05-Armature Modifier (The Art Of Effective Rigging In Blender/ Chapter-1/ Ep-6)

Armature Modifier in Blender

The Armature Modifier is what actually connects a 3D mesh (your model) to an Armature (skeleton) so that the bones can deform the mesh during animation.

Without this modifier, the armature won’t affect the mesh—it would just be a skeleton floating nearby.

🔑 How It Works

You create an Armature (skeleton).

You create a Mesh (character or object).

You add an Armature Modifier to the mesh.

In the modifier, you assign which armature should control it.

The mesh deforms according to the armature’s bones + weight painting.

🔹 Main Options in the Armature Modifier

Object → The armature that controls the mesh.

Vertex Groups → Uses weight painting to decide which parts of the mesh each bone influences.

Preserve Volume → Helps maintain volume when bending (e.g., elbows don’t collapse too much).

Multi Modifier → Lets multiple armatures influence the same mesh.

🔹 Example

You model a character.

You create an armature with bones (spine, arms, legs).

You add an Armature Modifier to the character mesh.

Now when you rotate a bone in Pose Mode, the mesh bends along with it.