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Module 4 - Analysis and Redrawing For Digital Clean-Up
Module 4 - Analysis and Redrawing For Digital Clean-Up
Introduction
Clean Rough Keyframe
o An ideal style of rough keyframe drawing is something that seems cleaner
o Characteristics
There is very little to redraw before doing the actual clean-up
Sometimes clean-up can be done immediately based from it
Action and facial expression is properly portrayed
Rough attitude is present
Number of lines are minimal and unnecessary line strokes are removed or minimized
Lines are clean and crisp, almost akin to a messy clean-up
Modeling is correctly done, and almost all details are included in the drawing
o This type of style is very rare to be seen in the industry, possibly under a combination of the
following circumstances:
There are a too many / too few people in the animation studio
There is more than enough time given for the production stage
Keyframe / senior animator’s skill allows them to draw with higher attention to detail and
cleaner lines despite time pressure
Keyframe / senior animator was formerly a clean-up artist, so is aware of the current clean-
up artist’s plight
Page 1 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
o Meant to emulate what is supposed to happen in the frame with little focus on the details
o The essence / appeal that the character is giving off in the frame must be preserved
o There is a need to correct them before moving on to the actual clean-up:
Incomplete drawing of the character
Action and/or facial expression does not follow proper body / facial movement
Off-model drawing
Lack of details
Multiple lines that ultimately confuse the viewer
Page 2 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Also increases the accuracy of the animation since it is viewed as it should be compared
to some lapses that may occur when using more traditional techniques
Preparation
Understand the Storyboard
o All scenes in the storyboard must work as one animation, and not just as separate scenes
If not, the audience would notice a disconnect
This can break the immersion necessary to create an impact
o Helps the animator understand the entire animation, and how their part of the work
contributes to it
o Gives the animator an idea on the limitations on how to modify their scenes
o If the animator modify parts, they are aware of how it could affect the rest of the animation
o Things to know about the storyboard:
The entire scene that the animator shall animate
Scenes before and after the scene assigned to them
o Can be either:
Included in the digital animation folder as a video and/or the board itself
- May or may not occur
- Can be a set of images or a video (animatic)
- Not usually done as to prevent any leaking from the production staff
Shown in a meeting before the production stage
- What would usually happen
- Also allows for question and answer from the team which can be answered directly by
higher-up positions in the pre-production and production stages
Posted in a place within the studio
- Applicable if animators are placed in-house
Character Modeling
o All animators must know how to draw the characters assigned to them according to the
model sheet
o It is important to maintain the drawing style of a character throughout the animation process
It is normal for a character (relevant characters) to be drawn by a small team of animators
The character must look exactly the same even when changing into different scenes, and
thus, different animators
Having an off-model character breaks the immersion of the animation
o In practicing modeling, one must take note of the following:
Proportions and basic shapes
Detailing and rendering
Clean-up process and style
Shading / highlights (with clean-up)
Step-by-step process
Range of motion
Facial expressions
Character quirks
Exaggeration (limitations of character’s squash and stretch)
Perspective drawing and foreshortening
o Each animator is given a set of model sheets that would help them in creating the character
Utilized both when learning how to draw the character and during the production stage
Type and number of model sheets depend on the relevancy of the character
Background characters may not have model sheets
Page 3 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
o Time during the pre-production stage is given for the animators to learn how to draw the
character assigned to them
The time given to them depends on the animation studio and the timeline
An animator may learn how to draw them on their own accord
- Not recommended, since it can open different approaches, thus the possibility of
having different styles
It is also possible for them to have a separate class
- This makes it faster to learn and allows for higher chance of better consistency
- Allows for the animators to ask questions and get immediate feedback from the trainer
and/or the concept artist
Important: An animator is expected to draw characters in different animation styles and optimize
how to learn to draw them. An animation studio typically has multiple projects done at the same
time – all with different drawing styles and processes. It is also possible for an animator to learn
the drawing style during the production stage itself. As such, learning to switch between different
styles flawlessly is a key skill.
