Creating Custom LookAt Objects (linguini pipeline- refrences RapidRig)

Creating Joints for the Eyes

1. Check that the pivot for each eye is centered. Create a joint, then hit Enter. Rename it l_eyeJNT. Place the joint in the center of the left eye by doing this ‘trick’: Select the l_eyeGEO, Shift-select l_eyeJNT, then choose Constraint>PointConstraint>Option Box. Uncheck Maintain Offset. Click Add.

2. In the Outliner, select the Point Constraint you just made (it’s underneath l_eyeJNT) and delete it.

3. Parent l_eyeJNT to the forehead JNT.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the right eye.

5. Parent the l_eyeGEO to the l_eyeJNT. Parent r_eyeGEO to the r_eyeJNT.

Creating the Eye LookAt Object

1. Create a NURBS circle and rename itl_eyeLookAt. Rotate it 90 in X.

2. Select the l_eyeGEO, Shift-select l_eyeLookAt, then choose Constrain>Point

Constraint>Option Box.Uncheck Maintain Offset. This ‘trick’ will place the circle at the exact center of l_eyeGEO, (assuming l_eyeGEO’s pivot was centered).

3. In the Outliner, select the Point Constraint you just made (it’s underneath l_eyeLookAt) and delete it.

4. Scale l_eyeLookAtso that it’s slightly smaller than l_eyeGEO. Translate l_eyeLookAt in Z so that it’s in the front of Linguini’s head.

5. Choose Modify>Freeze Transformations and delete its history.

6. Repeat steps 1-5 for the right eye:

Setting Up the Eye LookAt Object

1. In the Front View, draw a square by selecting the CV Curve tool and holding down the X key to toggle on Snap to Grid. Choose Modify>Center Pivot. Rename it eyeLookAt.

2. In the Outliner, select both circles, then Ctrl-select the square. Choose Constrain>Point Constraint. In the Outliner, delete the Point Constraint you just made. This ‘trick’ will center the square between the two circles. Scale the square so that it’s more of a rectangular shape. Make sure to Freeze Transformations foreyeLookAt and both left and right eyeLookAt objects:

3. Parent both circles to the eyeLookAt.

4. Select l_eyeLookAt, Shift-select l_eyeGEO and choose Constrain>Aim Constraint>Option Box. Check the Maintain Offset box and click Apply. Repeat this step for the right eye. The eyes should now follow the eyeLookAt object.

5. Parent the EyeLookAt to the headTopJNT. SAVE.

6. Pat yourself on the back.

Painting weights is the next step