Creating A Simple IK Rig Part Two

It's important that you read the last tutorial because it gets you up to speed for this tutorial. In this tutorial, we'll teach you how to build realistic actuator movement.

Set-up

Step one - Download robotlegparttwo.mb. This model leaves off with the last one, but has an actuator at the back of the leg.

Step two - Select the can of the actuator. We're going to need to adjust its pivot point. To do this, go to the move tool, hit insert on your keyboard, and drag the pivot point up to where it is on the image.

Step three - Select the shaft. We're going to need to change its pivot point, too. Hit insert on your keyboard and drag the pivot point to where it is on the image.

Step four - Select the can and hold shift on your keyboard and select the root joint. We're going to parent the can to this joint. Go to edit>parent.

Step five - Select the shaft, hit shift on the keyboard and select the knee joint. We're going to parent this joint too. Go to edit>parent.

Aim Constrain

We're going to use this constrain on the actuator.

Step six - Select the bottom pin, hold shift on your keyboard and select your can. We're going to aim the can at that pin. Go to constrain>aim. Click the square beside the text and open the options. Check the attribute maintain offset. Then click add.

Step seven - Select the top pin, hold shift on your keyboard and select the shaft. We're going to create another aim constrain. Go to to constrain>aim. Don't bother opening the options window because you've already set the preferences.

Conclusion

In this two-part tutorial series, we have learned how to rig a basic mechanical object. Of course this is only touching on the power of IK handles and constrains.