Rigging

Getting Started - Illustrator

Rigging allows us to more easily control the body by providing a skeleton structure. Follow this tutorial to make a really awesome video.

To get started, You should create a character like the one to the right using the following guide.

You can use the YouTube guide below, or you could use our step by step process.

Draw two basic shapes for the head and body

Complete the image and add a shadow

Using the same rounded rectangles make two individual shapes for each arm.
Create two small dots where the joins are.

Using both Ctrl + X and Ctrl + F, copy each individual part into it's own labelled layer.

You may need to move the layers around so that the left legs and arms are behind the body etc.

Save and get ready to open in Adobe After Effects

Import Into After Effects

Just like on the previous activities we want to drag the file into after effects and connect everything together.

1.) Drag the illustrator file into after effects
2.) Ensure the settings match the image on the right.
3.) Double click on the composition and it should load the layers as per below

4.) Change the black background by going into composition -- > composition settings, then change the background to white.

Managing Anchor Points

Before we get working with an awesome plugin called "Duik Bassel" We need to connect up different body parts together.

Using the Anchor button (y on the keyboard), set the anchor points away from the middle to where the join is.

Do this for each arm, forearm, leg, shin and head.

Connect body parts together

Using the coil tool

Link all the body parts together as per the image on the right.

Getting started with Duik 2025+

Ensure your project is open in Adobe After Effects 2025.

1.) Click Window
2.) Scroll down to the bottom
3.) Click Duik Angela.
4.) A prompt will come up stating that you need to "Allow Scripts to write files.
5.) Click Open Preferences

6.) Click "Allow Scripts to write files and access network
7.) If i t asks you to select a language select English

Rigging an Arm - 2025+

1.) Click on the layer:
"R.Elbow and Hand"
2.) On the rigging page click the hand
3.) Click the rotation circle with a plus in the middle.
4.) Move the rotation circle to the bottom of the hand.

9.) Change the side to the opposite if it bends the wrong way
10.) Turn off Auto Stretch

11.) Repeat steps 1-10 for each limb.

Important the next steps you need to do in the right order.
5.) Click the "R.Elbow and Hand" Layer
6.) Hold Ctrl and click the "R.Arm and Elbow" Layer
7.) Hold Ctrl and also click the new controller layer
8.) Then click on the Bone at the top and auto rig

Animate the guy

Using the animation tool make the model do something cool