Page 4 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
o Usually, only one layer is needed; more may be added if too many markings are in the layer
o Name the layer appropriately in order to prevent any confusion when there are multiple layers
Follow any naming convention instructed
If there is none, it is recommended to keep it simple (i.e. analysis) to eliminate confusion
when handing it over to other members of the production staff
o Lock the rough keyframe drawing layer to prevent any markings done (applicable to some
animation / drawing / illustration software only)
o It is also possible to make the opacity of the original rough keyframe drawing lower to see the
markings during the redrawing process
Page 5 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Main Action
o Used to check the idea of the action, how it moves, and how it relates to the entire scene
o Use the play preview button to get an idea of the main action that is done for the scene
o Redo the play preview button as much as possible to get the idea of the main action
o Countercheck as well with the layout and field camera to see if the sizing of the character is in
line with what is stated
o Countercheck the alignment of the frames as well with the background and the other frames;
take note of readjustment if necessary
Time Chart and Exposure Sheet
o Check the time chart vis-à-vis with the main action
o Understand what are the aspects that the time chart is used for
o Use the exposure sheet to get a more detailed breakdown of the main action, some examples
are:
Secondary action
Camera movement
Mouth codes / lip-sync
Eye movements
o Countercheck with the animation scene file and storyboard to countercheck the action
Special Instructions
o The special instructions can either be integrated in the frame or placed in a separate text file
(in the example, it is placed together with the rough keyframe drawing)
o Read and understand what is pertained to the special instructions
o Identify what parts of the animation is being pertained to the special instructions and how it
would be included in the entire frame
o Visualize with how it would be included in the overall animation
Page 6 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Mouth / lip-sync – specifications on parts of the lip-sync that might be exaggerated; must
be used in line with the exposure sheet
Breakdown instructions – focuses more on the pose-to-pose animation process; usually
done when the action is a bit more complex
Cycles in timing – indicates whether or not the action or parts of it is a cycle (repeating
over and over again); hinted if the two keyframes are exactly the same
Shadow/ highlight indications – indicates the light source and placements of the shadows
and/or highlights, including their levels (i.e. core shadow, midtones, etc.)
Shading / highlighting instructions – indicates the intensity of the light, movement of the
shadows and/or highlights, amongst other things
Drawing registration instructions – emphasizes parts of the animation / drawing that needs
to be taken care of or emphasized; usually with the intervention of the animation director
Line quality and stroke – indicates the specifications of the line quality and stroke; parts that
are tapered / feathered may be further indicated
Special effects – indicates any effects that needs to be drawn with the character; possible
to have its own time chart or can be detailed further in the exposure sheet
Eye blinks / eye movement – indicates any changes within the eye movement; done when
the character is closer towards the camera; seen when the character is mostly still
Timing specifications – done when specific parts of the animation needs to have their own
time chart; done vis-à-vis with the exposure sheet
Secondary Actions
o Use the play preview button to play the keyframes and breakdowns once more
o This time, focus on the secondary actions
o Understand how the secondary actions would blend into the main action and how it
complements it
o If the secondary action has special instructions, instructions on the exposure sheet, or a
separate time chart, then those have to be considered as well
It is also possible for the secondary action to have its own time chart around the keyframe,
on a separate file, or on the exposure sheet
Path of Action
o Check all of the actions that are moving between the two keyframes, and see how it moves
from one keyframe to another
o Draw the paths of actions for each of the moving parts (primary and secondary actions)
o Based from those, draw the overall path of action
o Check with the special instructions if there are instructions with the movements of the different
body and face parts
o Prevent any motions that are overtly distorted and sticks out from the other motions of the
action and the storyboard
o For the secondary action, check if the path of action complements the primary action
Range of Motion
o Understand the intensity of the action that is being done, and understand if there is any
exaggeration (squash / stretch) that must be done
o Check the extent of the different body parts for the action
o Refer to the model sheet and the paths of action to see the extremes of the range of motion
o Check kinematics and inverse kinematics involved in the pose
o Also check if there are parts of the action that may not move as much as it should be (i.e. not
stretched out or squashed enough)
Page 8 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Modeling
o Check proportions based from the layouting
o Check if the proper basic shapes are used
o See if variations of the basic shapes are used when the character is facing another direction
o Check if all details are included
Reporting
o Make sure that all of the analysis is done before moving onto the reporting
o Before reporting, construct any more questions that is necessary going forward (redrawing,
clean-up)
o Discuss the changes that needs to be done to see if it is in line with the intention of the
keyframe / senior animator
o It is important to only do the reporting once and as less as possible (i.e. one reporting for all of
the keyframes received; once a week) to prevent distracting the work that needs to be done
by the keyframe animator
o Be concise with explaining the changes you wish to do, and then move on to questions that
one is uncertain of
o If the senior / keyframe animator is unavailable, one can refer to:
Department head
Animation director
Production assistant
Other animators with more experience
About Reporting: As time passes by and with more experience, an animator is able to detect the
aspects that needs to be changed before redrawing without consultation. In fact, greenhorn
animators would come to you for aid.
