Orbiting character?

[TheMinahBird]

I rarely use bones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkspdPC8Md8

So, I was wondering if there are any acetate or cell animators that also do point animation to help me with this situation.
I rarely watch anime but has anyone ever noticed this effect?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_YDachmBlQ

Can someone help with tips on trying to get this orbital or zoom in and out effect?
I think it's very dynamic though so I'm not sure how I'd do it.

[slowtiger]

I have no idea which part of that 2:30 video you are referring to. Can you give some exact time stamp? I don't understand your question yet.

[TheMinahBird]

Ok check out the first transformation with the pink then check out 1:26 - 1:30

See how on the green or "Buttercup" how she punches towards the screen? It zooms in and out all fast and action like.

[slowtiger]

OK, I think I understand now.

This is a very simple animation trick. You do a small "preparing" or "introducing" movement, then just cut to the same character in close-up, with small movement as well, as if she's stopping that fast movement. You don't really create or show the fast movement, instead you hide it between two frames. The effect is very powerful and can be enhanced with sound.

What you call "orbiting" is just a very small head turn (or body turn). It's up to your taste whether you do this turn with point animation, or with a full bone rig.

[TheMinahBird]

Hmm now I don't really know how I'd do it with out the points shifting all ugly.

[slowtiger]

Well, first of all you need to be able to draw your character from different angles. Do this on paper until you're satisfied. Then you modify your points and bones in AS accordingly.

[TheMinahBird]

Ok (: then put the key frames closely?

[slowtiger]

Yes - the trick is to really have no transition between the "far" and the "close" position - one frame it's far away, next frame it's close up. Try with still images first, you'll see the effect even then.

[TheMinahBird]

I see how it is! I think I should also when something zooms in have everyone else motion blur.

Actually! That's another thing, you know animation blurs? Drawing a billion hands or eyes or a weird image to create the illusion of a blur. Is that capable in Anime Studio?

[slowtiger]

Several kinds of blur can be done in AS. Multiple images are easy, just copy and paste and use switch layers.