Embedded Files
Rigging allows for us to move each asset.
Rigging allows for us to move each asset.
The rig must have overlapping edges so that the arm can spin over the shoulder without having a blank area behind the arm when we move it.
The Miner Madness Characters Owen and Penelope are seen here with the exploded rig. When overlapped and in the correct spots each asset can be interchanged with other assets to create animation sequences.
Each asset has it's own layer.
This is symbol based animation instead of frame by frame animation and is used in Contemporary Cartoon Animation.
Prepping for Symbol Based Animation
Prepping for Symbol Based Animation
How to prep your imaging files for the animators by making symbols and using the library and the frame picker.
2D Character Rigs from the KCAD 2D Character Design course
Submit:
Submit:
Your .Fla file into the planning folder
This will be a progress check
Make sure your file has your full name on it, please just add it to this folder instead of inside of another folder.
Learn
Learn
FAQ:
FAQ:
Can I use an existing character?
Yes, if you have already with approval from your instructor. You may need to make changes and add assets for this assignment.
Can I create gradients?
Yes, Animate has a gradient tool, you can see that in Susan's Road Crew Trucks
Can I use the brush?
Use the line tools in Animate these are pencil and pen and then use the fill tool to fill.
If you use the brush, it creates points on both sides of the shape and makes it much more difficult to manipulate after the line is drawn.
Tips for working quickly
Tips for working quickly
Only design what you need
Review your storyboards and only design those assets
In animate we can do squash and stretch so only create the neutral pose to start.
Working in Animate will be a quicker workflow than starting in Ai or PSD and then bringing in files to Animate.
Using varigated line: see the demos from Jim Crow museum:
Using varigated line: see the demos from Jim Crow museum:
https://sites.google.com/view/jimcrowmuseumproject/production-guides/art
Submit:
Submit:
Add to your process slideshow some screenshots of your character design
Your editor file (PSD or FLA or Ai)
Naming convention = FirstLastNameProjectTitleCharacterName.filetype
Where to start
Where to start
You may be starting in Animate for the first time for your project: Go to this guide on File Set up
Choose 1 scene which has the character and the environment to design into production phase.
Create the neutral pose: (If you have one ) or create one of the poses that you will be using a lot.)
start with the line work even if the line doesn't stay (you use the line to create the shape then erase with line erase later)
Fill with the bucket - (K = shortcut)
Each layer that will need to be animated will need to be on a different layer.
Name each layer with the character name on the layer for example:
Izzy_Cab
Izzy_Eyes
Izzy_Mouth
Izzy_Freckles
Rigs of Characters you can analyze, Left to right The Road Crew Characters: Lizzy, Max, Biff
Down: My Little Pony, Tyler by KCAD students, Flying turtle
Rig files:
Rig files:
This file: Download 2DCharacterDesignRigs has 6 rigged characters that you can study to understand rigging techniques.
Download these files so that we can analyze the method of rigging and the different folders for assets as well as the file set up for drawing and filling.
In the folder and layer method shown here Biff who is the bulldozer has a folder, all other assets are on the main timeline. Create your file in this manner.
For your first image just choose one pose from your board that is closest to the neutral pose beacause we can do a squash and stretch on the character.
Animating for AR
Animating for AR
This is the simple type of animation set to loop that will be good in an AR experience. If I were to remove the blue colored background it can work in an AR World Tracking Project.
Script: O
Script: O
Oww! I've got mud on my back!" Biff flicks the mud up, only to find it land on his face. Frustrated and angry he shakes it off, only to find it landing on his back. (Repeat)
Narrator: What do you do when you get frustrated?
Narrator: Try flicking your hand like you are Biff's shovel
Narrator: Count with each flick of your hand backward.
1,2,3,4,5, 6, 7....
till you feel calm.
Breathe.
Move on and join the Road Crew.
Parenting in Animate for Character Design
See Susan's Demo on Parenting and how to watch for rotation points
See how Biff is set up for parenting.
Find the asset that you want all other assets to come out from. When you move this main asset, all other "children" will move along with it.
