. One thing I must mention is that to accomplish this I bound the potion path without using Object up, and later changing it in the attribute editor, because of the error I mentioned before. When using object up the bone spins around the direction of the spline too, making posterior modifications to the mesh useless. Sorry about the long post, it's been a bit frustrating to bang heads against this issue.

[@SimonMills]

@@rogersiuraneta9467 any chance you could send me a video or a screenshot? email to [e-mail]

[@CasualClinkz]

great tutorial but i hope they changed it since i have some tracks with 96 pieces each...

[@SimonMills]

Make sure you use this free tool to help set those up: simonpaulmills.com/collections/store/products/curve-path

[@CasualClinkz]

​@@SimonMills Thank you so much:)

[@dylanmercergo7853]

So I have so many problems rn... So 1. When I try to Set the drive key, I load drive the locater, but the u value (load driven) won't show! 2. The duplicated motion paths value node wouldn't attach itself to the tread object node, (the TREAD CYCLE option won't show when u clicked on the circle, the circle infront of the node) Although I got the joint problem fixed, and the attaching of the track joints to the curve. I'm so stressed rn pls help! Also, the attribute thing for the locater, are there more settings I need to add for the rest of the rig to work, cuz I just added an attribute with no other added settings, and just named it TREAD CYCLE. edit: Got the driver keys right, I just needed to click the motion path u value node and it just did the trick, now it's just the part where you frame 2 tracks and duplicate the motion anim node, from where I can't connect the object node to the duplicated motion anim node. I can't seem to get that tread cycle output to the input of the motion anim node. Sorry if my terms aren't so correct, I'm trying to make it professional as possible.

[@SimonMills]

Send me an email with the scene file

[@dylanmercergo7853]

​@@SimonMillsi cant delay! I just remembered the tool you placed in the description. I did all the steps you said, but when i tried to run the tool, it just said error. Im using Maya 2025, maybe the tool is outdated, if so, pls update, but if i do the sreps again today and it still wont work, i address to you how i did it, maybe i might send a vid to you regarding me doing the installation.

[@SimonMills]

@@dylanmercergo7853 The tool is fine in 2025. You need to run it in a python tab, not a mel tab.

[@dylanmercergo7853]

@@SimonMills I did, the thing won't open

[@SimonMills]

@@dylanmercergo7853 can you post the error?

[@dylanmercergo7853]

hello so uh when I skinned them, the joints didn't skin individually, it skinned all the tracks together, now the joints, when moved, move all the tracks. I did leave a gap of course, so what's the problem?

[@SimonMills]

Are you setting the max influences to 1?

[@dylanmercergo7853]

@@SimonMills oh yeah! Still didnt work

[@dylanmercergo7853]

@@SimonMills but could i just individually make joints to each track? Like since if u dup the joints, they are one entity. So ill try to not dup special and just skin each joint and track individually. Maybe if u know way, thanks in advance!

[@SimonMills]

@@dylanmercergo7853 they are shown as 1 entity because they get parented in a chain. Select them all and hit shift+p to un-parent them all

[@dylanmercergo7853]

@@SimonMills oh wait I did that too, I parented the thing first then un parented, yet still it did that

[@n4s98]

you skipped a few things like how do draw the curve, locator and the joint.

[@SimonMills]

It's not a beginner tutorial. It assumes you know the basics. There are plenty of beginner tutorials out there.

[@abdzism6412]

how to create tread cycle on locator?

[@SimonMills]

Grab the free tool here: simonpaulmills.com/blogs/tutorials/how-to-rig-a-tank-in-maya-part-1 It will work on a locator also.

[@vdubsz1]

At 14 minutes in, I can't get the U value to switch to any value from 0. It instantly locks back to 0, any ideas?

[@SimonMills]

Hey Jon, I have not encountered this issue but I wonder if you are setting the uValue as the driver key instead of the driven key? Also this tool will automate part 1 of the tutorial in case you cannot resolve the issue: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5bQcpSNaL6bopI

[@vdubsz1]

I tried that, and I'm getting a syntax error whenever I used the script. I figured out the first problem, I just opened a brand new file and imported the objects into the clean scene and it works now, but I'm interested in why i'm getting a syntax error with the script

[@SimonMills]

Make sure it's a clean & empty editor you are pasting into and make sure you are using a Python tab.

