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2D Animation in Moho from Basic to Advanced

2D Animation 101 Courses

In this course you will learn how to use Smith Micro’s Moho for Character Animation.

I will explain the interface, the different panels of the workspace, and how they are used in your projects.

Then I will show you how to start a new project, what settings to use, which ones are recommended for you, and your needs.

Then, I will show you how to get Pre-Made Characters, already rigged for you, so you can start practicing animation right at the moment you open Moho.

Read more

In this course you will learn how to use Smith Micro’s Moho for Character Animation.

I will explain the interface, the different panels of the workspace, and how they are used in your projects.

Then I will show you how to start a new project, what settings to use, which ones are recommended for you, and your needs.

Then, I will show you how to get Pre-Made Characters, already rigged for you, so you can start practicing animation right at the moment you open Moho.

You can use them for inspiration, to analyze them, check how they are created, and learn by tinkering with them, or you can start practicing the principles of animation and maybe do crazy walk cycles.

Then I will show you how to import images so you can start tracing characters inside Moho.

Then, I will show you how to work with layers. I will explain the different types of layers, so you can pick which ones you need for your current animations.

Then, we will dive into learning everything you need to trace your characters inside Moho. I will give you some tips to save you time, so you can rig them and prepare them for animation faster.

Then we will learn how to edit your drawings. How to change or modify them without messing them up.

And after you know your way through Moho and dominate the drawing tools necessary for character animation, we will learn about cut out animation.

A technique to animate faster, ideal for YouTubers, and people looking to do 2d Animation like some cartoon network series, for example, Total Drama Island.

Then, we will learn how to use bones to set up your characters for fast animation, followed by a tutorial that teaches you how to rig a character.

The we will take that character and do some advanced character animation, an organic walk cycle. We could settle for a regular boring walk cycle, but in this course I wanted to mix in some principles of animation to make your walk cycles more organic and realistic, adding some personality to your character.

Ok, great, so without further ado, let’s get you brain with some new knowledge so you can create some awesome characters and prepare them for animation.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Create an organic walk cycle applying advanced principles of animation
  • Use the drawing tools in moho
  • Trace characters in moho
  • Rig and prepare your characters for animation
  • Create animations

Syllabus

In this section you will learn what this course is about.

In this lesson you will learn what this course is about

In this lesson you will learn a little bit about the workspace so you can find your self around Moho

Read more

In this lesson you will learn how to start a new project

In this lesson you will learn how to import pre-made characters to experiment with them and start animating

Download the Project Files

In this lesson you will learn how to import image files to trace characters inside Moho

In this lesson you will learn how to navigate and zomm in and out in Moho

In this lesson you will learn how to work with layers

In this section you will learn how to use the different drawing tools in Moho

In this lesson you will learn how to use the different tools to draw

In this lesson you will learn how to use the selector tool and the transform tools to modify your drawings

In this lesson you will learn how to trace a character

In this section you will learn how to rig your characters

In this lesson you will learn about cut out animation

In this lesson you will learn how to use the bones in Moho

In this lesson you will learn how to prepare your characters for cut out animation

In this lesson you will learn how to rig characters

In this lesson you will learn how to animate in Moho using keyframes and interpolation

In this lesson you will learn how to use advanced features to rig for a walk cycle

In this section you will learn how to apply the principles of animation to a walk cycle

In this lesson you will learn how to start an organic walk cycle

In this lesson you will learn how to animate the right leg

In this lesson you will learn how to animate the body

In this lesson you will learn how to animate the left arm

In this lesson you will learn how to animate the right arm

In this lesson you will learn how to finish off your organic walk cycle and export it into an MP4 file that you can upload to YouTube

In this lesson you will learn what you can do after you finish the course, how to use your skills to take it to the next level

