An in-depth 8 part series to 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.

In part 3, 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.

Fantastic animation on this promo for the upcoming Blend festival using Newton and Ray Dynamic Color by Sander van Dijk and other super talented animators who are putting together the Blend conference in Vancouver.

An in-depth 8 part series to 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.

In part 2, 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.

Fantastic design and character animation using Newton, PuppetTools, Rubberize It! and many more aescripts tools by Adel Sanoussi

Nice explainer video using Newton and Mirror & Offset by Gerald Grunow

An in-depth 8 part series to 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. 

In part 1, create a skeleton for our character with the inverse kinematics iExpressions. The skeleton is the basis for all subsequent animation.

Nice geometric design by MediaMonks

Nice little test using Position Matte and Element 3D by Matthieu Fremeaux

Nice opener using Plexus, Data Glitch and more aescripts tools by Method Studios

Brilliant design and animation using Ray Dynamic Color on this color spot for Google by Buck.

Nice design and animation using Ray Dynamic Color and Ouroboros by John Fischer

3D scene made entirely in After Effects using Element 3D, Particular and SkyBox to unify the 3D space and reflections by Claude Autret

Fabulous fan created title sequence using malty: Simple Camera Rig, pt_Multiplane, AutoSway and many more aescripts tools from Alex Silver

Fantastic cel animated spot by Buck

Totally bad-ass cel character animation on tracked live footage by The Line

Great music video animated in 2.5D by Benjamin Artola

Nice isometric design on this explainer video using Advanced Composition Grid by Light Within Productions

Fantastic timelapse screencapture showing the workflow that insanely talented Jesse Newman used to create some energy streaks.

The After Effects CC 2015 update is a significant re-architecture that affects how 3rd party plugins interact with it.  This means most plugins will require an update to work in this new version. Read more for details...

Fun calling card using Plexus, Ease and Wizz and more by Mike Janson