The project
In preparation for a series of explainer videos, we recently worked on the design and creation of a custom character with 2.5D capabilities. Therefore, this was a good opportunity to create a short time-lapse video to show what is going on behind the scene. So here's a glimpse of all the work required to go from a static Illustrator file to a fully rigged character ready for animation.
Designing the character
The character was created in Illustrator by Henna Nguyen, a fantastic 2D artist, who has been able to complete the work within tight deadlines, according to stringent aesthetic and technical requirements.
Rigging work in After Effects
After that, the project moved in After Effects to rig the character and bring it to life. The main task here was to make the character 2.5D, which required a lot of adjustments and fine tuning. To clarify, the 2.5D consists in using 2D graphical projections and similar techniques to simulate the appearance of 3D. Consequently, this technique allows to take advantage of a 3D character's capabilities all while keeping the animation process simple. Most importantly, the render times remain very short compared to traditional 3D animation.
The result
As a result, the character is able to rotate his head in every axis even when fitted with all his accessories (safety googles, safety helmet and ear protections). In the same vein, the hands and feet can bend and rotate. And even the whole body can also rotate. In addition, the mouth can be automatically lip-synced with a voice over. And, to top it off, the process also includes the creation of a set of controllers. Those controllers will be used to easily adjust the movements of each separate body part thus making the upcoming animation work super fast and easy.
Do not hesitate to contact us to know more about our explainer video production capabilities. And, before leaving, have a look at our demo clip for explainer videos.
