【2】Head tilt(angle Z) rigging + Live2D basics

Summary

This guide walks users through the essential steps for setting up and animating a Live 2D model. Starting with importing a PSD file, it covers clipping layers, navigation, and managing deformer tools. It explains head and neck tilting with rotation and warp deformers, keyform points, and parameter adjustments. The tutorial also delves into mesh generation, manual editing, and the basics of deformers, including their role in smooth animation. The video emphasizes saving frequently and offers tips on resolving common mesh and deformer issues in Live 2D.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Open Live 2D and drag in the PSD file; select full scale if your computer can handle it.
• 🌑 To enable dark mode, go to File > Environment Settings and select Dark.
• 🔗 Clipping layers may become unlinked; reclip them by copying and pasting IDs.
• 🖱️ Use the mouse wheel to zoom in/out and hold it to move around; alternatively, use space + drag.
• 🖌️ Clip face shadow to the face base using Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V for clipping IDs.
• 👀 Repeat the clipping process for other elements like the eyes, iris, and highlights.
• 🔧 Use Auto Mesh Generator for standard mesh generation, then remesh detailed layers if needed.
• 🔄 Create a head rotation deformer and adjust it to align with the chin for key point animation.
• 🧠 Use warp deformers and rotation deformers to create detailed animations.
• 💾 Save your work regularly, as some layer modes may revert to normal (e.g., additive blending).

Q & A

What is the first step when opening Live2D?

The first step is to open Live2D and drag the PSD file into the workspace. It's recommended to select 'Full Scale' unless your computer cannot handle it.

How do you enable dark mode in Live2D?

To enable dark mode, go to File > Environment Settings, then choose 'Dark' mode.

What happens to clipping layers when opening a project, and how do you fix it?

Clipping layers might unclip when opening a project. To fix this, re-clip the layers by selecting the base layer (e.g., Face base) and pasting (Ctrl + V) into the clipping layer (e.g., Face Shadow).

How can you navigate the workspace in Live2D?

To zoom in and out, use the mouse wheel. To move around, hold and drag the mouse wheel, or press the space bar and drag.

How do you create a clipping mask for features like the nose and mouth?

To clip a feature like the nose, select the nose line, ensure it's inside the 'Nose Mask' layer, and clip it accordingly. Similarly, everything inside the mouth should be clipped inside the 'Inner Mouth' layer.

What is the process for generating an auto mesh in Live2D?

To auto-generate a mesh, select all layers by pressing Ctrl + A, then click 'Auto Mesh Generator.' Use the 'Standard' preset for now, and remesh the layers needing more detail later.

How do you create a rotation deformer for the head?

Select all head layers except the neck, click 'Rotation Deformer,' name it 'Head Zed,' and place it at the center of the chin. Align it with the nose and create key points to set up head tilt animations.

What is the role of the warp deformer and rotation deformer in Live2D?

A warp deformer moves and warps its child objects (layers or other warp deformers). A rotation deformer moves and rotates layers under it but cannot warp them unless it is inside a parent warp deformer.

How do you handle layer modes reverting to normal in Live2D?

If a layer mode reverts to normal, scroll down to 'Blend Mode' and set it back to 'Additive' or 'Multiply,' depending on the original setting.

What can you do if Auto Mesh generates errors or makes layers disappear?

If Auto Mesh generates errors, go to Project > Model Image, find the affected layer, right-click, and select 'Create Art Mesh.' This will create a new mesh, and you can re-auto mesh the layer until it appears correctly.