Character for C&C - Learning to Animate

Gfunkera · Fri 26/03/2004 07:46:47

Ok I've drawn up this guy to be kinda like a bouncer at a compound (military type thug)
And how hard do you think it would be to draw the animation of him pulling out a gun and shooting at the pc, this is if the pc pushes his luck? Is there anyone with good animation skills that would like to help?

- EDIT Friday, March 26 -

Ok I'm realy having trouble with the animation this is as far as I can get. The finall image of him holding his gun straight out with both hands kinda like a cop is not working I've tried several different way but I can't the proportion right his arms just look smaller than what they are or I have them bent to much?? Gggrrrrrrr..... Well I am learning a lot. Anyone have anyphotos that might work good for reference?? Oh and C&C is still welcome please....

- EDIT Sunday, March 28 -
Ok so this character is a guard that will protect the entrance in front of a compound that the player character has to get into. He will be the gate keeper and the pc will have a few puzzles to solve so that the door guard will leave the door allowing the pc to enter. Currentley I'm working on the puzzles and waiting on the rest of the gun animation which is going bad so I had to change too something else, or I'd go nuts. I'll post the finished animation as soon as I finish for some c&c.

Penguinx · Fri 26/03/2004 15:45:37

I'd say give it a try first, yourself. It'd be good practice if you have the time, that is. It shouldn't be much more difficult than trying to make him walk like you have.

One arm would need to swing out, holding a gun. After, it would have to bend at the elbow and raise the fun forward. Think along the lines of keyframes. You've got two major events there: 1) the arm swings out, 2) the gun gets raised upward. Give each of those two events three frames of animation, and figure out a start, middle, and end for each of them.

I hope that helps!

Eggie · Fri 26/03/2004 17:47:29

That bouncer really bounces.

I think it would work if the gun was drawn quite stiffly and swiftly. Bouncers don't have emotions.

Gfunkera · Fri 26/03/2004 19:42:14

well I've atempted the drawing of the gun but I have failed I can't seem to get the arms to look right as they come forward w/ the gun... Its realy pissing me off... I realy need this to work.

-- Goes Off too try a couple more things.....

veryweirdguy · Fri 26/03/2004 19:43:28

To get the movement right, do it yourself first, in front of a mirror. No wait. Make sure no-one is watchng you before you do this, so you don't look stupid.

Pull out your fake gun. Look at your arm position(s). Draw the same position on your char. Then draw a frame about half-way between these two 'extremes' (the one with the arm down and the one holding the gun.

A good way to do this is to start off drawing the arms as sticks in the position you want them. One the movement is right, then you can build up the rest of the arm around it.

Keep doing the inbetweens in this fashion & you should eventually come to a satisfactory, fluid movement.

Penguinx · Fri 26/03/2004 23:08:30

Here are a few reference photos I dug up:

I know they aren't the best examples, but I hope they help.

Gfunkera · Sun 28/03/2004 21:58:26

Yes actually these are helping, although its all frustrating me

I'll hopefully be posting the finished animation soon.

Erwin_Br · Sun 28/03/2004 23:12:25

Maybe the model's too large?

I, for one, find it quite difficult to animate large objects. The smaller the object, the easier it is to animate.

Maybe you'd better start small?

--Erwin

Gfunkera · Sun 28/03/2004 23:14:47

I usually draw everything in high res then shrink it to whatever I need it to be.... I find that when I draw small it looks like shit but maybe I'll try it.

Minimi · Sun 28/03/2004 23:29:46

Quote from: RichAshton on Sun 28/03/2004 23:14:47
I usually draw everything in high res then shrink it to whatever I need it to be.... I find that when I draw small it looks like shit but maybe I'll try it.

Like this doesn't looks like shit?

Yes, I agree, draw at lower resolution. I was wondering how you'd ever use this in a game. Say draw this character at 50x100... that would be alot easier! Good luck!

Gfunkera · Sun 28/03/2004 23:52:10

Quote
Like this doesn't looks like shit?

I've seen your art Minimi I guess we have something in common

lol anyways it wont hurt to try I guess...

InCreator · Mon 29/03/2004 01:21:34

"How to draw a random pistol"
by InCreator, 2004

huh...
Just kidding... Your thread gave me strange need to draw a random pistol.

Erwin/Minimi is right. The smaller sprite you draw, the easier it will be to animate, shade and add detail to it. I suggest you to draw a stickman with different colors for limbs and try with that until you get the movement right. Later, you can use it as reference.

Gfunkera · Mon 29/03/2004 01:26:44

Nice guns I may use that to create a better looking one for mine 8) Shall I just start over or just shrink it up? This hole room and char. are realy eating up my time....

Kweepa · Mon 29/03/2004 09:13:13

QuoteShall I start over or just shrink it up?

That's up to you, but I'd shrink it and touch it up from there.

Quoterealy eating up my time....

Well, that's to be expected. A simple background can take anywhere from 1 to 8 hours to get right. And my first walk cycle took about 10 hours to finish. So don't expect miracles! Things do get easier as you get more experienced though.

Minimi · Mon 29/03/2004 15:02:49

Quote from: SteveMcCrea on Mon 29/03/2004 09:13:13
QuoteShall I start over or just shrink it up?

That's up to you, but I'd shrink it and touch it up from there.

Quoterealy eating up my time....

Well, that's to be expected. A simple background can take anywhere from 1 to 8 hours to get right. And my first walk cycle took about 10 hours to finish. So don't expect miracles! Things do get easier as you get more experienced though.

8 hours for a background? It takes me 12hours!
And my character walkcycle took me also 10 hours, so that's pretty average for a first walkcycle.

Drawing takes up time... but that's life! :p "Before you know, it's time to go!"