Animation Blog Post

Hello there Everyone!

Below is a list of links to the animation blog posts I've created, which includes the link to my reel video. While attending courses at the University of Hertfordshire. I was planning to complete my Master's at that university, but due to changes in the situation, I've decided to pursue a postgraduate certificate instead. It is uncertain whether I will return to this institution or go back to school to pursue my master's degree, but for now, I choose to focus on other priorities to further my goals. I have no complaints or regrets about my time in Hertfordshire, as I learned important techniques and lessons and even formed some memorable bonds along the way. Please enjoy the animations you are about to see, and I welcome your comments and replies anytime.

Animation Blogpost 1: https://www.tumblr.com/animationblogposts/815704242482544640/animation-blog-post-1-the-fox-rig?source=share

Animation Blogpost 2: https://www.tumblr.com/animationblogposts/815704247119265792/animation-blog-post-2-the-leopard-rig?source=share

Animation Blogpost 3:

https://www.tumblr.com/animationblogposts/815765040035725312/animation-blog-post-3-the-horse-rig?source=share

Animation Blogpost 4: https://www.tumblr.com/animationblogposts/815830777977831424/animation-blog-post-4-the-horse-rig?source=share

Animation Blogpost 5: https://www.tumblr.com/animationblogposts/816222907141439488/animation-blog-post-5-the-spider-rig?source=share

Animation Blogpost 6: https://www.tumblr.com/animationblogposts/816222915455533056/animation-blog-post-6-the-crow-rig?source=share

Animation Blogpost 7: https://www.tumblr.com/animationblogposts/816408645558583296/animation-software-3d-rig-tutorial-the?source=share

Animation Blogpost 8: https://www.tumblr.com/animationblogposts/816673173508636672/animation-blog-post-8-the-dinosaur-rig?source=share

Animation Blogpost 9:

https://www.tumblr.com/animationblogposts/816678240601128960/animation-blog-post-9?source=share

Animation Blogpost 10: https://www.tumblr.com/animationblogposts/816718026024058880/animation-blog-post-10-animate-a-3d-scorpion?source=share

Video Reel Link:

This is the 10th blog post of my animation journey. My task this time is to create a short animation of a 3D Scorpion Rig.

Learning Objectives

Decoding Scorpion Locomotion: Examine the fundamental principles of scorpion movement. Explore the nuances of their creeping and crawling, uncovering the key elements that define these arachnids.

Introduction to the Freeware Scorpion Rig: Familiarise yourself with the freeware scorpion rig, designed to simplify the animation process while capturing the essence of scorpion locomotion. Learn where to find and download the rig, and explore its features and controls to optimise your animation workflow.

Simplified Animation Techniques: Explore techniques to make scorpion animation as simple as possible. Break down the intricate movements into manageable steps, focusing on a systematic approach that ensures efficiency without compromising on the realism of scorpion motion.

Hands-on Tutorial – Scorpion Animation: A hands-on tutorial where you'll animate a scorpion in motion. Begin by understanding the basic principles of scorpion locomotion, starting with a single leg. Discover the art of copying and pasting curves to efficiently replicate movements across all legs, bringing your animated scorpion to life.

Animation Software: IClone 8 3D by Reallusion

3D Rig: Scorpion.Iprop by infinityPBR

Tutorial: (password: apprentice)

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3

Scorpion Tutorial Part 4

Part 5:

Part 6:

Part 7:

The Outcome:

Blog:

The scorpion animation presented the same difficulty as the spider animation. They were very similar, almost mirroring each other's movements, except for one slight difference. The difference being that, with the scorpion, there was a bit more attention to detail in its tail and front pincers. There was also a bit of difficulty with the way the animation was conveyed, as I had to make sure that my scorpion animation wasn't ending up moving almost like a crab just because of its size, but I think I was able to get that done without much divergence from relying on the references that I was using.

Images from the Animation:

Image 1: View of the scorpion along with the camera and background used for the animation.

Image 2: an in-depth look at the Keyframe animation done to the Scorpion.