Redrawing
Introduction – Redrawing
o Process of correcting the action, timing, and design of the character in the keyframes before
the actual clean-up
o Redraws are based off the analysis and consultations conducted
o Counterchecks and corrects any mistakes done in rough keyframing before doing clean-up
o Helps facilitate the clean-up process to make it easier to see what needs to be cleaned-up
o Not all steps are applicable to every single rough keyframe drawing
Steps – Redrawing
o Addition of layer
o Rechecking brush settings
o Main action
Page 9 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
o Secondary actions
o Pose and facial expressions
o Modeling
o Rough attitude
o Cleaning
Addition of Layer
o Make sure that there are no additional markings in the original rough keyframe drawing layer;
if there are, ensure that those ones are removed precisely and carefully
o Add another layer that is separate from the layer for the analysis stage (unless it is unused)
o Multiple layers may be used for the redrawing process before actually moving on with the
actual clean-up
o Make both the rough keyframe drawings and analysis layers lower in terms of opacity to see
the output done during the redrawing process
Page 10 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Secondary Actions
o Redraw corrections in accordance to the exposure sheet
Take note of separate timing methods and time charts if necessary
o Redraw corrections that were not specified in the special instructions
Page 11 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Modeling
o Resize the character according to the layouting and field camera
o Take note of character proportions
Start off with the overall height
Focus as well on the facial expressions
Take note of changes due to exaggeration (squash / stretch)
o Use three-dimensional basic shapes
Include foreshortening and perspective drawing if necessary
Draw with layouting, field camera, and/or background if provided in the animation folder
o Render basic shapes
o Add details
Would usually take the longest amount of time
o Include shading / highlighting instructions if possible
Rough Attitude
o Ensure that there were no changes in the feel and integrity of the action caused by the
changes in the construction of the character
Usually, changes in the rough attitude is mainly derived from the modeling process
o Change if the action becomes too limited or less dynamic due to the modeling stage
Ensure that the modeling aspects are still placed intact
o Erase any unnecessary lines that may distract towards the next stage
Cleaning
o Create another layer; lower the opacity of the previous layer
o Use another brush color if necessary (in this example, a red-purple color is used)
o Tighten the design of the character by doing a messy clean-up
o Do this step multiple times until one is confident with moving on with the actual clean-up
This helps with the final clean-up and properly establishes the lines that needs to be
created
Take note of making the lines more organic / curved to make it look more natural
Page 12 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
o When finally finished, add the other special instructions and remove other unnecessary layers
o If using a drawing tablet:
Use as less lines as possible
Overshoot lines if necessary
Make sure that all of the lines are curved
Only use straight lines if it is meant to be a straight line (i.e. inorganic objects)
The clean-up line doesn’t have to be perfect on the first pass
Important: When doing analysis and redrawing, each individual may have different yet valid
output. As animators, there are different aspects of the animation / drawing that we value over
the other, and that focus is reflected on the output. As such, there is no single correct output for
a given keyframe. What is mostly important is for the clean-up artist to present what they think is
important while still maintaining the primary intent of the keyframe / senior animator.
Page 13 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Modeling
o Common Mistakes
Incorrect volume (i.e. character’s face is too thin / thick)
Incorrect placement of elements (i.e. eyes are too high up)
Character’s torso is too thin / thick
Character’s head is too high / low
Character’s arm is too long / short or wide / thin
Incorrect basic shapes used (particularly on the face)
Asymmetry on the rendering of details (jacket lapels, arms, etc.)
