Tutorial: Rigging a 6 Bar Excavator Linkage with 3ds Max

3ds Max bones are used to model the crank-rocker portion of an excavator mechanism and the Look-At constraint the slider-crank action.

[@mohamedbichoutar5741]

5 years later its still useful, Thank you Lee!

[@edenglobe]

Thank you for this tutorial, I struggled for so long with the issue when you move out of plane when using the look at constraint, in fact I stopped using it and learned how to use bones and HI solvers instead when creating models with pistons etc. :)

[@BaconKiller360]

Amazing! The only video I've found that helps with linkages and hydraulics. Thank you so much!

[@walkonfire]

Outstanding work. Your voice and narration are very very good

[@spacep0d]

Great job. Perfectly explained and demonstrated. Thanks!

[@user-lj8oi6md4d]

9 years later its still useful

[@tiraflo]

Thanks dude, this video helps me to succeed my specific linkage !

Awesome mate, you nailed it! that was a very helpful video

[@rikmills]

Wow, thank you so much, this was exactly what I needed. Great video!

[@masterjoy0.147]

Great explains please upload more video

[@Geofract]

Very useful, thank you!

[@samuellai4286]

Many many thanks !!

[@TheSparkoi]

Thanks man , good job :)

[@dmitrychernov1903]

Cool

[@pat5225]

Thank you so much!

[@teddydk8917]

Thankyou ^-----^

[@kunigavlad]

Thx a lot!

[@GD15555]

please make a tutorial how to rig steam train wheels especially piston

[@lirva7611]

I couldn't form the four bar linkage, at the part at 3:55, my objects just explodes all over the place. Anyone having the same problem?

[@LeeMinardi]

IK solvers are constrained to lie in a 2D plane. The plane may be at any orientation in 3D space. The first thing I would check is that the pivots of the components all lie on the same plane. Rotate the view of your model in 3D and visually check that the IK solver lies in the plane that it should (i.e., a plane perpendicular to ground).

[@lirva7611]

@@LeeMinardi hi Lee, thanks for the tip. It's working now :)

[@Goddemic]

where is the upper hydraulic piston? It must be there))

[@LeeMinardi]

Use your imagination! ;-)

[@qchecketts]

Why can't I find the "Select Upnode" control under my motion tab?

[@LeeMinardi]

Be sure to have Rotation selected in the PRS Parameters sub-panel selected. This should open up a LookAtContraint sub-panel where you will find the Select Upnode option.

[@qchecketts]

Thanks Lee!

[@SasisaPlays]

Can it be imported to unreal engine 4?