This version adds the Spline IK Component to the Hive Auto-Rigger which dramatically upgrades all of our default templates (Biped, Natalie, Zoo Mannequin). An Asset Pack upgrade is coming soon with upgraded demo rigs. The new Spline Spine is a versatile hybrid IK/FK spine targeted at both realistic and toon rigs for bipeds and quadrapeds. The spine can... read more →
Our Maya Scenes and Assets/Presets have had a large update to match with the latest Zoo Tools 2.7.0 . These new packs upgrades our Hive rigs, adds new shaders from polyhaven.com, calibrated skydomes, all assets now have folder organisation inside of our browsers and more! Maya Scenes 1.8 –... read more →
This three part series is about drills, tenacity and finishing. Drills is about creating a large volume of work. Tenacity is about the mastery curve and how to trust in practice and keep working hard. Finishing is about polishing off your art while paying attention to the details. The following... read more →
Andrew is starting a free Maya generalist 3d course on his personal youtube channel! This low quality course will cover a large amount of 3d material from beginner and up the levels. Classes will be improved and added to create3dcharacters.com over time. The first videos cover the introduction, talent, work... read more →
Zoo Tools Version 2.7.0 brings the Hive Auto-Rigger out of Alpha and into Beta. Hive now supports support dynamic names with a new tool window Hive Naming Convention which further improves game engine support and helps match various studio name conventions. Please note that older Hive rigs will need to be rebuilt as they are no longer... read more →
This version of Zoo Tools introduces Custom Space Switching for the Hive Auto-rigger and V-Ray is now supported in the HDRI Skydome Browser . The Zoo Tools Shelf now has colored icons that distinguish between tools with and without UIs. We’ve tweaked several other tools, and this version has addressed many bugs. To keep track of our V-Ray supported tools you can see this Google... read more →
Here's our Natalie Rig included with Zoo Tools Pro live linking from Maya 2023 to Unreal Engine 5 in realtime. Loads of potential here!! Hive is our Zoo Tools auto-rigger is game engine friendly with its own FBX Export Tool and as you can see this Natalie scene (included with... read more →
This Free Bouncy Ball Tutorial is a fun and easy beginner walkthrough that will get you started in Maya’s Graph Editor. Grab the rig and follow along at https://create3dcharacters.com/maya-rig-demo-bouncy-ball/
The Natalie Rig and this poses scene is now included with Zoo Tools (and the site subscriptions) keep the tools and all assets forever! Nat is our Hive demo rig that will be evolving with the Hive Auto-Rigger; her face has been rigged with our Drag And Drop Facial Rig... read more →
Our student Ming Bong (now working in the industry!) has created this 3d vehicle based off James Castillo's 2d design. It was begging to be rigged and animated so we threw it together with Robo as the rider! Robot and the Vehicle have been rigged in our Hive Auto-Rigger. 3d... read more →
Zoo Mirror Instance is a neat couple of buttons and hotkeys that automates a mirror workflow which should be in Maya by default. Using the hotkeys it's "alt shift m" for instance mirror and "ctrl alt shift i" for uninstance selected. Full Training for all the functions of our the... read more →
This scene comes with our latest asset pack upgrade 1.7. Kitbashed with free assets. The Sci Fi Fighter is neat space scene that runs for the viewport and will be part of our upcoming beginner course. The space scene was built with permission with assets by: Ship: Stephane Chasseloup Asteroids: Michael Betke... read more →
Zoo Tools Pro 2.6.8 is here with full support for Maya 2023. This version has had Hive upgrades and many bug fixes. New Hive templates are compatible with our latest Hive rigs and support for our recently upgraded assets pack . Overall version 2.6.8 has had a focus on stability with many bug fixes. Official Support for Maya... read more →
