Skill Exchange (WIN WIN CO-OP)

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Draise
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Skill Exchange (WIN WIN CO-OP)

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Skill Exchange01 (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Rigging 01 for Topology 01


I have joined up with another SI user MC_Axe to do a knowledge exchange over an hour every now and then. This is our first attempt - finally rendered with the Skype audio and desktop recording. Framerate is low, but it works.

Below you can see a bit of what I will start teaching. Topics covered are marked with a "-DONE".

Rigging
1. Rigging introduction: Summery of what it is and what are the components and options in Softimage - DONE
2. Preparing a mesh for rigging - topology guidelines and planning
3. Setting up the basic components of the rig - chains
4. Learning Constraints - Creating controls
5. Working with expressions - Using Lattices
6. Working with Shapes
7. ICE introduction - Driving Parameters
7b. ICE Parenting and Kinematics (optional, I am not very good with this one yet)
8. Creating a shape driver with ICE
9. Creating Parameters and finising up the rig
10. Using GEAR_MC - installation and use (optional)
10.b Pro's and Con's of using Autoriggers


Animation
1. Animation Introduction - Interface and Summery
1a. Basics of the 12 animation principles (optional)
2. Keyframe animation - Keysets and Tips and tricks
3. Dopesheet
3. Fcurve animation and Interpolation - Paths workflows
4. Creating an Animation Clip workflow with Animation Layers
5. Blocking tips and tricks
6. Finetuning tips and tricks
7. Creating an animation library
8. Rig finetuning workflow tips and tricks

In turn, in the second half of the video, you will see MC_Axe teach the following:

Topology fundamentals :

Info:The lesson is rly low level (meaning low level like in programming), so its about polygonal modeling inside SI, target is to send a good base model to apps like zBrush to take maximum advantage of your model on a higher level, or use in general a good model as base to create HR models. This lesson will help you to begin with retopo and hard surface.

Also in the topic:
Why Triangles are everywhere. - DONE
Identify different types of topo - DONE
Where each type of topo is useful or bad - DONE
Why modelers are obsessed with quads - DONE
How to properly add components, to shape things like: a circle within quads (maybe an eye), or a mouth, without destroying a good topo.- DONE
How to jump from less density to more and the oposite(preserving quads).-DONE
Connections - stitching of patches and how this adds versatility
Importance of Quads Loops and patches -DONE
Create a very basic demo model like an ugly head or smthing
How important is a good topo to hard surface
Visual Bugs caused by bad topo


Basic intro to Redshift and comparison with MR

Will edit this one later.
This was really fun to do. I am more than happy to also do things likes this in trueSpace! Or Vue or something!
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Re: Skill Exchange (WIN WIN CO-OP)

Post by BNG »

Good to see you haven't stopped using Softimage. Leroy.
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Re: Skill Exchange (WIN WIN CO-OP)

Post by Draise »

Skill Exchange_02 (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Topology 02 for Rigging 02


Today, we both talk about topology in an expanded way building off the previous lessons - and we start studying Chains for rigging in Softimage.

In the video you will see the following:
TIME: first hour
- We try to give a better definition for Topology :p
- Explain in more depth how we jump from less to more complexity across polygonal surfaces (that use only quads), we identify the tools and split in categories
- Learn how to start "reverse engineering" a random topology wireframe picture from net, so you can see what going on and learn something from it!

TIME: 01:00:00 (more or less)

- We explained and presenting components and elements used in rigging and animation with simple examples within Softimage, alot of stuff actually like:

---skeletons, bones, Effectors, FK IK, rotation limits, 3d vs 2d chains, basics of using the weight tool and weight panel,
---explain the use of shadow rigs vs chains,
---Uniaxis and elbow topology, rules of thumb: the relation between animation and topology.

Point form about the rigging:
2. Preparing a mesh for rigging - topology guidelines and planning
-Modeling the Can - guidlines
-Quick showcase of modeling rig tips and tricks
---Tube modeling and showcase
3. Setting up the basic components of the rig - chains
-Quick showcase and settings of chains
-Weight painting summery
-Tube Rigging and showcase
---Elbow
---UniAxis
---Holes
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Re: Skill Exchange (WIN WIN CO-OP)

Post by Draise »

Skill Exchange_03 (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Topology 03 for Rigging 03


WARNING: The first half of the video didn't record on one of the sides, meaning quality was drastically reduced to a Skype desktop Recording. Pardon the issue! But the audio is fine. If you want, say the word and there is a chance of repeating that session.

