Rigging
Rigging is the process of creating a skeleton (armature) inside a 3D model so it can be posed and animated.
What is Rigging?
Rigging is the process of building a digital skeleton, an armature of bones, inside a 3D model so it can be posed and animated. The rig defines which parts bend and rotate, and (through skinning) how the mesh surface follows those movements. A rig typically includes bones, skin weights, animator controls, and constraints.
Why It Matters
Without a rig, a model is a static prop. Rigging turns it into something that can walk, wave, or emote. Game rigs stay lean (30 to 100 bones) for real-time performance; film rigs run into the hundreds for maximum control. For a fast path from a generated model to an animatable character, see our guide to rigging AI models for animation in minutes.
