New knee geometry with weighted deformation in Maya

New knee geometry with weighted deformation

This low angle shot has given me an idea for one of the opening shots of the ice men...glimpses here and there, but we're not sure exactly what we're looking at to begin with

Default paint weights - prior to re-influencing

New hip geometry - retopoligised with quad draw tool.

Default paint weights shown, prior to adjustments of the influences with the paint weight tool

New geometry and rig - skinned

New geometry and rig - skinned

Creating new topology for the knee joint, for good deformation

During the paint weights process I realised that the geometry I'd created (particuarly the knee joints and shoulder joints) would have poor deformation...

So, whilst it was time consuming, I decided to make my existing model a live surface and re draw the topology with the Maya quad draw tool.

tip: if the quad draw tool begins to lag, then delete history..

I then selected my geometry, and exported the selection as an .obj file. imported it directly into my scene that includes my rig, made sure everything was lined up and re-skinned it...

Below is a shot of the old knee topology and the new knee topology.

Although my ice men won't move much, they do need have a lot of knee, shoulder and hip deformation, and this process was definitely a great practice exercise in modelling

Painting skin weights in Maya

Painting skin weights on a rainy Saturday...and my print screen function with my new dual screen set up, captures both monitors!

Scene set up for shot_12

Setting up shot_12, using a still of the timelapse footage as a backdrop.

Next is painting skin weights so that the geometry deforms correctly. Although these ice men won't move like real people would, the geometry needs to deform correctly, particuarly around the knees, armpits and hips...

Previs for Thaw

    Previs for Thaw. 

Good to see in this rough Previs how the live action and the animation will work together; and to see that the movement of the ice men needs to adhere to how real ice would behave. Any movement that ice can't do e.g a hand reaching out, moving forward etc will look odd and break the illusion.