There's nothing like a good definition to set the scene. So what does a rigger do? It's safe to say that the rigger provides the characters (humans, animals, etc....) with the digital framework that will enable them to move in a realistic, coherent way. The rigger is like a technical conductor.
The rigger gives the characters the digital backbone they need to move realistically and coherently.
An animation facilitator
The Rigger provides a whole range of control elements for the animator, who can then take control of his character, like a puppet, and bring it to life in the best possible way. It’s the key to good animation!
A good rigger who knows how to rig is a movement controller, thanks to what he’s going to put in place. The majority of existing rigs concern the bodies of 3D characters. But it’s also very important to know how to rig a face, a car, even a camera.
It’s a job that falls somewhere between modeller and animator. Depending on the quality of his rigging, the professional offers a real facility of animation for the 3D animator.
It should be noted, however, that limiting the role of the Rigger to the technical mastery of his work is reductive, as he must also have a genuine sensitivity to observation.
Riggers work in all fields that use real-time or calculated 3D animation: animated films, virtual reality, simulations, advertising films and also the audio-visual and games industries.
Depending on the quality of his rigging, the professional offers a real ease of animation for the 3D animator
A fast-developing discipline
The vast majority of riggers work in animation studios. The big studios often hire riggers to work on the characters, a stage that is often long to set up and very rigorous. Technically, riggers master software such as 3DS Max, Maya, Softimage, Cinema 4D and Blender.
After proving their technical knowledge of animation, many riggers end up moving into supervisory positions.
If their skills are proven, they may also move on to other jobs in the visual effects or 3D animation industry.
According to all the specialists, rigging is only in its prehistory… let your vocation carry you along, like the sailboat rigger, an expert in rigging, who in another way appropriates an understanding of the science of movement.
