Basic Character Animation Tutorial: After Effects

BASIC CHARACTER ANIMATION:
Tutorial By: Andrea Freeman

As a person that LOVES to draw cartoon characters, there is no greater joy (in my opinion) than making a drawing into an actual moving animation. For those of you with a basic understanding of AfterEffects, here is a hopefully simple tutorial on how to animate your character! Enjoy!
STEP 1: CREATE CHARACTER
Learn how at:
http://www.lynda.com/3D-Animation-Animation-tutorials/Creating-jointswork/
734/58886-4.html

STEP 2: IMPORT YOUR CHARACTER in AfterEffects:
File > import > file > character file (Characterpenelope.psd) > import as composition

composition > editable layer styles > ok

STEP 3: RIG YOUR CHARACTER
1.) Double click on your Character Composition

2.) Begin to link (Rig) your character parts using the parent tool:

(Completed Character Rig)

3.) After rigging entire character, select the ‘Pan Behind Anchor Tool’ (shortcut Y)

4.) After selecting the ‘Pan Behind Anchor Tool’, move the “bulls eye” to the center of
each joint.
Do this for EACH BODY PART.
Note: This tell the program where to rotate each body part from

5.) Now use the rotation tool to move your character around.

6.) Set stopwatches and animate!
VIDEO TUTORIAL
http://www.lynda.com/3D-Animation-Animation-tutorials/Rigging-hierarchies-After-
Effects/734/58890-4.html