Blender is Changing Animation Forever

Summary

Blender's Animation 2025 project is set to revolutionize the animation workflow by introducing new tools and systems to simplify complex tasks. Key features include a faster graph editor, revamped bone system, procedural rigging nodes, and the Bone Picker tool to streamline character animation. The new layered animation system allows users to stack and mix animations more easily, while slotted actions provide flexibility for multiple objects. Future plans include the mini-map command center and enhanced animation constraints, making Blender more intuitive and accessible for both beginners and professionals. These updates promise to empower animators for the next decade.

Takeaways

• 😀 Blender's animation system is getting a massive upgrade with Project Animation 2025, aiming to empower animators for the next decade.
• 😀 The new animation tools in Blender include a revamped graph editor, improved bone system, and a new node-based rigging system for faster and more customizable animation creation.
• 😀 Rigging nodes allow for procedural and reusable rigs, enabling animators to quickly apply preset rigs to characters or objects, saving significant time.
• 😀 The Bone Picker tool is a game-changer, allowing animators to easily identify and select bones in the interface, reducing clutter and confusion.
• 😀 Blender will introduce features to manage animations that involve multiple characters or objects, such as grouping related animations and organizing them more intuitively.
• 😀 The new animation workflow will introduce layers, allowing animators to separate different animation types (like rough blockouts and polished work) and toggle visibility for better control.
• 😀 The concept of slotted actions allows different objects to subscribe to the same animation but maintain individual control, offering more flexibility in complex scenes.
• 😀 Slotted actions are a crucial part of Blender's move towards layered animation, where users can mix, replace, or adjust animations across multiple layers.
• 😀 A new feature called the 'mini map' will act as a command center, allowing animators to control and navigate all elements within a scene, much like a video game map.
• 😀 The integration of animation-level constraints will allow for more complex interactions across multiple objects, making animation data more consistent across files and throughout the production pipeline.
• 😀 Despite the exciting advancements, Blender's new animation systems are still in development, and it's important for animators to stay updated on progress and potential future features.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Blender's Animation 2025 project?

Blender's Animation 2025 project focuses on revamping the animation system to make it more accessible and efficient for animators. The goal is to empower animators with better tools for the next decade, improving their workflows and animation capabilities.

How does the new rigging system in Blender Animation 2025 benefit animators?

The new rigging system uses 'rigging nodes' to create procedural, customizable rigs for any character or object. This makes rigging faster, easier, and more adaptable, allowing animators to save significant time and apply preset rigs to various objects and characters with ease.

What is the 'bone picker' feature in Blender, and how does it improve the animation workflow?

The bone picker is a UI feature that allows animators to easily select bones in a clean and organized manner. By turning off visual noise, animators can pick specific bones without the clutter, which speeds up the process, especially when working with multiple objects or characters.

How does Blender's approach to managing related animations differ from traditional methods?

Blender allows animators to group related animations together, making it easier to manage complex scenes with multiple characters and props interacting with each other. This approach simplifies the workflow by treating related animations as a single unit, reducing confusion and enhancing control.

What are 'slotted actions' in Blender, and why are they important for animators?

Slotted actions allow multiple objects or elements to subscribe to the same action while maintaining separate control over individual parts. This is crucial for animators working with complex scenes, as it enables them to tweak animations for different objects independently without affecting the entire action.

How do the new layers system in Blender improve animation management?

The layers system allows animators to separate different stages of animation, such as rough blockout or polishing, into distinct layers. This flexibility lets animators toggle visibility, work on specific elements like facial expressions, and mix different animations on top of a base animation, making the process more organized and efficient.

What challenges are being addressed by Blender's Animation 2025 project?

Blender's Animation 2025 project aims to address the steep learning curve, confusing user interface, and inefficiency of traditional animation workflows. The updates aim to simplify animation processes, improve tool accessibility, and create a more intuitive system for animators.

What is the 'mini map' feature in Blender, and how does it relate to the animation workflow?

The 'mini map' is a planned feature in Blender that will act as a master controller for all elements in the scene. Similar to a video game mini map, it will provide an overview of the entire animation, allowing animators to control and manage various components from a centralized interface.

How does Blender plan to implement animation level constraints, and why is this important?

Blender is working on integrating animation level constraints that will be baked directly into the animation, making them consistent across different files and projects. This eliminates the need to manually update constraints, ensuring smoother workflows and preventing inconsistencies when opening files in different contexts.

What is the significance of 'layered animation' in Blender, and what challenges remain in its implementation?

Layered animation in Blender allows animators to work on different animation layers independently, making it easier to add or modify animations. However, the challenge lies in making the action data block flexible enough to support multiple layers without disrupting the animation's structure. The development of slotted actions is a crucial step toward achieving this goal.