Create a Running Jumping Stick Figure Animation with Wick Editor

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create a stick figure running and jumping animation using the Wick Editor. The focus will be on designing a stick figure that jumps over a fire pit, incorporating basic techniques like frame-by-frame animation and using various drawing tools. This guide is ideal for beginners looking to explore animation basics in Wick Editor.

Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace

• Open the Wick Editor and start a new project by clicking on "New" and then "Create."
• Familiarize yourself with the timeline and drawing tools, particularly the onion skinning feature which helps in visualizing frames.

Step 2: Create the Cliffs

• Select the pencil tool and set the size to 5 for your drawing.
• Create a new layer and label it "Cliffs" in the inspector panel.
• Draw two jagged cliffs on the canvas.
• Use the fill bucket tool to change the fill color to dark gray and fill in the cliffs.
• Expand the cliffs layer to 20 frames to ensure they remain throughout the animation.
• Lock this layer to prevent accidental changes.

Step 3: Draw the Stick Figure

• Create a new layer labeled "Stickman" and place it above the cliffs layer.
• Use the ellipse tool to draw a circle for the head, ensuring the fill color is black and the outline is set to zero for a clean look.
• Utilize the line tool to create the body, arms, and legs. Start with an open pose where limbs are spread out.
• Reference images can be helpful for positioning; consider using them for guidance.

Step 4: Animate the Stick Figure

• Use the path cursor tool to adjust the angles of your stick figure's limbs as needed.
• Copy the first frame of your stick figure and paste it into the next frame.
• Move the pasted figure slightly to create a natural motion effect. Use onion skinning to see the previous frame for better placement.
• Create variations by adjusting the limb positions to represent different phases of running (open pose for the first frame, closed pose for the second).

Step 5: Prepare for the Jump

• Create a crouched position for the stick figure in the next frame to simulate the jump preparation.
• Copy this crouched frame and paste it several times, adjusting the angles to show upward movement.
• Ensure the arms and legs are positioned dynamically to reflect the jump's trajectory.

Step 6: Completing the Jump Animation

• Continue copying and pasting frames to illustrate the stick figure in the air.
• Make adjustments to maintain a smooth transition from takeoff to landing.
• At the landing phase, revert to the crouched pose to complete the jump sequence.

Step 7: Finalize the Animation

• To complete the animation loop, continue copying the stick figure's running frames to show movement across the canvas.
• Make sure to expand the last frame to prevent the stick figure from abruptly stopping at the end.

Conclusion

You've successfully created a stick figure running and jumping animation using Wick Editor! You can now experiment with additional movements or embellishments, such as adding a fire pit in a follow-up video. Don't hesitate to explore and refine your animation skills further. Happy animating!