The following process was used to create a custom rig to study the conformational morphs of the HIV gp120 receptor as it binds CD4. A cartoon model can first be generated in Pymol, VMD or Chimera, exported as VRML and then converted to OBJ for import into Maya.

1. Clean the model. Use the Polygon “extract faces” tool to separate all of the main parts into individual parts: Beta Arrows, strands, and Helices.
2. Merge the vertices of each new part and delete history. Also rename the parts now if required.
3. Draw curves on the surfaces. Make each surface “live” by clicking the icon that looks like a magnet while the object is selected. Only one object can be made live at a time. Place a CV at just about every ring in the strand tube to achieve a balanced deformation.
This will end up being your initial confirmation state curve.
4. Import the final confirmation state geometry. And make it live and perform the same task as above. However you don’t have to break it up or clean this geometry, it will be deleted.
5. You should have a beginning (yellow) curve for the initial confirmation state and a final (blue) curve for the final confirmation state. With almost the same number of CVs in them…

Download pdf Wire Rigging Cartoon Ribbon Models in Maya