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Character Animation Video Tutorial Series

Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:02 pm
by GCharb
EDIT:
My video set is now available for pre order.
http://gcharb2d.blogspot.com/p/my-store.html


Hello everyone.

I am thinking of producing a commercial video series on animation.

Here are the chapters I have in mind at the moment, i would like your suggestions and input on the content so I can deliver something useful.

This series would come with many samples files in 6.x format.

Welcome
Introduction
Preferences
Shortcuts

The Tools
Introduction
The Tools Palette
Keyframes
Actions
Point Animation
Graph Editor
The Timeline
The sequencer

Blendmorph
Introduction
Blendmorph, The Basics
Blendmorph a head

The scripts
Introduction
How to Install Scripts
FKIK Script
Fazek Tools
Morphdials Script

Rigging
Introduction
Bones
Switch layers
Bind Layer Tool
Bind Points Tool
The default method
My method

The Principles of Animation
Introduction
Timing
Spacing
Arcs
Overlapping actions
Stretch and Squash
Weight

Methods
Introduction
Animate with passes
Workflow

Walk Cycles
Introduction
Simple walk Cycle
Advanced Walk Cycle
Adding Personality

Lipsynching and Facial expressions
Introduction
Anime Studio Automated Lipsynch
Papayago
My Workflow
Accents

[edit]
Full Project
Introduction
Scene Setup in 3D
Importing The Character's and props
Animating the Character, rough pass 1
Animating the Character, rough pass 2
Animating the Character, Overlapping action pass
Animating the Character, Point Animation pass
Animating the Character, Facial Expression pass
Animating the Character, Lipsynch pass
Animating the Character, Beauty pass

Rendering
Introduction
Render Setup
Rendering the stereo image files
Importing and compositing in a composition software
Final Output

Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:24 pm
by jonbo
Hey Gilles, this looks pretty comprehensive. Maybe they are already in one of the chapters you've listed, but I would like to see your take on backgrounds (constructing,animating) props, export formats, audio(other than lip sync) and post production shortcuts. Some of these might already be what you have in mind for some of the chapters you're proposing. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:50 pm
by GCharb
Hello jonbo.

My bad, did not put the right info.

The idea is to have a full series on rendering, including post production in a compositing software, maybe one of the free ones.

Several would be free to download, so peoples would get a good idea before they order.

The 29.95 USD is to justify all the works this implies, otherwise I would make it free.

Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 9:03 pm
by jonbo
I think the price is about right. If I remember right, that's what Parker charged for his background tutorial and it's much less than the AS training course on Content Paradise. And this would be a massive undertaking. My decision to buy will be dependent on my financial situation at the time you have it ready.

Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 9:11 pm
by GCharb
Got a few things to do at the moment, in a few days, if peoples are interested I will start posting the free videos, so peoples have an idea of what it will be.

[edit] Feel free to suggest anything you think is missing to that list!

Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 9:44 pm
by SvenFoster
Hi Giles, The workflow stuff really appeals to me; ie. the full project, animation passes etc. the more traditional aspects of animation really.

I'm particularly keen on how a larger animation is achieved involving several shots or scenes and how they are glued together.

I'm not an easy man to part with his hard earned cash, a quick learner, a man that doesnt buy the book because I've browsed through it at the shop..some times I buy if the book has a few things I didnt know..

If your videos can cater for the more involved stuff.. I'll gladly hand over my money. If they are going to only cover stuff that people can get from the manuals(if they read)... no good. Based on your blog Im sure the delivery style would be great.

Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 11:15 pm
by hayasidist
Hi Gilles.

could be a very useful resource. I'm in the "maybe" camp at present.

about how long do you foresee each chapter (or maybe the whole set) to be?

how will the videos be delivered to the customers? (DVD? online for download? online only?...)

what level of experience are you pitching at?

you've said examples in AS 6.x, - will that be ASD or ASP? and what about updates for features added in later AS versions?

Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 11:18 pm
by jaakay
Hi Giles,

I would be very interested in your tutorials, especially anything work flow related. Its always good to see how the experts get from A to B.

Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 11:55 pm
by JaMike
If it has ALL that content, yes, I'd pay for it. And I'd think I was getting a bargain.

