I'm using the houdini autorig to rig the space suit in this work-in-progress render:

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/distant-galaxy.com/maelstrom2/CliffInSuitOnFreightCapsule/M2.CliffInSuitOnCap.Jun21.E.HD.jpg [s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com]

The autorig is working overall, but I have a question about blending weights at the joints. e.g. the calf bone should be capturing all the shin geometry as a rigid piece, the toe bone should be capturing the boot as a rigid piece. Which they are. However, I want the ankle bone to capture the flexible rubber bellows geometry at the ankle, such that it compresses and expands as the ankle rotates.

How do I blend the weights between the calf, ankle, and toe bone such that I achieve the desired blending in the suit ankle geometry?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

thanks

without seeing the actual geometry I'd say it's just a case of painting weights…
can you cut the boot off you model and upload it here and I'll have a look?

Thanks. Please find attached the lower leg. i.e. calf, ankle and boot, from the space suit. The calf and the boot are meant to be a rigid material. Only the ribbed geometry for the angle is meant to expand and collapse, like a bellows, to allow the boot to be rotated at the ankle.
I'd like to know how to paint and blend the weights to achieve the above.
thanks

you'll need to lock the geometry in order to attach it to the file

Doh! ops: I'll re-upload with geometry locked asap. thanks

Here is the version with the geometry node locked. thanks

ok…
in the attached file you'll find the workflow that I'd use on something like this…it only took about 20 mins…
I've captured the geometry to a simple two bone chain and then in SOPs I made some point groups the have more control on how the weights were distributed..and some other little tricks
I've added sticky notes but if you have any questions just ask.

Hi Michael,
this is invaluable for me to study, as it gives me a better understanding of the rigging process.
In the mean time I also watched some more of this tutorial:
https://cmivfx.com/store/533-houdini+rigging+animation+fundamentals [cmivfx.com]
Which made me realise I had my mouse button functions set incorrectly.
I know now how to smooth weights, using the autorig workflow.
Much thanks!

glad to help