Lessons covered in the first half:
- Applying the first shapes to a lattice to deform the can of beer character.
4. Learning Constraints - Creating controls
5. Working with Shapes

Lessons learned in the second half:
- Working on topology bugs with fixes and tips and tricks
- Light and Specular Behaviour, Internal Edges and Gradients
- Continuity Angles
- Normals
- Double Edges and Flipped Components
- Lonely Points (Variance = 2)
- Degenerate Faces
- SDS and triangles with alternative fix using quads
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Re: Skill Exchange (WIN WIN CO-OP)

Post by Draise »

Skill Exchange_04 (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Topology 04 for Rigging 04



Another update! This one was great fun. I'm really having fun exchanging knowledge like this. It would be great to do that here in these forums to with other software. Anyone interested?

Today we exchange a quick intro to animation and rigging using shapes and expressions for Sub Division summery. A good watch!

First Half:
6. Working with expressions - Using Lattices
Applying contraints, adding an expression (workflow) to control the Can-O-Beer character global deformation by a lattice with quick summery of sqaush/stretch, Anticipation and Followthrough in animation. We also cover Global and Local rig control tips.
--Constraint tips
--Lattice falloff tips
--Connect a controller to a shape
----Workflow
----Tips
----Showcase

Second Half:
-SDS cages
-SDS introduction
-Tips for making a tractor wheel
-Hard Edges
-Organic and Hardsurface modeling introduction
-SDS cages and higher detail
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Re: Skill Exchange (WIN WIN CO-OP)

Post by Draise »

Skill Exchange_05b (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Topology 05


Here is a sit through training to model a trackter bum seat. It was great to go along with him, and I learnt a lot. Challenging but great way to be pushed. Enjoy! Thanks Mc_Axe!


Other videos in the series:
Skill Exchange_01 (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Rigging 01 for Topology 01
https://youtu.be/S5QCDOUk-YQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Skill Exchange_02 (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Topology 02 for Rigging 02
https://youtu.be/x1SCcyuIgcw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Skill Exchange_03 (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Topology 03 for Rigging 03
https://youtu.be/GJN-JJYtP7k" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Skill Exchange_04 (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Topology 04 for Rigging 04
https://youtu.be/ziLuEp7AKbc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Exchange 5a is coming soon! I just have to edit the audio and get it rendered and online. It is about rigging shapes using ICE (good quick introduction to ICE basics) and more details on expressions.
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Re: Skill Exchange (WIN WIN CO-OP)

Post by Draise »

Skill Exchange_05a (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Rigging 05 - Using ICE to drive shapes


In this exchange we talk about rigging with ICE - using ICE to build a shaper driver with a controller. We cover the basics of ICE by getting and setting data, and learning how to access, convert and modify it. We also discuss tips and tricks for expressions and corrective shapes.

TIP: Where to find Expression Function Curves in the explorer metioned at 02:30
TIP: Blending between shapes with the controller mentioned at 04:30
Lessons: ICE basics and introduction to creating a controller to drive shapes mentioned at 09:30
Discussion: Corrective shapes in ICE vs. Expressions mentioned at 33:00


Other videos in the series:
Skill Exchange_01 (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Rigging 01 for Topology 01
https://youtu.be/S5QCDOUk-YQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Skill Exchange_02 (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Topology 02 for Rigging 02
https://youtu.be/x1SCcyuIgcw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Skill Exchange_03 (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Topology 03 for Rigging 03
https://youtu.be/GJN-JJYtP7k" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Skill Exchange_04 (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Topology 04 for Rigging 04
https://youtu.be/ziLuEp7AKbc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Skill Exchange_05b (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Topology 05
https://youtu.be/V0DHAZkTV2I" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This episode makes me very excited, as sharing this is like sharing something that blew my mind when I learnt it. Hope you enjoy!
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Re: Skill Exchange (WIN WIN CO-OP)

Post by Draise »

Skill Exchange_06a (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Topology 06


Here is a sit through training in Softimage to model a trackter seat shock piston seat. Thanks again Mc_Axe! I'm learning quickly.

If you are interested in learning something we do, it would be more than a happy moment to exchange with you.

Minimum requirements:
-Screen Recording Software
-Stable and fast internet connection
-Microphone
-Something to teach! (Any software or technique is welcome!)
-English or Spanish
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Re: Skill Exchange (WIN WIN CO-OP)

Post by Draise »

Skill Exchange_06b (WIN WIN CO-OP) - Rigging 06



Today, after some time, we work on rigging by taking a look at making controlers, making chains, and building a quick arm rig as an experiment in Softimage - blunders and all! Again, thanks to Mc_Axe, aka. Aris for being a great exchanger.

--

These videos are a part of a series of knowledge exchanges, where you teach me for something I can teach you, keeping a cash free mutual benifit between artists - better than a tutorial because you get a tutor and become one too. Knowledge also is software agnostic, meaning any kind of knowledge or workflow is welcome! If you are interested, please get in touch.

draise14(a)gmail.com

Minimum requirements:
-Screen Recording Software
-Stable and fast internet connection
-Microphone
-Something to teach!
-Something you want to learn.
-English or Spanish
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