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Creating a Photoshop Puppet (Adobe Character Animator Tutorial)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ส.ค. 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.co...) 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/...
Get free puppets: adobe.com/go/ch... (official adobe puppets) / okaysamurai.com... (okay samurai puppet pack)
Check out the official forums: adobe.com/go/c...
Share your creations on social media with #CharacterAnimator!
Subscribe on TH-cam: www.youtube.com...
Twitter: / okaysamurai
Website: okaysamurai.com
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 th-cam.com/video/Yy4lJ-JHHFo/w-d-xo.html
😅
I am happy, made a character using Adobe illustrator and Character animator for a family member with a growing TH-cam channel. Seems fairly popular on his channel and looks cool! Fun program for sure.
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.
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.
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)
Your instructions are so clear and concise. Thank you, I think I love 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!!!
Your movies never cease to amaze me!
I am relying on you the most in regards to this matter.
Thanks for the video ! Respect from Kabylia ( north Africa)
Holy crap, this tutorial was amazing! Thank you so much this is the PERFECT tutorial.
Definitely subscribing!
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!
Excellent! Thank you! Now I have to make a new one and make the 2 interact in an educational 15 sec animation. :D
ok ur are so good at explaining things. i cant stop doing this. thank you
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!
He is real man. Attractive voice and good way to speech delivery
Thank you so much, you helped me so much getting started.
I am learning very first you are a great teacher i am on your word step to step
Wow this video is just so clear and easy to understand. Thank you!!
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!
That helped a lot
Your channel and all your videos has really helped me
thanx a lot
I REALLY LIKE THIS TUT. THX A LOT BRO... @Okay Samurai
OMG dude this is incredible!!! Great tutorial. Thank Youi
great video explaining everything and you sir, are a great teacher who actually knows what you're doing!
Great tutorial ... I created a character... thank you! :)
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!
just started. very excited!!
Amazing! Thanks for the hard work.
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!!
Always thank you so much!
Best Tutorial!
I am a simple person. I see Dave's video, I click Like.
Thanks SO much Dave!!
thank you i hope i can build a full animation scene after watching your tutorials
You can do it!
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 :)
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 : th-cam.com/video/sjI3YiU2wac/w-d-xo.html
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,
Thanks for another great video Dave!
Such a amazing tutorials I ever seen! great!
th-cam.com/video/Yy4lJ-JHHFo/w-d-xo.html see this too
So helpful, thanks so much Dave!
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: th-cam.com/video/RMo-z8hO2HM/w-d-xo.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.
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.
Really like your videos, but would you consider doing one that's not about creating the artwork but is just about file structure. Hierarchy of what order things need to be, when a + is needed and bringing that into rigging.
Check out the blank templates and intro to rigging pack on pages.adobe.com/character/en/resources.
Thanks! These help.
This is incredible. Thank you so much
th-cam.com/video/Yy4lJ-JHHFo/w-d-xo.html subcribe please
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 🙏🏻
I’ve been waiting Master Splinter👀👀👀😁😆🤘
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.
You helped me so much
Thanks alot
:)
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 th-cam.com/video/VhCKD5vl848/w-d-xo.html for more info on how I record triggers.
@@okaysamurai Nice 👍
Excellent
thank you sir. you are a great teacher
This was interesting thank you for sharing with us.
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.
I love this program so much!
I do too!
I love how when I open the puppet it records Dave's audio and matches the mouth movements from TH-cam
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?
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
The depth of this tutorial is pretty amazing sir! Any chance of a focused key frame animator tut in the immediate future. I'm looking at this from an AE background but this has really caught my eye for 2D animation! 👍
How about quick change outfits?! Can we make triggers for something like that?
Yes, you can trigger different layers for clothes.
Great tut, thanks!
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.
Always wondered what that software was used for.. I will be diving straight in. Thank you
th-cam.com/video/Yy4lJ-JHHFo/w-d-xo.html
Very helpful, I learned a lot
10/10 brother! Thanks a lot
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.
You teach us how folders work and how its done..thats all i need
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
Am not sure what seems to be the issue, my puppet's facial features (eyes, mouth, etc) are following my movement but the head itself isn't, although it appears to be engaged (face red dot is on) on the right. Thanks
Make sure the Face behavior is armed (red dot) on the right and that you have something tagged as "Head." Compare your puppet against any working example puppet and you should be able to figure out what's different in yours.
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)!
Great video and tips
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: th-cam.com/video/RMo-z8hO2HM/w-d-xo.html. Otherwise just drag as many puppets as you want into a scene timeline.
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.
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.
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
Is there a way to make the puppets vector in photoshop? I have made 80 puppets and I want them all to be vector and don't want to redo all the animations.
Sadly no - even smart layers will be rasterized when bringing them into CH. When I make a PS character I just make them a little bigger in case I need them for a closeup or something - in general I think a 1500 x 1500 canvas should work for most standard 1920 x 1080 needs. And if you have to scale up a little bit for a closeup it's not the end of the world. I would experiment with what you have and see if you can get something that works for your needs. Honestly 99% of my vector puppets I end up rasterizing inside CH because there can be some transparency bugs and other issues when trying to keep them vector from AI.
