Chapter 8. Introduction to Animation

The best way to learn about animation is to start animating, so you'll begin this chapter with the classic exercise of bouncing a ball. You'll then take a closer look at the animation tools Maya software provides and how they work for your scene. You'll do that by throwing the axe you created earlier. Finally, you'll tackle animating a more complex system of parts when you bring your locomotive to life.

Topics in this chapter include:

  • Keyframe Animation—Bouncing a Ball

  • Throwing an Axe

  • Path Animation

  • Replacing an Object

  • Creating and Deforming Text Along a Path

  • Rigging the Locomotive, Part One

  • Animating a Catapult

Keyframe Animation—Bouncing a Ball

No matter where you study animation, you will always find the classic animation ...

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