Character rigger Julen Armendariz has released WaveManager, a free Python-based tool for Autodesk Maya. The script generates procedural wave motion on any hierarchy of controls, using Maya’s native expression system instead of keyframes. WaveManager operates entirely through driven expressions, allowing a single driver control to manipulate the entire wave behaviour across a chain of objects. This approach makes it especially suitable for rigging and animating tentacles, tails, ropes, wings, or any FK-based control structure.

One Control to Rule Them All

All motion parameters are centralised in one driver. The available attributes—amplitude, speed, length, falloff, and offset—can be tuned independently or together, and they act simultaneously on the X, Y, and Z axes. The tool applies the wave procedurally, so timing and spacing adjustments propagate across the hierarchy in real time. Armendariz includes an optional Create Offset Group function. When enabled, the script inserts an additional node above each control, isolating the wave expression from the original animation channels. This keeps rigs non-destructive and clean for keyframed animation.

Fully Expression-Based

Unlike tools that rely on dynamic simulations or baked motion, WaveManager uses pure expressions in Maya. The result is a lightweight, deterministic system: behaviour is fully defined by a mathematical expression, with no simulation cache or physics overhead. Expressions can be removed per control or cleared globally with one command, returning the rig to its original state. The tool also includes Select Childs, an option that automatically collects all children of a selected control, simplifying setup for long FK chains.

Installation and Workflow

WaveManager is distributed as a single Python file. Installation is straightforward: drag and drop WaveManager.py into the Maya viewport, or execute it from the Script Editor. Users can create a custom shelf button for faster access. To use the tool, select the controls that should carry the wave, assign a single driver, and configure the desired parameters. All motion remains non-destructive and can be adjusted interactively during animation.

Non-Destructive, Animation-Friendly Design

Because expressions are stored separately from animation channels, artists can combine procedural motion with hand animation. This workflow is particularly valuable for rigging setups that require secondary motion or layered deformation without simulation. All expressions can be deleted at any time, leaving no residual data in the scene. The tool is entirely Python-based and uses only Maya’s built-in features, which ensures compatibility and avoids reliance on external plugins or compiled code.

Availability

WaveManager version 1.0 is available now as a free download under a pay-what-you-want model (listed at €0+). It can be obtained via Julen Armendariz’s release page. As with any utility, users should test the tool thoroughly before integrating it into production pipelines.

The post Free WaveManager Brings Procedural Motion to Maya first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

The open-source web app Mesh2Motion, developed by Scott Petrovic, has released Update 6, introducing the new Explore Library and overhauled skeleton rigs. The Explore page now serves as the default landing screen, allowing users to preview and switch between skeletons and animations instantly, no manual rig configuration required. This change simplifies testing and makes the application far more accessible for newcomers and professionals looking to evaluate rig behaviour before importing their own 3D models.

The Explore Library displays all available animation clips for humans, quadrupeds, birds, and dragons. Artists can preview motion directly in the browser, bypassing the previous requirement to manually attach rigs to meshes. Those who want to use their own assets can still switch to the Create page to import 3D models and connect them to existing rigs.

Smarter Skeletons and Rebuilt Rigs

Update 6 overhauls all control rigs. Petrovic rebuilt every skeleton using a more advanced Blender 2.5 rig structure, separating driver bones (for animation control) from deformation bones (for mesh shaping). This separation improves IK (inverse kinematics) behaviour, constraint setups, and general deformation quality. The result is greater flexibility when posing or animating directly within Mesh2Motion’s browser interface.

Additional bones were added to enhance deformation, including stomach bones for dragons and quadrupeds and wing bones for birds. Expressive mouth rigs were also added for birds, dragons, and quadrupeds, expanding facial animation possibilities. Petrovic credits tutorial resources such as Rich Stubbs’ YouTube channel for helping refine the rigging process.

Interface Tweaks and Animation Additions

A series of smaller quality-of-life updates accompany the rig rebuild. These include floor transparency for visual clarity in animations that move below the ground plane, and a transform-space toggle that switches between world and local rotation. The human skeleton gains a wider A-pose slider range for improved T-pose correction.

The animation library itself now includes new fox and quadruped motions created using the revised rigs, alongside a reworked human animation labelled “tired”. A small typographic fix corrects the spelling of “Quaternius” in the contribution guide—an example of Petrovic’s attention to detail.

Current Feature Set

Mesh2Motion provides a web-based animation workflow built entirely in the browser. Users can preview skeletons, manipulate rigs, and test deformations without any installation or plugin dependencies. It supports common 3D file formats, real-time playback, and pose editing.

Control rigs are based on Blender source files, enabling familiar IK controls and constraint behaviours found in desktop DCC tools. Artists can quickly toggle transform modes, refine poses, and view deformations across human, animal, and fantasy skeletons. As of Update 6, the app includes a growing library of pre-rigged skeletons and animations, offering a streamlined environment for rig testing and educational use.

Ongoing Development

Petrovic notes that future work may involve expanding the animation library or producing tutorial walkthroughs for contributors. Mesh2Motion remains a solo open-source project and is freely accessible online. Users are encouraged to test deformations and playback performance before integrating it into production workflows.

