matrix-cartoon-curve-deformer

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matrix-cartoon-curve-deformer

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A matrix node based cuvre deformer for maya riggin needs, such as eyes, mouths, eyebrows, etc...

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cartoonCurveMaya.py
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README.md

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A robust, production-ready tool for building cartoon-style squash-and-stretch curve deformers in Autodesk Maya. It creates a hierarchy of driver and bind joints driven by a primary curve, with an optional secondary curve sharing endpoints — perfect for facial rigging, limbs, and stylized animation.
 
![Cartoon Curve Deformer preview](https://i.imgur.com/ViYbMcu.png)
 
[![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-yellow.svg)](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/MarcadrienLePape/matrix-cartoon-curve-deformer/main/)
![Maya](https://img.shields.io/badge/Maya-2018%2B-0696D7)
![Python](https://img.shields.io/badge/Python-2.7%20%2F%203.x-blue)
 
---
 
## Table of Contents
 
- [Features](#features)
- [How It Works](#how-it-works)
- [Installation](#installation)
- [Using the UI](#using-the-ui)
- [Parameters Explained](#parameters-explained)
- [Hierarchy Breakdown](#hierarchy-breakdown)
- [Technical Details](#technical-details)
- [Notes & Tips](#notes--tips)
- [Requirements](#requirements)
- [License](#license)
- [Author & Contributions](#author--contributions)
---
 
## Features
 
- **Two-stage deformation** — LO (low-resolution) and MID (medium-resolution) driver curves.
- **Fully automated setup** — creates joints, skin clusters, aim matrices, and point-on-curve networks.
- **Flexible parameters** — choose 2, 4, or 6 mid-drivers and 3, 5, 7, or 9 bind joints.
- **Shared endpoints** — optionally build a second curve that shares the first curve's start/end LO joints, enabling seamless blending between two curves.
- **Intelligent joint hierarchy**:
  - LO joints parented directly under the `center_node` for natural squash/stretch behavior
  - MID joints parented under `drivers_grp` to maintain independence
  - Bind joints connected via aim matrices for precise orientation control
- **Color-coded joints** for easy identification:
  - 🔴 LO drivers (red)
  - 🟠 MID drivers (orange)
  - 🔵 Center joints (blue)
  - 🟡 Bind joints (yellow)
- **Clean UI** — intuitive window with selection buttons and live feedback.
---
 
## How It Works
 
1. **LO Curve** — rebuilt with 3 spans (cubic). Three LO driver joints are placed at the start, middle, and end. These joints are parented under `center_node` so they follow the center's transforms. The LO curve is skinned to these joints.
2. **MID Curve** — duplicated and rebuilt with 6 spans. MID driver joints (2, 4, or 6) are placed at specific parameters along the LO curve (so they follow the LO deformation). These joints are parented under `drivers_grp` to keep them independent from the center. The MID curve is skinned to all LO + MID joints.
3. **Blend Networks** — each MID joint uses a `blendMatrix` node to interpolate between the two nearest LO joints, ensuring smooth transitions along the curve.
4. **Bind Joints** — placed along the MID curve according to the chosen count. Each bind joint:
   - Uses an `aimMatrix` node to orient towards the curve's tangent and normal
   - Is directly connected to a target group that follows the MID curve
   - Stays perfectly aligned even when the center node rotates — no offset drift!
The whole system is parented under a clean group hierarchy, making it easy to move or scale.
 
---
 
## Installation
 
1. Copy the entire script into a Python file, e.g., `cartoon_curve_deformer.py`.
2. Place it in your Maya scripts folder (e.g., `~/Documents/maya/scripts/`).
3. In Maya, run the following Python code:
```python
import cartoon_curve_deformer
cartoon_curve_deformer.show_ui()
```
 
You can also assign this to a shelf button for quick access.
 
---
 
## Using the UI
 
1. **First Curve** — select a NURBS curve transform in the viewport and click **Select**. This curve will be rebuilt (you can use any curve, it will be modified).
2. **Second Curve** *(optional)* — enable the checkbox and select another curve. This curve will share the start/end LO joints of the first curve, allowing you to blend between two shapes.
3. **Center Node** — select a locator, joint, or group that defines the "root" aim point for the bind joints.
4. **Deformer Settings** — choose the number of MID drivers and Bind joints.
5. Click **BUILD**.
After a successful build, you'll see a confirmation message. The newly created hierarchy is placed in the scene under a group named `<curve>_GRP`.
 