Currently there's no properly defined method of animating with the user-made tools, it's all "use whichever tools you want and find your own way" - I don't have time to find my own way, I want to know how experienced people are using Anime Studio and I want to copy them. THEN I will adjust the method to suit my way of working.

Go for it, Gilles!

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 12:47 am
by funksmaname
That's a LOT of content for a fantastic price... I think something this comprehensive could be very successful!

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 3:22 am
by GCharb
Thanks for the many replies, and here to answer a few questions.

There haven't been too many advances since 6.2 as far as character animation goes, which is why the files will be 6.2, so that those who have not upgraded can take advantage of the work files, I want it to be accessible to all users from 6.2 and up!

The plan is to have a good, working explanation of the different tools needed, then workflow, workflow, workflow. With solid and well drawn examples, you all saw the level of character development I can mustard.

Speaking of workflow, for those who do not go on the Animator's forum, Mike Kelley has created very good videos showing his workflow for his Family Guy type of cartoons, well worth checking.

http://www.animatorsforum.com in the members tutorial section.

I have several type of workflow in mind, at least two should get into the set.

My assessment for the length of the set runs between 8 and 12 hours of video. These would be available for download, but since they will get rather large, I would probably offer a DVD version delivered by regular mail, though this would add a bit to the cost, blank DVDs are cheap, but postage is not!

There is plenty of beginners tutorials out there, so these would be more in the line of intermediate to advanced.

The final project should have at least 3-4 scenes that will be put together in an external composition software. I also want to make it a stereoscopic composition, as it is a big thing these days.

Anyone want to suggest a free compostion software, preferably one that runs on both Windows and Mac? If not, I will probably do it in After Effects, as it has great tools for stereoscopic work.

I think it is important to have a good look at some of the great animation scripts that we're created by AS users, and as you must have seen in my tutorials so far, I am always giving full credits to peoples, the creators will be fully respected and hopefully this will bring more attention to their work.

I use AS Pro, not Debut, but most of the Techniques should work in Debut.

My goal is not to set a standard, but just to give users a way to have a god look at animating characters in Anime Studio and be able to learn one thing at a time, so the video set will be set in categories.

If you have more questions, please, ask away!

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:20 am
by JaMike
GCharb wrote:I think it is important to have a good look at some of the great animation scripts that we're created by AS users
Absolutely. Maybe even a comparison between the normal workflow and the enhanced workflow, so people can see why they are so much better. But maybe that should be in a separate section, so it's not confusing.

Would it be worth making a single script pack from all the good scripts, to go with this tutorial? It would have the advantage of freezing those scripts in time, so if they get updated by their owners, they don't break this tutorial?

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:13 pm
by GCharb
I have included a section on scripts I think are important for character animation, like Fazek tools, FKIK by capricorn33 and of course rudiger Morphdials, which, in my opinion, is the most advanced script ever made by a user.

If anyone want to suggest another script that is related to character animation that they think should be included, please let us know.

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 5:23 pm
by GCharb
For the final project, I was thinking of something inspired from the Kung-Fu Panda opening sequence.

The opening shot with Po walking toward the bridge would look awesome in stereo, and maybe 1 or 2 sequences inspired by the combat scenes.

[edit]
Link deleted

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 6:29 pm
by capricorn33
GCharb wrote:For the final project, I was thinking of something inspired from the Kung-Fu Panda opening sequence.

The opening shot with Po walking toward the bridge would look awesome in stereo, and maybe 1 or 2 sequences inspired by the combat scenes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsMB0JEnfD4

Wow - this sounds reaaally cool. I was going to ask you about the style you were thinking of for you demo shots... but you got there before me and answered it. :) Kung Fu Panda opening sequence is a perfect choice, I think.

I'm personally most interested in the latter part of your list, the "project" part - since what I am really most curious about is to see what your workflow and process are like and how you make these shots come together.
Still, I would be happy to pay the 30 bucks you are asking for. It's a bargain! :)

A little suggestion to your list... since you are focusing much on workflow issues...
"Planning it out" is a section I feel is missing...

cheers!