when to use lattice or smooth skin
 

Hi people,

just a general question on when one would use a lattice as opposed to just smooth binding a model to the skeleton

it seems to me lattices are a lot easier and faster than using smooth binding and just painting weights which can be a real tedious pain in the behind...
and it appears that a lattice can be transfered to other models a lot easier than weights

so why bother with smooth binding and messing around with weights?

A Lattice is a very quick way to rig but has very limited movement and as such animation possibilities.
If you want to quick rig a head or something and pose it then it could surfice.
A rig should relect what you want to achieve with your animation and if a lattice achieves what you had in mind then then is no reason not to use it.

right, i get it

so a lattice is simple and limited and smooth binding is the opposite