Working With a Self Made Rig Compared to Working With the Default Rig of XSI

Since rigs are what allows one to control models, the type of rig that one uses is what will allow certain parts of the model freedom and flexibility. This is why it is critical that one has the right type of rig for the purpose that the model is intended for.

XSI has a default rig and this can be created by clicking the ‘Animate tab’, then on the ‘character tab’ and selecting 'Biped Guide'. This creates a skeleton that one can transform into the right shape by positioning it inside the model that one intends to create a rig for. Once it's the size of the body parts of the guide are correct, one can create a rig from it by selecting the Biped Guide, clicking on the character tab and selecting 'Rig from Biped Guide'. A menu will appear that allows one to choose the characteristics of the rig that will be created. One would select certain characteristics depending on the purpose for the model that this rig will be used on. After clacking 'ok' in the menu the rig will be created. An advantage of using the Biped Guide is that one can create as much rigs as they desire all at the same scale.

The problem with using these rigs though is that they have bugs and do no always work in the manner that they are intended to. For example, one may save their scene and find that the Biped Guide is not in the same scale that it was created in. One may also find that the rigs created from it are in different positions when one loads a saved scene of them.

If one compares this to making ones own rig it will not be able to have all the distinct characteristics that one will have from creating their own rig from scratch. Knowing how to making a rig empowers one with the ability to give distinct functions to the model that may not be available to the default rigs. Also one won't be burdened with bugs unlike the default rig.