Machine Animation Tutorial: Rigging a Cable Chain | Maya 2017

Joe explains how to use the IK spline function to create rigging for a cable chain.

Summary:

• Group all chain links and make sure they are aligned to the XYZ axes for proper rotation
• Use the Skeleton>Create Joints tool to create a joint chain. Be sure to turn on Point Snapping to align each joint to the center of rotation for each chain link.
• Use Create>Curve Tools>EP Curve Tool to create a curve with CVs at each joint. Again, be sure to turn on Point Snapping.
• Create the IK setup by using Skeleton>Create IK Spline Handle
• Bind the chain links to the joints by middle-mouse-dragging each polygon object into its respective joint in the Outliner.
• Attach the curve to the “grabber” by using driven keyframes or by writing an expression
  • chainCurve.translateX = (grabberObject.translateX / 2)

Resources

• FK and IK Explained – Which One to Use and When? by Miloš Černý
• Use Spline IK by Autodesk
• Inverse Kinematics (IK) by Autodesk