The References and other tutorial vids:

What new techniques and practices are arising in the animation industry:

"Stylization Techniques in Non-Photorealistic Animation" (2023) Summary: The article surveys new stylization algorithms in non-photorealistic rendering (NPR) used in animation. Techniques like shader-based outlines, brushstroke simulation, and AI-driven style transfer are explored, with examples from recent animated films and games.

This is the 9th blog post of my animation journey. My task this time is to create a short animation of a 3D Butterfly Rig.

Learning Objectives

Understanding Butterfly Flight Principles: Uncover the unique principles that govern their graceful motion, from the rhythmic flapping of wings to the subtle maneuvers that define their flight.

Introduction to the Truong Butterfly Rig: Familiarise yourself with the Truong Butterfly Rig, a freeware gem designed to bring the charm of butterflies to your animations. Learn where to find and download the rig, as well as how to navigate its features and controls for optimal animation results.

Creating a Motion Cycle: Create a seamless motion cycle for butterfly animation. Explore techniques to capture the fluidity of wing movement and ensure a lifelike, continuous flutter that adds authenticity to your animated butterflies.

Hands-on Tutorial – Butterfly Animation: A step-by-step tutorial that guides you through the process of animating a butterfly in motion. Learn how to create a motion cycle, seamlessly attach it to a motion path, and bring your butterfly to life in a dynamic scene complete with sets and props.

Animation Software: IClone 8 3D by Reallusion

3D Rig: Butterfly_02.iavatar by game-ready

Tutorial: (password: apprentice)

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

The Outcome:

Blog:

The butterfly animation project was kind of similar to the bird motion assignment, but was definitely on the easy side, to be honest. I didn't want it to be so complicated, the way that I did the bird animation, so I simply only had to go from one pillar to the other, highlighting the effectiveness of its wings. Though, to be quite honest, from the view that I took from the camera, it seemed almost like watching a bee at work rather than a butterfly. I tried my best to model it after the reference videos I collected, but more often than not, I end up altering it more and more, and it becomes something I really don't want in the end. I tweaked a few things in the animation and left the rest as is to avoid glitches. Less is better, and I learned not to overcomplicate things on something as simple as a butterfly animation. I think in the future, maybe to keep it more realistic, I should have it interact with a living creature, like a human, stretching out its finger for the butterfly to land.

Images from the Animation:

Image 1: Refers to the outside view of the background, showcasing the butterfly in the distance with the camera pointing on top of it, as well as the two blocks representing its start and finishing line.

Image 2: Showcasing the keyframe animation done to the butterfly.

The References and other tutorial vids:

What new techniques and practices are arising in the animation industry:

"Motion Capture Technologies: Recent Developments and Applications in Animation" (2023) Summary: This comprehensive review traces the evolution of motion capture technology, focusing on recent advances in markerless systems and wearable sensors. The article evaluates their impact on character animation for film, games, and virtual production.

This is the 8th blog post of my animation journey. My task this time is to create a short animation of a dinosaur walk.

Learning Objectives

Principles of Bipedal Dinosaur Locomotion: Explore the biomechanics that defined the way dinosaurs walked, ran, and roamed their ancient landscapes. Gain insights into the distinctive characteristics that make dinosaur animation a captivating challenge.

Introduction to the Dino Rig: Familiarise yourself with the Dino Rig, a freeware resource designed to empower animators in creating realistic dinosaur movements. Learn the ropes of downloading, navigating, and maximizing the features and controls of this versatile rig.

Optimizing Animation Workflow: Master the fundamentals of animation workflow tailored to bipedal dinosaurs. From understanding weight distribution to mimicking lifelike gestures, discover techniques that elevate your animation projects to cinematic levels.

Hands-on Tutorial – Dinosaur Animation: A practical tutorial that guides you through the process of animating a bipedal dinosaur in motion. Use the Dino Rig to bring your dinosaur to life, focusing on key movements and gestures that capture the essence of these ancient creatures.

