Animation & Rigging
- How do I rig a character for animation in Blender?
Create an armature, align bones with the character's joints, parent the mesh with automatic weights, and refine weights for smooth deformation. - What is the difference between forward and inverse kinematics?
Forward kinematics computes the end position from joint angles, while inverse kinematics calculates joint angles needed to reach a desired end position. FK is simpler and more predictable; IK is better for interactive posing and foot/hand placement. - How do I animate a walk cycle in Blender?
Create a walk cycle by posing a character rig at key frames (contact, down, passing, up) and looping them. Use reference footage, set the timeline to loop, and adjust timing and spacing for natural motion. - Can I use motion capture data in Blender?
Yes, Blender can import motion capture data in formats like BVH, FBX, and CSV, and you can retarget it to your character rig. Add-ons like Rokoko and Blender's built-in BVH importer make this possible. - How do I create shape keys for facial expressions?
Create shape keys by adding a Basis shape, then duplicating it and moving vertices to form expressions. Each shape key stores a deformation that you can animate or combine with others. - What is the best way to animate a camera in Blender?
The best way depends on the shot: use keyframes for simple moves, follow paths for smooth curves, and constraints for tracking subjects. Combine techniques and use the Graph Editor for polish.