Creating a Photoshop Puppet (Adobe Character Animator Tutorial)
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- čas přidán 27. 06. 2024
- If you've ever wanted to create your own animated puppet with Adobe Photoshop and Character Animator, this step by step guide will walk you through customizing a template character and turning them into whatever you want! Today I'll be taking the free "Blank" example puppet (from pages.adobe.com/character/en/...) and turning it into a new female character with eye / mouth / hand triggers, physics-enabled hair, basic arm structure, and more!
0:00 Intro
0:45 Getting Started
10:56 Mouths
14:19 Eyebrows
19:52 Eyes
31:44 Hair
40:17 Body & Arms
44:53 Triggers
53:36 Troubleshooting
Download Character Animator: www.adobe.com/products/charac...
Get free puppets: adobe.com/go/chexamples (official adobe puppets) / okaysamurai.com/puppets/ (okay samurai puppet pack)
Check out the official forums: adobe.com/go/chfeedback
Share your creations on social media with #CharacterAnimator!
Subscribe on CZcams: czcams.com/users/subscription_c...
Twitter: / okaysamurai
Website: okaysamurai.com - Jak na to + styl
Great video, thank you so much for doing this! Here, I'll put here some of my notes: ( I also added the ones in the description so that it's more complete)
00:45 Getting Started
10:56 Mouths
14:19 Eyebrows
19:52 Eyes
31:44 Hair
35:27 linking artwork and fix for unlinked issues
35:40 hair movement
40:17 Body & Arms
44:50 triggers
51:00 advanced triggers
53:00 fixing movements
55:00 Jaw movement
57:00 mouth cycle layer
58:00 Arm movement
1:00:05 Arm advanced fix
I hope you get your stimulus check first 🥲. Thanks for this
Thanks!
I am so blessed...to have found your page during the Quarantine...THANK YOU.
start this now and thank me later czcams.com/video/Yy4lJ-JHHFo/video.html
😅
Your movies never cease to amaze me!
I am relying on you the most in regards to this matter.
Your instructions are so clear and concise. Thank you, I think I love you.
I am happy, made a character using Adobe illustrator and Character animator for a family member with a growing CZcams channel. Seems fairly popular on his channel and looks cool! Fun program for sure.
Holy crap, this tutorial was amazing! Thank you so much this is the PERFECT tutorial.
Definitely subscribing!
Hello. Just wanted to say I love you and the way you create. Very clear, precise, and aware of the limitations of man with regards to time... Pro level to the bone. (platonically of course)
I always learn something new, even on the basics. New layer style was something new and much easier than what I was doing. I'm also very appreciative that there wasn't music. Its always welcome when there isn't speaking but when its instructional it makes such a difference for me. Everything is clear and and easy to understand. Thanks Dave. I hope we'll see new community spotlights and advanced techniques. I'm especially interested in Midi control for recording and live performance.
Wow this video is just so clear and easy to understand. Thank you!!
ok ur are so good at explaining things. i cant stop doing this. thank you
Really appreciate you making this video! It was great info for me as I am beginning to us Adobe Character Animator and I have a project coming up where I have to make several puppets and animated them. Thanks man! \m/ You Rock!!!
just started. very excited!!
OMG dude this is incredible!!! Great tutorial. Thank Youi
Thank you so much, you helped me so much getting started.
Always thank you so much!
Best Tutorial!
Amazing! Thanks for the hard work.
I just finished making my first puppet using this tutorial, except mine looked like Freddy Krueger. I don’t know how I would have done it without this video. On to the next one!
Thanks for another great video Dave!
Great tutorial video, u just help me a lot to make my first animated video omg. I am learning from a total beginner, rly thx so much
I bet your video rocks!
He is real man. Attractive voice and good way to speech delivery
Excellent! Thank you! Now I have to make a new one and make the 2 interact in an educational 15 sec animation. :D
So helpful, thanks so much Dave!
Such a amazing tutorials I ever seen! great!
czcams.com/video/Yy4lJ-JHHFo/video.html see this too
I REALLY LIKE THIS TUT. THX A LOT BRO... @Okay Samurai
Now *that* was a perfectly executed tutorial! You, sir, are the perfect teacher. Thanks a gazillion! (now to find someone exactly like you but for After Effects!)
Yes he is fucking amazing. Let me know if you find someone for After Effects
#Facts
Check out Joey Korenman at School of Motion. He has very good tutorials for AE.
