This week, we learned about infinite animation cycles in Maya. We used the Pre Infinity and Post Infinity functions in the Graph Editor, which allow animation curves to repeat automatically before and after the existing keyframes. This technique can be useful for creating looping animations without repeatedly copying keyframes.
In addition, we started learning lip sync animation. The class introduced the basic workflow for dialogue animation, including Blocking, Blocking Plus, and Polishing. During the Blocking stage, we focused on key poses and facial expressions. In Blocking Plus, we added mouth shapes and facial transitions. Finally, the Polishing stage involved refining the animation and improving small details.
For lip sync, we learned three main steps: Jaw Opening, Phonemes, and Polish. First, we identified the jaw movement based on the rhythm of the dialogue. Then, we adjusted the mouth shapes according to different sounds, such as M, B, P, F, and V. Finally, we refined the transitions between mouth shapes, tongue movement, and subtle facial details to make the dialogue appear more natural.
Through this week’s lessons, I gained a better understanding of the workflow of dialogue animation and learned some basic principles of synchronising mouth movements with speech.