Bouncing Ball: Previous Homework Changes
In the previous homework submission, there were two significant issues: the pacing and the rotation at the end of the animation.
Pacing
Pacing refers to the speed of animation, encompassing both fast and slow movements. It also pertains to the proximity of keyframes associated with different actions. When keyframes representing distinct actions are positioned closely together, the animation transitions between these actions rapidly.
Regarding the pacing, some frames caused the ball to jump too slowly, while others made it move too quickly, resulting in inconsistent motion. As for the rotation, the ball did not spin at the correct speed, which made the movement appear somewhat unnatural.
So then, I tried to fix these issues and the following is the outcome.
Pendulum: Reference
In this lesson, we created an animation of a pendulum. Although I had some prior experience with animation, I had never had the opportunity to animate a pendulum before. While it may seem simple at first, achieving perfection in the animation is more challenging than it appears. To ensure accuracy, I used my lanyard as a reference for testing the animation.
While it may not be as accurate as a real pendulum, it helped me better understand how the lanyard swings with minimal energy and how it eventually comes to a complete stop.
Pendulum: Planning
With this insight, I began drafting my pendulum animation.
My planning often differs from the final outcome. While the initial concept seems smooth, the actual animation does not always reflect that. I realise I need more practice to better understand these basic animations and to improve my planning for future projects.
Pendulum: Outcome
This is the result of my pendulum animation. I found the most challenging aspect to be the final phase, where the pendulum slows down and eventually comes to a stop. Additionally, I feel the speed in this version is a bit off, and I plan to make further adjustments after receiving feedback on Friday.
Tail Animation Exercise
In addition to the pendulum, I have been practicing tail animation in my spare time. This helps me better understand the movement, energy, and follow-through actions of a tail. I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I complete a tail GIF.
Pose Sketch
I have also created several sketches depicting various poses. I find the proportions of the human figure particularly challenging to render; when the proportions are incorrect, the overall representation appears distorted and unnatural. Moving forward, I will need to engage in further practice focused on observation and life drawing to enhance my skills.
I tried to make sure that each of these poses has the Line of Action.
Line of Action
Fig-1: Line of Action
The line of action is an imaginary line that represents the direction and motion of a character’s body, serving as the driving force behind their actions. A well-defined line of action enhances the character’s energy and liveliness, while also helping the audience anticipate what will happen next. For example, if a character is about to strike an object, the line of action must be clear and unobstructed, effectively conveying the imminent action.
Fig-2: Path of action – joshmctt.com
In the image above, the right cat is bent toward the left side while holding a weapon, indicating anticipation as it prepares to strike something on the right side. It demonstrates a clear line of action without overlapping, effectively conveying the forthcoming action.
Anticipation
Anticipation is a crucial element in animation, referring to the actions that occur before a primary movement. It provides the audience with clues about what will happen next, thereby enhancing the realism and vitality of the animation. Additionally, anticipation can serve as a transition between different shots. For instance, if a character raises their hand in one shot, it creates a connection to a subsequent shot where the character is prepared to punch someone. The following video offers a more detailed explanation of anticipation.