That helped a lot
Your channel and all your videos has really helped me
thanx a lot
I am learning very first you are a great teacher i am on your word step to step
I love this program so much!
I do too!
Great tut, thanks!
This was interesting thank you for sharing with us.
Thank You, this was my very first day with character animator, starting out with some frustration that anything doesn't work, slowly step by step getting my first character design ready for some basic animation! Thanks a lot, it was made thanks to you!
Very helpful, I learned a lot
Thanks SO much Dave!!
This is incredible. Thank you so much
czcams.com/video/Yy4lJ-JHHFo/video.html subcribe please
I’ve been waiting Master Splinter👀👀👀😁😆🤘
You helped me so much
Thanks alot
:)
Great tutorial ... I created a character... thank you! :)
Thanks for the video ! Respect from Kabylia ( north Africa)
where is kabilya ? ahahhaha wech bik a 3isa golo dzayer w haninha
Excellent
Great video and tips
thank you sir. you are a great teacher
Great video! This was my first video tutorial and I made my first animation with it. Excelent job! Thank you very much! I love all your videos and I am sure that I will learn a lot from you! Thank you thank you thank you sooo much!
thank you i hope i can build a full animation scene after watching your tutorials
You can do it!
谢谢🙏,Dave!
10/10 brother! Thanks a lot
Amazing!★
Agreed!
Thanks a lot !
Thank u!
Always wondered what that software was used for.. I will be diving straight in. Thank you
czcams.com/video/Yy4lJ-JHHFo/video.html
Great video. When I make changes to one of my layers, PS states 'must be rasterized' - will this still work later?
Yes, raster or vector/smart layers will both work in Character Animator.
Hi Dave thanks for the tutorial. really helpful. Can you please show how to animate dialogue between two characters? thanks
This shows how to do it with dynamic link in AE: czcams.com/video/RMo-z8hO2HM/video.html. Otherwise, inside CH just drag as many puppets as you want into a scene timeline - whichever one you arm (red dot) is what you'll be recording.
Great step by step informative tutorial! I do have a question though. How do you get a character facial expressions if your using pre-recorded vocals?
You would disarm everything except triggers and do a pass on emotions like mouth swaps, eyelids, etc. See czcams.com/video/VhCKD5vl848/video.html for more info on how I record triggers.
@@okaysamurai Nice 👍
All your tutorials are so helpful. I wonder if you could do a video tutorial on the intricacies of head turn positions? Thanks.
Good idea! Will consider it...
Specifically the construction of the head and subtleties in this area. Thanks again.
For the time being I would take a look at Samurai Steve on adobe.com/go/chexamples - he has super subtle head turns but it's a really cool effect (and he's a pretty complex character).
Samurai Steve is a beautifully done puppet. I’m in awe of his brow, eyebrows, lids, highlights. Really well done. But yes, extremely subtle head turn.
@@Cwichitamaybe try the cooker : czcams.com/video/sjI3YiU2wac/video.html
Thanks for the awesome vid! I look forward to these each month! Do you have a presence working with AI or PSD? I have been using AI because of vector and worry about pixelation with PSD files. Thanks again!
I tell people to go with what they feel comfortable with. CH is optimized to run both PS and AI, and there is no significant advantage to using one or the other. I get around the pixelation by just making bigger canvas sizes in Photoshop - for the 1920 x 1080 videos I'm usually making, a 2500 x 2500 character is more than big enough, even for closeup shots. If you're more comfortable in AI, go for it!
@@okaysamurai Thanks!
I will share my composition with you after this lesson
Your tutorials are amazing! I would love the third robot dude, I need a sideview, but I can't find him in Character Animator 2023, or on your website or Adobe website.
Which robot is this? I make a lot of robots :)
MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS AND KEEP YOU AND US ALL AMEN, I AM A ARTIST YOU HAVE MADE MY DAY BRINGING MY ART TO LIFE THANK YOU,
Your videos are amazing. They were monumental in helping me launching my cartoon gaming channel. I'd never touched Adobe software before and you made it so easy I learned everything in 2-3 month. Thank you!!
Hi OkaySamurai. Thanks for putting up these amazing tutorials. I have instantly got started with character animator and now I find it very intuitive. A quick question though. When I use the jaw tagging like you did, for my own puppet, the whole body below the jaw starting from neck starts going up and down very slightly, with the jaw.
I want to get rid of it. Any suggestions why this could be happening?
