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Home ? Characters ? point A to point B animation

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26/08/2010 08:12:08

Jasonh
Jasonh
Posts: 4 		I am trying to create an animation where two people walk together to a desk and stop at a particular point. They talk a little then walk off. For this situation it would be great if I could set a start point, then set a point B and maybe even a point C. Maybe a control to set the walk speed from point A to point B. It would also be cool if you could set the time that they leave and get to each point.



I have tried moving the person but find the steps using the arrows very staggered, and moving the character whilst recording is near impossible to make them stop at the correct place.




Any advice that could help me in the mean time?
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26/08/2010 08:43:10

Than
Than
Posts: 127 		I would agree, some finer more precise point to point with specified speed animation of characters would be very nice to have.
I find the real time direction a bit panicky for me and takes a few takes before I get it right.
However I understand why Muvizu has done it this way as it's very easy to pick up and understand and can be quick for many cases.

I would advise the Muvizu keep the real time direction as that's got it's place in a product like this, but would advise they have an 'Advanced direct' menu too as well as the currect direct menu. In the 'Advanced Direct' menu they could provide functionality as you describe.

The same could be said also for the dialogue.
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26/08/2010 08:45:52

Than
Than
Posts: 127 		Also the facility to set a number of charcters as a group and to animate the group as one would be nice particulary for example a set of dancers and a group of soilders marching.
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26/08/2010 09:03:27

Jasonh
Jasonh
Posts: 4 		I agree Than. I think the group thing could be really cool. Maybe you could animate a control character and then the group follow doing almost exactly the same. I say almost as that slight randomness makes it all look so cool.



For the point to point it could still be relatively real time. When you make the animation you get a series of data along the timeline. If you could position one or two set points on the timeline and then the software could work out whether the character needs to run or walk automatically. This could save the need for building an advanced animation system.
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26/08/2010 09:37:29

Robwelsh
Robwelsh
Posts: 20 		Hi Jasonh. I generally try to avoid precise stopping points etc, it's all a bit random, though in fact some great things often come out by chance. If I have to though, I put down some marker object- plant, rock, pencil and then drag the dots to it.
R
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26/08/2010 11:29:19

glasgowjim
glasgowjim
Posts: 698 		Morning Jason/Than/Rob,

The movements are all relative to the characters starting location - so if I record the movement and the character is too far away from the desired destination I move the characters starting location a little closer. Doing this with multiple characters is a little more difficult as you would need them to walk side by side, but it can be done.

Another way I find that works is to place a ground plane where you want the character to go, with a dot or other recognisable symbol on it that you can drag the movement to. You can simply delete the ground plane when you are done so that it's not in your movie. (Pretty much what Rob said to be honest)

Some users have suggested the ability to Direct/Record your animations and locomotion at a reduced speed - allowing for greater control. I have passed this on but there are no plans to implement it at the moment.

Grouped movement is something that the Devs want to implement but they won't be looking at it until after the release at the end of the month.

Take care,
-Jim.
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26/08/2010 11:34:18

freakmoomin
freakmoomin
Posts: 272 		Yeah the movement controls can be a bit tricky to use.

i think the control point method might be a good answer myself. Its something we have had a lot of feedback on and hopefully at some point we will have a proper review of how it all works (i can here coder dave screaming now.......)
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26/08/2010 11:51:25

Jasonh
Jasonh
Posts: 4 		Is there an object type that cant be walked over or through? an idea could be to place a wedge shaped wall that catches the character. So when you animate you make the character walk into the wedge, which would stop their position fairly precisely. The wedge could then be deleted.

Just an idea?
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26/08/2010 12:37:38

glasgowjim
glasgowjim
Posts: 698 		Hi Jason,

There aren't any objects that block a characters movement - they simply walk over it.

I have passed on the suggestion for "Walk to" functionality - I think it's a pretty good idea that would make the programme easier to use.

Take care,
-Jim.
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26/08/2010 12:56:13

Jasonh
Jasonh
Posts: 4 		great news.

Compliments on the software. It is great fun. Looks great and has massive potential. Not sure on the future plans but I can see me playing with it at home, but I can also see uses for it professionally on the television programmes I work on. Keep up the good work.
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31/08/2010 20:51:55

Than
Than
Posts: 127 		I'm going to bring this topic up to the top again as I feel the camera would greatly benefit from an option to move it between markers. So a way of putting markers down and say camera move through those markers at speed x. Could really do with that and the walking/running too would benefit as already suggested.
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31/08/2010 20:55:19

Than
Than
Posts: 127 		For example if you want the camera to take a complicated or curved path through a set then i'm never going to be dexterius enough with the keyboard to do that sort of thing, so having cameras and characters move between set markers at set speed at set times would be great. Of course in conjunction with what the program offers at the moment.
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03/10/2010 14:10:08

zacchang
zacchang
Posts: 23 		I had the same problem with moving a character initially.
The way I got round it was to keep doing it over and over again.You eventually get better with the mouse control on the movement and it becomes easier.
Its a bit like that one level on a video game that you just cant do,its just practise makes perfect!
good luck

Z
Jasonh wrote:
I am trying to create an animation where two people walk together to a desk and stop at a particular point. They talk a little then walk off. For this situation it would be great if I could set a start point, then set a point B and maybe even a point C. Maybe a control to set the walk speed from point A to point B. It would also be cool if you could set the time that they leave and get to each point.



I have tried moving the person but find the steps using the arrows very staggered, and moving the character whilst recording is near impossible to make them stop at the correct place.




Any advice that could help me in the mean time?
permalink
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Home ? Characters ? point A to point B animation

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Muvizu is easy to use 3D animation software that allows anyone to create high quality animations quickly and easily. Muvizu’s animation engine is ideal for storytellers, animators, teachers and businesses looking to engage, enchant and delight audiences with animated content.