Rigging Update, Frustration, and a Possible Surprise

RIGGING UPDATE

I wanted to post an update on the rigging situation since my previous post in September. As I'm juggling multiple projects, I had to set the Camel Warlord rig aside in early November but was able to make considerable progress with him in the months between then and the previous update. To put the level of progress I made with the rig into perspective, here's a visual example:

Note the dates and file size.

I wouldn't consider the rig finished by any stretch of the imagination (then again, when is a piece ever completed?), but it's at a point where I feel comfortable showing it off. There are already areas I want to polish some more and tweak before it's "ready," as well as features I'd still like to include. Below is the current list of features in the rig:

Skinned mesh

Functional IK/FK arms with traditional transitioning via attribute (-10 to 10)

Space switching on IK arms

IK legs with space switching

IK/FK visual indicators

Hair dynamics-driven tail w/ customizable attributes

Cloth dynamics on loin cloth pieces

Scaleable rig

Eye controls with space switching

Full body controls

Stretchy spine + neck

Elbow and knee attribute controls

Right-click popup marking menus on controllers

Basic facial rig to control expressions

If you would like to see some of these features in action, feel free to mosey on over to the reels section of my site and look at the third character on my rigging demo reel. I'm really quite proud of the features in this rig, and am excited at its final potential!

Of course, there are still some things I'd like to change and/or add to make the rig even better. For example, I'd still like to polish the deformations as it's still buggy in some areas. Also, the armor pieces on his upper body still behave rather quirky when placing Mr. Warlord into more extreme poses. Aside from that, I still have some features on my wish list:

1) Animatable pivot points

2) A facial rig that allows for customizable expressions, as well as a library of pre-made expressions for speedier animation

3) A manual tail rig for those that prefer not to rely on hair dynamics

4) "Perfect" transitions when switching between IK and FK mode, where either mode places the opposite mode's controllers in the correct positions, to make animating between IK and FK limbs quite easy.

5) A complete character GUI

6) A muscle system throughout the thicker parts of the body

With that wish list in mind, I'd like to point out that my #1 priority is to have fantastic deformations because no matter how many bells and whistles a rig may have, it's only as good as the deformations it creates in the character. Also, as stated before, I've currently got this project set aside in favor of other projects I am working on - but I will be returning to it shortly! Some of these "other projects" will be mentioned in another posting, and you'll understand why I focused more attention on them.

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FRUSTRATION

These "other projects" are not only other rigging assignments, but play in the realm of animation and graphic design. You see, I have to work on my other computer art skills not only to continue improving my skills as an artist but it seems that I have graduated in one of the worst times possible for someone my age. That, or I'm not quite up there yet to be seriously considered for an internship or entry-level position in rigging. The only other reason I can come up with is these positions just don't exist. Most likely, it's a combination of everything.

I've been quite fortunate enough to have loving parents that continue to support me in my worst of times and keep me going while being unemployed all this time. If it weren't for them, I would have had to swallow my pride and seek multiple jobs that are completely unrelated to what I've spent years of schooling for. Of course, that isn't so bad an option in itself, but it would have meant there would be much less time to continue polishing my artistic skills.

Whatever the reason for my inability to find employment since my graduation of May of 2009, I just wanted to publicly express my frustration and disappointment both with the job hunt and the lack of preparation my schooling provided its students. While I tend to avoid pointing the finger and throwing the blame on someone, I can't help but feel like my school let me out the door unprepared with a simple, "Good luck!". The work environment we were provided with and the skill set we were able to develop is fantastic and competitive with even the more expensive art schools for sure, but I feel as if it does not matter since nobody knows who we are.

The Visual Language program at UCF is still going through growing pains and its alumni suffer for it - which is a damn shame because the education and training its students get as animation studio artists is unprecedented. How many undergrad programs out there train their students to work in a simulated studio environment for over a year and focus on working as a big team within a studio? Better yet, how many undergrad programs like this exist in a public university that's actually affordable? There's just so much wasted potential there!

In fact, my only complaint with the program is its inability to train students on how to find work, after doing a fantastic job of teaching them HOW to work. The Visual Language program is a gem that the industry and general public are unaware of, and it's because of this that companies are overlooking the talent that comes out of it in favor of the talent from the current juggernauts such as Ringling, SCAD, etc. because that's what they're familiar with. I simply wish the faculty in charge of the program would take better advantage of their connections to put the program on the map and provide assistance/support to those they've trained. Where's the love, guys?

All that aside, I continue to remain positive that things will turn around soon enough. You should never give up on pursuing your dream because nothing is impossible with enough hard work and persistence. It's gonna happen - you just need the patience of a monk while you're busting your ass!

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POSSIBLE SURPRISE

So, there's a possible surprise I may have for you all in the near future, and it'll definitely involve this blog and some updates that'll hit it. I'd rather not go into details about it as nothing is set in stone, but you will be the first to know about it if it does happen! Stay tuned. :)