If the whole body is moving, the jaw was probably put on a non-independent layer. Make sure the jaw goes on a group or layer with a crown icon next to it, and that the Body group doesn't have a crown and is fixed to the ground. Refer to the main Blank puppet example to see a working version of this in action.
@@okaysamurai understood. Will give this a try.
@@okaysamurai I Am Making My Own Cartoon Show And A Video Game One Day
Thanks for sharing this! I'm trying to learn how to use this amazing tool... Let me ask u something. When you finish everything on Photoshop... How do you export the file again into Character Animator? I was looking for an option to save it as a .puppet but PS does not show that option. I'll appreciate your answer!! Thanks again!
In Character Animator just go to File > Import, and import your PSD file there. That will turn it into a puppet essentially. Hope that helps!
I am a simple person. I see Dave's video, I click Like.
thanks for these awesome sources, i wondered in project panel all the previous works stays there, how to clean it ? I mean when i select and just delete, it deletes all data connected it.
I wouldn't clean the project panel unless you're not using the asset anymore. I would make a new project instead. Similar to After Effects, you need those project panel references for CH to work properly.
@@okaysamurai oh my bad, thank you.
Hi, thanks for videos. I have a question to U. How long and how many people work to create 2 or 3 characters and 1min animation with them in Character Animatior in commercial studio?
It really depends on the character complexity. For me I'm probably able to make a decent character in a day, maybe 2 if I add a lot of bells and whistles. If the character is set up properly and you have the voiceover, a 1-minute animation should be pretty quick too - maybe another day? It varies greatly depending on the character - a character like I'm showing here was done very quickly, but a more advanced one like Tull the Cat or something took me longer.
Adobe Character Animator CC 2019 Version - Don't Have a Stapler Button, Where I Can Find It? Please Tell Me.
The staple tool is long gone, replaced by auto attach. In this tutorial when I move the arm origin to the shoulder, that's essentially doing the same thing that the staple tool used to do (much easier)!
Awesome Good 😊
Great Video! I have a question though! when I try and import my blank puppet file (freshly downloaded and unedited) I get an error saying that the file format isn't supported! Any idea why that would happen?
CH should be able to import all .puppet files, unless you're on a much older version. Make sure you're up to date with the 2020 version. You can also try other example puppets to see if it's an isolated case or not.
so... question when working with the photoshop puppet you want to use the vector type tools rather than the raster type tools? pen vs brush?
Doesn't matter - any PSD becomes rasterized on import into CH.
great video explaining everything and you sir, are a great teacher who actually knows what you're doing!
Congrats Amazing Video!!! I have a question though, I don't have at Photoshop the option "Graphic and web" mentioned at 09:38'. Please can you help me?
Hmmm strange, that should be a default option. Well, any other option is fine too - you can drag the tabs around to rearrange panels and customize it however you want. For me, having a big tall Layers panel is the most important thing for CH puppet making.
@@okaysamurai Thanks so much for your immediate response!!!! I'll try it. Congrats once again :D
You teach us how folders work and how its done..thats all i need
Thank you for the video! It's very easy for understanding for a beginner with Character Animator like me :D
I have a question - for what purpose a + sign is used in photoshops layer's name? I'd really appreciate if someone brings light for me 🙏
The + is used to make a part "independent" - aka a crown icon in the Character Animator app - to let it move on its own. You don't have to do this in PS or AI - you can do it in the CH app, but it's a nice file setup treatment that can make your life a little easier later on!
@@okaysamurai thank you 🙏🏻
Good
U R A GOD
Thanks!... Please will you teach more how to make a scene with two pupets!..
I show a little of that here in Evan Flamethrower with linking in AE: czcams.com/video/RMo-z8hO2HM/video.html. Otherwise just drag as many puppets as you want into a scene timeline.
When importing artwork or other content into a Photoshop puppet project should 'place embedded' or 'place linked' be used?
Personally I prefer embedded - then it's all in one place. Otherwise you can lose the links.
Thank you so much!!!! I only have one problem, the mouth movement doesn't show up, everything works perfectly but i can't find the solution for mouth movement
Usually this means the mouth isn't rigged/tagged right, the lip sync behavior is off, or your microphone isn't set up properly. Check all of these and if you still need assistance, for more direct help please post a screenshot, video, or file > export > puppet to adobe.com/go/chfeedback.
Do you by chance have a Tutorial on how to turn a Photoshop file that's made in layers "into a puppet" once imported?
