character's arm technique ideas !!
Moderators: Víctor Paredes, Belgarath, slowtiger
- Egyptianboy
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:32 pm
- Location: CAIRO-EGYPT
character's arm technique ideas !!
Hi , everybody
for me , animating characters, is very fun, but animating arms !!
elbow joint area is always pain , i manipulate the lower arm bone , when elbow area starts destorting
strokes conflicts , points intersects , or any other non_smooth looking
well, what the profs. do ? do they create the arm in one shape , two shapes ?
two layers ? two bones ? extra child bones for elbow points ? sorry i can't delever a clear question ( bad ENGLISH matter)
maybe i need to see a file or an image for one good ( boned-arm ) to study the technique of shaping , layering ,
binding , stroking the arm parts
that i never find on video tut , or manuals , or library its pure personal experience and solution sense
in short ( really need to steal a professional technique in good looking & working arm )
appreciate any reply
for me , animating characters, is very fun, but animating arms !!
elbow joint area is always pain , i manipulate the lower arm bone , when elbow area starts destorting
strokes conflicts , points intersects , or any other non_smooth looking
well, what the profs. do ? do they create the arm in one shape , two shapes ?
two layers ? two bones ? extra child bones for elbow points ? sorry i can't delever a clear question ( bad ENGLISH matter)
maybe i need to see a file or an image for one good ( boned-arm ) to study the technique of shaping , layering ,
binding , stroking the arm parts
that i never find on video tut , or manuals , or library its pure personal experience and solution sense
in short ( really need to steal a professional technique in good looking & working arm )
appreciate any reply
Last edited by Egyptianboy on Thu Jun 16, 2011 11:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- funksmaname
- Posts: 3174
- Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 11:31 am
- Location: New Zealand
there are quite a few techniques which you will find searching the forum. If you're using version 8 overlapping two shapes and using a patch layer at the elbow is probably the most beginner friendly.
there are techniques using two shapes, one shape and multiple bones, or even using thick strokes with double edges - I highly reccomend you search the tips and techniques and read threads as you will not only find how to make arms, but stumble across MANY amazing techniques which you're going to need...
there are techniques using two shapes, one shape and multiple bones, or even using thick strokes with double edges - I highly reccomend you search the tips and techniques and read threads as you will not only find how to make arms, but stumble across MANY amazing techniques which you're going to need...
- Egyptianboy
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:32 pm
- Location: CAIRO-EGYPT
Hello Egyptianboy.
As funksmaname said, there are several ways to rig a limb.
Here are some I like
An arm rig, asp 6.2 I think
http://cid-32c59c444d3eca96.office.live ... rm-rig.zip
A shoulder rig, asp 7.1 I think
http://cid-32c59c444d3eca96.office.live ... er-rig.zip
And a patch layer rig, asp 8, this time I am pretty sure!
http://cid-32c59c444d3eca96.office.live ... -layer.zip
I am working on a blog where I will post videos on making those in the next few days!
Hope this helps!
As funksmaname said, there are several ways to rig a limb.
Here are some I like
An arm rig, asp 6.2 I think
http://cid-32c59c444d3eca96.office.live ... rm-rig.zip
A shoulder rig, asp 7.1 I think
http://cid-32c59c444d3eca96.office.live ... er-rig.zip
And a patch layer rig, asp 8, this time I am pretty sure!
http://cid-32c59c444d3eca96.office.live ... -layer.zip
I am working on a blog where I will post videos on making those in the next few days!
Hope this helps!
Last edited by GCharb on Fri Jun 17, 2011 6:04 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- Víctor Paredes
- Site Admin
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- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 12:18 am
- Location: Barcelona/Chile
- Contact:
For me, the definitive arm rig is Mandcon's arm. In version 8 patch layers works for most of the cases, but this rig still working for curve arms and other cool stuff.






Moho co-owner
Previously Rigged animation supervisor: My father's dragon, Wolfwalkers & Star Wars Visions "Screecher's Reach"
My personal Youtube Channel
- Egyptianboy
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:32 pm
- Location: CAIRO-EGYPT
can't belive it...
hello guyz first , and grateful for your valuable time & help
was crying...can't belive this mandcon arm rig , awesome simple yet effective and clean
six points elbow yet animatable perfectly , real professional minds
your files guys are treasures
thank you GCharb , thank you selgin , appreciate your help
hello guyz first , and grateful for your valuable time & help
was crying...can't belive this mandcon arm rig , awesome simple yet effective and clean
six points elbow yet animatable perfectly , real professional minds
your files guys are treasures

thank you GCharb , thank you selgin , appreciate your help
I use this arm/leg rig on all my characters. I did a 3d test character that uses the same rig and it worked well also. Sorry for my bad tutorial on that video(if you looked at it) I forgot to include the mouse pointer in the capture device and it makes bad viewing. I have even used the rig on fingers and a giant foot that smashes a stickman character.
- Egyptianboy
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:32 pm
- Location: CAIRO-EGYPT
stickman slaps hand , hahahah , amazing , sbtamu
you rule man , idon't want to ask you about your technique , i bet it's too complicated with many apps.
hope you keep it up , thanks sbtamu
may i suggest . your style as a show , especially for middle east TVs
it could be very popular family show , think about it



you rule man , idon't want to ask you about your technique , i bet it's too complicated with many apps.
hope you keep it up , thanks sbtamu
may i suggest . your style as a show , especially for middle east TVs
it could be very popular family show , think about it
Last edited by Egyptianboy on Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:44 am, edited 2 times in total.
Hello again!
Never used the mandcon rig, but many swear by it!
sbtamu, I grabbed your vid, hope you do not mind!!!
Never used the mandcon rig, but many swear by it!
sbtamu, I grabbed your vid, hope you do not mind!!!

Last edited by GCharb on Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Egyptianboy
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:32 pm
- Location: CAIRO-EGYPT
Actually I just used Anime Studio and a video camera. I have a tripod/camera set up over my work station and a rig set up on my desk that holds the paper steady and after I draw something I leave my hands in view of the camera and I have my kids pull paper off the stack really fast. In post I delete 2-4 frames that might show my kids hands removing paper.Egyptianboy wrote:stickman slaps hand , hahahah , amazing , sbtamu![]()
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you rule man , idon't want to ask you about your technique , i bet it's too complicated with many apps.
hope you keep it up , thanks sbtamu
may i suggest . your style as a show , especially for middle east TVs
it could be very popular family show , think about it
- Egyptianboy
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:32 pm
- Location: CAIRO-EGYPT