In this series we create a highly automated rig to animate 2D characters for cartoons in After Effects. The rig is based on iExpressions 2 and the puppet tool. It features

  • an automated walk cycle,
  • automatically rotating wheels
  • secondary animations
and much more.

Creating the Skeleton - After Effects Character Animation Part 1

In this part we create a skeleton for our character with the inverse kinematics iExpressions. The skeleton is the basis for all subsequent animation.
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Skinning with the Puppet Tool - After Effects Character Animation Part 2

In this part, we connect the skeleton to our character using the puppet tool. You learn the basics, but also some advanced tips for this workflow. For example, you learn how to achieve that puppet pins on the skirt of the character are influenced by the bones of both legs simultaneously.
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Automated Walk Cycle - After Effects Character Animation Part 3

In this part we create an automated walk cycle with iExpressions. You just need to keyframe the position of the character and the iExpressions-based rig animates the legs and the body automatically such that the character is walking.
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Zorro the Layer Tagger - After Effects Character Animation Part 4

In this part you learn all about Zorro, the layer tagger. This tool is very helpful, whenever you have an After Effects project with lots of layers.
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Rotating Wheels - After Effects Character Animation Part 5

In this part we create the rotating wheels of the baby buggy. They rotate automatically when you move the character. And even the highlights on the spokes fade in and out naturally when the wheels are rotating. You can use this technique to create your own 2D car rigs in After Effects.
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Baby Buggy Wiggle - After Effects Character Animation Part 6

In this part we extend the rig for our baby buggy such that the buggy wiggles automatically when it is moving.
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Secondary Animations - After Effects Character Animation Part 7

In this part add more realism to our character with secondary animations. We add a little bit of random motion since in real life people never stand 100% still. Also, we animate her chest to simulate some breathing and make her hair swing a bit when she is walking.
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Parallax Effect for Scrolling 2D Backgrounds - After Effects Character Animation Part 8

In this part you learn how to create a parallax effect for the 2D scrolling background. Depending on the distance, the different parts of the background move with a different speed. With the iExpressions rig shown in this part, you only need to move one background layer manually and all other elements follow automatically with a speed that depends on their distance.
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