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# 1 15-07-2005 , 04:32 PM
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Simplified Drawing & Key Frames

Can anyone recommend books that focus on a: simplifying characters down to basic shapes (i.e. quick sketches, blocks and basic shapes. See images below) and b: planning out key frames with said basic characters. A focus on traditional animation would probably be better as thats the point of view i'm taking this from.

This is one of the things i want to work on. One of the problems i have when planning out the keys / poses is which ones should be the keys. Once i have them the extremes, contacts and breakdowns start to become evident. I know the key frames are exactly that, the key frames, like comic book. The frames that need to be there to tell the story, but when you have some complex movements it seems i can easily "over do" the keys or miss some out entierly. There are some things that are easier to plan out such as a jumping ball or character as the keys are quite evident. It just those complex ones.

There's a book called Simplified Planning for Drawing Animation by Wayne Gilbert which i'm going to look at buying. And before its mentioned i already have Richard Williams' book. Just looking at anybook that are less know but equally as good.

Here's some examples of what i mean. (Hope you dont mind me using your sketches as examples Danny user added image) Seems simple (and probably eventually is) but is still quite annoying.

user added image
user added image
user added image
user added image

Thanks.


Yeah, but no but yeah but no....
# 2 15-07-2005 , 07:12 PM
One book I have is Cartoon Animation...by Preston Blair....it's a great overall book...covers traditional animation....but...I have to warn you it only covers a little but of what you wants (but does have some)...anywho....I don't know if you can go to a book store and take a look at this book before buying but this book has really helped me out
TheAnswerRP03

# 3 15-07-2005 , 07:18 PM
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Wayne Gilbert's book is really good, and it will probably get you going in the right direction better than any others out there. It was required reading/studying material for my students when I was teaching, and they really loved it. I still open it up every once in a while just to get a refresher for myself.


Danny Ngan
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