I animated Duncan's spaceman
polycounter lvl 17
I rigged & animated Duncan's spaceman character from the SDK thread. Huge props to him for creating such an appealing character and sharing it with everyone. I had a blast animating this shot!
I'm currently looking for full-time character animation work, so if your studio needs an animator, drop me a PM. I run into objects more than Spaceman George, but carry less weaponry. Plus, I'm a better dancer.
cheers,
jim
Replies
that last little bit seems a bit floaty to me. tho, I am no animator. So maybe somethings going over the ole noggin.
I like it tho.
I thought that part was great. Cause he's in space, so it's all zero gravity. Only the zero-grav thing only kicks in when the character loses control. Great piece of subtlety.
Really liked that animation
I got that the floaty bit was because it is in space, or so I'm assuming. But if that's the case, I don't think his body should slam down so fast at the end there.
I'd personally stay with just 1 kind of gravity or add something to the environment that shows when and maybe even why the gravity changes.
good point, I didn't even consider that. If that's the case, maybe an audio cue to drive that home then? I was just a little confused, thats all.
I agree with Robat. The ending does seem odd. When he flips he becomes floaty but then suddenly splats to the floor at the very end. Its like the gravity gets switched on and off through out the anim.
Still very nice though.
That said, there's clearly a gap between my intent and what's being communicated to some viewers. The shot probably starts too physically-based for people to accept the exaggerated nature of the ending. I appreciate your comments and I'll definitely keep it in mind for the next shot.
cheers,
jim
He could have some kind of personal gravity device that was knocked silly when he hits himself in the head with the recoil from the gun. It could probably be worked in visually with a small static charge, or maybe even a sound effect? A sound effect might even make it funnier because you know whats coming? Maybe you hear/see it switch off, he starts to float up while wondering around, he starts to twist and then you hear it kick on and he sticks helmet first to the ground, then as it exerts more force it snaps his feet/torso to the ground?
I dunno... it really doesn't need an explanation but it could be worked in...
EDIT: I had no problem with the gravity, playing with expectations like that is part of why animation is fun, we can break the rules.
Ahh.. I see what you are trying for. I think its the way he floats when he falls over onto his head that throws me. He jumps very quickly a few times in the animation and its only the fall that suggest low gravity. The gun falls as if in normal gravity as well.
To add a bit more comedy to the ending maybe he could do a slow "weeble wobble" on his helmet before crashing to the ground. If you get what I mean.
legs straight up in the air teetering in a circular motion.
slow to a stop...wait a few seconds.......
then SPLAT!
Look forward to more.
Bonus points for use of Das Racist.
Loved it.
Good luck!
nice animation!