Module 2 Evaluation - Final Loop Steps

Final loop process

For this module I have been tasked with the objective of animating my character through techniques and creating a loop of my character at the end. To complete this task I first looked at several different examples of contemporary animations. This helped me decide how I should use my character and how he should be animated. The examples that I found and researched showed me that some forms of animation are more suited to certain themes.

Firstly I scanned each frame of my rota-scoped animation loop into the computer. Then I loaded each image into photoshop making sure that they were all the same resolution and dimensions.

I compiled all of the images into one file on separate layers. This is so that when it comes to animating the images I can hide the layers to show the next frame.

After organizing and appropriately naming the layers for easier use I removed the white background from each layer. This is so that the color of the character can show through without having to overlay the line work. This is to avoid any inconsistencies that overlaying would cause the the coloration of the line work. I done this by using the want tool on the white area of the image and selected clear from the edit selections in the menu bar. By doing this I was left with a transparent background

I used a layer separate from all others as the bottom background white layer. After this is started colouring up each different line work paired with that frame. using my model sheets from the previous module I was able to accurately colour my character and keep him consistent throughout my work. After all of the layers had been coloured up I opened up photoshops motion workspace and began creating frames. In each frame I hid and showed the correct layers and colours so that when I selected playback the animation I had originally rota-scoped played as a digital animation. After the playback showed the animation working I began to work out the timing of each frame. I made the frames that ended in my character completing a movement longer and the flexing movements quicker to emulate realistic movements.

 

I kept track of my work by keeping all of my development pieces and a guide to how I done my work. For my final animation I created a kick cycle for my character that I learned to animate in photoshop. I had always had confidence animating my character on paper but I had only used photoshop for digital painting so it was interesting to learn how to finally animate in colour on photoshop.

I enjoyed looking at all the different types of animation. They helped me realise what I should do with my character and they he is more suited for a 2d animation style and technique. However I stuggled for a while animating him. I found it difficult to make my character do the actions and poses he was meant to while rota-scoping. I grew very frustrated with this because i couldn’t advance anywhere with my animations. I feel like I wasted a lot of time being stuck on this. If I could have changed anything I would have went back and realised quicker that I needed to take a step back and just research kick and punch sequences.

In this version of my final animation I added cell shaded aspects to my final loop. To do this I selected a frame and placed an overlay layer in-between the line work and the colour. This is so that the line work isn’t altered to prevent any inconsistencies in the line work as the animation plays. I think that it has worked very well and makes the animation a lot less flat.