ABSTRACT

CREATING THE FOUNDATION of your animation, or blocking, is arguably the most important phase of animating. Since almost everything we do is affected by it, from the performance ideas we incorporate, to the appropriate technical approach, to the ease of refining and polishing, it's a great idea to define a solid blocking workflow. We're going to look at some common, yet very powerful, techniques to make blocking enjoyable and efficient.

This chapter is based around a short ninja animation, as the main reason to become an animator is to animate awesome things like ninjas. We'll go from conception to splining, all while looking at a myriad of handy techniques to make your animation kung fu very powerful. Like, super powerful. Like, Neo fighting off thousands of Agent Smiths powerful. Hiii-ya!!