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in 2D Animation in Moho from Basic to Advanced with these activities:
Practice Basic Drawing Skills
Sharpen your drawing skills to improve tracing and character design in Moho.
Browse courses on Drawing Fundamentals
Show steps
  • Complete basic drawing exercises focusing on lines, shapes, and perspective.
  • Practice sketching characters and objects from reference images.
  • Experiment with different drawing tools and techniques.
Read 'The Animator's Survival Kit'
Study animation principles to enhance the quality and realism of your Moho animations.
View Adventures in Animation: How I Learned Who I... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read chapters focusing on timing, spacing, and key animation principles.
  • Analyze examples of good and bad animation from the book.
  • Apply the principles learned to your Moho animation projects.
Animate Simple Walk Cycles
Practice creating basic walk cycles to reinforce your understanding of animation principles and Moho's rigging tools.
Show steps
  • Create a simple character rig in Moho.
  • Animate a basic walk cycle using keyframes and interpolation.
  • Experiment with different walk cycle variations (e.g., fast, slow, happy, sad).
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read 'Cartoon Animation'
Study cartoon animation techniques to improve your character animation skills in Moho.
View Animation on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read chapters focusing on character design and animation cycles.
  • Analyze examples of cartoon animation from the book.
  • Apply the techniques learned to your Moho animation projects.
Create a Short Animated Scene
Develop a short animated scene to apply your Moho skills and showcase your creativity.
Show steps
  • Develop a storyboard for a short animated scene.
  • Create character rigs and backgrounds in Moho.
  • Animate the scene using the techniques learned in the course.
  • Add sound effects and music to enhance the scene.
Explore Advanced Moho Features
Learn advanced Moho features like Smart Bones and motion capture to enhance your animation workflow.
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on Smart Bones and motion capture in Moho.
  • Experiment with these features in your animation projects.
  • Document your findings and share them with the Moho community.
Develop a Character Rig Library
Create a library of reusable character rigs to streamline your future animation projects in Moho.
Show steps
  • Design and rig a variety of characters with different body types and styles.
  • Organize your character rigs into a library for easy access.
  • Document the features and limitations of each character rig.

