Game Character Animation Process – Spinning Kick Slam
Spinning kick slam is a fighting action for game character animation. The character jumps forward, somersault spins in the air and slams on the opponent with his leg. Game character animation is mostly quick and easy to understand from all camera angles. This is unlike acting animation which has lots of expression through body language. In this post, I'll share: - Game Character Animation Result And Planning - 4 Human Mechanic's Applied Exclusive Bonus Material : Download '9 Tips To Effectively Apply Principle Of Animation For Game Character Animation' Game Character Animation Result And Planning I wanted to create a fighting action but I needed something more exciting. I wanted an action that has strong impact on the motion. Also, after watching SEA games, I wanted an action not just standing and fighting. So based on my game experience, I had a spin kick action in my mind. I drew it out and it looks like this. Now I've gotten my idea down on paper, I can work on my animation. Here are the comparison between my initial idea and my final pose. Standing idle pose has almost 100% similarity from idea to execution. Squatting pose has been slightly modified. Instead of left hand posed to the front, I've put the right hand on the ground. This allows the chest to be facing front, a better pose to look at the target. Leaping pose is only 50% similar. In my sketch, I realized that the torso twisted too early, so I maintained it to face the front. The arms are pointing down in my sketch which...
Animation Student Feeling Demotivated
Recently an animation student emailed me regarding his struggle. He has created his demo reel and yet, he is feeling lost. I must say that he's demo reel is pretty decent for a graduate. Have you felt like him before, feeling demotivated? How did you move on from there? I've took some time and given him my advise. I'm so glad I did, because my email not only helped him, but made my day as well! Animation Student's Struggle Shekhar recently completed his animation demo reel, which includes acting, walking, athlete action and more. I've watched the demo reel and I find it good enough to find a job in the animation industry. However, Shekhar seems to be demoralised. He felt that he hasn't been improving even after completing his demo reel. Here's what he wrote to me: He has problem in a few areas: 1. Unsure of how to improve his animation 2. Feeling demoralised 3. Financially unable to take up more animation lessons to improve I am sure these are not only Shekhar's problem, but to many students as well. Personally, I experienced this issue as well when I was starting out in animation. There is no way the school would put in extra time to help students to improve. For the obvious reason that they only teach what they are suppose to teach. So how exactly can Shekhar overcome his problem? My Advise For Animation Student It's only three options I can advise: practice, Practice and PRACTICE! Skills can only be improved when we continue to practice it. It is very similar to building muscles....
Mobile Game Design – Gameplay Case Study of Clash of Clan Vs Warcraft 3
Strategy games have evolved from desktop computers to mobile devices over the decade. Previously, I talked about the gameplay of Clash of Clan and what makes it engaging. This post will focus on comparing the gameplay of strategy games between two different platforms, Warcraft 3 as desktop strategy game and Clash of Clan as mobile strategy game. These are design insights I've found after playing lots of popular strategy games for many years. I make use of these insights to help me improve my own mobile game design which I'm currently working on. I'll start off with drawing similarities on game mechanics, followed by comparing 7 game elements found between both games. As in app purchases (IAP) do kill mobile game design, I'll be ignoring aesthetic and monetising aspects for this comparison exercise. Let's dive straight in. Mobile Game Design For Strategy Games What Is Strategy Game? CoC, W3 or Starcraft 2 (SC2) are considered war strategy games. The main objective of the game is to deploy troops, destroy opponent's base and win the game. However, opponent's base is likely to be defended by some troops or defensive tower. Thus, player has to strategize their attack by using different troops at appropriate location, appropriate timing. So what makes a strategy game strategizing? In Game Variables All troops has many variable attributes which I'll list them out in a while. Strategising begins when each unique troop has different strength and weakness in their attribute. I'll go through the different variable attributes followed by some examples of troops found in Clash of Clan and Warcraft. Click & Share! Health (Hitpoint or HP) HP...
Intermediate 3D Animation Course Singapore (Bugis Plus Colosseum)
Intermediate 3D Animation Course Singapore is held at Bugis Plus Colosseum. Time: 10am - 5pm (1hr lunch break at 1pm) Date: 18th June 2015 Venue: Colosseum @ Bugis Plus, 201 Victoria Street, #05-06, Singapore (188067) This is a 6 hours hands on training, learning character walk cycle animation with Maya. What you will learn: 1. 3D Character Walk Cycle Animation 2. Application of Principles of Animation 3. Character Animation Mechanics 4. Character Animation Workflow This is what you will achieve at the end of the intermediate 3D Animation Course: Who is this class for? 1. You like to learn advance animation concept 2. You like 3d and have not got dizzy yet 3. You have basic animation background 4. You want to learn character animation 5. You like to try 3d animation as career in future What's Bean Sprout F3R3 Method? These are the main key points we want to include in our walk cycle animation: 1. Character walks naturally without any jerks 2. Good demonstration of forces and overlapping actions 3. Input of impactful details such as balancing, natural looking hands, visually appealing toe movement, subtle head motion and more. The challenge that beginners face is juggling all these aspects at the same time. Using Bean Sprout F3R3 method, the entire walk cycle animation can be broken down into bite sizes which prevents beginners from being confused. The character is animated in the following Bean Sprouting sequences: A. Pelvis B. Legs C. Upper Torso D. Head E. Arms We then apply the Foundation 3 and Refinement 3...Useful Resources
About Nash Lin
Nash is a self taught animator, a fanatic gamer and a digital media coach. He has created many types of 2D and 3D animation. You will get to learn effective animation skills and tips with Nash. Continue reading...
