Introduction to Character Animation in Maya | Animating Your First Rig

Learn the fundamentals of animating a character rig inside Autodesk Maya in this beginner-friendly introduction to character animation from Vertmode. In this tutorial, we introduce the core process professional animators use when approaching a rig for the first time, while also covering the basics of IK and FK controls and how they affect animation workflows. Rather than jumping straight into keyframes blindly, this lesson focuses on developing a practical animation mindset and understanding how to work with a rig effectively. Topics Covered: • Introduction to character rigs • Understanding IK controls • Understanding FK controls • Basic animator workflows • How to approach a new rig • Using reference effectively • Investigating and testing controls • Blocking animation ideas • Understanding rig functionality • Beginning animation workflows Core Animation Process: 1. Reference — Study motion and gather inspiration 2. Investigate — Learn how the rig functions 3. Animate — Begin building performance and motion This lesson is designed for beginner animators, game art students, and artists transitioning into character animation workflows. The goal is not just learning buttons, but understanding how animators think when approaching performance, motion, and rig interaction. Download the FREE character rig used in this tutorial here: https://vertmode.gumroad.com/ Want the FULL premium learning experience with structured lessons and complete pipeline training? Check out the full Vertmode course here: https://www.udemy.com/course/3danimat... Subscribe to Vertmode for more tutorials on: • Animation • Rigging • Character Creation • Game Art • Maya Workflows • Production Pipelines #Maya #Animation #CharacterAnimation #Rigging #AutodeskMaya #GameArt #3DAnimation #Vertmode