CHARACTER RIGGING & FACIAL RIGGING
A beautiful model needs controls that let its personality move. We plan character rigs around the poses, expressions and production demands they must support.
Discuss your projectExplore the scope ↓
THE SERVICE, AT A GLANCE
Character rigging connects a 3D model to the skeleton, deformation systems and controls used by animators. Mimic Cartoon scopes body and facial rigging for cartoon performances, including skinning, expression controls and movement tests. The rig is planned around the character’s anatomy, animation style and target software. Real-time delivery requires a separate check of engine and export constraints.
Meet the animation studioSHAPED AROUND YOUR BRIEF
Plan the skeleton and animator controls around the required actions: walking, reaching, sitting or exaggerated cartoon poses. A creature’s tail, ears, wings or extra limbs need their own movement decisions, not a human rig applied without review.
Eyes, lids, brows, jaw and mouth controls support the intended expression range. Blend shapes, joints or a combination can be used depending on the brief. Dialogue requirements and close-up camera work influence the level of facial detail.
Skin weights determine how the surface follows the skeleton. We test representative and demanding poses to identify pinching, lost volume or unwanted intersections. The useful test is how the character performs, not simply whether controls exist.
A rig is the system used to create animation; it is not the finished performance. A native animation rig may use controls or deformers that do not transfer directly through an interchange file. Confirm the receiving software and export requirements before the rig is built.
CLEAR DECISIONS. BETTER PRODUCTION.
Check topology, scale, neutral pose and dependencies. Agree the software version, required actions, facial range and handoff destination.
Set up the body and agreed facial systems. Keep animator usability and the character’s proportions central to the control design.
Run a pose and expression checklist, then a short movement test. Resolve deformation issues before the rig is used across many shots.
Package the rig with usage notes and agreed examples. Check an export or receiving scene when cross-pipeline delivery is part of the brief.
DEFINE THE DESTINATION
Choose the parts your production needs. The final deliverable list, technical specifications and source-file requirements are agreed in your brief.
LOOK BEYOND THE STILL IMAGE
Our showreel brings character development and finished performances together. For a rigging brief, discuss the specific pose, expression and export tests your animators will need.
Watch the studio showreelBUDGET & SCHEDULE
Rigging effort depends on anatomy, facial complexity, deformation quality, the movement range and delivery environment. Existing topology may need changes before rigging begins. A hero character for close-ups and a small background character usually need different control and testing priorities.
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
A few useful answers before your character’s first scene.
Yes, after reviewing its topology, scale and intended movement. Models created only for still renders may need geometry changes before they can deform well. We identify those requirements before confirming the rigging scope.
Facial rigging creates controls for expressions and speech-related movement. It may combine joints and blend shapes for features such as brows, eyelids, cheeks and the mouth. The required expression range determines the setup.
Rigging creates the overall control and deformation system. Skinning binds the model to the skeleton and defines how its vertices respond to joint movement. Skinning is one part of building a working character rig.
Not automatically. Engine-ready delivery may require a simplified skeleton, supported morph targets and baked animation. We agree the target engine, version and technical limits and test the required export as part of the scope.
It can be designed for suitable retargeting, but captured motion still needs adaptation for stylized proportions and performance. Share the capture source and skeleton requirements before rigging so compatibility can be assessed.
We use agreed pose, deformation and expression tests, followed by representative animation. The review should check animator controls, movement quality and the intended handoff. Approval is based on the character’s actual requirements.
