• The Importance of Arcs

    map_iconThe Art of Animation forces us to critically examine the details of our movements. On the surface, most movements are seemingly simple but underneath the hard-exterior of the movement resides a complex web of interwoven elements, moving parts and technique.

    This week, our exploration of the Principles of Animation continues by examining two specific ideas: Arcs and Timing. Through the study of arcs we will begin to shape the correct path of our movements and establish the proper range of movement for our object. The range of movement will change, from project to project, so this discussion will arm you with the questions you should be asking when presented a new animation to create. Arcs allows us to quickly create the illusion of dynamic motion. The movement of our animated objects need to reflect how they would move in the real world but also move in a fashion that communicates character.

    map_iconIn addition to looking at Arcs, we?ll also look at developing our Timing. Master animators spend years studying movement, exploring weight and focusing on body mechanics. Through this extensive study, they are able to create and communicate the proper timing of their movements. Timing establishes the speed our the movement, not how it moves. Good timing allows for the audience to comprehend the movement before moving on to the next. In addition, good timing aides in the creation of weight, so its an important element to explore. We are going to begin this process of establishing timing by looking at dope sheets and movement breakdowns. Let jump in!

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  • The Pendulum Swing (50pts)

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    Project Due: Week 06

    pendulum_swing

    More often than not, the hardest part of creating an animation is knowing where to start. For this assignment, we'll put to practice the movement breakdown techniques that we learned in class by creating an animation of a swinging pendulum.

    Instructions: Read p. 47-60 in the Animator's Survival Kit. This part of the book focuses on how to breakdown movements into specific frames of animation. Before we start any animation, we need to understand how "Fast" the movement is going to be. Longer, more delicate animations require a different number of drawings when compared to faster, more sharp movements. Once you have read p.47-60, use Photoshop to animate a pendulum swinging from a centralized, no-moving point in the scene. Look to include the proper slow movements at either end of the arc. In addition to drawing your pendulum swinging, I would also like you to include a movement breakdown chart on the animation. Please ensure you project includes the following required elements before you complete this assignment:

    • Your pendulum must make at least 3 complete swings (the movement of the ball from the left to the right equals one swing)
    • Animation Length: 27 frames (at least)
    • Animation Frame Size: 1280x720 pixels
    • Final Render File Type from Photoshop = .MOV
    • Please use the H.264 codec when exporting your video from Photoshop

    Examples of Successful Projects

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    Check out this awesome project! The animation below is an example of successful student project. Use the following animation to help guide you to your end results. Notice that the artist is applying a good sense of Timing and Arcs! Great work!

    All Finished with your Homework?

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    After you have saved the project file on your personal external storage device (like a thumb drive), please upload your Photoshop Document (.psd) and your rendered movie (.Mov) to the Pendulum Swing dropbox on D2L.

    Before you upload your files to D2L, please ensure your files meet the following naming conventions:

    • lastname_gcom_400_pendulum_swing.psd
    • lastname_gcom_400_pendulum_swing.mov
    Submit Your Assignment
  • The Point Finger (25pts)

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    Project Due: Week 06

    pendulum_swing

    In this lab assignment, you'll look to expand your working knowledge of "Timing" by creating a simple animation of a human hand pointing a finger. Use the wonderful examples on Page 51 in the Animator's Survival Kit to aide you in the completion of this project.

    Instructions: After studying the breakdown chart and illustrated example of the pointed finger on p.51 in the Animator's Survival Kit, begin to flush out the timing of your movement through the creation of a breakdown chart. Before you starting drawing your frames, ask yourself "How fast is this movement going to happen?". The answer to this question will help your draw your breakdown chart. Once you have completed the breakdown chart, begin to draw your frames in Photoshop. Feel free to draw your hand however you would like, but make sure you use reference when constructing the image of your hand. In addition, I would like to encourage you to use the Wacom tablets to draw your animation. These graphics tablets allow us to draw in Photoshop as we would draw on a piece of paper.

    Don't forget to render your video from Photoshop when you have completed your animation. Please ensure your project includes the following required elements before you complete this assignment:

    • Your finger must movement from a "closed fist" pose to a "pointed" pose
    • Your movement must include the correct "easing" at either the beginning or the end of the movement
    • Please include a background element that does not move
    • Animation Length: At least 10 frames
    • Animation Frame Size = 1280 x 720 pixels
    • Final Render File Type from Photoshop = .MOV
    • Please use the H.264 codec when exporting your video from Photoshop

    Examples of Successful Projects

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    Check out this awesome project! The animation below is an example of successful student project. Use the following animation to help guide you to your end results. You don't have to draw the background by hand! You can use any photograph you want! Good times!

    All Finished with your Homework?

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    After you have saved the project file on your personal external storage device (like a thumb drive), please upload your Photoshop Document (.psd) and your rendered movie (.Mov) to the Pointed Finger dropbox on D2L.

    Before you upload your files to D2L, please ensure your files meet the following naming conventions:

    • lastname_gcom_400_lab_pointed_finger.psd
    • lastname_gcom_400_lab_pointed_finger.mov
    Submit Your Assignment