Antenna motion on Torque

posted to: Antenna Overlap

Wayne, question on the antenna motion: I feel I've got good shape and timing for the overall position of the antenna during Torque's movement beginning to end. I'm now working on the upper parts of the antenna to be delayed in a sort of whip motion as you demo'd in your personal video with your arm. When making these types of tweaks, is it best practice to make those tweaks in the graph editor arcs using the handles or is keyframe spacing? I'm finding that my spacing is good for the overall motion but cramped if I were to stagger the keyframes of each portion of the antenna along the timeline to create the delay and whip. Curious how you approached this or what I should consider. I hope that makes sense. Thx.

  • Wayne Dixon replied

    Hi Keith,

    You will need to find the best way of working as there is no 1 way of doing things.  And it will be different for every animator.

    It might even be different for the same animator in different circumstances (if that makes sense)


    Everything you're doing now is practice and training. So try it one way.  If it works, great!

    If it doesn't, great! You now know what doesn't work for you in this situation in the future.  (but hey, who knows maybe it will some day)


    Don't be afraid to fail.  And it's not even really failing......it's learning!

  • Keith Krugh(keith_krugh) replied

    Wayne, thx so much for this response. It's actually a relief to read. Being a self taught animator and not going through a typical university-like  (or equivalent) curriculum just piecing this together over time, I've had insecurity about best practices. Concerned that I might be learning it incorrectly I guess. Hence, my engagement in CG Cookie bootcamp. Man, have I already learned so much! I really love the latitude animation provides in the creative process. Knowing that there really isn't 1 way of doing things, is energizing. Your clarification is much much appreciated.

    • Cool beans!