How to Create Amazing Character Animations with Character Tool 1.0.1 in After Effects
Character Tool 1.0.1: A Versatile Script for Character Animators in After Effects
If you are a character animator who uses After Effects, you know how challenging and time-consuming it can be to create and animate realistic and expressive characters. You have to deal with complex rigging, tedious keyframing, and limited presets.
Character Tool 1.0.1
But what if there was a way to simplify and speed up your character animation workflow, while also adding more variety and detail to your animations?
That's where Character Tool 1.0.1 comes in.
Character Tool 1.0.1 is a versatile script for character animators in After Effects that contains rigging tools, workflow boosters, and a bunch of secondary motion presets.
With this script, you can easily create and adjust the design of limbs, styles, and expressions; loop, offset, and reverse your animations; and add some tasty details to your animation with constantly updating presets.
In this article, we will show you what Character Tool 1.0.1 is, how to use it, and some tips and tricks for getting the most out of it.
Let's get started!
What is Character Tool 1.0.1?
Character Tool 1.0.1 is a script developed by Motion Design School, a platform that offers online courses and resources for motion designers.
The script is compatible with After Effects CC 2019 or higher, and works with any language version of After Effects.
The script has three main tabs: Rigging, Assistant, and Presets.
The Rigging tab contains tools for creating and adjusting the design of limbs, styles, and expressions.
The Assistant tab contains tools for boosting the workflow with functions such as looper, offsetter, reverser, naked mode, etc.
The Presets tab contains presets for adding secondary motion animations to the character with ease.
The script also has a trial version that you can download here, or buy the full version for $40 here.
How to Use Character Tool 1.0.1
Rigging Tab
The Rigging tab is where you can create and adjust the design of limbs, styles, and expressions for your character.
To use the Rigging tab, you need to have a character layer selected in your composition. The character layer can be a shape layer, a vector layer, or a pre-comp.
Once you have selected your character layer, you can click on the "Create Limb" button to create a limb for your character. A limb consists of three parts: a root, a joint, and an end.
You can adjust the position, rotation, scale, and color of each part by using the sliders or the handles on the screen. You can also change the shape of the limb by choosing from different presets, such as round, square, or custom.
You can create as many limbs as you want for your character, and rename them as you wish. You can also duplicate, delete, or hide any limb by using the buttons on the right side of the Rigging tab.
Another feature of the Rigging tab is the "Create Style" button. This allows you to create a style for your character, which is a set of parameters that affect the appearance of the limbs. For example, you can create a style that makes all the limbs thicker, thinner, longer, shorter, etc.
You can apply a style to any limb by selecting it and clicking on the "Apply Style" button. You can also save and load styles by using the buttons on the bottom of the Rigging tab.
The last feature of the Rigging tab is the "Create Expression" button. This allows you to create an expression for your character, which is a set of keyframes that affect the rotation and scale of the limbs. For example, you can create an expression that makes your character smile, frown, wink, etc.
You can apply an expression to any limb by selecting it and clicking on the "Apply Expression" button. You can also save and load expressions by using the buttons on the bottom of the Rigging tab.
Assistant Tab
The Assistant tab is where you can boost your workflow with functions such as looper, offsetter, reverser, naked mode, etc.
To use the Assistant tab, you need to have a character layer selected in your composition. The character layer can be a shape layer, a vector layer, or a pre-comp.
Once you have selected your character layer, you can click on the "Looper" button to loop your animation. The looper function allows you to set the loop duration, the loop type (cycle, ping-pong, or offset), and the loop ease (linear, ease in, ease out, or ease in out).
You can also click on the "Offsetter" button to offset your animation. The offsetter function allows you to set the offset amount, the offset direction (forward or backward), and the offset mode (all layers, selected layers, or selected properties).
You can also click on the "Reverser" button to reverse your animation. The reverser function allows you to set the reverse mode (all layers, selected layers, or selected properties).
Another feature of the Assistant tab is the "Naked Mode" button. This allows you to hide all the rigging elements of your character, such as the root, joint, and end points. This is useful for previewing your animation without any distractions.
The last feature of the Assistant tab is the "Bake" button. This allows you to bake your animation into keyframes. This is useful for exporting your animation to other formats or platforms.
