Darthfurby's Animation Video Tutorials

[DarthFurby]

In this series of video tutorials I will share everything I know about animation, starting from the very beginning. Eventually, you will be able to do something like this:

http://darthfurby.com/trebellina/trebmotiontests.html



Lesson 1: Fast to Slow/Slow to Fast

YouTube:
Lesson 1
Direct Download (9.6mb)
Download

Lesson 2: Contrast:

YouTube:
Lesson 2 part 1
Lesson 2 part 2

Direct Download:
Download (15.3 mb, runtime 18:11)

I'll add more videos as time goes on. Sorry if it seems like I'm talking too fast, just wanted to keep it as short as possible(unlike my last videos).[/url]

[Genete]

Hey Darth,
it is great that you have started that series of videos for the basic animation concepts, but... wouldn't it better if you do the lesson using Anime Studio instead of Flash?
-G

[funksmaname]

Hey DF,
Nice work on your video! I also think you should maybe use AS though? I don't think you're talking too fast - although I really enjoyed your previous headturn videos, they were indeed a little on the long side

I got a sinking feeling that the cool dancers you made were done in Flash!?
If so, go recreate them in AS NOW you naughty man - before anyone finds out

Good luck with the rest of the series!

[DarthFurby]

Hi Genete - Anime Studio is great for point construction, but not freehand drawing, and in these videos I'm mostly drawing freehand so I went with a traditional frame by frame program like Flash. However, these early animation lessons are universal principles that can be used in any application so hopefully the fact that I'm not using Anime Studio won't be too much of a distraction.

Hi funk, you've caught me red handed! I like to import a rough freehand animation test in Flash as a motion guide for animating the final artwork in Anime Studio. That way I get the best of both worlds, frame by frame and vector morphs.

Anyway I've just uploaded Lesson 2: Contrast. Discovering contrast was a big "Aha!" moment for me, and when it happened I experienced an instant jump in skill. It's a fundamental principle that nobody seems to talk about, not even in my favorite animation books, yet the difference between boring and exciting animation lies in CONTRAST:

YouTube:
part 1
part 2

Direct Download:
Download (15.3 mb, runtime 18:11)

[neeters_guy]

You're going explain everything you know? But that'll take forever.

Great start so far. I don't have a problem with Flash for basic concepts. I hope in more advanced lessons, you'll consider AS-specific instructions.

That workflow you described to funks is a tried and true one. (The forum member A Man And Ink describes a similar methodology on Vimeo.) The beauty of it is you can use any program for the frame-by-frame/storyboard part (newly freeware PAP is good one). I suppose that makes AS more of an ink-and-paint system.

Good show.

[DarthFurby]

Thanks neeters! I'll try to make the switch to AS somehow. As for advanced lessons, I'm not really an animation expert, just sharing the basics, along with small discoveries I've made up till now. I'm still learning myself, just like everyone else.

[funksmaname]

Hey DF, another nice insight to the basic principles!

...in video 2, you're connecting the right arm on the left pose with the left arm of the crouched pose! (unless ofcourse the character is doing a 180 spin in the pass position, now THAT's contrast )

[amyweaver29]

Hello DF. Thanks for having that video. My daughter is trying to do hers following your step by step instructions.

Regards and God bless.

[DarthFurby]

funk - Regarding video 2, I have a perfectly logical explanation for that...oops!

amyweaver29: Thanks for watching hope they help.

[funksmaname]

In honor of your tutorial, i'm rocking a new avatar...

I used a stick man in AS trying out some techniques I learned from 'onionskining's youtube tutorials (specifically 'free bones' although the rig is ready for 'animated shape order with switch layer' too

I started with everything on 'step' - created the two extremes, created a contrasting passing position, and then filled in the gaps...

[DarthFurby]

Funk - You are totally crazy! But thank you that is totally flattering! Although I do hope you bring back amazon woman, and I'm not just saying that because I'm a guy, because men AND women like looking at hot women, just look at what's on the cover of women's magazines, you can't lose. Anyway, you've made me curious about onionskin's tutorials.

[F.M.]

I second that, bring back Amazon woman!

[funksmaname]

alright alright