We've just released our new Maya Scenes Pack, upgraded to include many new rigs, scenes and shaders. This pack is included with any site purchase. All scenes can be loaded from our image browsers, Maya Scenes (.MA/.MB) and Shader Presets (.MA/.MB). Assets can be loaded in... read more →
Organise large asset libraries in the latest version of Zoo Tools. We've added tree-view categories for all image browsers so you can group, and manage complex folder hierarchies for all asset browsers. This version also comes with other enhancements, new Hive Auto-Rigger templates and it focuses on stability with many bug fixes. Manually... read more →
Here's how to add browser folders to any path on your computer or network. All Zoo image browsers are now supported! https://create3dcharacters.com/zoo2/
Zoo Tools Pro 2.6.6 brings support for Light Presets and HDRI Skydomes, this completes the multi-folder upgrade on all browsers! Multi-folder is supported by: Light Presets, HDRI Skydomes, Control Creator, Image Planes, Scenes Browser (.MA/.MB), Alembic Assets (Multi-Renderer), Shader Presets (.MA/MB), Shader Presets (Multi-Renderer) Full Zoo2 Information Page
Zoo 2.6.6 finishes our multi-folder support for image browsers, we've added virtual-sliders on thumbnail-images. Search and meta-data has been added to the Scenes Browser (.MA/.MB) and Shader Presets (.MA/.MB) , and Hive has had another large upgrade with many new features and bugfixes. This release has also fixed many minor bugs. Please manually... read more →
In Zoo 2.6.5 we’ve made many Hive Auto-Rigger (Alpha) upgrades, added multi-folders to Alembic Assets added four new tools. The new tools are Hive Export FBX, Hive Reference Model Skeleton, Channel Box Manager, and Replace Skin Joint Weights. Hive has had more space-switching options included, switch IK/FK for timeline, and place pole vector sensibly. New space-switching has also been added to the Spine and FK components. Zoo Renamer can... read more →
In Zoo 2.6.4 Hive Auto-Rigger (Alpha) supports timeline space switching and change rotation order over a time range, and improves game engine support. VRay and Maya’s native shader support has been added to many of our tools including: – Shader Presets – Shader Manager – Randomize Shaders – Convert Shaders (previous version) – Shader Swap Shader Manager and Shader Presets now support metalness and emission. Shader Manager now can change multiple... read more →
Hive auto-rigger keeps growing in Zoo Tools Pro 2.6.3! With new "update symmetry" where you can change pivots/controls while keeping the existing skinning. Many other Hive updates and fixes too in 2.6.3, enjoy and Happy Holidays!
Zoo Tools 2.6.2 is out and Hive Auto-Rigger (Alpha) has been upgraded now supporting symmetry changes on skinned meshes and more. We have two new tools Convert Shaders with Arnold, VRay, Redshift and Renderman support and the Rigging Miscellaneous tool with some nice rigging features. The new tool Convert Shaders converts shaders between Maya’s default, Arnold, VRay, Redshift, and Renderman shaders. Textures are not yet... read more →
Hive uses templates as our prebuilt presets for starting to rig your characters. The new Zoo 2.6.2 comes with new look templates and components. The newly added biped is ready to go and better control designs for all existing templates too. Components are our rig parts/modules and templates are multiple... read more →
Zoo 2.6.2 has a large Hive Auto-Rigger (Alpha) upgrade, a new Matrix Tool , browser upgrades and more. Hive Auto-Rigger (Alpha) has had many updates including space switching for the head and FK upper arms, new look controls and colors, a new default biped template and many more improvements. The new tool Matrix Tool (Maya 2020+)... read more →
This video shows the new look Hive default controls on the rebuilt Robot rig, these will feature in the upcoming Zoo 2.6.2 out any day now. Also Maya's mouse proximity feature that is built into all rigs as a switchable option. Hive allows you to effortlessly change controls even after... read more →
We've upgraded the Robo Ball rig to Hive, here's a quick sneak peak of our super fast intuative auto-rigger. For more Hive info visit the Hive Auto-Rigger page.
