Degree Name

MFA (Master of Fine Arts)

Program

Digital Media

Date of Award

8-2026

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Tod Emma

Committee Members

Saritdikhun Somasa, Jacy Richardson

Abstract

Rigging acts as a bottleneck between modeling and animation, yet core rigging principles and procedures have largely stagnated over the past two decades. However, cutting-edge rigging systems have begun appearing recently in software not typically used for animation. These tools are proposed to mitigate the need for rigging artists. These novel systems now force teams to evaluate what system is best for their projects. Artists have focused their analysis of rigging tools on how they interact with, or compare to, existing pipeline structures, concepts, and deadlines. This research centers on the implementation and development of tools and systems ranging from utility scripts to dynamic rigging implementations. Key findings show that while newer tools like Unreal’s Control Rig and Houdini Apex offer powerful, novel features, they suffer from poor flexibility and documentation. This is in part due to uncertain design patterns and a lack of guidelines. These tools have repositioned when technical work can begin in the pipeline, but have not reduced the need for technical animators or the strain on them. While modular tools can shorten timelines, provided modules require modification and direct editing to handle non-curated examples. Modern rigging tools have effectively only shifted development from the viewport to the node graph, rather than providing procedural frameworks. To replace legacy pipelines, these tools require stronger design guidelines and more robust data management standards to provide the flexibility and stability that professional animation studios require.

Document Type

Culminating Experience

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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ThomasJohn_John Thomas 1.pptx (69845 kB)
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ThomasJohn_John Thomas 1.pdf (8169 kB)
Presentation Slides (PDF)
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