thats a nice ass
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY
Ass Formula
For this animation, I used a shape key to improve Zarya’s base butt shape, followed by another shape key for impact. Once I had that base loop working, I added the butt bones to create more drag and overlap. It’s still not perfect, but it’s finally a solid foundation that I can build on and improve over time.
I also experimented with a multi-resolution approach, but it ended up creating more problems than it solved. In the end, I decided to step away from it and stick with the workflow I mentioned above, since it’s more reliable.
Re-timing
I finally learned the proper formula for retiming breakdowns. Before, I was just doing some weird spacing technique, but now I actually understand what retiming means and how to use it correctly. This may not seem like an important thing but removes a lot of the guess work from my animations which will in turn speed up creation by a lot.
Ultra Wyde
For the upcoming Zarya project, I decided to experiment with an ultra-wide resolution. I’m still not completely sure if this is biting off more than I can chew, so I’m using this quick animation as a test to see how well it works.
I still have another session or two before I need to lock in the final resolution for the Zarya project, so it’s important that I experiment now. This will help me decide whether I should stick with ultra-wide or switch back to a standard format.
I’d really appreciate any feedback on this—let me know if you think the ultra-wide format works or if it’s distracting.
Why Ultrawide?
I’ve been using an ultra-wide monitor for about a year now, and I’ve noticed that most content doesn’t support this resolution. That made me want to start creating ultra-wide content that fills in all the dead space we have but also still looks good on regular monitors.
VEE-EF-EX
I also started experimenting with more visual effects. These animations aren't meant to be perfect, the goal is to focus on improving my weaker areas instead of constantly worrying about technical issues like clipping or hand placement.
Overall, this project has been a great opportunity to practice and level up in multiple areas at once.