It's a great video but what's happening with your isn't happening with mine. When I try to colour overlay I lose outlines. Is there an even more basic video than this one?
Yeah, layer styles will only take you so far. If you can't modify it to what you want I'd suggest replacing the artwork layers with your own custom stuff. Adobe Illustrator might be a little easier to change this sort of thing: th-cam.com/video/JL024_E1AUk/w-d-xo.html
@@okaysamurai Thank you, I was going crazy trying to figure out why mine wouldn't work like in the video. Much more at peace with it now.
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.
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.
Having an issue. When I try and get it to PS, it does open however, it shows only 1 layer as the puppet. No editable layers?!? (I’m using the BLANK puppet in the video with nothing touched. Opened it in Ai first then clicked ‘Edit Original’)
This happens if you try to open an AI puppet into Photoshop - layers aren't preserved. You need to use the Photoshop version of the Blank puppet instead, then you should see all the layers.
Please help, when changing color of the skin I am facing problem of the color not being exactly how I want it to be but having a hue sometimes or saturation depending upon which mode is selected. When I change the mode to 'color', for light skin tone I still get darkish skin tone, a bit lighter than the original one and not the color I have selected. Also the lines are removed. I have to add stroke but in doing so I get only finger outlines and not whole fingers and also only eye outlines and not the mid line when eye is blinked. Please help
Check out my response to your other comment, the lightening method should work better for you.
Thank u!
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.
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.
Hey there,
I tried to follow the tutorial, but ran quickly into an issue.
Here is what happened:
1) I create a new project, and import the Blank character. All so good.
2) Then I create a scene (I know what that sounds like) and all works here as well.
3) Next I try to open up the puppet in Photoshop, but when using the "Crtl+E" function (both the shortcut and the menus), nothing happens.
Do you (any of you reading this really), know what that's about, and how to resolve it?
In the newer releases, there is a "PS" icon that appears at the bottom of the project panel when you select the corresponding puppet - this is an easier way to open up the original artwork.
@@okaysamurai Thank you for your answer.
The icon didn't work either.
However I decided to uninstall all apps, and install them again. That did the trick.
Thanks for your time. :)
Hi. Going through your videos even though they are a bit older. One thing bothers me a lot regarding Lip Sync. Is there a way to have cycle layers for mouth shapes working with mic control. Mouth shape for specific phoneme is never just one. Sounds like M, P, B usually involves an action of mouth to produce it.
Most people set up cycle layers for individual tagged viseme groups to make something like the "Aa" mouth open/close or the "W-Oo" to get smaller. Check out th-cam.com/video/sc9S65Zn9XQ/w-d-xo.html as an example of how to do this.
@@okaysamurai Thank you. :)
hi dave,when i try to open my blank photoshop character it never opens i have followed all your steps please can you help me thanks
You can also select your character in the project panel and go to Edit > Edit Original to open. If it still isn't opening, it means your OS doesn't have Photoshop as the default program to open up PSDs, so look up "changing default Photoshop app" to fix this.
@@okaysamurai thank you it is working and now i can start making my creations
hola!!! no puedo abrir ni exportar ninguna marioneta de ejemplo del character en fhotoshop...., como se hace para abrir una de las marionetas en photoshop o ilustrator?
Eso parece extraño. Character Animator debe funcionar con todos los archivos PSD o AI. Si los archivos de ejemplo ni siquiera funcionan, entonces tal vez algo está mal con su versión de Photoshop? Si continúa por favor publique en los foros oficiales con capturas de pantalla o videos: adobe.com/go/chfeedback
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.
I will share my composition with you after this lesson
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
hello, im having trouble exporting the puppet from photoshop to character animator.. it seems to not be an option anymore for 2021
Save your PSD, then in CH go to File > Import and select it to import. If you're saving a PSD from an existing puppet, it should automatically sync as long as you're overwriting / saving over the existing linked reference file. If it persists, please post a screenshot, video, or File > Export > Puppet (.puppet file) to adobe.com/go/chfeedback for more direct help.
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
Hello i want to ask a question, why every time i blink, the whole character's eyes disappear? ;' thank you
This video talks about eyes more: th-cam.com/video/5SxNChhm0jo/w-d-xo.html. But basically anything at the same level as blinks will disappear when you blink. This is why we recommend only putting blinks inside "Left Eye" or "Right Eye" groups.
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.
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.
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!
That blank puppet link you mention doesn't work anymore. There is a different blank puppet available, but it's literally a blank file (no content at all).
Should still be linked here: assets.adobe.com/public/eef57917-773f-4912-5f17-9629a600c27b
Hey Okay Samurai, you did not specify how to save a photoshop character for CH I am stuck ion that, I have a puppet ready and do not know how to export into CH please help
In Character, File > Import your PSD file.
Hi, I tried to use edit original but it doesn’t work. I selected the puppet in the project panel and I could click on edit original but it doesn’t open Photoshop. Is there any settings for this ?
Try this: th-cam.com/video/7pgm_u4VkQk/w-d-xo.html
Amazing!★
Agreed!
i dont get the outline of blink in character animator but i can see the outline in photoshop
Hmmm not sure what you're asking. I think I turned the blink visibility off in PS and CH, but it should still work in Record mode?
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.