blender-character-rigging

1# Character Rigging
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3The execution model is in `blender-core`. Faces and shape keys are in `blender-facial-shapekeys`, animation in `blender-animation`.
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5## Pipeline (scripts chain; each returns JSON)
61. **Prepare the mesh**: scale applied, facing **-Y**, feet at Z=0, centered on X=0, symmetric, in T- or A-pose (A-pose 30–45° deforms shoulders better). Run `blender-asset-qa` first.
72. **Metarig**: `scripts/rigify_build.py -- --add basic_human --fit Body` (`human` adds a full face rig; for games use `--no-face` + shape keys).
83. **Place the joints** (the fit only scales). Edit bones in X-ray against the mesh: joints sit at the **pivot of rotation** (inside the volume, not on the surface). The elbow and knee need a slight bend toward their natural direction (elbow back, knee forward) so the IK solves the right way. Symmetrize: `bpy.ops.armature.symmetrize()`. Check with `look` (`shading="xray"`).
94. **Generate**: `--metarig META_Body --generate` gives `RIG_Body` (control rig: FK/IK, IK/FK snapping, tweak bones, bone collections).
105. **Skin**: `scripts/bind_mesh.py -- --armature RIG_Body --meshes Body`. It uses heat weights, switches to the voxel-proxy transfer automatically when heat fails (non-manifold, kitbashed or AI meshes), then cleans to 4 influences and normalizes.
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