Animation Software: IClone 8 3D by Reallusion

3D Rig: Tyrannosaurus Rex by 4toonstudio

Tutorial: (password: apprentice)

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

Part 6:

The Outcome:

Blog:

This particular Dinosaur animation assignment had its fair share of difficulties, most of which were just going back and forth with the tutorial videos, which included me doing the exact same type of exercise on the references I was looking up as well. Another key thing was that I was using my own 3D software with this again, just to speed up the process. As I mentioned, while most animation software programs share a similar layout, their utility and usage evolve over time. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this animation, as I was glad it went back to 2 legs on the floor rather than me working with 4 or even 8 at the same time. It feels a bit repetitive; maybe it would have helped to bring it to life more if I had given it a bit of a roar at the end, like in the Jurassic Park film. It could have been more impactful if it had also been looking for prey to hunt and eat. Perhaps, someday in the future, I can save that for an even more monstrous creature rig.

Images from the Animation:

Image 1: A wider view of the Dinosaur animation featuring the dino rig used, the background and the camera.

Image 2: A in depth look at the keyframe animation done to the dino-rig model.

The References and other tutorial vids:

What new techniques and practices are arising in the animation industry:

"Real-Time Animation Rendering with Ray Tracing" (2023) Summary: The article presents breakthroughs in real-time ray tracing for animation, analyzing how new GPU architectures enable dynamic lighting and reflections during production. Case studies from game studios illustrate the practical benefits and challenges of integrating ray tracing into existing pipelines.

This is the 7th blog post of my animation journey. My task this time is to create a short animation of a horse using live action as a reference.

Learning Objectives

Understanding Live Action Reference: Explore the art of using live action reference to infuse your animations with authenticity and lifelike motion. Learn how observing real-world movement enhances your understanding of weight, balance, and nuanced expressions in animation.

Importing Live Action Reference in Autodesk Maya: Unlock the secrets of seamlessly importing live action reference into Autodesk Maya. Explore techniques to sync live footage with your animation workspace, laying the foundation for a more intuitive and realistic animation process.

Introduction to the Mothman TD Horse Rig: Familiarise yourself with the Mothman TD horse rig, a versatile and free resource that enables you to animate horses with unparalleled realism. Learn how to download and navigate the rig's features.

Hands-on Tutorial – Horse Rearing Animation: A practical tutorial where you'll bring a horse to life through a dynamic rearing animation. Explore the intricacies of using live action reference in Maya, from importing and syncing footage to translating the motions onto the Mothman TD rig.

Animation Software: IClone 8 3D by Reallusion

3D Rig: Horse.iAvatar by Reallusion

Tutorial: (password: apprentice)

Part 1:

Part 2:

The Outcome:

Blog:

The horse animation process, along with the live-action video as a guide, was definitely reminiscent of my 'Horse Trotting' animation assignment. It was equally difficult, and I should say just as easy a process from my perspective. The video reference of an actual horse trot was very helpful; it allowed me to identify the spacing and timing of each movement the horse made, rather than relying on instinct and a rinse-and-repeat process. That said, new things and solutions aren't without their problems. While the live-action background did help, it was kind of constricting for me and, in a way, made my animation a bit more robotic than before. I tried the strategy of maybe winging a bit of the movement myself and making it more exaggerated, but it proved to be more trouble than it's worth. So after some careful experimenting, I went back to just using the Live-action reference. I would like to practice with something a little less complicated, like a 'human' for starters.

Images from the Animation:

Image 1: Displays the background layout along with the Live-action background and horse, as well as the 3 cameras used to render the animation in 3 different angles.

Image 2: Shows the length of time it took to animate the horse using the live-action footage as its guide.

The References and other tutorial vids:

What new techniques and practices are arising in the animation industry:

"Procedural Generation in 3D Animation: Current Trends and Future Directions" (2023) Summary: This paper examines the use of procedural generation algorithms in 3D animation, highlighting their impact on efficiency and creativity. It covers terrain generation, crowd simulation, and automatic rigging, demonstrating how procedural tools are enabling animators to create complex scenes with less manual input.

This is the 6th blog post of my animation journey. My task this time is to create a short animation of a Crow.

Learning Objectives

Decoding Avian Locomotion: Explore the principles governing bird flight. Uncover the unique challenges posed by animating creatures that defy gravity.

