A couple years ago I watched an interesting tutorial on how to create characters from static props. It showed step by step how to create and animate a robot using simple parts, and also showed how one could create other types of characters, such as a stone golem. (The info was similar to this:
Generating Characters from Static iClone Props)
This gave me the impression that 3DXchange could be used to rig a static, imported character without bones. But, after some digging, it looks like I was mistaken. I examined a couple rigged characters in Blender and not only does it have "bones" or skeletal "armatures", but many vertex groups that seemed to be associated with each bone.
Then I watched and read some 3DXchange tutorials about rigging characters. But they only talk about a pipeline involving either Maya or 3DS Max. I did note that one of the videos talked about
"skin-weighting" for body and face. I supposed the bones need to be "weighted" or loosely attached to groups of polygons to tell the software how it should bend... Is that correct?
However, what I really want to know:
Can anyone suggest software to use for rigging that is a) for someone on a budget and b) at least somewhat straightforward to use or easy(er) to learn? Something
far cheaper than 3DS Max or Maya?
Blender can do it. But it's difficult for me to use. I've gotten rusty with it and I never attempted learning the animation part of it.
Edit: I just realized that the free GMax can be used for rigging characters. Though, I never used GMax before. Would it be worth learning for rigging?
I guess what I'm asking is: Would you recommend I learn rigging with Blender, since I'm already at least
somewhat familiar with it, GMax, or some other software?
Edited
9 Years Ago by
bsperan