01 // Animation for Explainer Videos
An animation explainer uses character animations and/or animated text, combined with music and sometimes voice over, to explain a product, service, concept, or process. An animation explainer is one of the most common types of explainer videos, because it’s easy to make and accessible for audiences.
An explainer video is a short, usually animated video, that concisely and clearly explains an idea or concept. They are often used for marketing purposes but can be used for just about anything.
Explainer videos can be used to explain a new product or service, explain how something works, or even explain an abstract concept.
With explainer videos it is easy to explain complex concepts in a simple way. They can be engaging and entertaining, and they are often more memorable than other forms of communication.
There are many types of explainer videos beside the animation explainer videos. Those are live-action explainer videos, whiteboard explainer videos and screencast explainer videos.
For an explainer video one has to create a script, storyboard, voiceover and ad text, music, footage and illustrations.
It is important that the explainer videos are kept short and that there is enough movement so that the audience stays engaged. It is also important that it contains a professional voiceover and good sound quality. Humor and a strong call to action also play a big role to create a successful explainer video.
Explainer videos can be used in all sorts of platforms.
Why animation explainer videos?
With the help of animation, you can show things that are not normally seen with the human eye. One can create difficult to create content with images that help understand different parts of the spoken text. It is also easier to do changes in animations and add details. Lively animated characters in explainer videos can be eye-catching cartoons and they can trigger strong emotions. The characters can do whatever we want them to do, they can fly in space, dive under water, lift heavy objects and take the role of a superhero or alien.
References
- https://biteable.com/explainer/
- https://www.techsmith.com/blog/make-animated-explainer-video/
- https://www.lumapixel.com/blog/what-is-an-explainer-video-how-to-make/
- https://propulsevideo.com/en/importance-animation-explainer-video/
- https://www.bwd.co.za/blog/creating-an-animated-explainer-video/
- https://blog.videoscribe.co/8-reasons-why-businesses-need-animated-explainer-videos
02 // 2D/3D assets for Game Design
Game assets are anything that goes into a video game – characters, objects, sound effects, maps, environments, etc. Assets are everything that the player will see or hear during their gameplay.
Steps that are involved in the game asset creation are:
- Conceptualizing – researching existing design trends and brainstorming original ideas to be used in the game. It is also important to consider how well their concept will fit into the overall narrative of their gaming experience.
- Modeling – after the Concept is finished, game developers begin modeling the actual assets to create dimensions and details.
- Texturing – this process is about creating different textures for the models for depth and realism. Textures vary depending on the platform used to play the game.
- Animation – Is used if the game assets are meant to move or react dynamically in the game.
- Optimization – This process is very important. Game developers conduct a game compression and optimization process, which reduces the size of the model and texture files.
2D assets for games
With 2D assets there is a wide variety of style, from hand drawn to pixel art. 2D assets are more beginner friendly than 3D assets, but still it does not make the workflow any easier.
The process starts with creating a moodboard. After that the first sketches are made with the help of basic shapes. After that the outlines are added and with that colors and shading.
3D assets for games
The 3D process is much more complicated than the 2D process. The steps in the 3D process are drawing the 2D sketch, creation of high-poly model, sculpting, low-poly models, UV unwrapping, baking, texturing, and rigging.
References
- https://mainleaf.com/how-to-design-game-assets/
- https://www.juegostudio.com/blog/game-asset-creation
- https://medium.com/@tehwa/overview-of-a-3d-game-object-creation-process-b3d1cc872a32
- https://www.wacom.com/de-at/discover/3d-game/how-to-make-3d-models-for-games
- https://3d-ace.com/blog/3d-modeling-for-video-games-how-to-create-beautiful-assets/
03 // 2D/3D Character Rigging for Real Time Face Tracking
Over the past few years, streaming on platforms like YouTube and Twitch has become a new part of entertainment. There is also a new form of streaming – Vtubing. VTubers are fictional characters that can be in 2D or 3D format.
VTuber characters serve as an avatar for streaming, with the help of which streamers can create new personas and perform with them as new persons. The use of VTubers is becoming more and more popular, but their making is very demanding.
As already mentioned, there are two types of VTuber models, these are 2D and 3D. 2D models are usually inspired by the Japanese style of drawing as we know it from manga and anime. This process is the more challenging one out of these forms of creating VTubers.
2D Characters
For 2D characters, the entire character must first be drawn using a digital drawing program such as Photoshop. It should be kept in mind that each part must be drawn individually. For example, hair is made out of several different parts, so that it can behave correctly when the model is moving its head. It is necessary to draw different emotions on the face and adjust the individual parts of the eyes and mouth accordingly. When the character is drawn and its parts properly divided you can start rigging. For rigging there are special programs. With the help of these programs, you can animate the whole character, but it is necessary to take care that all parts match each other correctly.
3D Characters
With 3D VTubers, the process is a bit easier. You need to create a 3D model. Different software exists, with which you can create a 3D VTuber, without modeling or rigging it yourself. You can also model your own character. This can be done with Blender, where the characters can also be rigged. This process is a bit easier than 2D VTuber creation, but it also requires enough knowledge and patience to get to the end result.
Designing VTuber characters is a time-consuming work that requires a lot of skill.
References
- https://thegamemarketer.com/insight-posts/vtubers-a-brief-history
- https://www.fotor.com/blog/how-to-make-vtuber-model/
- https://www.xsplit.com/blog/how-to-create-and-stream-a-vtuber
- https://streamlabs.com/content-hub/post/how-to-make-a-3d-vtuber-avatar
- https://heystacks.com/doc/889/making-your-own-2d-vtuber-model
- https://ganknow.com/blog/how-to-make-a-vtuber-avatar-2d/
