-> 23 May – 24 May 2024
Week 16 – Audio in Maya
Some notes for importing audio in Maya.
- Download audio with WAV format
- Throw it into the folder where the Maya project we set for
- In Maya, set project > choose the folder you store your Maya file
- In timeline > right click > Import audio file
- Also, check windows > Preference > animation > evaluation mod as parallel
Attach object in Maya
I learned from a classmate how to assign constraint objects to a model using ZV Parent Master. This plugin helps me assign constraints in Maya faster.
Blocking
This week, I am working on blocking the practice of lipsyncing from audio we found online.
After discussing with George, I know more details to improve the body movement of the character. I know I am poor at prancing dramatically, but I can enhance this dynamic part in the animation.
Some key points to the critique this week:
- Timing of lip sync: In the beginning, his eyelids should look like he is reading a message or is a little confused.
- More follow through
- Dynamic body language
- Eye movement – Eyelids and timing of closing the eyes before jumping up
- The paper should follow one of the hands using the constraint tool ( Keyfame to the parent attribute )
- The curve of the body -> helps to enhance the natural moving
- Mouth -> Notice there are also revealing teeth and moving tongue when he pronounces a special word when he is about to emphasize. ( like T or O )
- Add more keyframes in the ending part.
- The timing of the character looking up to act like he is realizing something.
Referencing – record myself
Before doing the blocking in Maya, I record myself as an animation reference.
I recorded myself acting many times. It is not easy for me to do the performance. ( No talent for it. )
I adjust my body movement before jumping up. Usually, people bend their bodies or squeeze their bodies inside out before they get excited. It is like the preparation part of a bouncing ball. The body lowers to store energy and then jumps up.
Through the critique from George, I learned some interesting subtle facial expressions.
For example, our eyes will close faster and open slower. I have never noticed the fact of this. I think it is more natural when people are getting happy; the body will move forward a little bit in the ending part. Also, it depends on the personality which the tone of a voice will give the special trait for the character.
