arm bending

[gleeful]

Thanks sbtamu for the speedy response. Unfortunately your diagram does not help me get rid of the elbow loop when I bend the arm. Probably because I do not know how to interpret it correctly.

I think my problem might have to do with binding points. I have tried several different approaches to point binding, selecting different sets of points for each of the 4 bones to bind to, but still no luck.

There must be some very basic step that I am not doing correctly, but I cannot figure it out.

I have not yet found any post in the LM forum in which specific and detailed written directions for the Mandcon rig are provided.... and I am afraid that is just what I need as a relative newcomer to ASP.

Thanks to all in advance of any help or additional info you can provide.[/img]

[sbtamu]

Thanks sbtamu for the speedy response. Unfortunately your diagram does not help me get rid of the elbow loop when I bend the arm. Probably because I do not know how to interpret it correctly.

I think my problem might have to do with binding points. I have tried several different approaches to point binding, selecting different sets of points for each of the 4 bones to bind to, but still no luck.

There must be some very basic step that I am not doing correctly, but I cannot figure it out.

I have not yet found any post in the LM forum in which specific and detailed written directions for the Mandcon rig are provided.... and I am afraid that is just what I need as a relative newcomer to ASP.

Thanks to all in advance of any help or additional info you can provide.[/img]

Can you post an image of the arm while its bent?

[lwaxana]

Gleeful--If you post an image as Sbtamu suggests, someone will probably be able to figure out what the problem is. But I wonder if you're encountering a shape order issue rather than a point binding issue.

The loop will always still be there. The mandcon rig just conceals it by covering it with whichever shape is raised to the front.

So the trick is to have the upperarm be in the back, the elbow in the middle, and the forearm in the front. Or in some situations, you might put the forearm in the back, elbow in the middle, and upperarm in the front. But if the elbow shape is ever in the front, you will see the loop.

[sbtamu]

Gleeful--If you post an image as Sbtamu suggests, someone will probably be able to figure out what the problem is. But I wonder if you're encountering a shape order issue rather than a point binding issue.

The loop will always still be there. The mandcon rig just conceals it by covering it with whichever shape is raised to the front.

So the trick is to have the upperarm be in the back, the elbow in the middle, and the forearm in the front. Or in some situations, you might put the forearm in the back, elbow in the middle, and upperarm in the front. But if the elbow shape is ever in the front, you will see the loop.

I was about to edit my last post and suggest this.

TY lwaxana

[gleeful]

Aaahhhh! Some light is shed on the problem. Shape Order!

That makes a lot of sense and helps me understand the operative principal in the rig. I was totally unaware of that aspect of the rig.

I will give it a try. If I can't get it right, I will post an image of my problematic results.

Thanks sbtamu and lwaxana! I can feel my sanity returning already...

I love this forum.

[gleeful]

The good news: thinking of the elbow shape being in the middle of the shape order has helped a lot. The bad news: I still have not figured out how to create the Mandcon Rig.

Should I be welding any of the points in the 3 shapes to each other? If so, which ones?

I have used neeters_guy's illustration as a guide including Bone Parenting, Point Binding Assignments, and the Angle control bone settings:

I have built the rig so many times using the above diagram as a guide that I have completely memorized it. I must be doing something wrong that is very basic.

I just cannot see how 3 shapes have been used to create the basic arm shape in that diagram, unless some points of some of the 3 shapes have been welded to each other. I have experimented with as many variations as I can think of, but nothing is quite right.

I downloaded a .anme file example of the actual Mandcon Rig several months ago. I have tried to deconstruct it to help me understand how to build my own, but with no success yet. I would include that rig in this post, but I think it is no longer online... at least I cannot find it. I could post it in the future if that will help.

Any more tips or strategies? I am interested in even the most basic steps necessary to create the shapes used. I will not be offended if you assume me to be completely ignorant of how to use ASP, if you don't mind spending the time to spell it all out for me.

Thanks so much for your help and patience. I know I will figure this thing out eventually and that I will have a much better understanding of ASP when I do.

[sbtamu]

Yes you MUST bind points to their respective bones.

I'll post a vid on youtube, give me about 30 min....

[gleeful]

I understand the need for binding points. What I am wondering is whether or not some of the points of the 3 shapes (forearm, elbow, bicep) need to be welded to each other.

Thanks so much for taking time to post something on YouTube! I really appreciate it.

[Víctor Paredes]

I'll post a vid on youtube, give me about 30 min....

Sorry, Sbtamu, I uploaded a video tutorial before read your post
Anyway, two tutorials are better than one, isn't it?

Here is my little tutorial for Mandcon arm. I tried to let it as simpler as possible
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx7geVfAe7c

[sbtamu]

I'll post a vid on youtube, give me about 30 min....

Sorry, Sbtamu, I uploaded a video tutorial before read your post
Anyway, two tutorials are better than one, isn't it?

Here is my little tutorial for Mandcon arm. I tried to let it as simpler as possible
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx7geVfAe7c

LOL np, mine is uploading to youtube as i type this. Just a real rough arm.

[Víctor Paredes]

LOL np, mine is uploading to youtube as i type this. Just a real rough arm.

I just hope gleeful be a human and not some futuristic spambot.

[sbtamu]

Here is a bad drawing of an arm but meh, it shows what to do.

And as for the shapes, they share a common edge, its not 3 shapes pushed together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH2LIrgrjXE

[gleeful]

sbmatu- thanks for the response. I have not been able to see your video yet... problem at YouTube. I will keep trying. And thanks for the info about the common edge. That is another clue that will help me solve this puzzle.

selgin: I definitely am a real human! Just one who is having a very hard time figuring out how to create the mandcon arm rig. I share your feelings about the spammers, but I am real. Real stupid, however, is how I feel lately not being able to figure out how to create the mandcon rig.

[sbtamu]

sbmatu- thanks for the response. I have not been able to see your video yet... problem at YouTube. I will keep trying. And thanks for the info about the common edge. That is another clue that will help me solve this puzzle.

selgin: I definitely am a real human! Just one who is having a very hard time figuring out how to create the mandcon arm rig. I share your feelings about the spammers, but I am real. Real stupid, however, is how I feel lately not being able to figure out how to create the mandcon rig.

I made in HD so it takes a few min to be public but try now its ready

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH2LIrgrjXE

[neeters_guy]

Very good, you guys. I think you've pretty much exhausted the mandcon rig.

Heh, I didn't you know you could set bone constraints on multiple bones at a time! Learn something new everyday.