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View Full Version : How to add Power to animations?

Trapper
05-17-2009, 10:48 PM
I've been animating as a hobby for a few years now using Maya, and I've never created anything all too impressive.

Generally, I animate free-style, without blocking poses. I also tend to only use the perspective view and graph editor to fine-tune my animations. I've always had problems, however, trying to get good control of my movements.

I just began a new project that involves one character punching another.
My question is: how do you add power to movements? I want to make my punches look very powerful, as if they really seem to be doing severe damage. I've tried making the punches only a few frames long, but they only look fast. Not powerful.

Here's an example of what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuY9SpCVsSA
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuY9SpCVsSA)
I've tried using this video for reference, but I just can't seem to get the same effect. What advice would you give as to add this type of effect?

Should I pause the fist for a single frame after contact to make it more noticable? Should I slow it down at the last few frames to make it clearer? Or perhaps speed it up to exaggerate the effect?

Any advice is appreciated.
Karnageddon
05-17-2009, 10:55 PM
To be quite honest, if you remove the sound and camera shake from that video you posted, it would no longer be a powerful punch. Normally when you punch a person, the ground does not shake;the camera shake is only giving it a supernatural feel, making it seem more powerful than it actually is.

Would love to see what you have though so we can point out what you could correct. Is it possible to post a video of what you already have?
Trapper
05-17-2009, 11:09 PM
I'll try to post a video of it on youtube or something so I can show it here.

I agree with the camera shake and sound "illusions." I watched the video without sound, and it still seemed pretty decent. The camera is certainly adding effect, but how much could it really be? The animation seems to be pretty solid.

As soon as the battery to my video camera is charged, I'll be filming some of my own reference. That will be far more helpful.
KielFiggins
05-18-2009, 12:20 AM
To get a more powerful feel into impact, some elements to remember are anticapation and twist.

The gears reference is pretty good for each (even minus sound and shake). Simply reducing the frame number doesnt make a punch stronger, its the windup/haul back thats shown in the shoulder/arm and the twist shown in the torso. 12-16 frames wind up with a 2 frame swing and a 6-8 frame follow thorugh will feel heaver then just quick motion.

Think of different types of boxer punches (video game or real life). Jabs are quick, no twist, and almost no wind up. However, Haymakers, uppercuts, over hands all require the body to twist to build momemetum and deliver a heavy blow.

Heres a pretty old anim i did with a good amount of twist in the actions:
http://www.3dfiggins.com/gallery.php?id=40&item=102#102

And check out mid way through Lico's latest demo reel. Has a great heavy guy with an axe, thats just terrific.
http://www.foofinu.com/animation.htm

Good luck, looking forward to seeing your work.
Trapper
05-19-2009, 08:27 PM
Ok I'd love to show my work so far to get some critiques, but unfortunately my sony vegas trial has long expired and I don't know of any other free programs that I can use to stack animation frames into video format.

Any suggestions?
royg
05-19-2009, 11:47 PM
Ok I'd love to show my work so far to get some critiques, but unfortunately my sony vegas trial has long expired and I don't know of any other free programs that I can use to stack animation frames into video format.

Any suggestions?VirtualDub (http://www.virtualdub.org/).
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