Animation Blocking

See the video on how to run through the Blocking Process with David Bender's file as an example.

2DCharacterAnimationBlocking.mp4

Go to the boards in google slides

download as a pdf
open pdf in acrobat pro
make a new folder titled your animation-storyboard
export as a png
it will save the png sequence
open animate
import to stage
find the png
it will bring in the png sequence
it will give a question do you want png sequence say yes

Before Blocking:

Make sure your script is set and approved
Work from your approved storyboards which have the main assets on the stage.
Keep your main assets in folders on the main timeline instead of nested in symbols
Make sure all assets are graphic symbols before blocking so that you can animate later
Save a version of your file with static images before you start blocking
Submit a static file with all assets to the google drive.

Method for Blocking:

Create a notes layer so that you can label the main action sequences.
2 words per second @ 24 FPS (with discretion for shorter and longer words)
1. - Insert keyframes for spacing to match the timing of your script
If you don't have a needed asset - use your sketch first while blocking - then add the final imaging needed after your review of timing.
Lock certain layers to the camera you don't want to move.

Assignment:

Block your animation based on the timing determined by your script
- Set up key poses that match your storyboard with your rigged character
- Match your camera angles
- The sequence will feel like a slideshow -Perfect.
- remove unneccessary frames at the beginning and end.
Submit a blocked animation file to the google drive.

Next steps:

Get approval on your timing and layout.
Rigging (continue making assets) (this is finishing the production art See Bill's Production Art Guide from Animation Processes.)
There are also videos on the rig analyzing page
Continue to make environments - only one final environment will be required.
Continue to gather and record required sound.
Move on to animation and tweening.

Review what you learned in Animation Processes:

See the Tutorials on Blocking and key poses page by Bill Fischer with instructions and video guides.

note: We are using 24 FPS and in Bill's demo he uses 15 FPS. Stay at 24 FPS please

The Two Rules of Adobe Animate Animation

1. Objects to be animated must be a symbol.

2. Objects to be animated must be on their own layer.

Stage at the time of the timeline: There are folders for the character, Izzy, the hand, the speech bubble and the environment.

Locking layers to the camera in the Animate timeline, like vignettes, frames, solid shapes, and speech bubbles.

Blocking example from Susan Bonner's The Road Crew: Izzy Count Scene: note the folders - the hand is all on the main timeline as well as Izzy which is in a folder. Also look at the notes layer using labels to help get a quick view of where we are in the timeline.

Storyboards I am using for blocking this animation scene:

What to look for in blocking:

Block out your elements and you will find some of these issues.

Solve them during the blocking stage.

Text that is too tight to read (always use a text set that is the "worst-case scenario" (the most words)
Characters and text that are:
- off stage
- off the 2/3 1/3 framing
- out of the safe space

Example issues in Blocking:

This text is overlapping the hand so I need to rethink the design - do I spread things out or do I move the speech bubble or do I reduce text on screen? This is an example of "worst-case scenario" (the most words).

Since I am taking this file from an animation into AR I also need to plan for the space required for the child's face and hand and room to be in the image.

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