Monthly Archive for October, 2006

Quick Preview of the Next Tutorial

Managed to create the example without time to write the damn thing. Either way, the Vibration Tutorial is will be up this week. Until then, here’s the sample:

Update: It’s up and can be viewed here.

Staggered Timing in Flash

Last week Adam Phillips wrote a nice tutorial on Staggering Tweens using the Custom Ease window new to Flash 8 Professional. While it’s a nice little diddy, I find the Custom Ease tool a bit cumbersome in general and really bothersome for long sequences. So, I decided to share my own technique.

Continue reading ‘Staggered Timing in Flash’

Planet Zangrief Layout

Another layout from the mystery short…

Welcome to Zangrief

Tony Hawk Downhill Jam DS Out Today!

“This is where the flock learn to fly!”
– Antonio Segul

Whaaaa?

Yeah for hooray! Today my first shipped title hits the stores! Here’s a small preview of the Cutscenes. I’ll be sharing more Jam DS art soon:

Ivan & Fei

On this game I was responsible for:

  • Storyboarding the Cutscenes All Cutscene Art
    (Characters & BGs all done in Flash)
  • Some Character Design
    (I designed Ivan and Tony, the other characters were adapted from the console version)
  • Concept Art
    (mostly UI design)
  • Enviroment Textures
    (Mostly Kilimanjaro)
  • UI/Menu Backgrounds
  • Redesigned Create-a-Skater Interface
  • Many of the Create-a-Skater Textures
  • HUD Elements
    (not the Level Maps though)

Check it out:

Downhill Jam Community Site

On IGN.com

Reading Material for New Flash Animators

Every so often, I’m asked to recommend books and such for Flash Animation. So, I decided to save myself the trouble of writing the same info over and over. This list will be nothing new to more seasoned animators, eliciting a “No Shit” response. I compile it in the hopes that a greeny will find the right knowledge early.

  1. The Animator’s Survival Kit
    by Richard Williams
    The Animator's Survival Kit

    If you do not own this book stop reading and click the link. Seriously, do not even touch your stylus to your Wacom again without reading this text. I say without hesitation, this is the definitive reference for animation. In addition to being the most robust collection of techniques I’ve ever witnessed in one book, it’s beautifully written with inspiring anecdotes.

    One can hardly finish a page or two with rushing over to the computer/light table/etc. to try something new. This sounds like gushing, but I assure you it’s not. This book sells for under 20 dollars and it was more valuable, more enlightening than my entire college education. Reading it is like a religious experience. Get it.

  2. The Illusion of Life
    by Ollie Johnston & Frank Thomas
    The Illusion of Life

    If the ASK (above), teaches you how to animate, this book makes you want to animate. This is not to say this book doesn’t contain it’s own wisdom (origin of the 12 Principles, etc), but it’s less focused and applicable than the ASK. Nonetheless, this is the second book to buy.

  3. Acting for Animators
    by Ed Hooks
    Acting for Animators

    Once you learn to animate, you’ll need to learn to act. This book is vital for any and all interested in character animation. I suggest it for anyone though. Ed Hooks has done wonders for me. I love him in an inappropriate fashion.

  4. Timing for Animation
    by Harold Whitaker & John Halas
    Timing for Animation

    A very concise text that’s smaller than its counterparts and with great bits of wisdom. This book has my favorite diagrams (just look at the cover!) that instantly give you “the penny dropped” feeling. The images alone speak volumes.

  5. The Flash Animator or Hollywood 2D Digital Animation
    by Sandro Corsaro
    The Flash Animator Hollywood 2D Digital Animation

    If you just wanna learn some Flash animation techniques, either of these will do the trick. Hollywood 2D Digital Animation essentially takes everything in The Flash Animator and combines it with some business advice and some interviews with various professionals. I personally prefer the The Flash Animator because its size is less awkward and the focus is where I want it. A terrific text for the beginner.

  6. Cartoon Animation
    by Preston Blair
    Cartoon Animation

    I like this book. I really do. It was the first “How to Animate” book I ever owned. It’s a great beginner text, but at some point, you’ve got to move on to the ASK for the complete story. No disrespect intended.

If you’d like to suggest other books, please do! Comment that business!




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