Freeware Bird Rigs Introduction: Familiarise yourself with the array of freeware bird rigs accessible on the web. Discover their features, controls, and how these rigs can be used to create bird animations.

Optimizing Animation Workflow: Learn the art of efficient animation workflow as we guide you through the process of animating a crow in flight.

Hands-on Tutorial – Crow in Flight Animation: A detailed tutorial where you'll animate a crow taking flight. Learn how to create a seamless motion cycle, leverage infinity curves for continuous motion, attach your bird to a dynamic motion path, and import immersive sets and props to enhance your animation.

Animation Software: IClone 8 by Reallusion

3D Rig: Bird Crow by PROTOFACTOR from Reallusion's MARKETPLACE.

Tutorial:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

The Outcome:

Blog:

I definitely enjoyed this animation assignment; the crow's flight animation was quite challenging. The tutorials were used primarily for reference, along with other videos, to more closely mimic a real bird. Trial and error, but I know that I couldn't keep doing it forever, so I just decided to leave what I had and proceed on continuing with the animation. I used a motion path tool to guide the crow throughout the background, and then placed a camera right behind it. The camera was lagging just enough to illustrate the perspective of the crow's flight from a near 1st-person point of view, while multiple cameras captured different shots of the crow flying in different parts of the cemetery. This was probably one of the 1st times I ever did a tracking shot of a moving character or object, and in the near future, I would like to explore it a bit more.

Images from the Animation:

Image 1: A wide shot of the background, which is the Cemetery where the crow will be animated to fly around in.

Image 2: A close-up of the animated motion path line that is used to guide the 'Crow,' as well as the Camera used to follow and track the bird all throughout the animation.

Image 3: an inside look at the timeline keyframe work of the crow animation, as well as the cameras that were used in taking various shots of the crow animation.

The References and other tutorial vids:

What new techniques and practices are arising in the animation industry:

Procedural Animation for Realistic Crowd Behavior" (2022) Summary: This study presents new procedural animation techniques for simulating realistic crowd behaviors in animation. It introduces agent-based models and machine learning approaches that allow for scalable, believable group motion in complex environments.

This is the 5th blog post of my animation journey. My task this time is to create a short animation of a Spider.

Learning Objectives

Understanding Arachnid Locomotion: Study the nuances of spider movement. Learn how spiders navigate their world, the subtleties of their leg articulation, and the secrets behind their seamless motion.

Introduction to the Raa Spider Rig: Familiarise yourself with the Raa spider rig, a powerful tool that simplifies the animation process. Discover its features, controls, and how it can elevate your animation projects.

Optimizing Animation Workflow: Master the art of efficient animation workflow by breaking down the spider animation process into manageable steps. Explore techniques to streamline your work and enhance the overall quality of your animations.

Hands-on Tutorial – Animating Spider Motion: A comprehensive tutorial that guides you through the process of animating spider motion using the Raa rig. Start with a single leg, understanding the principles of leg movement, and then seamlessly propagate your animation across all eight legs using smart copying and pasting of curves.

Animation Software: Autodesk Maya

3D Rig: raa spider 1.0.1 for Maya by radheshatlar

Tutorial: (password: apprentice)

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

The Outcome:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qN23--diX83yemX6CrdftmQED7te1VNG/view?usp=drive_link

Blog:

The animation I did for this specific spider was by far one of the easiest I've done so far. What made it most convenient for me was that the legs are nearly mirror images of each other, with some a couple of frames behind or ahead of the others. One of the main difficulties that I find with animating this particular creature was making sure that the legs themselves, whether that be the 2 in the front or in the back, were not colliding with one another. Although I must say it wasn't much of a challenge in itself. I do think the key takeaway I found in this tutorial is the rhythm of the spider's movement. These include the butt of the spider moving up and down like a tail, while its mouth pincers go equally up and down like extended horns. Every part of this spider, every extension has a movement and almost a synchronized mind of its own, the animation, like I said, was simple, but I think if I didn't review the tutorials and past references more times than not, I would have been lost in the execution.

