Video Game Production Techniques - Graph Editor

Through the animation process, another of the tools I have had at my disposal is the graph editor, this editing tool simplifies the manipulation of an already existing animation through selection and translation.

Through manipulations both vertically and horizontally on the graph, I can change both the length of a single animation, for example the opening of my character's mouth, and then draw out the subsequent closing of the mouth. The emphasis on the animation can also be modified on the graph editor.

As can be seen above, there are not many significant movements on the graph editor, this is due to both the movements only being slight in the chosen animation and in part due to the fact I did not utilise the graph editor for most of my animations.

I instead used specific numbers to work with angles of rotation and values of translation, this was the approach I used from the start and felt easier at the time, as I could modify one joint using specific numbers and then reflect the joint using some positive and minus values mirrored in the opposite joint.

Whilst this is a massively useful editor, I am not currently using it. I will be looking to include it more in any further animation work and develop my understanding of the graph editor further as necessary.