A quick discussion of multi-plane cameras, jointed characters, and clay bodies and how they translate to digital workflows.
Create a simple jointed character by cutting out paper parts.
then animate your character expressing a trait or working toward a purpose.
Need help choosing an action or emotion?
Example of this style: Lotte Reiniger - The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)
At the end of this section I'll Demo: After Effects Puppet Tool
Create a walk cycle for your character using paper or drawing.
1. Choose a trait or emotion to express.
2. Easiest if your character has arms and legs, knee joint and elbow joint will help.
3. Add a mark, pattern, or variation to one of the legs and one of the arms so that we can tell them apart.
4. Snap a frame for each position, imspried by the guide below.
7. We will just need maximum 10 frames for the walk cycle loop.
More
- Try exaggeration and variation.
- Adding and removing a frame here and there to ease and speed.
- Consider: arcs and how kinematic rigging.
Simple
More Complex
Build part your character with clay, indicate structure with line, move and photograph (animate).
The goal is to experiment with volume and motion as you track the structure lines.
At the end of this section I'll Demo: After Effects 3D Space and After Effects Particle Systems.
Working together: experiment with the Multi-plane camera setup.
Tell a one-word story in the world you rule.
Choose and express a word (or mulitple): verb or feeling.
Use characters you have built, paper, & colored sand (particles).
Simulate gravity, wind, or other forces that exist in your world (rules).
Need help choosing a word?
Explore and experiment with the tools and techniques we've covered. Below are resources and tutorials to help guide your animation process.
Explore Adobe After Effects for advanced motion graphics and animation:
After Effects - AdobeGet started with After Effects for animation and motion graphics:
Download Blender for 3D animation:
Blender - Official WebsiteDownload OpenToonz for 2D animation:
OpenToonz - Official WebsiteLearn how to use Toonz for your animation:
Use this browser-based tool for simple animations:
Wick EditorCreate stunning hand-drawn animations and illustrations using Procreate for Mac and iPad:
Procreate - Official Website