How do i Create a Head Turn ?

Andrell · Post by **Andrell** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 2:38 am

So how do i create a convincing head turn

heyvern · Post by **heyvern** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 4:46 am

Can you draw? Can you draw a head or face from the front view and the side view? A 3/4 view?

If you can then you are half way there.

Before I started using my crazy bone rig for turning heads, the best head turns I produced came from drawing each "view" for a reference.

A smooth interpolated head turn must use the same points or mesh on a vector layer. This means that you must change the positions of the points on a front view to match the side or 3/4 turn view.

The best and easiest way I have found is to draw both views either on paper or in a paint or draw application. Then use both of these as a tracing or rotoscope reference in AS.

I always did the front view first. Then I use the 3/4 view to do the head turn by either going to another frame in the animation of the front view and moving the points to match my second 3/4 drawn head or face, or by duplicating the front view layer into a switch and modifying it to match anther drawn reference.

When you are done you now have keys for those points to smoothly move from front to 3/4.

If you need to continue draw another reference image of a side view and repeat on another later key after the 3/4 view or duplicate switch layer. I have found there is not much need for more than 2 steps in a turn. I usually only did 2 steps... front to 3/4 to side.

I make it sound simple but it isn't. You have to figure out how certain parts of the face move and change to become different parts of the face... the side of the face becomes a cheek... etc.

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Another option for "simplistic" cartoon type faces is to use slight 3D rotation of the layers. For instance the eyes nose and mouth are on different layers. To turn the head each of these layers are offset towards the camera at different amounts. As these layers are rotated it creates the illusion of a simple head turn.

The examples below are based on the concept of drawing two views of the face and following the steps of "tracing" or moving the front view to match the 3/4 view. In the case of the girl I had drawn her face from a 3/4 view to start and then created a front view and an opposite 3/4 view. A 3 step head turn.

These are in order of "creation". From the earliest to the latest. I feel I got much better at it.

http://www.lowrestv.com/moho_stuff/ISA_threeqrtr1a.mov

Notice how the lines change... the ear lines flatten and move to a different spot... the cheek line separates... these are things you may need to consider when doing a head turn.

http://www.lowrestv.com/moho_stuff/toonbabe3.mov
http://www.lowrestv.com/moho_stuff/happy-bear6.mov
http://www.lowrestv.com/moho_stuff/larry8.mov

These were done with switch layers. Duplicate a front view face in a switch layer and move the points to match a reference or drawn view and smoothly interpolate by changing the switch in the time line. I've since moved away from switches for head turns due to not being able to use different interpolation modes (ease/in/out etc). The technique for producing is the same.

These days I don't bother sketching on paper or in another application and will "draw" the turn steps right in AS. However as i recall in the early days learning the application it was helpful to use another application or a pencil just to sketch out the turns.

-vern

Andrell · Post by **Andrell** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:47 pm

Thanks for the help, i really appreciate it. I guess i'll have to make a 3/4 image and then i'll be set.

human · Post by **human** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 9:10 pm

Anything Vern writes, you (and I !!) ought to study very carefully.

All I would add is that if you really want to do it up right, Richard Williams in "Animator's Survival Kit" devotes page 87 to a couple of additional refinements to head turns: (a) he says people tend to lower their heads during the turn; and (b) people usually blink at the midpoint.

You may be able to pull up this page for yourself with a search in Google Book Search:

http://books.google.com/

Andrell · Post by **Andrell** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 10:55 pm

Vern do you mind explaining the crazy bone technique ?

heyvern · Post by **heyvern** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 11:59 pm

I like having total control... so... instead of going with "fixed" head turns I have this wild bone rig I plan to sell with pre-done characters that can turn a head in any direction by dragging one bone.

It is... elaborate... and complicated... to say the least (over 200 bones) but simple to animate.

http://www.lowrestv.com/character_rig/i ... place3.mov

I am working on instructions for applying it to your own characters but... I have to admit... it won't be for the feint of heart.

-vern

Andrell · Post by **Andrell** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 1:06 am

Here is the Link to the Head Turn i made Using your advice.

http://video.google.co.uk/videouploadfi ... 8cca2c3d4f

Andrell · Post by **Andrell** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 1:12 am

But how do i make a head turn going from front view to side view.

Genete · Post by **Genete** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 1:34 am

In the 3/4 view reorder the shapes (layers z depth) and hide the ones that would not be shown (ears, eyes, half nose...) not easy. Maybe you need to stop in some other intermediate views to hide each part gradually.

Andrell · Post by **Andrell** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 4:08 am

Here's a Link to the Colour Version

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

heyvern · Post by **heyvern** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 5:03 am

Great head turn! If my advice helped with that I am thrilled!

The trouble with the turn towards a full side view is how to hide shapes and how some shapes become other shapes.

I have been looking at other animation styles that I like and noticed that the head turns are really just... blurry transitions. A front to side turn is just a "swoosh"... you never really see the steps involved... it is just a fast turn and it actually works really well.

I haven't found a perfect solution for a full head turn to the side. At the moment the partial turn I have is enough for my needs. I do plan to work on a side to 3/4 transition.

The hardest part of the full side turn is what Genete said... hiding parts of the face, like the ears and hair... and transitioning parts of the face, like the side of the face turns into the nose and chin... things like that. It's tricky but not impossible.

-vern

Andrell · Post by **Andrell** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 7:08 am

Yea your right, i just looked at some of the side head turns in some of the most well known animations (simpson etc) and they just do a quick change to the side view frame.

Andrell · Post by **Andrell** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:33 pm

Ok here is a New Vid that goes From Front to Side View
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMta56ONPj0
aslo does anyone know how i can get my vids out at a higher quality.

Touched · Post by **Touched** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 4:13 am

Very good drawings and head turns. As for video quality, I've been very happy with Revver.com.

Andrell · Post by **Andrell** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 5:26 am

Ok what is the best file type compression thingy to use to get the best quality out of the image mep4 ?