The Fresco tutorial on this channel might be the best bet - it will show all the organizing in Fresco and PS, but all the rigging in CH.
New Subscriber! I just wanted to know is the blank puppet psd in this video created from the blank template on your site? basically I would create my puppet in photoshop first. If that's the case thank you ADOBE is not doing this for us....Your the G.O.A.T.
Yes, the Blank here is the same one on adobe.com/go/chexamples.
Hello! Is there a way i can edit the character "Linden" in photoshop like i can do with "Blank"? Whenever i edit original on linden just one layer opens up. (while blank has a bunch of layers for his face, nose, body etc)
I believe Linden was made in Illustrator, and unfortunately AI files don't translate layers when opened up in Photoshop. But you could open him up in Illustrator and edit there, or manually copy and paste layers into a PSD doc.
Thank for tutorial. How can you control pupils range ?
Usually this is just the size of whatever is in your "Right Eye" and "Left Eye" groups. If you want more precise control, name a layer "left eyeball" or "right eyeball", which gets auto-tagged as "left pupil range" or "right pupil range" and the pupils will be constrained to that.
Thank you
hi there, is there a way to set up the character so that when you move your hands the character automatically moves the hands as well?
Not yet - hopefully one day! Currently you use the mouse or fingers on a touch-enabled device.
I have two variations of my own character. For the sake of example lets say one version is like the one you have here and the other is completely black (with the acceptation of the eyes for a shot in the dark) how would you recommend switching between these two versions? One thing I tried doing was duplicating the puppet and then relinking it to a separate file with this version. Namely because I wanted to avoid relinking every trigger. It worked at first but then had some errors (something about paths and stuff). I can imagine triggers would play a role for switching.
The method you suggested of duplicating and relinking is exactly what I would recommend, but it's not foolproof depending on what gets changed. If it's just color stuff I don't know why it would bring up errors though - that should be the same structure. If it persists, please post a screenshot, video, or File > Export > Puppet (.puppet file) to adobe.com/go/chfeedback for more help.
@@okaysamurai well The thing is I kinda get what the issue is. Some of my puppets have a glitch where the layer styling changes do not transfer into CH. i found a way around this by turning layers into smart layers. I think that might be the cause of said errors since the pre made paths changed in that puppet
When i edit original, it won't open in photoshop. i tried opening directly in photoshop but it says this isn't a photoshop file. from what i can tell no puppet files open in psd. But the home example puppet files work fine in opening in photoshop. Any suggestions?
A puppet is the original art - usually PSD or AI - plus the CH rigging, so it only opens in CH. Try tip #20 here to see the original artwork - czcams.com/video/sv--jURQOGc/video.html.
oh man- im not even using swap sets at all. just been doing triggers and "hide other layers when active" check box.
but im not here for that- im lookin gfor how you add a texture to a body! haha
How about quick change outfits?! Can we make triggers for something like that?
Yes, you can trigger different layers for clothes.
Hi. I have a character I made long time ago, before the character animator existed lol, and I have all the limbs separate and patented. I was wondering if I can use those limbs or is this "hose" style the only possible option in animator?
That should work - you just need to add hinge attach styles to the independent arm segments. This character is an example of it: drive.google.com/file/d/1haNr6TfXKCpQocTgtdjtCdulHewifZrS/view?usp=sharing, and here's a video: drive.google.com/file/d/1WOnOpvOJ_aE5h3Hpfzv6koFgX9lJ5IxH/view?usp=sharing
I'm having an issue. anytime I make save a puppet and go back to Ch the puppet adds all the instruction layers (like hair styes) and even the background and it all moves as a blob. Im not using this same blank, but another. I clicked edit original and I cannot find the fix.
All artwork is treated as part of a "mesh" - so if you don't want it, delete it from the PSD file. You can also try making those layers independent (crown icon), which will make them move on their own. If the problem persists, please upload a screenshot, video, or your File > Export > Puppet file to the official forums at adobe.com/go/chfeedback so we can take a closer look.
Great Tutorial Bruh...thanks a ton...but When I import the puppet it says the file format its not supported..any leads pls...is it beacause i am using windows OS?
You might need to update your copy of CH? We are on CH 2020 currently. Older versions might not be able to open up a newer filetype.
Hello, when I go for color overlay of left blink it is colouring the stroke as well. Can you help me how to save the black stroke?
