3D Bike Rider Rigging

# 3D Artist Needed - Cycling Game (WebGL / Three.js)

## Overview

We are building a browser-based cycling race simulator (similar to Zwift / TrainerRoad style visuals).

We need a 3D artist to create a library of optimized rider and bike assets for real-time WebGL rendering using Three.js / React Three Fiber.

The visual style should be:

* Stylised-realistic (not photorealistic, not cartoon)
* Clean, smooth, readable at distance
* Performance-optimised for up to 30 riders on screen

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## Core Requirements

### File Format

* Format: GLB (glTF binary)
* Units: Metres, Y-up coordinate system
* Textures: Embedded in GLB
* Animations: Included as named clips
* Compression: Draco preferred

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## Model Structure

Rider and bike must be separate meshes within the same GLB.

### Rider Structure

* Body (torso, arms, legs)
* Head
* Hair (separate mesh)
* Jersey (separate mesh)
* Shorts (separate mesh)
* Shoes
* Helmet
* Gloves
* Sunglasses (optional)

### Bike Structure

* Frame
* Handlebars
* Wheels
* Saddle
* Cranks
* Pedals
* Tyres

Reason:
We need to swap materials (kits, colours, etc.) at runtime.

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## Polygon Budget

* Rider: 4,000 to 8,000 triangles
* Bike: 2,000 to 5,000 triangles
* Total per rider: 6,000 to 13,000 triangles

Target: 30 riders on screen simultaneously

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## Rider Variations

We need 4 base rider models:

* Male standard
* Male muscular (sprinter)
* Female standard
* Female lean (climber)

All must:

* Share the same skeleton/rig
* Share the same UV layout

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## Customisation System

These will be applied at runtime:

### Skin tones (via material colour)

6 variations (light to dark)

### Hair

* 4 styles:

* Short
* Medium
* Ponytail
* Bald
* 9 colour options

### Facial Hair (male only)

* Stubble
* Beard
* Moustache

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## Bike Variants

4 frame styles:

* All-rounder
* Aero
* Lightweight climber
* Endurance / gravel

All must use identical attachment points.

### Bike customisation

* 12 colour options (material-based)
* 2 wheel types:

* Standard
* Deep-section aero

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## Jersey / Kit System

We require 40 jersey textures (1024 x 1024 PNG):

* 16 solid colour kits
* 20 national kits (flag-inspired designs)
* 4 special kits:

* World Champion
* Polka dot (KOM)
* Green (sprint)
* Yellow (leader)

Important:

* All jerseys must share the same UV layout
* Provide a UV template file

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## Animations Required

All animations must be included in the GLB.

Clips:

* pedal_seated (loop)
* pedal_standing (loop)
* sprint (loop)
* coast (static)
* aero_tuck (loop)
* idle (loop)
* look_back (one-shot)
* celebrate (one-shot)

Requirements:

* Work across all 4 rider body types
* Smooth transitions between animations
* Crank motion included in animation
* Wheel rotation handled in code

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## Rig Requirements

Standard humanoid rig:

* Hips, spine, chest, neck, head
* Arms and legs fully rigged

Bike attachment points:

* Pedals (left/right)
* Hand grips
* Saddle
* Wheel axes

Rider must align correctly with bike:

* Feet locked to pedals
* Hands on handlebars

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## Deliverables

### Rider Files

* 4 rider GLBs (one per body type, with full animations)

### Hair and Facial Assets

* 3 hair meshes
* 3 facial hair meshes

### Bike Files

* 4 bike GLBs (one per frame style, both wheel types included)

### Textures

* 40 jersey textures
* Base skin texture
* UV templates

### Reference Files

* UV layout diagrams
* Skeleton reference
* Attachment point reference

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## Technical Requirements

* Must work in Three.js / React Three Fiber
* Use PBR materials (metallic-roughness)
* No baked lighting
* Single UV channel
* All transforms applied before export
* Meshes triangulated

Test using:
[https://gltf-viewer.donmccurdy.com](https://gltf-viewer.donmccurdy.com)

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## Nice to Have (Not Required)

* Experience with game-ready assets
* Experience with WebGL optimisation
* Experience exporting clean GLB files from Blender

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## Goal

This system will allow us to generate millions of rider combinations through:

* Body type
* Skin tone
* Hair
* Kit
* Bike setup

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## To Apply

Please include:

* Portfolio (game assets or similar)
* Example of rigged character work
* Example of animation work (if available)
* Estimated timeline
* Estimated cost

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## Notes

This is the foundation asset system for a larger cycling platform. There is strong potential for ongoing work (additional animations, environments,