Images from the Animation:

Image 1: Displays 2 different perspectives, a close-up of the 'Spider Rig' and a wider shot of the obstacles that the spider maneuvers in.

Image 2: Shows a transition graph from X, Y and Z of the Camera

Image 3: Shows various parts of the spider from both mirror sides of its 8 legs in a transition graph from X, Y, and Z.

The References and other tutorial vids:

What new techniques and practices are arising in the animation industry:

"Cloud-Based Collaboration in Animation Production" (2022) Summary: This paper analyzes the shift toward cloud-based tools for collaborative animation production. It discusses benefits such as real-time teamwork and resource sharing, along with challenges like data security and version control.

This is the 4th blog post of my animation journey. My task this time is to create a short animation of a horse doing a Quadruped Run.

Learning Objectives

Principles of Quadrupeds in Motion: Continue your exploration of the principles that define the motion of quadrupeds, understanding the nuances that contribute to the realistic portrayal of running. Explore the distinctive characteristics that set running animations apart.

Animating Quadruped Gallops: Learn the art of animating a quadruped in a galloping motion. Explore techniques to convey the energy, speed, and power of a running horse, understanding the specific movements and transitions that define a gallop.

Introduction to the Mothman TD Horse Rig: Reacquaint yourself with the Mothman TD Horse Rig, a versatile resource that serves as your key to crafting dynamic quadruped animations.

Hands-on Tutorial – Horse Gallop Animation: A step-by-step tutorial where you'll animate a horse in a spirited gallop using the Mothman TD Horse Rig. Apply the principles of quadruped galloping to create a visually captivating animation that showcases the speed, grace, and power of a running horse.

Animation Software: IClone 8 by Reallusion

3D Rig: Horse.iAvatar by Reallusion

Tutorial: (password: apprentice)

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

The Outcome:

Blog:

I decided to switch the usual software used in class and, this time, try the execution on another software I'm more familiar with. This time, I decided to use 'IClone 8', another 3D software program that works well with 'Autodesk Maya', although I have not explored that path just yet. Conveniently enough, the software came with its own premade 3D objects, props, and characters, including a horse rig I could use for the assignment. It's always a challenge when you're trying to adjust to different tools while following a tutorial or instruction. For the most part, I was able to follow through on most of the instructions, but midway, I think around part 3, is when I decided to diverge a bit and decided to maybe look at other references instead of ending up with something that looked a bit too rigid and maybe too constructive, kind of like what I ended up with last 'Horse' assignment. That last one felt a bit too rigid, especially when it came down to the horse running past the barn. So from then on, I decided to look at the references instead to see how the outcome might have changed. For the most part, I think I was able to come up with something that feels a bit of my own. I do feel that if I start trying to come up with something in my own way, I'd be able to create something a bit more original and unique.

Images from the Animation:

Image 1: Wide view angle featuring the horse and 3 panels placed as its background. The camera is also seen at a good distance just left of the horse rig.

Image 2: A timeline of the objects, props, and, of course, rigs used within the animation. These also include a frame-by-frame key for the horse and camera rig, where the animation is primarily focused.

The References and other tutorial vids:

What new techniques and practices are arising in the animation industry:

"Virtual Reality Interfaces for Animation Design" (2022) Summary: This research investigates the role of VR interfaces in animation production, showing how immersive tools enhance animator productivity and creative exploration. User studies reveal improved spatial awareness and efficiency in posing and manipulating 3D characters.

This is the 3rd blog post of my animation journey. My task this time is to create a short animation of a horse trotting away.

Learning Objectives

Principles of Quadruped Trotting: Study the nuances of quadruped trotting, unraveling the fundamental principles that govern this distinctive gait. Understand the unique characteristics of trotting and how they contribute to the dynamic and rhythmic movement of quadrupeds.

Animating Quadruped Trots: Learn the art of animating a quadruped in a trotting motion. Explore techniques to capture the fluidity and grace of trotting, understanding the specific movements and pacing that define this energetic gait.

Introduction to the Mothman TD Horse Rig: Familiarise yourself with the Mothman TD Horse Rig, a freeware resource designed to enhance your quadruped animation endeavours. Discover where to find and download the rig, and explore its features and controls tailored for animating horses in various dynamic poses.