Career center

Learners who complete 2D Animation in Moho from Basic to Advanced will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Animator
As an Animator, you'll be responsible for bringing characters and stories to life through movement and visual expression. This course helps build a foundation in 2D animation using Moho, a powerful tool for character animation. You'll learn the interface, how to set up projects, import characters, and trace images. This course specifically helps develop skills in rigging characters with bones, cut out animation techniques, and creating organic walk cycles, all critical for a successful Animator.
See salaries and explore the career path for Animator
2D Game Artist
As a 2D Game Artist, you'll create the visual assets that make up the 2D elements of video games, including characters, backgrounds, and user interface elements. This course helps build a foundation in character animation using Moho. The course offers you experience in rigging and preparing characters for animation, essential skills for game development, as well as creating organic walk cycles. The training with cut out animation will be particularly helpful for optimizing character animation in games.
See salaries and explore the career path for 2D Game Artist
Content Creator
Content Creators develop and produce engaging material for online platforms such as YouTube and social media. This course helps learn how to create animated content using Moho. The focus on cut out animation, which helps to animate faster is particularly useful for YouTubers and others looking to produce content quickly and efficiently. The training in character animation and rigging can help you produce high-quality animated content that engages and entertains audiences.
See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator
Character Designer
A Character Designer develops the visual appearance and personality of characters for animation. This course helps to learn how to trace characters in Moho, work with layers, and use drawing tools to create compelling designs. The course's emphasis on rigging helps prepare characters for animation giving the Character Designer a practical understanding of how their designs will translate into movement. This helps a person understand how to design characters that can be animated with the principles of animation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Character Designer
Digital Artist
A Digital Artist uses digital tools and software to create artwork. This course helps learn to incorporate 2D animation into your digital art skillset. The course provides hands-on experience with Moho, from tracing characters to rigging and animating them. Learning how to create organic walk cycles and using advanced animation principles can add a dynamic dimension to your digital art projects. You will gain familiarity with character animation using bones.
See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Artist
Animation Editor
An Animation Editor assembles and refines animated sequences, ensuring smooth transitions and compelling storytelling. This course may be helpful for understanding the animation process from start to finish. By learning how to create animations, rig characters, and use Moho's tools, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges and opportunities of animation editing. You'll also be able to make better editing decisions and collaborate more effectively with animators.
See salaries and explore the career path for Animation Editor
Motion Graphics Designer
A Motion Graphics Designer creates visually engaging animated content for various platforms, including websites, commercials, and social media. This Moho course may be helpful in learning to create dynamic 2D animations, tracing characters, and animating them. You'll gain hands-on experience with Moho's drawing tools and animation techniques, which are essential for producing high-quality motion graphics. The training in walk cycles is particularly relevant, as is using keyframes.
See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphics Designer
Illustrator
An Illustrator creates visual content for a variety of media, including books, magazines, and websites. This course may be useful for learning how to use Moho's drawing tools to create illustrations. While primarily focused on animation, the skills you gain in tracing images, working with layers, and editing drawings can enhance your digital illustration workflow. You will also be familiarized with the interface and panels of the workspace. These are essential for the Illustrator.
See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator
Storyboard Artist
A Storyboard Artist visualizes the narrative of a film, animation, or video game by creating a sequence of drawings that outline the key scenes and actions. This course may be useful for learning to quickly create and animate character poses and actions using Moho. The lessons on tracing characters and experimenting with pre-made rigs will be helpful for storyboarding efficiently. This course helps the Storyboard Artist learn character animation using bones and cut out animation techniques.
See salaries and explore the career path for Storyboard Artist
Animation Director
An Animation Director oversees the creative and technical aspects of an animation project, guiding the team to achieve a cohesive vision. While this role often requires experience, this course may provide insight into the animation process using Moho. Understanding how to trace characters, rig them, and create animations can help you communicate effectively with your team and make informed decisions about the project's direction. You'll also be able to assess what animation tasks are easy with Moho, and which are difficult.
See salaries and explore the career path for Animation Director
Creative Director
A Creative Director oversees the creative output of a team, ensuring that it aligns with the overall brand and marketing goals. This role typically requires extensive experience, but this course may offer insight into the animation process using Moho. Understanding how to use Moho's tools, trace characters, animate them, and rig them may help you to communicate effectively with your team and provide informed creative direction. This is especially true for teams that do 2D animation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director
Technical Animator
A Technical Animator bridges the gap between artists and programmers, creating the systems and tools that allow animators to bring their visions to life. While this role often requires programming knowledge, this course may offer valuable insight into the animation pipeline using Moho. Understanding how characters are rigged, animated, and prepared for cut out animation can help you develop more effective tools and workflows. The training in rigging characters is particularly relevant.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Animator
Instructional Designer
An Instructional Designer creates engaging and effective learning materials, often incorporating multimedia elements such as animation. This course may be helpful for learning how to create animated explainer videos or interactive lessons using Moho. The course offers a basic foundation in character animation, rigging, and creating organic walk cycles. The skills acquired will enhance your ability to design visually appealing and informative learning experiences, even though other technologies may be more appropriate.
See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer
Visual Development Artist
A Visual Development Artist creates the overall look and feel of an animated project, including character designs, environments, and color palettes. This course may be helpful for experimenting with different character styles and animation techniques in Moho. You can use the skills gained in tracing characters, rigging them with bones, and creating simple animations to explore the visual possibilities of your project, though this is not a direct fit, as more skills are needed. Even so, knowing how to bring animation to life will be useful for the Visual Development Artist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Development Artist
Content Strategist
A Content Strategist plans and executes content marketing initiatives. This course may be useful for understanding how animation can be used to engage audiences and promote products or services. The training in 2D animation and character rigging may inform the strategy of a Content Strategist. Although content strategists do not need animation skills, being familiar with the technology may be helpful when they are creating content.
See salaries and explore the career path for Content Strategist

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in 2D Animation in Moho from Basic to Advanced.
Cover image
ADVENTURES IN ANIMATION
Save
Comprehensive guide to animation principles and techniques. It covers everything from basic timing and spacing to more advanced concepts like overlapping action and anticipation. It is highly recommended for anyone serious about animation, providing a solid foundation for understanding movement and creating believable characters. This book is considered a must-have reference for animators of all levels.
Adventures in Animation: How I Learned Who I...
Hardcover
$$
Cover image
Animation
Save
Classic guide to cartoon animation techniques. It covers character design, posing, and animation cycles. It valuable resource for learning the fundamentals of cartoon animation and applying them to your Moho projects. This book provides a strong foundation in traditional animation principles that translate well to digital animation.
Animation
Paperback
Check
Animation
Kindle Edition
Check

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Effort
4 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
2D Animation 101 Courses
Language
English
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