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Developing a Curve Rigging Toolset: A Case Study in Adapting to Production Changes
Case study on iteratively developing a curve rigging toolset responding to shifting production requirements across multiple film projects.
Abstract
We present an overview of Animal Logic’s curve rigging toolset and its development process, serving as a case study to discuss challenges specific to doing software development for animated feature film production. We will show how R&D projects at Animal Logic lean on agile software practices to enable ambitious development projects, with flexible plans that adapt to the reality of working with creative stakeholders. We will highlight the importance of production engagement, reflect on our technical decisions made over a year of active development while reacting to drastic production schedule changes, and share lessons learned along the way.
How to read this
- Category
- Production case study: developing a curve rigging toolset
- Contributions
- An overview of Animal Logic's curve rigging toolset and its development process
- A case study in applying agile software practices to feature-film R&D with flexible, adapting plans
- Reflections on technical decisions and lessons learned across a year of development amid drastic schedule changes
- Context
- Frames a production-software process around curve-based rigging, relating to articulation approaches such as de Goes et al.'s 'Character Articulation through Profile Curves'.Builds on: Character Articulation through Profile Curves
- Correctness
- Studio practice and process retrospective, not a benchmarked method; insights are specific to one studio's projects and workflow, so they are illustrative rather than generalizable claims.
- Clarity
- Accessible and narrative; one pass conveys the process and lessons, with little formal technique to revisit.
- How to read it
- Read once for the process and project-management lessons more than for rigging algorithms; most valuable to those managing or building production R&D rather than implementers.
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Related work
- USD in Production 2023 / SIGGRAPH Courses
- Group Based Rigging of Realistically Feathered Wings 2011 / Thesis
- ChopRig System 2018 / Medium
- Rubber Hose Revival: The DreamWorks Curvy-Limb Rig 2025 / DigiPro
Keywords
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