---
 
## Parameters Explained
 
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| **First Curve** | The primary NURBS curve. It will be rebuilt to 3 spans. |
| **Second Curve** | Optional. When enabled, the second curve is rebuilt to 6 spans and shares the first curve's start/end joints. Useful for asymmetrical deformations (e.g., mouth corners). |
| **Center Node** | Any transform that defines the "look-at" point for the bind joints. The aim matrix uses this as the input matrix. LO joints are parented under this node. |
| **Mid Deformers** | Number of mid-driver joints (2, 4, or 6). They are placed at specific parameters along the LO curve (see the `MID_PARAMS` table in the script). |
| **Bind Joints** | Number of final output joints (3, 5, 7, or 9). They are evenly distributed along the MID curve. |
 
---
 
## Hierarchy Breakdown
 
After building, your scene will have this structure:
 
```
<curve>_GRP/
├── <curve>_curves_GRP/
│   ├── <curve>_lo  (LO curve)
│   └── <curve>_mid (MID curve)
├── <curve>_drivers_GRP/
│    center_node/
│    ├── off_center_node/
│       └── transOff_center_node/
│           └── center_node
│               ├── off_jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_2/
│                   ├── transOff_jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_1/
│                       └── jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_1
│               ├── off_jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_3/
│                   ├── transOff_jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_1/
│                       └── jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_1
│               └── off_jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_1/
│                   ├── transOff_jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_1/
│                       └── jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_1
│   └── jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_1
│   ├── off_jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_1/ (LO joints - parented to center_node)
│   ├── off_jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_2/
│   ├── off_jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_3/
│   ├── off_jnt_drv_<curve>_mid_1/ (MID joints - parented to drivers_grp)
│   ├── off_jnt_drv_<curve>_mid_2/
│   └── tgt_<curve>_bind_1/ (target groups for bind joints)
└── <curve>_bindJoints_GRP/
    ├── jnt_ctr_<curve>_bind_1/ (center joint for aim)
    └── jnt_bind_<curve>_bind_1/ (final deformation joint)
 
center_node/
├── off_center_node/
│   └── transOff_center_node/
│       └── center_node (moved under transOff)
└── off_jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_1/ (LO joints parented here)
    ├── transOff_jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_1/
    └── jnt_drv_<curve>_lo_1
```
 
**Key hierarchy notes:**
 
- LO joints are parented under `center_node` for natural squash/stretch
- MID joints remain under `drivers_grp` for independence
- Bind joints use aim matrices to follow the curve perfectly
---
 
## Technical Details
 
### Matrix Networks
 
The tool uses Maya's matrix nodes for precision:
 
- `fourByFourMatrix` — builds orientation from curve tangent and normal
- `decomposeMatrix` — extracts translation/rotation from matrices
- `blendMatrix` — blends between two LO joint matrices for MID drivers
- `aimMatrix` — orients bind joints towards curve targets
### Skin Clusters
 
- LO curve skinned to 3 LO joints
- MID curve skinned to LO + MID joints (3 + N where N = 2, 4, or 6)
- All skin clusters use default weight normalization
### Point-on-Curve Nodes
 
Each driver and target uses `pointOnCurveInfo` nodes to extract position, tangent, and normal data from the curves.
 
---
 
## Notes & Tips
 
- The LO and MID curves are rebuilt with `rebuildCurve` (uniform, cubic, with 3/6 spans). The original curve is modified.
- The mid-driver parameters are hard-coded for even distribution; you can adjust the `MID_PARAMS` dictionary to customize positions.
- The bind joints use matrix-based aim constraints — this ensures they remain perfectly aligned even after the center joint rotates. No offset drift!
- The skin clusters use default weight normalization — you can further paint weights as needed.
- If you use a second curve, ensure both curves have the same start/end points in world space (they will be shared, so they should align).
- LO joints are parented under `center_node` — this allows the entire LO deformation to follow the center's transforms naturally.
- MID joints are independent — they stay under `drivers_grp` to avoid double-transforms.
---
 
## Requirements
 
- Autodesk Maya (tested on 2018+)
- Python 2.7 or 3.x (Maya's built-in interpreter)
---
 
## License
 
This project is licensed under the MIT License – feel free to use, modify, and distribute it. Attribution is appreciated but not required.
 
---
 
## Author & Contributions
 
Created by **Marc-adrien LE PAPE**.
 
If you find bugs or have feature requests, please open an issue or submit a pull request on GitHub.
 
Happy rigging! 🎬

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