Blender 3D: Characters, Machines, and Scenes for Artists

Custom shapes

Now that our rigging is almost finished, we can opt for custom shapes. These are 3D objects that can replace the usual look of bones. The purpose is primarily aesthetic, but functional as well. We can make bone shapes that will go around the mesh and allow us to uncheck the X-ray option. Also, it will allow us to manipulate bones more easily.

We can hide the bones that do not require manipulation, such as the arms that are in fact only controlled by HandIK.L and HandIK.R.

To implement a custom shape, we must first to create a form, usually from a circle. We are going to make the custom shape of the Neck bone together and let you do the rest as this is very repetitive:

1. We will add a circle (eight sides is enough) to the scene (press ...