Making 2d animations?
by Tyler Slabinski · in Artist Corner · 05/19/2009 (8:03 pm) · 8 replies
Ok, so I am new the the 'art' concept of 2d game design. And I was wondering how everyone makes animations. I only need 2 animations of a human soldier walking either left or right and attacking with a sword.
So after some googling, researching, and a few answers I received from people, I understand one way I would like to do this. Making a 3d model, creating 3d animations of it, and taking some pictures and using them as templates.
I am very poor at rigging and animating, so I was hoping there were some already pre-made models rigged and animated. Preferably in a form Blender could import.
I am good at making static sprites, infact I make very good static sprites, I just need help trying this 3d model trick.
I actually only need these 2 animations for my entire game, and they do not even need to be animated, just rigged.
So after some googling, researching, and a few answers I received from people, I understand one way I would like to do this. Making a 3d model, creating 3d animations of it, and taking some pictures and using them as templates.
I am very poor at rigging and animating, so I was hoping there were some already pre-made models rigged and animated. Preferably in a form Blender could import.
I am good at making static sprites, infact I make very good static sprites, I just need help trying this 3d model trick.
I actually only need these 2 animations for my entire game, and they do not even need to be animated, just rigged.
#2
Under Addons -> Art Packs on this site. There are a several other things as well.
05/20/2009 (2:33 pm)
http://www.garagegames.com/products/adampackUnder Addons -> Art Packs on this site. There are a several other things as well.
#3
05/20/2009 (3:46 pm)
Something I do not need to pay for. I just need a rigged human, it does not need to have any textures or animations...
#4
No need to go the extra step of downloading a 3d rigged model.
Alternately, you can look up how-to's for walk cycles in 2d:
http://www.idleworm.com/how/anm/02w/walk1.shtml
-Dan
05/26/2009 (7:39 am)
Well, another solution to this is to do what other animators do - just look at video reference of people walking.No need to go the extra step of downloading a 3d rigged model.
Alternately, you can look up how-to's for walk cycles in 2d:
http://www.idleworm.com/how/anm/02w/walk1.shtml
-Dan
#5
But... if you really really really want to try out a rigged character in blender, then I would suggest using this:
http://www.blendernation.com/2008/06/02/generi-model-and-rig-ported-to-blender/
It's a classic and popular free maya rig ported over to blender.
But, you'll still need to either animate or simply pose the model yourself.
At least it's rigged tho :D
06/15/2009 (9:46 am)
I agree... if you don't know how to animate, then maybe animating a 3d model is a bad idea. Especially if all you want to do is take the poses and trace over them. As Daniel suggested, just try to dig up some reference for walk cycles and other frames of established 2d character motions.But... if you really really really want to try out a rigged character in blender, then I would suggest using this:
http://www.blendernation.com/2008/06/02/generi-model-and-rig-ported-to-blender/
It's a classic and popular free maya rig ported over to blender.
But, you'll still need to either animate or simply pose the model yourself.
At least it's rigged tho :D
#6
07/07/2009 (1:00 am)
The classic solution: build a green screen in your room, and take photographs of yourself walking. Then key out the green, and viola! Suddenly your game looks like Mortal Kombat.
#7
07/07/2009 (10:43 am)
Thanks, but no thanks. I have been using the 3d animation solution. I got the thing rigged, I just need to animate it... Anyone help me?
#8
well... its usually something that you just need to practice at. Timing is everything. The more you do it, the better and quicker you'll get at it. Animation isn't the kind of thing you can just pick up over night. Even if you, technically, know what to do. It's really an art, to do it well.
My best advice, I guess, is to either pick up a classical animation textbook... or try to dig up some animation tutorials. Even if it's for a different 3d app, it's ok. All you need is the proper theory. Also... going through classic Chuck Jones cartoons frame by frame will help you to understand how to give the impression of weight, squash and stretch, anticipation, etc.
07/28/2009 (2:03 pm)
help animating?well... its usually something that you just need to practice at. Timing is everything. The more you do it, the better and quicker you'll get at it. Animation isn't the kind of thing you can just pick up over night. Even if you, technically, know what to do. It's really an art, to do it well.
My best advice, I guess, is to either pick up a classical animation textbook... or try to dig up some animation tutorials. Even if it's for a different 3d app, it's ok. All you need is the proper theory. Also... going through classic Chuck Jones cartoons frame by frame will help you to understand how to give the impression of weight, squash and stretch, anticipation, etc.
Torque Owner Tyler Slabinski