For the animation part of my project, I’ve continued working with the story I previously developed, which means I already have a complete animation sequence as a foundation. This has saved me a lot of time and allowed me to focus on refining the visuals and character details.
After creating the new models, I imported them into the old animation file. From there, I started by using a pose-to-pose method to block out the key movements. This approach helps ensure that the overall timing and major actions are consistent with the story’s pacing and flow.
Once the key poses were in place, I began adding finer details to enhance the animation. These include subtle gestures and movements that reflect each character’s personality. For example, I added small, lively actions for Xi to show her cheerful energy, while Xu’s movements are more restrained and deliberate to match her calm demeanor. I also focused on facial expressions, ensuring they convey the appropriate emotions in each scene.
Of course, there are still areas that need improvement. For example, I plan to add more preparation and follow-through actions to make the movements feel smoother and more natural. These additional steps will help enhance the flow of the animation and make the characters’ actions more believable.
Another area I’m focusing on is incorporating squash and stretch effects for both the characters and the props. These effects add a sense of flexibility and exaggeration, which is essential for conveying energy and personality in the animation. For instance, I’m working on subtle deformations for dynamic movements, such as when the characters leap or interact with objects, to give the actions more impact and life.