Lack of details (i.e. turtleneck can be ignored)
Incorrect clean-up line style
o Caused By
Tendency to simply trace the character without proper analysis and redrawing
Lack of practicing the modeling before doing the activity
Lack of understanding how to create the character (i.e. basic shapes and proportions)
o Possible Solutions
Conduct analysis and redrawing stages properly
Practice some modeling before going on with the activity
Break down the model sheet according to proportions and basic shapes
Counter-check with the model sheet while doing the redrawing process
Missing Information
o Examples
No special instructions
No frame label
No time chart
Incorrect copying of the time chart
Incorrect placement of the production information
Not Aligned Keyframes
o Examples
Frame shifts movement from the other frame
Frame is rotated incorrectly
Frame is smaller / bigger compared to the other frame
o Possible Solutions
Ensure that the two frames are aligned by adjusting the opacity then line-testing
Countercheck with the rotation and size before submission
Stiffness of the Action and/or Facial Expression
o Rough attitude that is emanated from the rough keyframe drawing is gone from the redrawn
or cleaned-up frame
o The frame does not look as appealing and enticing compared to the rough keyframe drawing
o Caused By
Focus on the modeling and rendering, which can remove the rough attitude
Ignored / removed line of action
Lacking facial expression
Too flat lines
o Possible Solutions
Take note of the line of action and silhouette
Exaggerate facial expressions (according to the model sheet)
Take note of perspective drawing
Page 14 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
References:
Blair, P. (1994). Animation. Walter Foster Publishing: California.
George. (n.d.). Job 1 – Clean-Up Artist, TAFE NSW Sydney eLearning Moodle. Retrieved from
https://sielearning.tafensw.edu.au/toolboxes/Animation/jobs/job1/ca/j1_ca_pr.pdf
George. (n.d.). Studio Tour – Clean-Up Artist, TAFE NSW Sydney eLearning Moodle. Retrieved
from https://sielearning.tafensw.edu.au/toolboxes/Animation/tour/ca/s_ca_pr.pdf
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (2018 February 27). Training Regulations
for Animation NCII – Version 02. Quezon City
Williams, R. (2001). Animator’s Survival Kit. Faber and Faber: United States.
Page 15 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Rubric:
Record Keeping Procedures
Analysis and Redrawing Keyframe Appeal
and Quality Control
20 (excellent) – Rough 20 (excellent) – Output was 10 (excellent) – All production
keyframe was analyzed able to maintain the integrity information necessary are
properly and accurately in and rough attitude of the pose present; naming convention of
accordance to the steps and facial expression; the file name and proper file
discussed; rough keyframe was character modeling was type were followed
masterfully revised and maintained and applied
redrawn according to the towards the character
analysis and steps
16 (above average) – Rough 16 (above average) – Output 8 (above average) –
keyframe was analyzed mostly was mostly able maintain the Production information are
properly and accurately in integrity and rough attitude of mostly present and
accordance to the steps the pose and facial expression; unnecessary information may
discussed; rough keyframe was character modeling was mostly be present; naming convention
revised and redrawn maintained and applied of the file name and proper file
according to the analysis and towards the character type were followed
steps with above average
standards
12 (satisfactory) – Rough 12 (satisfactory) – Output was 6 (satisfactory) – Production
keyframe was analyzed somewhat able maintain the information are mostly present,
properly and accurately in integrity and rough attitude of and some unnecessary
accordance to the steps the pose and facial expression; information is present; naming
discussed but there are some character modeling was convention of the file name
significant mishaps; rough somewhat maintained and and proper file type may have
keyframe was somewhat applied towards the character been followed
revised and redrawn
according to the analysis and
steps with average standards
8 (fair) – Rough keyframe was 8 (fair) – Output was not able 4 (fair) – Some production
not mostly analyzed properly maintain the integrity and information are present and
and accurately in accordance rough attitude of the pose and unnecessary information is
to the steps discussed; there facial expression; character present; naming convention of
were little revisions and modeling was not maintained the file name or proper file type
redrawing and the ones and applied towards the were not followed
present showcase a below character
average skill
4 (needs improvement) – 4 (needs improvement) – There 2 (needs improvement) – No
Rough keyframe did not go is a need of understanding on production information is
through any analysis and maintaining the integrity of the present; naming convention of
redrawing; any type of analysis pose and facial expression, as the file name and proper file
or redrawing had little to no well as the modeling of the type were not followed
effect on the improvement of character
the keyframe
Page 16 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Page 17 of 18
ANIMATION NCII – Animation 12b
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT Ani 12 A, B, C, and D
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Page 18 of 18