Zoo 2.6.1 is here and Hive Alpha has been upgraded with multi-branch fk, new look feet controls, and pole vectors that space-switch to feet/wrists. Hive has also had all round stability improvements. This version also fixes many small bugs from 2.6.0 which was a major upgrade. Enhancement – Zoo Shelf The ZooToolsPro shelf now remembers... read more →
Zoo 2.6.0 is our biggest release and marks the first version of Hive our brand new auto-rigger! Please note that Hive is in alpha and ready for testing but it should not be relied upon for production. We’ve upgraded five browsers with a new multi-folder select feature, and Focus Puller now supports all our supported renderers and bokeh settings. The Zoo UIs now sport a new look... read more →
We've snuck out an initial alpha release of Hive our brand new autorigger. Email us at info@create3dcharacters.com if you'd like to take it for a trail run. You must be a site subscriber and have the latest version of Zoo Tools to run. See this page for a full video... read more →
New character pots, and what better way to start that with Chris Ayer's author of The Daily Zoo where he has been drawing an animal everyday for 15 years! Here I'm block modeling one of Chris's great characters. Tools used. 0:03 Image Plane Tool 0:07 Model Assets 0:08 Fix Viewport... read more →
You can use the Fix Viewport tool in conjunction with our HDRI Skydome Browser. Take control over the Maya's viewport. This tool creates a viewport light and HUD with many controls. Create soft shadows in realtime and use in cunjunction with our HDRI Skydomes tool. For more information about this tool... read more →
New in ZooTools Pro 2.5.4. Make Maya's viewport look beautiful with the Fix Viewport tool. This tool creates a viewport light and HUD with many controls. Create soft shadows in realtime and use in cunjunction with our HDRI Skydomes tool. For more information about this tool visit this page. See... read more →
New Version: Zoo 2 version 2.5.4 is up This version sports three major tool upgrades to Maya Shaders, Maya Scenes and Fix Viewport. We've also added a brand new tool Focus Puller for managing depth of field. Be sure to upgrade with this version as we've also fixed some rare... read more →
Convert Renderer allows you to convert between Arnold, Redshift, and Renderman. This tool is easy to use, load your scenes and select the current renderer and destination renderer then run! We are looking into support VRay too. We support limited shader and light attributes, please see the Convert Renderer page... read more →
The Maya Scenes Browser, opens and imports Maya files. It comes with all our assets, Croc, Rhino Octopus and more, and you can save your own files and screenshots too. A massive thanks to all the super talented concept artists behind these designs. All 3d and other concepts by instructor... read more →
Create Image Planes effortlessly with just a double-click. Move and scale the images around your viewport, add multiple images. Copy/paste images into the browser and screen grab images too. This browser also has a lot of tag functionality for organising large image libraries. More more information see the Image Plane... read more →
Apply and manage displacement maps in seconds with the Displacement Manager tool. Easily apply and control vector displacement with Zoo Tools Pro. Supports Redshift, Arnold and Renderman for Maya. See the full tutorial on the Displacement Manager tool page. Credits Rhino by Andrew Silke (Instructor) Ear displacement by Andrew Camenisch.... read more →
Unfold Tube, instantly UV unwrap quad-mesh tubes and open-grids. Unwrapping objects in straight grids is a suprisingly common task, let Zoo instantly unwrap hair, grass, leaves, pipes, roads and more. To use this tool simply select the long edge along the tube and run. For more information see the Unfold... read more →
Build tubes/cables from curves easily from 2017 and up with Zoo Tools Pro for Maya. Robo 3d by Andrew Silke (Instructor/Tool Creator) 2d Concept by Guy Jameson and Dianna Hewitt
Zoo Tools Pro 2.5.3 has been released. This version features a big update to Motion Path Rig previously named Animate Along Curve. This tool now builds and rebuilds dynamically and new features have been added. Replace Shapes has some bug fixes and new features added to help match objects correctly. Our trigger backend has had an... read more →
Assign materials fast in Maya with Shader Presets for Zoo Tools Pro. Includes over 50 presets and add your own. Supports Arnold, Redshift and Renderman with VRay support coming soon. More Info see the Shader Presets Page. Model Van Credit: Bailey Smith Original Design: Anton Shameta
Add cloth wrinkles to any deforming meshes in Maya with NCloth Wrinkle Creator! In this demo we are using Maya's blendshapes and Wrinkle Creator together to create sofa/cushion wrinkles. See more at the NCloth Wrinkle Creator Page. See all tools at the Zoo Tools 2 Page.
