Learning Pivot
This is pivot 2. An older but better version of pivot. These are the buttons and what they do.
Menu Bar:
File:
New- Create a new animation.
Open Animation- Open an existing animation.
Save Animation- Saves the current animation.
Load Backround- Load an image as the background of your animation.
Clear Background- Removes the current background in the animation.
Load Figure Type- Loads a saved stick figure.
Create Figure Type- Opens the stick creator.
Exit- Closes pivot.
Options:
Height- Changes how tall the demensions of the animation are.
Width- Changes how wide the demensions of the animation are.
Animation Properties:
Play- Plays the current animation.
Stop- Stops the animation while playing.
Repeat- Plays the animation over and over when checked.
Slide Bar- Changes the frame rate of the animation.
Stick Figure Properties:
Add Figure- Adds a loaded figure from the dropdown menu into the animation.
Delete- Removes the current figure from the animation.
Edit- Brings up the stick creator to edit the current figure.
Center- Moves the yellow dot into the center of the animation.
Flip- Mirrors the figure from side to side.
Colour- Changes the colour of the figure.
100- Changes the size of the figure.
Front- Moves the figure in front of the other figures.
Back- Moves the figure behind the other figures.
Basic Movements:
Walking:
Walking is the easiest form of movement. If you keep easing realistic, it is really self explanatory.
Here is an example of walking.
Here is the frame split.
Here is the Piv.
http://www.pivothost.org/upload/v2/tdaw ... ng3qqo.piv
Running:
Running is the most common form of movement. It takes some time getting used to, but once you master it, you don't forget. Unlike in walking, in running the stick will briefly lift off the ground.
Here is a running loop.
Here is the frame split.
Here is the Piv.
http://www.pivothost.org/upload/v2/tdaw ... ngamw8.piv
Jumping:
Jumping isn't the easiest movement, but it is a basic one. A key to jumping is that, the stick needs a force to jump. he can't just rise off the ground. he has to bend down and push himself off the ground. Another thing to remember is that when he lands, he won't just fall in the standing position. He will crouch or depending on the fall, land flat on his face. Sometimes, it will leave him dizzy and depending on the height, if you keep it realistic, he will land in a bloody splat.
Here is what a jump looks like.
In the following frame split, notice the easing and way he lands. Keep an eye on the way he pushes himself up and gravity.
If the frame split wasn't enough download the Piv.
http://www.pivothost.org/upload/v2/tdaw ... ngdkzb.piv
Flying:
Like Nev said, flying is a technique used by vets, so mine is just a simple way. Remember to ease on the way up. For instance as he rises, he should slow down, and when it moves to one to two pixels of movement per frame, have him slowly fall, but his speed will increase.
This is a simple flying loop.
Notice in the following frame split, that I keep gravity realistic.
Here is the Piv.
http://www.pivothost.org/upload/v2/tdaw ... ngcjkx.piv
