ADVANCED ANIMATION - Final Project

 ADVANCED ANIMATION - FINAL PROJECT -

24.09.24 - .0.24

Dong Xinbei / 0359733

Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

LECTURE 

Please refer to Exercises.

INSTRUCTION

Figure 1.1 MIB

Final Project — Action Animation —

In the final project, my goal is to create a 5 to 10-second physical action animation using Blender. The core steps of the project include the following:

Character Exploration: Download and familiarize myself with the controls and features of the provided character rigs (Snow or Rain).

Action Reference and Planning: Choose a suitable action sequence (such as a fight or chase) and analyze the motion and emotions through video references. Create a storyboard to plan key moments and camera angles for better storytelling.

Sketching and Timing: Draw thumbnails of key poses and breakdown poses to define the flow and timing of the animation.

Scene Setup: Configure project parameters (24fps, 16:9 aspect ratio, HD720p resolution) and adjust the camera and scene layout to capture the best perspectives.

Initial Animation Pass: Create a blocking version using "Constant Key" interpolation to establish the key poses and breakdown poses, laying the foundation for the animation.

This project not only deepened my understanding of complex actions but also improved my skills in storyboarding, animation timing, and action performance.

   

Research and Analysis

Before starting the animation, I dedicate time to online research, searching for relevant action examples and reference materials. This not only helps me gain creative inspiration but also enables me to deeply understand how to design and execute the key elements of an action sequence. During my research, I focus on how professional animations manage timing, design poses, and ensure smooth transitions between movements.

I have learned many valuable techniques, such as enhancing visual impact through exaggerated movements and using emotional expressions to make a character's actions more vivid and lifelike. Additionally, I observed the subtle details in animations, such as the secondary movements of a character's body and the role of camera transitions in conveying emotions.

This research has laid a solid foundation for my creation, allowing me to plan the rhythm and style of the animation more clearly.

Figure 2.1 reference video in YouTube

DIGITALIZATION

After completing the initial research and preparation, I officially began animating the character provided by Mr. Kamal in Blender. It was crucial to precisely control the timing of the keyframes while ensuring the animation’s fluidity and natural feel. To achieve the desired outcome, I continuously adjusted the transitions between each pose, making sure to maintain the rhythm and overall consistency of the motion.

My first step was to set all the keyframes for the basic structure of the animation. This step helped me define the primary rhythm and motion path of the character. Next, I further refined the expression of each key pose, adjusting elements such as the character’s center of gravity and the extension angles of limbs to enhance the animation’s depth and realism. I made sure that each action adhered to the principles of physics, ensuring the motion appeared natural and seamless to the audience. Throughout the process, I continuously observed the animation and, at times, had to return to the starting point to redesign certain details.

Figure 2.2

Figure 2.3

After completing the setup of all the keyframes, I focused on adjusting the timeline to further optimize the timing of the actions, ensuring that the animation's rhythm and smoothness met the desired expectations. This step was crucial as it determined whether the transitions between movements felt natural and had a significant impact on the overall dynamic quality of the animation.

By refining the transitions, I was able to create smoother motion and enhance the animation's depth and overall coherence. Once the animation was finalized, I shifted my focus to camera setup and scene staging. To achieve the best results in this phase, I worked on everything from basic camera angles to advanced motion path settings. I experimented with various shooting angles and camera movements, aiming to better showcase the character's actions and emotions.

Throughout the entire process, I learned how different angles and camera movements could enhance the narrative quality of the visuals. I also came to deeply understand the importance of technical proficiency in bringing creative ideas to life. Although the experience was challenging, it laid a solid foundation for my future animation work and gave me a clearer understanding of my areas for growth and development.

Figure 2.4

Figure 2.5

Final Outcome

Figure 2.6 Final Outcome in YouTube

Reflection

This final project was both challenging and rewarding, providing me with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills I’ve gained throughout the course. During the process of creating the action animation, I encountered several difficulties, particularly in adjusting timing, setting keyframes, and planning camera movements. I found it quite challenging to make the animation smooth and natural, so I spent a lot of time making repeated adjustments and experimenting with different solutions. Although there’s still room for improvement in the final work, I’m pleased with the progress I made through persistent effort.

This project taught me the importance of perseverance and highlighted the value of thorough research and preparation. It allowed me to improve my technical animation skills and gave me more confidence in expressing my creativity. Overall, it was a valuable learning experience that not only strengthened my professional abilities but also left me excited about future creative projects.