You can experiment with different blend styles to see if one works better with the stroke. Worst case scenario, find a way to separate out the stroke into its own layer outside of / above everything else.
Is it possible to import vector hair? Would it have to have multiple angles?
Yes, Illustrator works great too: czcams.com/video/JL024_E1AUk/video.html
When I select puppet in CA project panel and clicked "Edit Original" from the "Edit" menu, it is not opening Photoshop!
Search for "changing the default app" for Mac or PC - it sounds like you might not have a default program for PSDs.
I love how when I open the puppet it records Dave's audio and matches the mouth movements from CZcams
how did you open the .puppet file? I cant open the puppet files... it shows up something like "the file you wanted to open cant be read" ... any ideoas to fix it?
How do you open the puppet file in Photoshop? Mine won't let me do it because it is not a psd file. Thanks!
You can go to Edit > Edit Original to do the same - the PS, AI, or generic image button you'll see down there is just a shortcut.
No matter what size I make characters in photoshop I always get jagged edges. Is there a way to smooth edges in either program or is illustrator my only option?
Same here
Hmmm, the only reasons I can imagine you would have jagged edges would be layer properties or transform behavior scales over 100%, or the scene zoom level is above 100%. If it persists please post a screenshot of what you mean in the official forums and we can take a closer look: adobe.com/go/chfeedback
Can I convert the Linden Illustrator characters to photoshop puppets? With the replays? I can't and don't plan on learning Illustrator and would like to start with that.
Unfortunately PS to AI conversion isn't easy outside of manual copying and pasting layers. I would recommend finding a PSD puppet to start with instead.
I want to make a walrus. So I should pick a template that has a similar shape and not the blank person template, right?
That's probably the best way to start, especially since the body structure is so different.
Is it possible to import previously drawn characters (let's say they're drawn in paint) to adobe character animation and use them as puppets? By the way, I can't seem to find blank puppet anywhere on the internet page you suggested. Any help? Thanks for all the tips
Yes, if you can separate them into parts in a PSD or AI file, you can animate them in CH. I do that in the Fresco tutorial: czcams.com/video/eOUkhY7vhc4/video.html
@@okaysamurai thank you so much!
Hello, thanks for the tuttorial, you are dedicated, I'm Eduardo from Brazil, and I can't open it, inform that the format is incompatible
Make sure you're using the latest version (CH 2020, Version 3.1). If you go to File > Import and find the puppet file it should work. If not please let us know what error you get in the official forums at adobe.com/go/chfeedback.
Thanks for the answer, yes, the version I use is 2018. a hug
hola Bien samurai, primero que nada gracias por tu video fue de gran ayuda, para realizar mis trabajos de clase, solo tengo una duda, como o donde encuentro “Todos los títeres” u “All Puppets” para localiza el modelo llamado Blank, no me aparece esa opcion.
espero tu pronta respuesta.
Blank should still be available here: okaysamurai.com/puppets/Blank.zip
Hi Dave...I'm BACK!!! First let me say, another AWESOME tutorial. Now I have a two questions.
1) After creating my puppet in PS I go into Ch to do any rigging, recording, etc. When I make changes in the rig mode, how do I save the file so that if my system shuts down on me for some reason or other, I don't lose the changes I've made.
2) I know how to export to Media Encoder, or to save it as a Puppet file. I have used the History panel A LOT!!! My question is...under the File tab, I see Saved Project (always saved) shaded. Does this mean that the system is constantly saving the document as I work on it, and that I don't have to worry about losing any changes/corrections?
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help, patience, the fact that you respond to comments, and your very cool temperament. Be BLESSED and SAFE.
Yes - CH should auto-save everything, and the history panel reflects that. But you can always File > Export > Puppet to save a separate copy of your artwork + rigging as a backup.
@@okaysamurai I love you!!! Your customer service is worth the monthly subscription alone. Have a great evening...thanks!!!
Hi Dave. You've rescued me so many times...I need another. I'm taking the time to really understand what's going on. I find the eyes quite challenging. So I go into PS and try to really dissect a puppet. Thought I was doing something until for some reason I can no longer select a piece of the puppet and resize it by dragging one of the boxes that appear up or down, side to side. HHEELLPP!!!!! I have uninstalled and reinstalled, I have opened other puppets in PS to see if I can get the boxes to appear and I can't. I've looked at other PS Beginner tutorials explaining the tools, but still to no avail. Can you advise me on what I'm doing wrong? Thanks in advance.