Presets Tab
The Presets tab is where you can add secondary motion animations to your character with ease.
To use the Presets tab, you need to have a character layer selected in your composition. The character layer can be a shape layer, a vector layer, or a pre-comp.
Once you have selected your character layer, you can click on the "Add Preset" button to add a preset to your character. A preset is a set of keyframes that affect the rotation and scale of the limbs, creating secondary motion effects such as bounce, wiggle, wave, etc.
You can adjust the parameters of each preset by using the sliders or the handles on the screen. You can also change the timing and easing of each preset by using the graph editor.
You can add as many presets as you want to your character, and rename them as you wish. You can also duplicate, delete, or hide any preset by using the buttons on the right side of the Presets tab.
The script comes with a bunch of presets that you can use for your character animation, such as hair, tail, ears, antenna, etc. You can also save and load presets by using the buttons on the bottom of the Presets tab.
Tips and Tricks for Character Tool 1.0.1
Now that you know how to use Character Tool 1.0.1, here are some tips and tricks for using it more effectively and creatively.
Use the "Auto Rig" button to automatically create limbs for your character based on its shape and color. This can save you a lot of time and hassle when rigging your character.
Use the "Randomize" button to randomly change the parameters of any limb, style, expression, or preset. This can help you create more variety and interest in your character design and animation.
Use the "Copy/Paste" buttons to copy and paste any limb, style, expression, or preset from one character to another. This can help you reuse and recycle your assets and create consistent animations.
Use the "Link/Unlink" buttons to link or unlink any limb, style, expression, or preset from its parent layer. This can help you control the hierarchy and dependency of your character elements.
Use the "Solo/Unsolo" buttons to solo or unsolo any limb, style, expression, or preset from its parent layer. This can help you isolate and focus on specific parts of your character animation.
Examples of Character Tool 1.0.1 in Action
If you want to see some examples of character animations made with Character Tool 1.0.1, here are some links to tutorials and sources that you can check out.
Character Tool for After Effects Tutorial: This is a video tutorial by aescripts + aeplugins that shows you how to use the script step by step, from rigging to animating.
Character Tool for After Effects: This is a video by aescripts + aeplugins that showcases some of the animations made with the script, such as a dancing cat, a flying bird, a walking robot, etc.
RH Character Tools: This is a similar script by rhymage that also offers rigging tools, workflow boosters, and secondary motion presets for character animators in After Effects.
卡通人物角色手脚生成绑定MG动画AE脚本 Character Tool V1.0.1 + 视频教程: This is a Chinese website that provides the script and a video tutorial for character animation in After Effects.
D&D 5e Charactermancer: This is a tool by Roll20 that helps you create and customize your own characters for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition.
Conclusion
Character Tool 1.0.1 is a versatile script for character animators in After Effects that contains rigging tools, workflow boosters, and a bunch of secondary motion presets.
With this script, you can easily create and adjust the design of limbs, styles, and expressions; loop, offset, and reverse your animations; and add some tasty details to your animation with constantly updating presets.
Character Tool 1.0.1 can help you simplify and speed up your character animation workflow, while also adding more variety and detail to your animations.
If you are interested in trying the script, you can download the trial version here, or buy the full version for $40 here.
Thank you for reading this article, and we hope you enjoyed it. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Character Tool 1.0.1, with brief answers.
What are the system requirements for Character Tool 1.0.1?
Character Tool 1.0.1 requires After Effects CC 2019 or higher, and works with any language version of After Effects.
How can I get support for Character Tool 1.0.1?
If you have any issues or questions about Character Tool 1.0.1, you can contact the developer at support@motiondesign.school, or visit their support page.
Can I use Character Tool 1.0.1 for commercial projects?
Yes, you can use Character Tool 1.0.1 for any personal or commercial projects, as long as you have a valid license for the script.
Can I use Character Tool 1.0.1 with other scripts or plugins?
Yes, you can use Character Tool 1.0.1 with other scripts or plugins, as long as they do not conflict with the functionality of the script.
Can I request new features or presets for Character Tool 1.0.1?
Yes, you can request new features or presets for Character Tool 1.0.1 by sending an email to support@motiondesign.school, or leaving a comment on their product page. The developer is constantly updating and improving the script based on user feedback.
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