Strugling with duplicating the rig in Blender 2.8

posted to: Multiball Rig Demo

I cant manage to duplicate the rig several times in the same file to make multiple balls.

Can you explain how to do it inside Blender 2.8

I also tried proxy method but the rig is not working in Blender 2.8 when linking and making the proxy :(

  • Wayne Dixon replied

    Hi comicsserg.

    The easiest way to do this is to just use the 2.8 files that are available to download in the animation bootcamp.

    That is a direct link to the 2.8 downloads.

    I have updated all the files but the video hasn't been updated yet.


    Give that a go and let me know if you're still struggling.

  • Serg (comicsserg) replied

    Still doens't work :(

    I opened the multiball_2.80 and it is working fine but I cant append or link or duplicate the ball without breaking the controls :(

    Can you help me? What is the right workflow to duplicate the rig in Blender 2.8

  • Wayne Dixon replied

    In Blender 2.80, sadly, the same limitations exist with the linking system in 2.79 (actually there are more limitations at the moment but that's a different story).

    So if you want to link multiple copies of the same rig, you can't.

    The workaround is to create a copy of the rig file, and then link in the copy as well as the original. 


    In the animation bootcamp files where there are the multiple rigs - they are local copies in the same file.  (meaning they are not linked, they are real rigs)

    You could technically link these rigs into a new file, but you will only be able to have 1 proxy of each of the rigs in that file.

    Does that make sense?


    I'll record a video which explains this shortly but hopefully that is enough info to help you out right now.


  • Serg (comicsserg) replied

    I found the solution. I need to select the entire collection and press right mouse button and choose to copy and paste (duplciate) the collection then the rig copies just fine without breaking

  • Wayne Dixon replied

    If you are doing it that way, just make sure you are also duplicating all the meshes.

    They are using a driver to hide them - but I'm not sure if they get selected in 2.8 when you select everything like that in the outliner.

    (but going to test that later today!)

  • Serg (comicsserg) replied

    yes make the meshes selectable to be able to copy

  • Wayne Dixon replied

    I tested this out and recorded the updated video, it will be released soon.

    Thanks for letting me know about that new feature :)

  • Serg (comicsserg) replied

    You are welcome :D thanks for making the video about it :) I hope it helps another animators