What is the first steps for blinking eyes

[swangray]

I am confused on what are the first steps to making my custom made eyes on my character blink. I have seen some tutorials explaining a little yet I still have really no clue on how to get started. I have spent many hours trying to figure it out. I would really appreciate if you could break down this blinking eye process for me. Thank you very much

[Nolan Scott]

Draw your eye-shapes (or any other shape) on different vector-layers...
Then drag them into a Switch-layer and key-frame them as needed...

If you like, here is a short video demonstration using Switch-Layers...
http://web.mac.com/nolan.scott/Gallery/ ... ayers.html
(no sound, it's all fairly simple and self-explanatory)

Regards
Nolan

[Mikdog]

Its pretty simple. Once you get it you'll kick yourself because its that simple.

Create a vector layer.

Name it OPEN

Draw your open eyes on that layer

Create a vector layer

Name it CLOSED

Draw your closed eyes on that layer

Create a SWITCH layer

Name it EYES

Drag your OPEN and CLOSED eye layers into the SWITCH LAYER

On the timeline, go to frame 1

Right-click your switch layer. Choose OPEN

Go to frame 10

Right-click your switch layer. Choose CLOSED

Whammo.

[jose1984alberto]

here is a blink secuence that i made just for the fun of it the other day, this one isnt made with switches

http://www.mediafire.com/?vqyjtnzwy3g

hope it helps in some way

[swangray]

Thanks for the breakdown people! I just have another question, does this same process also apply to the rolling of the eyes? How do i make my character's eyes (pupils) roll around? Thanks a lot for your reply

[Rhoel]

If you have eye movement, then using the layer masking is a better way of making eye blinks.

Create an eye group folder.
Make the eye ball shape on the lowest vector.
add the pupil, iris and any highlight on the middle vector layer.
The top layer is the eyelid.

Set the group maske to hideall.
Add the Eyeball as the mask.
This will reveal all the layers except the eyelid which is outside the eyeball area.

Then you can animate the eyelid down over the eye at any speed you want. the pupil level can look in any direction including into the corners of the eye without protruding beyond the eyeball.

It might sound difficult but in fact, its really easy and this technique will work in all situations, including when the eyeball changes shape (frowning, looks of surprise etc).

Here is one I did earlier:


eyeblink.anme


Rhoel.

[swangray]

I am getting the hang of it thank you for your answers they are really helping me a lot.

[Honacloi]

Set the group maske to hideall.
Add the Eyeball as the mask.
This will reveal all the layers except the eyelid which is outside the eyeball area.

Alright - I am a bit dim - how do I add the eyeball as a mask? Been looking through the options and can't find one that says 'Add as mask' - please help.

Thanks.