Intermediate shape stacking technique screencast...

[funksmaname]

Hi all,

I wanted to try this screencasting thing out, so thought i'd go over a couple of techniques i like to use. I described this before in text, long time ago, but thought it might be easier to follow as a video...

Hope you find it useful, post any questions below.

please note: no masking was used in the creation of this video

--- edit:

my tutorial links are dead

I'll re-do them and upload to youtube sometime...

[sbtamu]

Hmmm I might use your way, I been using a mask. Those 2 lines you made from the mouth's corner to the face's edge to create the shapes seems to be a better way than what I been doing. Thanks for sharing.

Stephen

[neeters_guy]

Very well explained, one of the better tuts on face construction techniques. Thanks for sharing.

[funksmaname]

thanks for watching

I think the stacking order thing is one of the fundamentals of working with anime studio, and no other program i've ever seen has this ability - it's so powerful when you get your head around it!

[Genete]

Just one comment to that classic technique: To speed up animation (without using bones) you can make use of point groups. When selecting lower llip + lower teeth + tongue you can make use of groups for quick point selection. It will speed up animation process.
-G

[fracturedray]

Very good tip! I would have been going crazy doing this all with layers.

[Ryder]

Hi all,

I wanted to try this screencasting thing out, so thought i'd go over a couple of techniques i like to use. I described this before in text, long time ago, but thought it might be easier to follow as a video...

Hope you find it useful, post any questions below.

please note: no masking was used in the creation of this video

http://www.screentoaster.com/watch/stUE ... xYWV5YVVZd

suplimental: a more localised use, not using outer head shape

http://www.screentoaster.com/watch/stUE ... xYX1lYX1Rc

Sadly, neither of these links are working for me... hrmmm

[DarthFurby]

Loved it! The second video seems to stop about halfway thru tho. Hope you make more. I'm a multi-layer guy myself, but have to admit the single layer method is far easier, and better for certain types of projects.

[funksmaname]

Thanks DF

Dunno why the video appears to stop... stupid system doesn't let you fast fowrad either! Ryder - i can get to the links, try again?

Next time i might try to upload to youtube instead!

[Ryder]

Thanks DF

Dunno why the video appears to stop... stupid system doesn't let you fast fowrad either! Ryder - i can get to the links, try again?

Next time i might try to upload to youtube instead!

Hey, worked this time... not sure why Thanks!

[Styla]

Perfect tip!

Face creation was really a tough part of any project always, really interesting!

Thanks for sharing!

[Tagirijus]

Just recognized your tutorial (because of your signature). Great thing and looks very easy. I am going to test this technique and I am also going to watch your other videos. Thanks for sharing this!

[neeters_guy]

I thought I would try Funksmaname's shape stacking technique on a simple head turn. It's a great setup if you don't need a full side view and it's all on one layer too.



You can download the file here.

I should mention two "cheats" that I used on this rig:

1) The nose shape is a simple flip using a step key. This usually looks jumpy, but I tried to use it when the head is turning quickly to make it less noticeable.

2) I wanted to put the ears in one layer rather than on separate layers, but you cannot animate shape order in the same layer. However I found a clever workaround in this thread:

Shape ordering in single layer.....(?)

This graphic should explain how it works:



Anyway, hope you all find this variant useful.