To squash and stretch or not...

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:06 am

Hello again.

I was wondering if you guys could help me with something.

I've animated all my lip-synching and facial stuff for "My Little Project Thingie" (Happy Land) and done the walks and general movement, and now have to decide whether to use squash and stretch in the animation.

I can't really come up with a decision on my own. At first, no squash and stretch looks great and solid, but then WITH squash and stretch it looks kind of looser.

I've uploaded two small examples:

WITH SQUASH AND STRETCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNSGxjLhQMg

NO SQUASH AND STRETCH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU4rM7px_5w

The difference is minimal, but if I DO decide to use a bit of squash and stretch I gotta use it on everything, so it's not like, a small decision.

Thanks thanks thanks,

Mike

slowtiger · Post by **slowtiger** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:23 am

I'd say go for it - with squash & stretch. But it will be more work, and you have to be consistant: when the character stops, you need to include a little "nod" in the direction he walked.

In any case, using S&S requires a dynamic way to animate: better very small S&S and only at the accents in motion - otherwise you'll end up with a jelly-like appearance (which is a trademark of some of the worse Flash animations). You example gets it right. I can imagine one character giggling which would look very nice if done fast and with S&S.

JimmyC · Post by **JimmyC** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:58 am

I am a complete beginner - but here's my opinion for what it is worth.

The one with S&S is definitely better, and more pleasing on the eye. More professional I think. It would be worth it in the end.

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 12:07 pm

Thanks. That's that, then! Unless someone has a strong case against S&S.

(Will do the little nods and movement thingies with the bodies. Think I'll do that before the S&S. Ta)

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 12:36 pm

Ahoy. Kind of thinking something like this...it has a bit of S&S (but BARELY, like, on the scale thing, I made it 0.99) and a bit of body movement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTN26JYl2ug

oferhod · Post by **oferhod** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:03 pm

Okay, this one is best.
You can easly tell that this little guy is feeling good

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:30 pm

Shot bra.

Guess I have to do all the nods and wiggle-waggle before the squash and stretch, like so: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spDv7hLfbFs

I'll post some more once I've made some inroads into this.

Ta for feedback.

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:31 pm

Another test, for the hell of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHw_gc7j6HY

(Edit. Thanks oferhod)

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:46 pm

Update:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjZfWf-SDKs

Be cool, don't eat mushrooms. Lemme know if you spot something whack.

JimmyC · Post by **JimmyC** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:51 pm

The quality of the last one is a bit hard to watch. I know it is a space thing.

Looks really good to me. Great idea for a story. Well thought out and animated. Looks like the sort of thing that would be on CBBC (Children's BBC) over here. You have talent. Thanks for sharing it.

Nephilim · Post by **Nephilim** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:01 am

Looks great! The only thing is that the sun pauses a little too long before he says "you can use teamwork to..." Maybe add in him saying "hmm..." or something rather then him just staring blankly (and smiling

). I love your cleaver characters and voice acting (I know it isn't yours but I still like it).

I can't wait until it is finished!

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:30 am

Ya, thanks. I know, quality is really grainy. My Internet connection's tempremental at best. The pause - included it there so I'll have time to show the other dudes are bleak that his buddy can't get across the water. My brother made the story, I think it's pretty cool and neat.

I also can't wait till its finished, but I'm going slow and steady. Thanks again, you okes rock.

oferhod · Post by **oferhod** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:53 am

Thant's great Mikdog,
I love the facial expressions the most

Genete · Post by **Genete** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:24 pm

All the videos have been removed...
Why?

-G

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:32 pm

One of the forum members blatantly copied my character piece for piece, and I'm not so keen on that

As such, I've removed all my pieces, sparing my contest entry because I still need to keep that one up if I hope to claim my prize.