[@WoodysFx]

So I have actually built an entire rig around this tutorial series, however I would like to apply this to a tank model that has HVSS T80 Tracks. Instead of one tread piece connecting to another, it uses tread links in between each tread piece that are smaller then the tread pieces. Should I have two armatures for both the tread links and tread pieces? Should I have one armature with extra bones and aim constraints? What would you suggest? Reference Image: www.google.ca/search?q=HVSS+T80+Track&dcr=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiTl4-Q1KXaAhXB5YMKHQ_pCXEQ_AUICigB&biw=1270&bih=831#imgrc=VnZZKVYb6zSzcM:

[@SimonMills]

Great question Marc! My advanced tank rig 2.0 video demo's a tank I rigged with treads like you describe. I accomplished that by doing a separate track rig for the intermediate pieces and offsetting them until they sat between the main tread pieces. It is actually a very easy thing to do. Then just connect the intermediate pieces into the tank rig the same way as the main treads are connected. The offset occurs on the set driven key curves.

[@WoodysFx]

Thank you for the reply :) I was not thinking about the possibility of combining the driving output. Your advanced tank rig exercises great functionality. Are there any tricks you could use to make sure the treads always line up with the driving gear?

[@SimonMills]

You can add in extra clusters on the curve path and create controls out of them. Shifting the curve is the easiest way to get a pretty accurate result. Again on the Advanced tank rig 2.0 vid; are some examples of extra controls you could add on to accomplish a more accurate tread fitting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z37FhKOIeJeZn8Um54s

[@WoodysFx]

I believe you have answered this for me once before, but is there any way to determine the amount of tread pieces you are going to need? I am really sorry for the consistent questioning. I should have something to show for all of this very soon!

[@SimonMills]

When I modeled the tank I hand placed tread pieces roughly and that gave me my number of tread pieces. Buy you could also do it mathematically by drawing a tread curve, taking the arclen of the curve and then dividing it by the width of a tread piece.. or a combined width of your tread pieces and a intermediate piece. Then adjust the curve to allow the result to be as close to a whole number as possible.

[@nitishmishra191]

We can make chain by using MASH How to rig chain using mash

[@mustafaozturk3343]

Is it possible to export these animations to Unity?

[@SimonMills]

Yes, it is very simple: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npbMhmxohaZkh6sm39s

[@mustafaozturk3343]

Wow, what a fast response! Thank you for your help, glad to subscribe your channel. One more question: Is there any way to make this process faster? I mean I just want to animate wheels and tank track(palettes). Since I am indie, I don't have too much time. Thank you again.

[@SimonMills]

I have a free tool that will setup treads for you: simonpaulmills.com/collections/store/products/curve-path

[@mustafaozturk3343]

Thank you very much! I am grateful.

[@mustafaozturk3343]

Simon Mills I know I asked too much questions but I need to ask one more :) I saw a video showing how to make tank track with Mash Editor. All I need to make a tank track and simulate tank track movement(Part 3, 30th second or this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4HNe2yNnsaMnpY). Is there any easier way to to that? I think I even don't need these rigging process. Since we are indie, this rigging process cost too much time to us. Thank you again sir.

[@Farid_M_Panah]

thanx for tutorial ♥!♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥where can i find script code

[@SimonMills]

dang i didn't know link was broken, updating now! I will post change shortly

[@Farid_M_Panah]

thank you so much

[@SimonMills]

k try now, my site was down.. sorry about that!

[@Farid_M_Panah]

i appreciate your help

[@simonlu5141]

subscrweebed! no.767 and liked

[@SimonMills]

Thanks!

[@simonlu5141]

@@SimonMills Thanks to you I just rigged my first set of tank treads! Really thank you Simon Mills :)

[@SimonMills]

Nice one!

[@beeeean]

holy crap we have to manually add them all @_@

[@SimonMills]

No, there is a tool to speed up the process. I do suggest doing a few manually to learn the process. Here is the tool: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5bQcpSNaL6bopI

[@Said.Qadeer]

hahahaha Fuck this Tank I like another tank on your tutorial

[@de_luxe8616]

Hey, I used your script to align my tread parts to the curve but when I try to tweak my tread cycle, no part moves... Is there a obvious thing I forgot?

[@SimonMills]

email me a picture/video or link to the scene file and I will see what the issue is.

[@de_luxe8616]

Hey, thanks for your fast response but gladly I dont need to waste your time :) I just found out what I did wrong. Sadly, I arranged my windows that bad, that the "Cycle" attribute right below the "Tread Cycle" attribute was hidden. I now understand what you meant in you video belonging to the script with "I did something wrong there (Cycle Tread Cycle). I didnt notice at the first and second time as I am not a native english speaker. But anyways, thanks for your great tutorials :)

[@SimonMills]

Awesome, nice job for figuring it out yourself!