3D Character Animation Intro

Description

Animation brings a character to life through timing and weight, and these fourteen PDF lessons teach the fundamentals for 3D work. They start with 3D animation basics and the twelve principles of animation, then cover setting up a first character rig and animating a bouncing ball.

Later lessons cover the basic walk cycle, body mechanics and weight, poses and expressions, timing and spacing and believable interactions between characters. You then build a first short scene, refine it, export it and put together a portfolio. Checklists and many exercises are included. After reading, you should understand how animators plan movement and be able to work through a simple animation from rig to exported clip.

Who it is for: beginners who want to start animating 3D characters.

What’s included
14 PDF lessons · 66 pages · about 23,000 words
One ZIP download that is yours to keep — read on any device, no subscription or app needed.

Course programme

1. Getting Started with 3D Animation Basics
2. Understanding the 12 Principles of Animation
3. Setting Up Your First Character Rig
4. Creating Simple Bouncing Ball Animations
5. Mastering the Basic Walk Cycle
6. Learning Body Mechanics and Weight
7. Animating Character Poses and Expressions
8. Working with Timing and Spacing
9. Creating Believable Character Interactions
10. Building Your First Short Animation Scene
11. Adding Polish and Refining Your Work
12. Exporting and Presenting Your Animations
13. Developing Your Animation Portfolio
14. Next Steps in Your Animation Journey