Modeling and Rigging a Hydraulic Crane in 3ds Max
In this series of tutorials, we will learn how to create a mechanical rig for 3D visualizations in 3ds Max. Software required: 3ds Max 2013, Photoshop CS6, After Effects CS6.
What you'll learn
In this series of tutorials, we will learn how to create a mechanical rig for 3D visualizations in 3ds Max. We will begin from the concept of the crane, explaining the different parts and how a crane works. Next, we will introduce the rigging tools used, and the limitations of the setup that a real crane has, all in 3ds Max. We will then model and texture every main part of the crane separately and assemble it all into a new scene ready to be rigged and refined. Finally, we will test out our rig with an animation and render it as a preview. Software required: 3ds Max 2013, Photoshop CS6, After Effects CS6.
Table of contents
- Presentation of the Crane 3m
- Creating a Concept Rig for the Hydraulic Cylinder 6m
- Continuing to Create Our Concept 5m
- Setting up the Reference File 4m
- Starting to Create the Tower Crane 5m
- Creating the Small Prop for the Tower Crane 7m
- Finishing the Small Prop for the Tower Crane 4m
- Starting to Create the Boom Crane 12m
- Modeling the Boom Crane 11m
- Bridging Faces in the Boom Crane 11m
- Adding Details to the Boom Crane 13m
- Adding Extra Pieces to the Boom Crane 10m
- Finishing the Boom Crane 9m
- Starting Modeling the Jib Crane 10m
- Continuing to Modeling the Jib Crane 11m
- Finishing the Jib Crane 11m
- Modeling the Jib Crane Extension 10m
- Finishing the Jib Crane Extension 13m
- Modeling the Main Hook 11m
- Modeling the Hook Part of the Main Hook 11m
- Finishing and Detail the Main Hook 10m
- Rigging of the Hydraulic Cylinder 13m
- Importing the Crane Parts and Assembling the Crane 11m
- Starting Adding Details Onto the Assembly 11m
- Adding More Details to Our Assembly 12m
- Adding Sheaves for the Crane 11m
- Starting to Create the Hand Rails of the Boom Crane 12m
- Finishing the Hand Rails on the Boom Crane 12m
- Using the Shape of the Object to Create Hand Rails 11m
- Importing the Hydraulic Cylinder 13m
- Texturing the Knuckle Boom Crane 13m
- Creating the Crane Wires for the Crane 12m
- Creating the Wires for the Knuckle Boom Crane 11m
- Creating Extension Wires 10m
- Bounding the Controller for the Wires 11m
- Finishing Creating the Controllers and Constraints 11m
- Adding Limitations to the Knuckle Boom Crane 13m
- Adding Extra Features to the Knuckle Boom Crane 11m
- Finalizing and Compositing Our Project 9m
About the author
Giuseppe Candido is a 3D Character and Creature Animator and Generalist based in London. He has several years of experience in the CG Industry and after graduating from VFX School in London he had the chance to create animations and rigs for iPhone Game Apps. Giuseppe has also worked as a 3D sculptor for DigiDoubles and 3D scan film sets. Some of the features he has been involved with are Prometheus, Snow White and the Huntsman, and Skyfall to name a few. Currently he is working as a 3D animator... more