This tutorial shows how to skin a character. In the first brief part you use the Skin modifier to apply a character skeleton from CAT to a mesh-based character model. After that you fine-tune the relationship between the two with the ability of the Skin modifier to set weights on a per-vertex basis. If this subject is new to you, rest assured: All of the puzzling terminology in this introductory paragraph will be explained.

As a bonus, the last part of the tutorial briefly presents methods for adjusting a skinned character for mesh and rig changes, as well as a method for quickly transferring skinning data between models of varying resolution, which can save lots of time when skinning similar characters that require different numbers of polygons.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

• Use the Skin modifier to transfer animation from a rig to a character mesh.
• Adjust vertex weighting to correct animation at joints and other moving parts.
• Account for changes in the mesh and rig.
• Transfer animation between character meshes of different resolutions.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Time to complete: 4 hours