dpAutoRigSystem is a free, open-source automatic rigging system for Maya, implemented as a Python script. Its modular, multilingual, object-oriented design lets users combine components to build rigs. The documented workflow starts with guides that serve as blueprints, then parents them, configures rig attributes, adjusts controller shapes, skins the model, and prepares it for animation. A rebuilding feature can update a rig when needed. Skinning tools create skinCluster nodes and let users add or remove joint influences on selected geometry. Skin weights can be transferred using closest-point or UV-space methods, or exported and imported as JSON files. Installation involves placing the dpAutoRigSystem folder in Maya's scripts directory or another MAYA_PATH, then launching it with Python in Maya's Script Editor. The project is identified as GPL-2.0 licensed and was created to help users make rigs themselves. Its maintainers invite questions, suggestions, and comments, and link to a wiki for documentation.
Who it is for
It suits Maya users who want to build rigs themselves using an automatic rigging script. The modular components and skinning tools may also suit users who need to update rigs or transfer weights.
What is good
- Free and open source under GPL-2.0.
- Modular design lets users combine rig components.
- Includes a rig rebuilding feature.
- Supports closest-point and UV-space weight transfer.
- Skin weights can be exchanged as JSON files.
What to know first
- Requires Maya to run.
- Installation requires placing files in a Maya scripts path.
- Launch requires Python in Maya's Script Editor.
Verdict
dpAutoRigSystem provides a documented rig-building workflow and supporting skinning and weight-transfer tools for Maya. Users should be comfortable with its file placement and Python launch steps.
dpAutoRigSystem plans and pricing
All plansCompared on 3D rigging software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Auto-rigging
- Yes
- Deployment
- host_plugin
- Rig targets
- mixed
- Scripting support
- Yes
- Supported host apps
- Maya
