This began as an exercise based on page 233 of The Animator's Survival Kit, where it showed how to get a fluid look when animating jointed objects. The trick is something like cracking the joints like a whip, where the base (here, the upper arm) moves first, followed by its secondary parts. I suspect dancers use a similar trick to achieve fluid movement. I gave the guy one "whip" arm and one stiff arm to highlight the difference. Of course I had to get a little silly.
That's amazing. It is really HARD to make Flash jointed animation look so fluid. Makes me want to buy the book.
On the project I'm working on now, I started trying to build a library to switch out symbols, but have kind of abandoned that because they're tricky to work with, especially to get the kind of motion you're creating. great work.
Thanks, Sally. That book has really helped me when it comes to timing (and how to make stuff look fluid). I know what you mean about swapping symbols. When it works, it's great, but I've run into problems too. Sometimes they won't swap. Or they will swap but there's an offset. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Bill. I appreciate it!
This is really interesting! What a great tip.
ReplyDeleteBut you should see how your blog in general looks now when it appears––totally captivating.
Thanks Linda.
ReplyDeleteI never thought I'd see anything I did described as "totally captivating". You made my day. :)
That's amazing. It is really HARD to make Flash jointed animation look so fluid. Makes me want to buy the book.
ReplyDeleteOn the project I'm working on now, I started trying to build a library to switch out symbols, but have kind of abandoned that because they're tricky to work with, especially to get the kind of motion you're creating. great work.
Jenn - fantastic! I love your blog and I thought it was only a matter of time before you animated your characters. Just amazing and inspiring!
ReplyDeleteBill
Thanks, Sally.
ReplyDeleteThat book has really helped me when it comes to timing (and how to make stuff look fluid).
I know what you mean about swapping symbols. When it works, it's great, but I've run into problems too. Sometimes they won't swap. Or they will swap but there's an offset.
Thanks for visiting and commenting, Bill. I appreciate it!