How to Animate Figures With Poser Software
Poser is a 3-D character design and animation software package. "Principles of Animation" at the Siggraph website distinguishes between 2-D and 3-D animation. Beginning animators must review camera angles and basic filmmaking techniques. Here are some tips.
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Instructions
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Review and expand each character's profile. Write the movie's story in script format and include movie shots and character positions for each scene. Begin the story with an establishing shot. Show the character's personality through each scene. For example, every character has a specific walk. Creating these traits at this stage will make an excellent animated movie.
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Sketch the movie script. Each panel equals five Poser key-frames. Change the script to fit system limitations. Older computers can freeze during large crowd scene renders. Several medium shots can also show a large crowd.
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Start Poser and build the scenes. Save the scene files in a separate directory. Reuse these Poser scenes again in the next movie. Review and modify the movie characters by changing the model's hair and clothing.
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Arrange the Poser screen for animation. Select "Windows, Graph" to add this function. Click the arrow in the lower-right corner to resize the window. Coordinate continuous character movement using the Graph window. Left-click and drag the Preview window until it almost touches the Editing tools.
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Activate the animation controls at the bottom of the screen. Follow the storyboard and animate scenes at five-frame intervals. Use moderate character movement changes. The Poser software plots movement between the intervals.
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Review the movie for errors. Correct body parts that are poking through clothing and robotic expressions or movements.
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Press Ctrl+J to create the movie. Although you can create the entire movie in Poser, rendering individual scenes gives editing advantages. Use movie editing software like Adobe's Premiere Elements or Windows Movie Maker to add cinematic transitions to the Poser scenes. Complete the movie with Adobe's Premiere Elements.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not have characters suddenly switch place during a 180-degree camera pan. Place a head on transition shot before returning to the camera pan.
