When to start integrating character animation

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When to start integrating character animation

(17 posts) (9 voices)

Started 2 years ago by justinl
Latest reply from Mushyrulez

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justinl
Member
Post Count: 12

Hey everyone!

I've started creating my own platforming and had a quick question about when to introduce character animation. (I've introduced myself in the other section )

My Question:
I just have a box in Flash that runs around and jumps etc. I'm curious from your experience if you implement the character animation system AS you build the character (you code the jump, then you immediately code the animation for the jump and land, etc) or do just have a box moving around until you are happy with the way it moves, and then implement the whole animation system once you're satisfied with how things move.

There's probably no "right" way to do it, but I'm wondering what you'd recommend because I'd like to minimize the amount of animation re-work if possible.

Thanks!

Posted 2 years ago #
wingdemon
Member
Post Count: 2748

Hi Justinl!

well, if you animate first, then you'll have to code the whole thing and then check for animation errors and you may have to rework your stuff altogether, but if you code and then animate you can animate according to your coding, and after you can tweek its slightly in some places to get it how you want. so if you code first, then you'll probably have less time reworking animation, and more time creating content. thats just me though. if i were you, i'd wait for more replies and do what you think. . hop i helped.

P.s. if you wish to abbreviate my name, make it wingy, instead of wing. (wing sounds crappy)

p.p.s. you should add an avatar.

Posted 2 years ago #

Admin
jesus_minime
Member
Post Count: 2110

i agree with WD. code first, animate later.... you don't HAVE to, but i think it might work out better.

Posted 2 years ago #
VideoGuy
Spielberg
Post Count: 8720

Hate to be redundant, but yeah, code then animate. That's now how my game ended up working, but I think it would be easier to do that.

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Posted 2 years ago #
WJUK
The Lone Ranger
Post Count: 13502

Like everyone's said, you should really work around your code. If you're good and experienced then maybe you could do the animations first.

You'll want your code to be solid first, so putting the animations on top will make it fluid. If you animate first then realise some of the code doesn't really look too well with the animations, then you don't really want to change the code (it may cause unwanted complications).

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Posted 2 years ago #
justinl
Member
Post Count: 12

Sounds like it's unanimous about coding first and animating afterwards. I think something that was missed in my question, was more regarding implementing the animation system. I've never build a platforming engine from scratch so I want to make sure that leaving the animation system implementation until the very end won't cause a lot of re-work that needs to be done.

Thanks for all your responses so far!

Posted 2 years ago #
VideoGuy
Spielberg
Post Count: 8720

Well just have one static stick figure when you're coding the engine, then add the animations later.

Just got back on the internet after losing my access for a week. Read more on Random Discussion.

Posted 2 years ago #
wallross
Member
Post Count: 1729

What happened with Twisted was, The engine was written, some animations were added, new ideas came up, and then the coding/animation sorta mixed around a bit.

Posted 2 years ago #
Nyubis
Nyubis of Strata
Post Count: 9090

Take care you have some crappy placeholder animations that you can use to test if the code plays the correct animation. If you then add the animation afterwards there should be no major complications

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Posted 2 years ago #

Secret
wingdemon
Member
Post Count: 2748

for me, i just change my square into different colors depending on which animation go's where.
i.e.

blue = walk right
red = walk left
yellow = jump

you get the idea.

Posted 2 years ago #
VideoGuy
Spielberg
Post Count: 8720

Yup, that's pretty much what I did, and I think it's the best method.

Just got back on the internet after losing my access for a week. Read more on Random Discussion.

Posted 2 years ago #
justinl
Member
Post Count: 12

Thanks! I think putting in some sort of crappy animation or just the colour changes as placeholder would be good. This way I have the animation calls coded in, and I can just update them later when the movement is coded.

Posted 1 year ago #
wingdemon
Member
Post Count: 2748

a 1 month thread bump for nothing? didn't you read Dax's topic?

Posted 1 year ago #
Charles
Member
Post Count: 3

Before creating this do you know that Character animation is a specialized area of the animation process concerning the animation of one or more characters featured in an animated work. It is usually as one aspect of a larger production and often made to complement voice acting

http://www.coloncleansereviewed.com/

Posted 1 year ago #
wingdemon
Member
Post Count: 2748

dude. were talking about a flash game. character animation in sense of animating walking, running, climbing, jumping etc. were not freaking dreamworks animators. we make FLASH GAMES. using ACTIONSCRIPT. lmao.

Posted 1 year ago #
VideoGuy
Spielberg
Post Count: 8720

His bump was okay. Yes it was an old topic but he hasn't come on here recently. Charles is just stupid though.

Anyway yeah, changing color is usually a good way to indicate animation states.

Just got back on the internet after losing my access for a week. Read more on Random Discussion.

Posted 1 year ago #
Mushyrulez
Member
Post Count: 600

So how far along has your game been?

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Posted 1 year ago #

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