The post Mesh2Motion Update 6 Adds Explore Library and Rebuilt Rigs first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

Tool developer Ehsan Bayat has released Vectorify, a free tool for Autodesk Maya that transforms animation repathing from a tedious process into an intuitive and highly visual workflow. Designed for use with Maya 2022 through 2026, the tool integrates seamlessly into production environments and is especially suited for animation cycles involving bipeds and quadrupeds. However, it is not restricted to loops or locomotion sequences: any animation—whether character-based or mechanical—can be repathed within seconds and without breaking keyframe timing.

Vectorify provides temporary controls that allow artists to manipulate paths directly in the viewport. Animators can reposition motion trajectories interactively, align characters to ground surfaces, and even conform motion to irregular terrain. Snapping animations to the ground becomes a single click operation, working reliably across slopes, bumps, and uneven geometry. The same principle applies to character turns: bipeds, quadrupeds, or custom rigs can follow circular or freely drawn paths, which makes adjusting scene blocking and walk cycles far more efficient.

When a motion curve needs straightening, Vectorify recalculates it instantly, maintaining stride and timing continuity. Animators can flip an entire motion direction without rebuilding the path, attach one path to another for seamless looping or modular scene design, and change the pivot point of a curve to fine-tune motion control. A flexible Master Control system lets users decide whether the global controller follows the animated character or remains independent—ideal for testing alternative path behaviors in layout. Once the new motion feels right, the animation can be baked immediately, ready for fine-tuning or export.

Extended Control and Ground Logic

Vectorify’s approach extends beyond standard motion path editing. Animators can create circular or looping paths for patrol cycles or chase sequences, snap animations to the ground plane with one click, or update a path dynamically when the ground geometry changes. Paths can be reversed, reattached, or replaced at any stage, while maintaining the animation’s overall consistency. The Master Control behavior can be switched freely, allowing artists to decide whether it remains locked to the scene origin or travels with the character—useful for both previs and final shots.

The tool is specifically optimized for characters moving along a ground plane. While it is not intended for vertical movement or flying rigs, Bayat notes that it has been tested on a broad range of bipedal, quadrupedal, and creature assets, and should work without issues in most cases.

Terms of Use and Availability

Vectorify is distributed as a free download under standard usage terms and requires no external dependencies. It runs natively on Autodesk Maya 2022–2026, making it suitable for studios and freelancers working across different pipeline versions. Once installed, Vectorify integrates directly into Maya’s animation environment, ready to be used for layout corrections, animation retargeting, or production polishing. The tool is available for download on Gumroad, with detailed explanations, demo scenes, and video examples

The post Vectorify: Simplify Animation Repathing in Maya first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

The preview release of Unreal Engine 5.6 introduces significant updates to its animation toolset and MetaHuman Creator. Stéphane Biava, founder of Proj Production and an Unreal Authorized Instructor at Epic Games, showcased these features in a recent video, using Wile E. Coyote as his test subject. Biava argues that animating directly within Unreal Engine is now a practical alternative to traditional software like Blender or Maya.

From Blender to Unreal: A Shift in Workflow

Biava’s demonstration highlights the enhanced capabilities of Unreal Engine 5.6, suggesting that the engine’s animation tools have matured to a point where they can handle complex tasks traditionally reserved for dedicated animation software. This development could streamline workflows for animators and VFX artists, reducing the need to switch between multiple programs.

Educational Resources for Aspiring Animators

Beyond his demonstration, Biava offers a range of educational content for those interested in mastering Unreal Engine’s animation tools. His tutorials, including guides on character rigging and grooming in Unreal Engine 5, are available as paid courses and free videos on his YouTube channel.

Conclusion

While Unreal Engine 5.6’s new animation features show promise, it’s advisable for professionals to thoroughly test these tools before integrating them into production pipelines. As with any new technology, ensuring stability and compatibility with existing workflows is crucial.

The post Wile E. Coyote Animates in UE5.6 – No Anvils Required first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

VFX artist Thomas Marco has released a free stylised cloud shader for Blender, aimed squarely at artists working with procedural shading and volumetrics. The shader is 100% procedural and node-based, requiring no additional plugins or third-party libraries – just Blender and the will to render some puffy sky furniture.

https://twitter.com/thomas__marcos/status/1914291332324929951

Packaged in a downloadable .blend file, the shader includes a volumetric cloud setup with user-friendly control parameters. These custom properties are exposed in the Modifier tab, offering sliders for direct manipulation without diving into node spaghetti. Marco provides control over overall cloud shape, contrast, and edge softness – useful whether you’re shading a morning mist or sculpting a stylised thunderhead.

The shader is built for Cycles, Blender’s path-tracing renderer, and was created using Blender 3.6. While the file is compatible with newer versions, results may vary, as always. If things break, blame the Blender gods – or at least check if your version has changed shading behaviour.

Marco explicitly mentions the shader is made to be stylised, so while it leans into soft, painterly looks rather than physically accurate cumulonimbi, it’s perfectly suited for non-photoreal animation, game cutscenes, or surreal VFX inserts. It’s a procedural tool for aesthetic cloudscapes – not meteorology.

The shader is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (CC-BY), meaning you can use it in both personal and commercial projects, with credit. He also includes a short demo animation and a preview render. The file is around 70MB, so no, it won’t choke your bandwidth.

As always: before integrating free tools into your production pipeline, test thoroughly. Especially when working with stylised procedural setups, version compatibility and render performance can vary. This shader is a strong candidate for lookdev and previz, but your render farm might have opinions.

---

Price
Free under CC-BY license. Download it from Thomas Marco’s Gumroad.

The post Free Blender Clouds Shader Floats into Your Scene first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.