Can't Warp Image - HELP!

NealF · Post by **NealF** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 6:33 pm

I'm trying to put a png file of a baby into AS 8.
I'd like to warp it and make it dance like the tutorial in the manual that has the statue of Liberty dancing. (I think it's tutorial 4.2 - not sure).

I got a bone layer, put the image into it. Created a couple of bones. Then I bound the bones to the layer. "Warp Using Bones" is selected, as in the tutorial.

But the only movement I can get is a rotation on the first bones pivot point. The layer doesn't distort at all. Just pivots.

I've looked through many tutorials but still can't figure this one out.

Thanks.

jonbo · Post by **jonbo** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 7:28 pm

How did you bind the image? If you used the bind layer tool, it unchecks the warp with bones option. Double check that it is still checked. You shouldn't need to bind the image. Create a bone layer, put image layer into it, then create your bones. Binding is automatic.

hayasidist · Post by **hayasidist** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 7:40 pm

like Jonbo says -- then you need an "anchor" bone that won't move as the "grandaddy of them all"; and then check that the bones you're using to do the warping are in a sensible structure -- check out the "re-parent bone" tool (the one that looks like 3 links of a chain o-o) in the tool panel

NealF · Post by **NealF** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 7:58 pm

Thanks.

While I was waiting for replies I've been experimenting and found out that binding the layer wasn't right. It would make the whole picture rotate. (I was using the binding tool.)

I've also found that the placement of the bones is crucial to the way it warps. I've been trying to make the baby bounce up and down while sitting on the floor. Sort of like squashing him then stretching him.
It's easy to make him move left and right but up and down is a bit tricky. I put a bone horizontal to the head. That sort of worked but made it favor one side as it moved up and down.
I tried putting a matching bone mirroring that one and it didn't work very well.

There must be a knack to knowing where to place the bones for this type of distortion. The normal movements are pretty straight ahead.

Thanks for the help.

jonbo · Post by **jonbo** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 8:25 pm

Don't forget, you have other bone tools. Try playing with the bone scale and bone translate tools. You'll need to be on a frame other than zero to see their effects.

NealF · Post by **NealF** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 8:53 pm

Yeah. Don't remember if I tried those on frame 1 yet.

I was wondering. Is what I'm trying to do (bounce the baby up and down with a bit of squash and stretch) better to do a different way?
Maybe with animating points or something other than with the bones. Or is the bones method the best for this?

Thanks again.

jonbo · Post by **jonbo** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 9:47 pm

I'm sure what you're trying is fine. Point motion would be the better way, more control over the squash and stretch, but you would need to make your character a vector shape. If the image is of a real life baby, this wouldn't be possible. Post an image so we can tell you better.

NealF · Post by **NealF** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 10:44 pm

Ah.
I forgot. This is a bit map image so no points.

OK. Starting to get the hang of this program.