How do you make cartoons yourself?

In the production of Flash animation, especially short films, more or less complicated actions are required. However, due to the limitation of Flash's own functions, we feel constrained in animation, or spend too much time and energy on it. Here, the author summarizes some experiences in making animated short films, and gives you a reference when you encounter such problems.

First, simplify the theme.

First of all, the simplicity of the action subject has a great influence on the workload of production. Being good at simplifying the subject of action can double the work efficiency.

One of the most obvious examples is the small "stick figure" kung fu series. As can be seen from the figure, the main body of animation is quite simplified, and the workload of making an action film with such a main body is affordable even if it is made frame by frame. Imagine making such an animation with the image of a real person as the subject of action, and the workload will increase a lot.

Note: For animation that doesn't pay attention to action, a simple picture is also a labor-saving prescription.

Second, try to use deformation.

move

Tuwen

and

shape

Tween is two variants provided by flash. They only need to specify the first and second key frames, and the intermediate process is generated by the computer itself, so it is most commonly used to express actions when making movies.

But sometimes with a single deformation, the action will appear monotonous, so you can consider using deformation in combination. For example, the foreground, the middle scene and the background are deformed separately, or only the foreground and the background are deformed. The workload is not large, but good results can be achieved.

Animation 1: After combination (download the original file)

Animation 2: background animation (download the original file)

Animation 3: animation of the middle scene (download the original file)

Animation 4: Foreground Animation (Download the original file)

For example, the above example, rabbit somersault (animation 1), consists of animation 2, animation 3 and animation 4. Animation 2 is mainly about the simple movement and deformation of the background, and animation 3 is about the rotation and scaling of the white clouds in the middle scene, both of which are simple movements.

Tween, animation 4 is a little more complicated. The rabbit has a 2-frame movie.

Clip (a tumbling action composed of rabbit handstand), jumping up and down is also a simple scaling deformation. The animation 1 composed of the three is a relatively harmonious combination animation, without the disadvantage of being too monotonous.

Note: Learning some lens languages is very helpful for you to make animation.

Third, use certain skills.

For many people who can't use action.

Interpolation and shape

In order to show the action, we often use frame-by-frame animation, that is, every detail of the action is drawn frame by frame.

Obviously, this is a hard job. We try to avoid frame by frame production. When it is inevitable, using some tips can reduce the workload.

1, cyclic method

This is the most commonly used method, which simplifies some actions into a movie with only a few frames, or even two or three frames (for example, the rabbit's somersault action in the above example is composed of two frames)

Editing, using movies

This method is often used to express some animations, such as hair, clothes fluttering, walking, talking and so on.

Frame-by-frame animation (download original file)

Frame by frame animation frame 1

Frame by frame animation frame 2

Frame by frame animation frame 3

In the above example, the animation of Marshal Tianpeng's fluttering cloak is a movie consisting of three frames.

Editing, smart readers must have thought of it, just draw one frame, and the other two frames can be completed with a little modification on the basis of the first frame.

Note: This kind of circular frame-by-frame animation should pay attention to "rhythm" and achieve good results.

2. Extract gradient method

When performing a "slow" action, such as slowly opening your hands and slowly raising your head (front), you can choke to death with frame-by-frame animation. We can consider extracting several key frames from the whole action, and then using the method of gradual change or flash to express the whole action.

In this example, four graphics are drawn by the player at four "moments" in the opening and closing actions, which is defined as a movie.

After editing, use the deformation of Alpha (transparency) to show a complete hand opening and closing action.

If you draw the whole action frame by frame, it will take a lot of time and energy. This method can basically achieve the effect and simplify the work.

Palm opening and closing (download the original file)

Note: This method is suitable for complex movements of "slow motion". In addition, some special scenes, such as Hall D, are "naturally" extracted because of the flickering lights in the dark, so they can flicker directly without distortion.

3. Substitution method

This is a clever way to replace complex movements with other things. This other thing can be many things, such as shadows and sounds. The following two examples show motion with shadow and sound, respectively.

Shade the action (download the original file)

Express actions with sound (download original files)

Note: the essence of this method lies in "avoiding reality and being empty". As for how to be empty, you have to think more.

4. Copy method

Beginners often find it difficult to draw an action. At this time, you can copy some videos and import them into flash, because it is easier to complete with reference. Further reprocessing on the basis of copying makes the animation more perfect.

Copy the animation of the video

(Download original file)

(Download video picture series file)

In the above example, the actions of Mongolian wrestlers are completely described by a video.

The specific operation is to use Jieba to intercept the required animation from the video and output it as a series of pictures (flash

Mx can import video directly). After importing into flash, you can draw according to it. The specific style is up to you.

Note: The difference between video and flash is that flash is generally 12fps, and video may be 24 or 25fps.

5. Reprocessing method

In the following example, the cow's head is raised as a movie.

Clamp, the head is lifted due to rotational deformation. According to the result of step 1, there is a "fault" between the head and neck of cattle. In the second step, we convert all deformed frames into key frames, decompose them, and then modify them frame by frame in the neck. Finally, we made some modifications to add "Phnom Penh" to the cow's body, and the whole animation atmosphere came out.

Step 1: rotate and deform (download the original file)

Step 2: Modify the breakup (download the original file)

Step 2: Final modification (download the original file)

Note: With the help of reference objects or simple deformation, complex animation can be obtained after processing.

6. Masking method

The central idea of this method is to cover the part of complex animation. The specific cover can be something in front of the action subject, or it can be the border of the film (that is, the width limit of the film).

In this example, the complex action part (foot action) is out of the frame of the film because of the backhand of the camera, so there is no need to draw this complex animation, and the rest is some simple work.

Of course, if this part of the action is the subject you want to express, then this method is obviously not suitable.

The movement of the foot is covered.

(Download original file)

7. Others

There are many other methods, such as changing the lens angle (for example, it is difficult to see from the front, but it is much easier to see from the side from another angle), or reversing the scene that the subject "sees".