Expert: Russell Calabrese - 10/13/2011

Question
Hi
I created a penguin rig for my thesis, but I am having a couple problems with the arms. I kinda made the arms a bit too short. I was wondering if you happen to know how to fix the arm in the rig so that when I move the arm control, the arm stretches out with the control? When I move the arm control, the control keeps going but the penguin's arm stays put and in proportion. Thanks!

Answer
I spoke with a friend of mine who's much better at this than me. Here's what he said:

Not quite sure I understand her rig as it is. Is the arm not animating with the rig? Or is it attached but effecting too much of the mesh? If too much/ too little of the arm is being effected by the rig, the weights should be adjusted. You can paint them.

Is that what is happening?

Otherwise, if it's a permanent size issue I would detach the rig, scale the arms and the rig, and reattach. It's better in the long run.

Does this help?

Hope this addresses your answer. If not we might need more details of what's wrong.

®©