Hands-on Tutorial – Horse Trot Animation: A step-by-step tutorial where you'll animate a horse in a lively trot using the Mothman TD Horse Rig. Apply the principles of quadruped trotting to create a realistic and visually captivating animation.

The Mothman TD Horse Rig - by Carlos Contreras 

Software: Autodesk Maya

Tutorial: (password: apprentice)

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

The Outcome:

Blog:

The horse animation was another project very similar to the 'Leopard Rig' Animation. Diving deep into the animation, I didn't have much trouble. The first couple of steps for animating the horse were quite informative and easy to follow. What proved very difficult for me to understand was actually performing the walk for the horse's front and hind legs. Like the leopard, I had a bit of difficulty keeping to the tutorial's instructions and actually doing the 'Walking Phase' of the animation. That part in particular is where I struggled the most, especially when it came down to actually keeping the horse's hind and front legs in the right position to make the walk actually convincing and not something that seemed glitched out.

The tail, along with the head and neck area, wasn't really that difficult, although it was a bit of a challenge to make sure the movement involved the head leaning back and forth didn't look like it was being jolted really hard. The tail itself was easy enough to manage. I imported a barn into the scene to simulate the horse running past objects; it still looks quite a bit off, but it was the best I could do at the moment. Will have to see what I can do about it in the near future, should I get a chance again to do something like this.

Images from the Animation:

Image 1: An outer view of the animation, featuring the barn house and the horse rig.

Image 2: Two different variations of the horse rig, the left side featuring a clean horse without anything featured and attached to it. Meanwhile, the right side features various types of Nurves and Surfaces, including different rigs for each part of the horse.

Image 3: Features all the animated parts of the horse rig from the X, Y, and Z angles. These animated parts include the head, the neck, the tail, and, of course, the front and back legs. The consistent animation process was achieved using the pre- and post-infinity cycle feature.

Reference:

What new techniques and practices are arising in the animation industry:

"Advances in Computer Animation Techniques for Feature Films" (2022) Summary: This review article explores recent developments in computer animation for feature films, focusing on improvements in rendering, motion capture, and AI-based animation. It discusses the transition from traditional keyframing to procedural and physics-based approaches, and how studios have leveraged these technologies to produce more lifelike and emotionally resonant characters.

This is the 2nd blog post of my animation journey. Here, I was tasked with creating a short animation of a leopard walking in place.

Learning Objectives

Animal Anatomy Deep Dive: Explore animal anatomy, focusing on the major differences between various quadrupeds. Understand how anatomical variations impact movement and behaviour, providing a solid foundation for realistic animation.

Planning Quadruped Animation: Learn the essential principles of planning and executing quadruped animation. Develop a reliable workflow that ensures efficiency and consistency in bringing your animated creatures to life.

Quadruped Walk Fundamentals: Delve into the basics of quadruped walks, uncovering the common principles that underlie the movement of all four-legged creatures. Gain insights into the nuances of gait and posture that contribute to the realism of quadruped animation.

Introduction to the Leopard Rig by Truong: Familiarise yourself with the free and versatile Leopard Rig by Truong, a powerful resource tailored for animating quadrupeds. Learn where to find and download the rig, and explore its features and controls designed to optimize your quadruped animation workflow.

Hands-on Tutorial – Leopard Animation: A practical tutorial where you'll animate a leopard in motion using the Leopard Rig. Apply the principles learned in quadruped walks to create a realistic and dynamic animation, highlighting the fact that all quadrupeds share fundamental walking patterns.

 3D Leopard Rig - by Truong

Software: 3D Maya

TUTORIAL: (password: apprentice)

PART 1:

PART 2:

Part 3:

The Outcome:

Blog:

The Leopard was a bit of a challenge compared to the fox. Unlike, say, animating a person's two legs while their arms sway, this time it's about managing 4 legs at once while making sure the tail moves in the right direction. I did have a bit of difficulty with the leopard's legs. Animating them at first was pretty straightforward. The difficulty was keeping track of which leg I had animated and which I was working on. I've had to redo a couple of steps, or nearly the whole step, to avoid confusion and ensure I'm doing it correctly. Though down the road, as much as I'd like to correct the steps I've made, I just decided it was best to move on with what I've gotten thus far. Aside from the tutorial, I tried my best to copy the movements I saw in a video of an actual 'leopard' walking as closely as I could. Maybe to make it a bit more lifelike, I should add a bit of yawning in there to add a bit of depth to it, and even some pouncing around should help as well.

