CREATE A PRE-RIGGED ROBOT

PART 4/4

Welcome to Part 4 in our series on creating a unique fully rigged robot using only a CAT Rig in 3ds Max. In this final part we will be applying a combination of different animation techniques to our robot model. Our robot will bend down and pick up a box. As he walks forward the box will open unexpectedly at the bottom and a number of spheres will spill out naturally onto the floor. The robot will be oblivious to what is happening and will absentmindedly kick the spheres around as he walks through them.

In order to accomplish this, we will use traditional animation keyframing for basic bending movements of the robot and the box he is carrying. We will make use of a unique parenting trick to make sure the box always stays in the hands of the robot without slipping around. We will add some procedural animation using a CATMotion Layer so that the robot will walk forward on his own. Lastly, we will add some dynamic effects animation using MassFX to the contents of the box and to the feet of the robot so he can interact with the spheres. All of these animation options are all available within 3ds Max and can be easily used together.

01 WHICH MODE?

There are two basic modes that the CAT Rig can be