Trial

With the help of many Youtube videos, and the Adobe website, I was able to figure out how to put together a minor animation sequence. Using images I found off of Google helped achieve this animation. To understand what I was doing, I only used 3 images. The first video I found showed me how to use timeline animation in Photoshop. I created separate layers/frames for each individual run stance. I spent a few hours playing around with the spacing, delay, and timing of each frame in order to achieve a some-what smooth transition from one pose to another. If you keep hitting your space bar you can play the video more than once.

I did this trial to become familiar with Photoshop's animation. This is the first time I have ever attempted to make any sort of animation. I still want to play around and become better versed in timing before I move on to using my sketches. 

The life of my character

Please refer to this story, http://brittanyvisualmedia.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html, for the back story behind the character I created.

Elements of project

Elements to carry out Animation Project:

• 1.       Settle on an idea and create a script.
• 2.       Create storyboards based off of script. Will use story boards from Visual Media project.
• 3.       I won’t be executing a whole scene into an animation. I am creating a basic animation of my main character running. I will plan the look of the run sequence- developing the style, tone, color and overall artistic approach to each and every sequence. 
• 4.       If I were adding a minor dialog, I would cast the voice for my character.
• 5.       Import the running sequence hand drawing flow chart onto the computer. I will rig and render the drawing in Photoshop CS6.
• 6.       Pre-production phase: I will start putting the run sequences into separate frames.
• 7.       Production: This is where I will play with the timing of the frames and placement of the frames to make the animation run smoothly.
• 8.       Post-production: Add sound of running/heavy breathing
• 9.       Present to instructor & peers
• 10.   Make an edits
• 11.   Final submission

Flow Chart

In-order to be organized and understand what I need to do to make a successful 2D animation, I have been spending a lot of time reading and researching. Below are the sites I have been referencing and going back to.

I find doing a traditional drawing, then importing into Photoshop, the quickest way for me to achieve any results. In a blog later on, I will post the sketches I have done from the- from the basic pose sketch (see below)to turning those poses into my character.

Used as reference and aid in drawing: http://code.google.com/p/libgdx/wiki/SpriteAnimation

                http://www.ehow.com/how_4464127_draw-character-running.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_6702056_running-animation-tutorial.html

I watched on how to execute in Photoshop. I will be using Photoshop CS6:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAR7xL239Qs

                http://www.ozanimate.com/2d/photoshop-animation-techniques-a-character-animation-tutorial/

                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAb-URz6qvA

Character Design

Ta-Da! Meet Nakita.

I have finalized my character design.

I first made a traditional drawing of how I wanted her to look. I uploaded it into Photoshop CS6, and for 2 painstaking days worked on the coloring and background. As I was working on this and researching, I decided that making an animation of her swinging from one vine to another is not suitable for my first ever animation. I will present her running. I found references that will aid me in drawing out the motion of running.  

Animation Project

Animation Project

 Project Overview:

The purpose of this project will be to create an animated 2D warrior elf. I have no previous experience in animation, and will be making a very simplistic animation. First a model will be created. I will first render a hand-sketched drawing  and import it into Photoshop CS6 for coloring and animation. 

Animation Techniques

Animation will most likely be created through the use of a skeletal structure and keyframes. Keyframes will be set up to control the movement of the skeleton.  Graphs and curves will be used to animate between these keyframes.

Once the animation system has been set up there are several animations that I would like to try:

·         Simple walking and/or running animation or

·         Swinging from one vine to another

Research

Read The Animator’s Survival Kit, Disney Animation- The illusion of Life, Advanced Maya Texture and Lighting, research websites, watch videos, look at examples,

Timeline:

·        Proposal: Due by 3/16/2014

·        Character design: Due by 3/23/2014

·        Storyboard & Script: Due by 3/30/2014

·        Performance script ( in the form of a flipbook): Due by 4/6

·        Dabble in Photoshop with animation with character design: Due by 4/20

·        Production week: Due by 5/18

·        Post Production: Due by 6/1

·        Present to others: Due by 6/15

·        Revisions: Due by 6/22

·        Final animation: Due by 6/27

Details:

Based off of the story I write for my Visual Media project, using traditional drawing and Photoshop CS6, I will render basic sketch ideas of my character. Once I am set in which character I want to use, I will make a storyboard in Photoshop, which will render the story to life in a visual way. Since I do not have a lot of time after this, I will choose one scene from the script and animate my character, in one of the fashions stated above, as suited for that scene. View my Visual Media project proposal for ideas I have been working on for my character design: http://brittanyvisualmedia.blogspot.com/.

IS: Animation Outline

Summary:

As a lover of Disney, understanding animation is a must. When my family traveled to Walt Disney World some time back, we took a tour of the offices of animators. I clearly remember the one office which had a character drawing on the desk, that same character molded in clay, and a 3-D grid like image of that character on the computer screen. As a traditional artist, that scared the hell out of me! There was so much to do and understand that I couldn’t even consider going to college for animation, at that time. Now that time has passed and I can see the big picture more clearly, and I run to the challenge. I feel incomplete for not jumping on board to learn animation earlier.

Goals:

1)      I have an understanding that there are a few paths a person in the field could go; traditional- digital-subcategories- etc. I would like to touch base on what categories are out there and what I would need to know to get to a desired role. I am a traditional type of art person, but need to establish a digital connection.

2)      I need to learn the basics. This includes understanding the basic principles, the terminology, the techniques, learn the lingo, the programs, brainstorming, trial and error, failing, and how to begin a project. 

3)      I hope to learn/ understand character design.

4)      Understand how a sequence of drawings can become a moving picture

5)       And how to pull it all together.

Outline:

       I: Animation and Animation types

       II: Traditional Animation- Disney

       III: Computer Role in Animation

       IV: Computer Animation Techniques

-     2D vs 3D

-     Object modules

-     Motion modules

Timeline:

Week 1 &2: Learn Fundamental Vocabulary. Put research into a Word document to make a folder to reference back to in the future.  

Week 3&4: Discover types of animation. Put research into a Word document.

Week 5&6: Learn basics of traditional animation and character design. Put research into a Word document. Create an original character.

Week 7&8: Learn about computer animation. Put research into a Word document.

Week 9&10: Research and play around in one animation program

Week 11-13: Attempt a basic and simple animation with character created in week 5/6.

Week 14&15: Create a final folder with all of the information I gathered throughout the semester.