WEEK 2
During the initial part of the lesson, George clarified the 12 principles of animation, highlighting that we had already applied the first principle in our bouncing ball exercise by incorporating squash and stretch. Furthermore, our discussion extended to the significance of the bouncing ball as a foundational element in animation, acknowledging its widespread presence in nearly every animated sequence.
He then elaborated on additional principles, particularly focusing on overlapping actions and the sequence of breaking/bending joints. We delved into associated terms like Follow-through, Successive Breaking of Joints, and Drag (wave principle).
Follow Through: This type of overlapping action is generated by external forces like weight, wind, gravity etc. Follow-through can be applied to loose extremities such as hair, cloth, ears, tails etc. At its core, follow-through can be animated after the primary animation. The primary animation drives how these extremities will “follow through” the movement. Follow through obeys the key concepts of successive breaking of joints, drag and lead and follow.
Successive Breaking of Joints: In the pendulum example with multiple sections, each section would be affected “successively” (one after the other) down the chain of events starting from the point where the pendulum connects to the base down through the tip. One section would lead as the subsequent sections would follow afterwards slightly delayed. This would give the feeling of overlapping action. What happens in the world around us is all “non-mechanical” movement.
Drag (wave principle): Drag plays an essential part in how an object “overlaps.” If the base of a pendulum leads, each preceding section will “drag” and then catch up to the movement. Lead and Follow: One object leads as it pulls the other behind it. If there are more sections preceding the primary force, those sections will be followed successively down the chain from the top down to the tip.
For the second-week assignment, we were tasked with creating a pendulum animation. I began by conducting some research and seeking references. Afterwards, I experimented with the model and its rig. Subsequently, I initiated the animation, swinging the pendulum from left to right while aiming to maintain a simple and straight forward approach.
During this class, Serra provided a comprehensive overview of the fundamental operations within Unreal Engine. We actively engaged in hands-on learning, attempting to replicate her actions and assimilate the core concepts. The session covered the essential aspects of game levels and the intricacies of crafting a landscape within the Unreal environment. Emphasizing the importance of organization, Serra highlighted the need for structured folders and adherence to basic nomenclature. This practice, she explained, facilitates seamless file sharing among peers and tutors, underscoring the significance of effective collaboration in our creative endeavours.
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