NCloth Wrinkle Creator in Zoo Tools Pro. Add cloth wrinkles to skinned meshes in Maya! Albatross Short Film by Alex Karonis, Alex Jeremy and Joel Best. Croc 3d by Andrew Silke (instructor/tool creator). Based on art by Concept Art by James Castillo aka Murfish! Learn more at the NCloth Wrinkle... read more →
94 HDRI images are included with the Zoo Tools HDRI Skydome browser. And easily add your own images too. Massive thanks to HDR Labs, HDRI Skies and HDRI Haven for the included skydomes. For more info go to the HDRI Skydome Browser page. See all tools at the Zoo Tools... read more →
Rename objects effortlessly with Zoo Renamer! Renumber, auto-suffix, namespaces, index naming, replace suffix/prefix filter by object type and much more! For more information see the Zoo Renamer Page. See all tools at the Zoo Tools Pro 2 page.
This version features three new tools Animate Along Curve , Replace Shapes , Render Object Display , and large upgrades to our Installer and Preferences management. Modeling Align has a new function Place Objects on surface, where multiple object’s can be snapped to a single piece of geometry. There’s a new Getting Started Page and popup window will help you get up and running with... read more →
This version features three new tools Randomize Shaders , Zoo Select , Animation Paths , and a new installer and uninstaller. Many of our UIs have had a facelift with a new more modern button style. We’ve fixed a rare Maya 2022 startup error related to security issues. New Tool – Randomize Shaders: Randomize Shaders helps assign and manage... read more →
This version supports Maya 2022 (Python 3) and features six new tools. The Animation Toolbox which was previously named General Animation Tools has had a major upgrade. New hotkeys are included and many bug fixes and improvements. — New Tools — Randomize Objects Graph Editor Toolbox Bake Animation Numeric Animation Retimer Randomize Keyframes Scale... read more →
This version features a new tool Maya Shaders changes to Manage Nodes/Plugins, undo improvements and fixes and a major change to our backend code and UIs providing new UI features and better docking. Major UI Backend Changes: Assorted: This version features a significant backend UI re-write. – Improved docking by drag-and-dropping the Z... read more →
This version adds two new tools Maya Scenes and Manage Nodes . We’ve released a new Rig Pack . The Rhino model, Octopus and Robo rigs have been added. You can download those from the Zoo Tools Pro Install Page and browse the files in the new Maya Scenes tool. Create 3d Characters.com has had a major site upgrade and Zoo Tools... read more →
This version has another large upgrade to Spline Rig tool. Numerous bug fixes, small additions and Color Themes are instantly switchable in Maya 2020. The Zoo2 Help Page and all tools pages have been tweaked with new tool images and information. We have also begun backend work to better support the Hive autorigger, coming... read more →
This version upgrades the Spline Rig tool and fixes issues with Control Creator and Controls On Curve. Enhancement – Spline Rig: Spline Rig has had some large upgrades, space switching is now available by right clicking on any of the joints. You can now build the rig from either a spline, ik handle or start/end joints and the... read more →
In version 2.4.0 we have three new tools, Thick Extrude and Skinning Utilities and Reparent Group Toggle . Spline Rig is now interactive and can space switch, NCloth Wrinkle Creator can automatically generate thickness on thin meshes and Zoo Mirror Geo supports mirroring in object space after an object’s transforms have been frozen. We’ve simplified the latest version of Zoo Tools so that... read more →
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