Images from the Animation:

Image 1: Outer view of the leopard with the 3 colored panel.

Image 2: Two different variations of the leopard, the 1st image is the leopard without all of the nurve curves and surfaces including the bone rigs for the body and tail, while the right side has all of that.

Image 3: Features all the animated parts of the leopard, from the head, neck area, to the legs and tail rig, from frame 1 to 99, each frame is that of the X, Y, and Z angles, with a repetitive pre and post infinity cycle.

Reference:

What new techniques and practices are arising in the animation industry:

"Deep Learning for Automatic Inbetweening in 2D Animation" (2021) Summary: The authors propose a deep learning framework for automating the inbetweening process in traditional 2D animation. Experimental results show the model can generate high-quality intermediate frames, greatly reducing manual labor.

What new techniques and practices are arising in the animation industry:

Overview:

This is the first blog post of my animation journey. Here, I was tasked with creating a short animation of a limbless fox with a bouncing tail.

Learning Objectives:

Flexibility and Overlapping Action Essentials: Delve into the foundational principles of flexibility and overlapping action in animation. Understand how these elements contribute to the fluidity and expressiveness of character movement, breathing life into your animated creations.

Introduction to the Ultimate Tailed Rig: Familiarise yourself with the "Ultimate Tailed" Rig, a specialised resource crafted to enhance your understanding and application of flexibility and overlapping action in animation.

Cartoony Animation Techniques: Explore techniques to infuse a touch of whimsy into your animations. Understand how to leverage the cartoony nature of the Ultimate Tailed Rig to create lively and entertaining tail animations that resonate with charm and character.

Hands-on Tutorial – Fox Tail Animation: A step-by-step tutorial that guides you through the process of animating a fox's tail using the Ultimate Tailed Rig in Maya. Learn how to apply flexibility and overlapping action principles to create fun and expressive animations.

The Foxy Tail Rig - by Ugur Ulvi Yetiskin

Software: Maya 3D

The tutorial: (password: apprentice)

The Outcome (Actual Video):

Images from the Animation:

Image 1: Wide shot of the animation, featuring the 3 panels used for the background and the fox.

Image 2: A closer shot of two different perspectives, the 1st fox featuring all the animation rigs, nurvs curves, bone rigs, etc., and the 2nd Fox featuring nothing at all.

Image 3: The selected animation rig of the Fox, featuring all the repeated transition curves for X, Y, and Z as well as for each part of the fox, from the tail to the main head.

BLOG:

This fox animation is quite easy to manage, compared to others that I've come across in the program. I was able to get through most of the tutorial with very little difficulty, but it became increasingly difficult once I had to work on the fox's tail. The tail itself definitely had a life of its own. I had to be extremely careful in working on that specific part of the animation, or else I would be in deep trouble. On several occasions, while going back and forth with the video, I made a couple of mistakes with the tail; sometimes the motion would come either too late or too early. I've made the animation as well as I could. I've made some comparisons of how a fox moves, including the one below, and I think it's pretty similar. Although, in all honesty, because of the shape of the fox, I believe that it resembles more of a bouncing ball or even a baby squirrel. Perhaps, maybe in the future, when I come across another animal animation assignment, I will keep this one as a reference and try to create something entirely unique.

References:

Bouncing Ball Reference:

Fox Trot Movement:

What new techniques and practices are arising in the animation industry:

"AI-Driven Lip Sync and Facial Animation in Modern Animation Pipelines" (2021) Summary: This study explores artificial intelligence applications for automating lip sync and facial animation. By using neural networks trained on speech and facial data, the authors demonstrate significant improvements in synchronization and expressiveness, reducing production costs and time.