In Biff's case, I have the cab - on a human form you may want it to be the torso and have legs and arms move off of it.
Open the parenting panel first.
The Parenting panel is hidden until you click on it. Arrows above are pointing to it.
It does not matter what order the layers are as long as the parenting is set up correctly.
When you do this it will make animating easier.
All of the assets need to be on the main timeline for this to function.
The Rig looks great here. But you will need to check behind the scenes to see if you are ready to animate.
The Rig in Outline mode shows every Asset is in Vector and overlapping.
The Rig Selected shows that every asset is a graphic symbol. Check that your symbols are not called tweens. They need to be named before animating down the timeline or you will have the technical issue of having the assets fly off the center.
example files that we will analyze
example files that we will analyze
This file: Download 2DCharacterDesignRigs (These are in our Course folder.)
has 6 rigged characters that you can study to understand rigging techniques.
Download these file so that we can analyze the method of rigging and the different folders for assets.
Download the Lizzy Drawing Demo
We will study specific animation rig sequences:
MLP FIM flash_resource>
AnimalsFolder>PinkyJump1 >TankSpin
You can see many other characters in that file.
Go to Modify > Document Settings > Check Advanced layers, this will allow for features like the Camera, Layer Depth and Layer Parenting to function.
When you make a document, this can be set up, I recommend checking this after you have started and the file with all of those 2D characters will need this done.
The Lizzy Animate File has a good set up for all of the assets.
The Lizzy Animate File has a good set up for all of the assets.
We will use her method for organizing the file.
Frame Picker for Lizzy's Mouths - just choose one while you are in the frame, then it will add that mouth to the timeline in Animate - Character Design by Susan Bonner (Keyframe Caddy is the old method, it is now FramePicker)
This file: Download 2DCharacterDesignRigs (These are in our Course folder.)
has 6 rigged characters that you can study to understand rigging techniques.
Download these file so that we can analyze the method of rigging and the different folders for assets.
Download the Lizzy Drawing Demo
Go to Modify > Document Settings > Check Advanced layers, this will allow for features like the Camera, Layer Depth and Layer Parenting to function.
When you make a document, this can be set up, I recommend checking this after you have started and the file with all of those 2D characters will need this done.
The Lizzy Animate File has a good set up for all of the assets.
The Lizzy Animate File has a good set up for all of the assets.
We will use her method for organizing the file.
Frame Picker for Lizzy's Mouths - just choose one while you are in the frame, then it will add that mouth to the timeline in Animate - Character Design by Susan Bonner (Keyframe Caddy is the old method, it is now FramePicker)
Analyze the Rigs with Susan
Analyze the Rigs with Susan
This is part 1 of a video analyzing rigs in class.
4. Part 4
See these rigs come Alive Mu Ha Ha Haaaaa!
2. AnalyzeRig Part 2 Going into the Symbol and Frame Picking Assets
Rig Analyze 2D Character Design-RigsAlive.mp45. Part 5
Then try to do a little animation on the file yourself.
This file: Download 2DCharacterDesignRigs (These are in our Course folder.)
3. Part 3 Getting into the Rig for the Head and mouths
Frame Picker Adobe Animate includes the Frame Picker, you can find this in properties > looping > use frame picker
This allows you to switch the symbol for the mouth or what ever asset you have set up as a graphic symbol.
To open the Frame Picker go to windows and select Frame Picker or be in the animator workspace.
Keep everything in one layer that needs to be animated. Try using Biff as a test for this - Go to Frame 100 and shift click through the layers you need. Then make your new pose.
Wheels by Susan Bonner - Frame Selection
Tyler - from Let there be life by KCAD keyframe Caddy Hand symbols
Get Animax Flash Test File -a fully rotated character file meant for frame by frame animation. Use Frame Picker to see the fullness of this 2d Character Design and all of the drawings required to make the rig.
We will be using the method shown in Susan Bonner's files where all of the assets are on one timeline.
Folder Set up Method
Folder Set up Method
Your assets should be in folders for each character and environement section
This can be done before the parenting is done.
Everything should exist on the main timeline and not nested in symbols. (Some exceptions will apply.)
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