Introduction to CAT in 3ds Max

Pluralsight

Course Summary

In this set of 3ds Max tutorials, we will delve into 3ds Max's Character Animation Toolkit plugin. Software required: Autodesk 3ds Max 2013.

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Course Description

In this set of 3ds Max tutorials, we will delve into 3ds Max's Character Animation Toolkit plugin. We'll start by learning how to create a wide variety of rigs instantly using CAT's standard rig presets. We'll then learn tips and techniques for creating our own CAT rig. We also cover skinning, and afterwards we learn how to save our rig as a custom preset with accessories. We'll learn about CAT IK/FK capabilities, and cover efficient animation techniques. We'll delve into CATMotion to generate and edit automated walk cycles, and we'll finally conclude the course by exploring CAT's muscle system, learning how it can be used to enhance deformations, as well as how to add jiggle effects to the muscle for more realism. By the end of the tutorial, you'll have the skillset to use CAT confidently. Software required: Autodesk 3ds Max 2013.

Course Description

In this set of 3ds Max tutorials, we will delve into 3ds Max's Character Animation Toolkit plugin. We'll start by learning how to create a wide variety of rigs instantly using CAT's standard rig presets. We'll then learn tips and techniques for creating our own CAT rig. We also cover skinning, and afterwards we learn how to save our rig as a custom preset with accessories. We'll learn about CAT IK/FK capabilities, and cover efficient animation techniques. We'll delve into CATMotion to generate and edit automated walk cycles, and we'll finally conclude the course by exploring CAT's muscle system, learning how it can be used to enhance deformations, as well as how to add jiggle effects to the muscle for more realism. By the end of the tutorial, you'll have the skillset to use CAT confidently. Software required: Autodesk 3ds Max 2013.

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Course Syllabus

Introduction and Project Overview
- 1m 15s

—Introduction and Project Overview 1m 15s

Introduction to CAT in 3ds Max
- 2h 55m

—What's CAT? 11m 44s
—How CAT's IK/FK Systems Operate 10m 5s
—Designing a Custom CAT Rig 12m 49s
—CAT Naming Conventions 5m 45s
—Finishing Our Custom Skeleton 17m 5s
—Adding Controls to a CAT Rig 10m 7s
—Cleaning up the Transforms of a CAT Rig 12m 11s
—IKTarget Controls 8m 26s
—Skinning Workflows for CAT Rigs 11m 13s
—Saving Your Custom CAT Rig as a Preset 6m 6s
—CAT Animation Workflows 12m 30s
—Adjustment Layers and Animation Layer Properties 10m 16s
—Saving CAT Animations and Poses 6m 57s
—Delving into CATMotion 21m 22s
—Working with CAT's Muscle Objects 9m 21s
—Adding Jiggle Effects to a Muscle Object 9m 23s