So let's go with the digging animation. In friday last week, I got some useful drafts from one of the members on how to make it. The animation would be superfast and consist of at least four frames. When I asked how to approach with the Dig up-animation, I got the response that it would not be needed for now, but maybe later. For this week, I would focus on the dig down-animation, since that's the most important of the two.
I made a total of five frames. One when the mole stands forward, one when he starts to dive down the erupted hole, one when half of his body is under the ground, one when only his tail is visible, and the last one when only the hole is left.
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Like this.
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After I finished the digging-animation, I immediately started with the death-animation. Me and the team agreed that the animation would not be brutal and bloody, since this game is aimed at a young audience.
My interpretation of it would be that when the mole gets the killing blow (by the gardener or the water), his eyes would pop out (almost like he's getting really stoned) and his whiskers starts twirling. After that, he rolls to the side with his mouth open wide and stretches out his tongue. And then he lies dead on his back, still with his mouth open.
My interpretation of it would be that when the mole gets the killing blow (by the gardener or the water), his eyes would pop out (almost like he's getting really stoned) and his whiskers starts twirling. After that, he rolls to the side with his mouth open wide and stretches out his tongue. And then he lies dead on his back, still with his mouth open.
My first version of it consisted of only three keyframes. One where he gets the killing blow, one when he rolls to the side and one when he lies dead on his back.
Like this.
And now, I think this is much better.
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The final animation for this week is the idle-aniamtion, when the mole stands still. So I wanted to breath, but it didn't turn on so well.
Now he looks like a balloon-animal. :/
So I really need to tweak this one, a lot. One of the members gave me the idea that the mole would crawl up like a dog of some sorts, when he doesn't move, Maybe I'll consider it, but I still want the mole to breath so that he does not look like a statue.
What you have done is clear, but how and why is a bit murky.
ReplyDeleteFor the dig animation, how was it made and what tools did you use? Any tips for others that you can share?
With the death animation how was the animation made , once again reference tools. Also, on the death animation, why did you pick these specific characteristics to work towards on the animation?How does it fit with the games design and aesthetics?
On the idle animation, why and how did you make it? It looks like it is mostly made with the transform tool, but some elements make me unsure. And why is there an idle animation? Is this a game where you do idle a lot? I mostly ask because it doesn't seem so in the play tests I've been at.
Beyond that, I have three tips for you. First is that I would not use the word stoned to describe something on the blog, even if that might be a good short hand. The second is probably to abandon the curled whiskers, since they are very small and will most likely only come across as an animation glitch.
The third is to make the breathing a lot more subtle, and when using the transform tool remember to manipulate everything together in a believable manner, so that things like the noes moving in an unnatural and mechanical manner does not happen as often!
Also, how do you mean that the mole would "crawl up like a dog when it does not move"?
On the positive side, I really enjoy the art style, it is very cute and I would think it could be quite appealing to children. The death animation and dig animation looks very good when they play, but I would maybe speed up the death animation slightly, but it depends on the audio feedback as well, since a slow sound might sync well with the animations current form.
Good luck with the project, looking great from what I've seen!