Goals:

• Rig a quadruped for the first time

• Start incorporating scripting into my rigging process

• Learn more advanced rig features: stretchy legs, ribbon spine, dynamic ears and tail, fleshy eyes

This project was completed as part of an independent study in advanced rigging techniques in my second year of RIT’s MFA program. Prior to this point, I’d only rigged very simple humanoid characters with really basic functionality. I wanted to start in on an entirely new mechanical structure, and push myself to not only build the rig, but to build it efficiently, using Python and MEL scripting in Maya as part of the process. I knew I’d need to do each leg and foot setup four times, for example, so I’d do it once manually, then use the script editor’s output from that process to write code to run over the other three legs. I met weekly with a faculty mentor on this project; each meeting I brought a sub-goal and my initial progress towards it, as well as any questions or bugs I’d run into along the way. He provided valuable feedback and troubleshooting assistance that I’d work back into the rig over the next week.