ANIMATION PRINCIPLES - ITERATION 2

This post is on my second iteration of my Infinity War Morphing animation.

This iteration was built on during a 3 hour After Effects session. I hadn't been able to work on the animation over the Christmas break, since my laptop can't handle running After Effects.

The way I saw this session was in two-parts; the first half where I struggled, and the second half where I blazed through work.

I spent the first hour and a half getting frustrated at the file. Nothing I was trying worked; making certain layers work with morphing, shapes changing when I didn't want them too, and even a crash making me lose the little work I had managed to do. 

I recognise that one of my downfalls when it comes to working is that I rarely ask for help; I always try and find a solution on my own. However, everything stacked against me this time was too much. I asked the lecturer for help, explaining how I was struggling and really needed help. 

The main thing that was getting to me was that nothing was morphing correctly; things would change dimensions and location, but the shape itself wouldn't. But I was reminded that the elements didn't actually have to morph; they just had to look like they did. Once I was told that, I realised that I'd been completely overthinking everything. I was also given advice on how to make the animation look better with the new method. The main takeaway from that was with the fingers; instead of still showing the knuckles, they'd sink into the hand completely.

From there, the second half of the session ran a LOT smoother in terms of workflow. I managed to get the Gauntlet to completely turn into the Eye of Agamotto, and apply some of the 12 Animation Principles that I thought would fit. 

One thing had to be removed to accommodate the new method; the hand plate details. They were too fine-lined and barely noticeable in the first place, so trying to make them work the same way as everything else proved a challenge. Because of that, I decided to get rid of them. Maybe closer to the end, I'll rework them in.

I also got some peer reviews for one aspect. The last thing that happens at this point is the two prongs popping up from the Eye. I had the animation down for them (a little bit of squash & stretch and exaggeration), but didn't know if they should both come up simultaneously or with some offset. Everyone I asked agreed that there should be an offset; one pops up earlier than the other.

So with that, the first half of the animation is done! From here, the main thing to do is to go back into the Infinity Gauntlet. And now I know how to make the morph look, and in an effort to keep consistency, the next half should go by much better!