Cineversity

Having some basic issues with Mixamo control rig which seems a really cool feature, but I have problems setting the rig properly.

I start to set up the rig by creating the character and adding the root from the build. I have no problems with clicking Adjust and putting the torso to the right place. However, after adding either the legs or the arms and clicking the Adjust button the rig goes completely crazy as shown in the second photo.

I tried this both with a simple model of my own as well as the c4d figure.

I feel I’m doing some beginner mistake here. Help would be appreciated!

Best
Oliver

Hi Oliver,

I have recorded a screen capture for you. I might have mentioned it, I try not to answer from memory, so I check the current version (and updates of it) always before I respond here.

Please have a look here:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/8Fph6ZcLYrGZRhr164gyo0NZD4akGBKDJ0FNgHwHVGO

It sounds like (I might be wrong) that you move the object around while adjusting. That is not how it is supposed to work. In Adjust, only move the dots. The dots are for the joints or the controller; one can adjust both at that state.

Let me know if that works for you.

All the best

Your advice seems to help, the video was fantastic! I had to leave the office, but was able to test your method with my laptop that has S23 installed.

I was able to do the Adjustments and to create all the joints. Progress!

But now the problem seems to be that a weight tag isn’t being generated to the figure. Any advice what would be a way to fix this? Still unable to do a succesful mixamo rig.

Hi Oliver,

While in Binding mode with the Character object, drag the object into the field below the Binding Tab.

It should provide you with the needed parts.

Let me know if that works for you.

Enjoy your weekend

Making some progress! The Problem was that I didn’t drag the whole object to the field in the binding phase. Now A rig is created without problems and the tags are in the right place. However, after I click animate I can’t seem to move the joints. I try to select a specific joint under the master con+ but nothing happens.

Here link to the project file:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KcfGkIbp7jQLw_r5GaolmfRH8ASyuD3U

Thanks for the file, Oliver.

Copy everything you have in the Object manager, call up a new scene file (cmd-n) and paste everything into the new file. Done.
It seems the file went corrupt. Thanks for the file and for using Google.

Before you add things to the rig, (CMotion) test first that the rig works. IF you add stuff before that, your learning process will be limited.
You have pulled only the Pelvis into the Bind field. No other polygon object was there.

For your testing of setting up the rig, I would select all parts of that puppet first and use the Object Manager> Object> Connect and Delete.

Keep it as simple as possible while exploring. Yes, I know; it is tempting to add all the goodies into it. Allow yourself the time to get each step as muscle memory. If something is not working, use a new scene file, start over. If you don’t know why you do a specific step, please ask. We are not button pushers, we are artists, and you need to know to work comfortably with it.

All the best

Thank you Dr. Sassi!

I think the rig is not set up in the correct way and I have clicked animate. I Still don’t how to move the joints. Can you help?
Here is the file:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KcfGkIbp7jQLw_r5GaolmfRH8ASyuD3U

best
Oliver

Hi Oliver,

Thanks for the file.

I have no idea what happens to your scene files. I can’t reproduce it.

However, I have the feeling that you switch things around, e.g., the Rig is set to “Advanced Quadruped”, which was also in the first scene file you have sent. I can’t make any sense of it, nor can I re-create any setup that would set this on its own. Please just do only the steps show in this new screen capture. Set it to Mixamo, and leave it alone after that. If that would set itself automatically, then that would be the case for the tech support.

Restart Cinema 4D. Do not use any old scene file for now, as the second one you have sent has the same problem as the first. Start with a fresh new scene. Then follow the clip below; you can download it. For the first 10 seconds I explore your second file.

Screen-capture:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/T10oX2W1ijLBBwh9ChWZwJFB0BpvrbaVTyPLUFzwsSW

Cheers

I got the joints working now! You have been incredible help Dr. Sassi! Thank you so much! I’ll Experiment with the rig now and do repetitions of rigging so that I remember the workflow.

Is there a method of saving a pose or animation and reusing it in another model? What is the workflow for that?

I hope these questions aren’t too basic since I’ve noticed many topics posted here a fairly advanced.

Best
Oliver

Thanks for the update, Oliver; this is great!

You’re very welcome.

Yes, it is not without reason that character animation is undoubtedly seen as the master of animation. So, some repetition is needed to focus away from the tech, based on gained “muscle memory”, and toward the art of expression.

The Character-Object-Mixamo set up is unique, and Jonas introduces it very well here:
https://www.cineversity.com/vidplaytut/how_to_create_variations_of_mixamo_animations

Which allows using Mixamo rigs, to begin with.
My suggestion is to place each Mixamo rig you got from Adobe under a null and name that Null wisely. Think of hundreds of expressions and motions that you might collect. So avoid single words, certainly not “test” or something like that.

With the pure joint-based Mixamo rig, you can use the Animation Clips to store motion or just keyframes (use rotation only, except for the root).

Besides that, the PoseMorph might be an option. I personally like the Animation clips a lot, as they allow for many adjustments, like film editing.

Take your time. I understand that you like to get quickly to a certain point. A good base will pay off many times over, and gaps will act like a black hole and suck any creative energy into it. I mention that it is “the” discipline in animation for a good reason. Like many other disciplines, it can be easily underestimated when some tools are easy to use, and one might think a short sequence of pushed buttons is all there is to it. People spent their whole career getting good at acting alone, and that is only half of the work with character animation.

To repeat, this is a great idea! Yes, please do it until it really becomes second nature. I have often gotten the question, how to be good at animation, filmmaking or visualization, etc. Sometimes I had the impression people like to hear that you can understand filmmaking in two hours in a crash course:
I personally haven’t stopped learning, and my first feature film credit on IMDB is already nearly three decades old.

ENJOY