25/11/2015 - Animation Update

Week 12

Animation Update

Sword Animation Update

Below is a link to my sword swing animation update.

https://youtu.be/pgyDc-_mwvc 

Today I got feedback on both my animations from the lecturer and the above video is after I have taken this feedback on board. Some of the feedback I received referred to the swing of the sword, it was suggested that I should make it one smooth swing as opposed to the way it was before with a pause to emphasis the character pulling on it to bring it back down. I have also made the legs less stagnant during the whole thing to bring a more natural feel to it.

Magic Spell Update

Below is a link to my sword swing animation update.

https://youtu.be/N4eXs2bgpfI 

Feedback for thios was to again, do more with the legs and add some follow through when the character claps his hands together, this is to emphasis the great power being expelled from his hands.

Both of these animations are near to completion and I'm happy that I'll have 4 completed show reel animations come the end of this project. 

18/11/2015 - Animation Update

Week 11

Animation Update

Below is a link to my update, it is a playblast from Maya.

https://youtu.be/nJ5USGB-3Ck

So far I have struggled with the sword animation, it is almost complete though and I have begun the magic spell animation.  I am finding it easier this time around because I have looked up tutorials on using the graph editor and although I'm not getting the best results I believe I can achieve from the graph editor, I have seen a cleaner side to my key framing techniques which is positive and much needed. I believe that my following three animations will be smoother and better constructed.

Next week I aim to have the sword and magic spell animation 90% completed and have started one of the other two animations required of me. 

11/11/2015 - Animation Update

Week 10

Animation Update

Below is a link to my update, it is a playblast from Maya.

https://youtu.be/CGftU09wX_I

So far today I have taken my 3D animatic for the heavy sword swing and I have added further poses at the beginning and also the timing has been sorted out. For the end of today I am aiming to have the whole animation fleshed out and in the proper timing, I fully expect there still to be a lot of tweaks left to make but I'm going to do each of my four animations one after the other in terms of weeks, I have five weeks till submission, the next three will be my following three animations and then that leaves me two weeks to finalize them and submit them.

The animation as it stands is going well, I have managed to get good animation for him limbering up before lifting up the heavy sword. The only problem though is that his feet don't move, that is something I will look into.

04/11/2015 - 3D Animatics

Week 09

3D Animatics

These are my 3D animatics below, I have found it a much more enjoyable experience doing animatics in 3D, it has given me more freedom to put the character in the poses that I desire with out having to focus on the drawing aspect of it.

The story in these animatics hasn't changed from the 2D animatics, it is more just the poses I have changed to help me visualize my final animation better.

Heavy Sword 3D Animatic

Below is a 3D version of my animatic of my character swinging a heavy sword 360 degrees.

https://youtu.be/1DojBViOvS8 

I am reasonably happy with this animatic but I feel that when I am doing my actual animation there will still be more opportunities for me to add exaggeration. I need to make the sword lead the character as it is being swung towards the floor. I also need to make the start more believable, I like the neck stretch but the arms stretching backwards doesn't quite work, that pose is something I will need to work on. I have the option of working with IK or FK for the hands and it is something I will discuss for each of my animatics. For the sword swing I have decided to use IK for the hands because I want to make the sword lead the arms which will be easier using IK's.

Run Into Object 3D Animatic

Below is a 3D version of my animatic of my character running into a wall and being knocked back. 

https://youtu.be/9EiFIJNWVfE

There isn't much I have to say about this animatic, the character runs into a wall and gets knocked onto his back. I will be using FK for the hands because the characters chest will be leading the animation when the character is bouncing off the wall. The hands will be following the body towards the ground.

Jumping Small Stream 3D Animatic

Below is a 3D version of my animatic of my character jumping across a small stream.

https://youtu.be/qzRD1QQ-Bm4

There again, isn't much for me to say about this 3D animatic. This 3D animatic process has been extremely beneficial for me to get the poses as close to what they will be in my final animation. I will be using IK for the hands for this animation because it will be easier for me when the character is struggling to get up and his hands will need to be planted on the ground.

Magic Spell 3D Animatic

Below is a 3D version of my animatic of my character casting an epic spell.

https://youtu.be/aGKWxl-khfw 

The inspiration for this epic spell cast has been more from martial arts and the Haka, (a battle cry/dance performed by ancient Maori tribes in New Zealand). I will be using FK for this animation because the hands are not needed to hold anything or even stay in the same place where the character puts his weight on them.

Feedback:

I have already covered feedback for each animatic earlier in this post that was given to me by the lecturer. Now I am moving onto animation. Hopefully for next week I can have a rough animation of one of my show reel pieces.