In the last two decades, the computer animation (also known as CGI animation or 3D animation) is experiencing a massive succes. With the emergence of advanced computers which with the help of enhancements of other computing technologies have enabled accelerated development of computer animation and facilitated 3D animation itself. The new generation of computers with much better and stronger hardware and with more complex software have significantly improved computer animation design as well as lead to a tremendous growth in 3D animation in the cinematic industry as well as in the video game industry. Namely, there is a great deal of progress in animation which was accelerated with the help of various knowledge of 2D animation, with new knowledge of 3D animation, rigging of 3D models and the use of new 3D animation techniques such as FK and IK, and generally with key frame animation as well as the development of motion capture technology. Nowadays, there is a number of different programs used for rigging and creating 3D animations and some of the most popular are: Blender, 3DS Max, Cinema 4D, Houdini Apprentice, Motionbuilder, and of course Autodesk Maya, which will fully serve us in making this thesis. This thesis can be divided in three basic parts: history and evolution of animation with great emphasis on 3D animation, theoretical part which explains basic elements and processes of 3D animation and practical part which shows all key elements and processes which were mentioned in theoretical part and are made and presented in this part. Goal of this thesis is to overall show and explain processes of rigging and 3D animation on examples and combining all 3D animations in a single character set, so as to give an insight in terms and processes of rigging and 3D animation that are basis for advanced 3D animation techniques.