# Armatures: .rig files

## Summary

Published: Oct 12 by [mana vortex](mailto:undefined)\
Last documented edit: Oct 12 by [mana vortex](mailto:undefined)

This page contains **theory** about Cyberpunk's armature files.

### Wait, this is not what I want!

* To find out how armatures and meshes are connected, check [Meshes and Armatures: Rigging](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/for-mod-creators-theory/3d-modelling/meshes-and-armatures-rigging.md)
* To edit an armature, check [For V and NPC - Rig deforming](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/rig-deforming-for-v.md)
* For a hands-on guide, check [Poses/Animations: make your own](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/animations/animations/poses-animations-make-your-own.md)

## What's a rig?

A `rig` (also `armature`, the terms will be used interchangeable) is the **skeleton structure** used to control and animate [`meshes`](https://github.com/CDPR-Modding-Documentation/Cyberpunk-Modding-Docs/blob/main/for-mod-creators-theory/files-and-what-they-do/file-formats/3d-objects-.mesh-files).

Each armature is a hierarchical connection of bones (similar to a meatspace skeleton — the foot bone's connected to the leg bone).

### Control

Via `rotation` and `translation` of individual bones, the armature controls the **pose** of the connected mesh. You can read more about this on the [Meshes and Armatures: Rigging](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/for-mod-creators-theory/3d-modelling/meshes-and-armatures-rigging.md) page.

### Deform

Via `scale`, the armature **deforms** the connected mesh. This is how custom rigs are used to change V's body shape.

To learn more about this, check [For V and NPC - Rig deforming](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/rig-deforming-for-v.md).


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