How can i make her blink?

[Mugen777]

Hey everyone, happy new years

I am trying to animate a picture for fun and i almost finished Photoshop editing part. But here is the problem, i couldn't find a way to make her blink. I mean i tried to create eyelids but i couldn't manage to create a good one that fits the face. Any advice to make it easier?

ps. And do you think the eyes are normal

Here is the PSD file (you can see preview picture too) --> https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CniOh9591N1LKpzGT7JV8MdypfP--dq4

Thank you and have a good day/night.

[Byron Cortez · Accepted solution]

Unless you are doing your 3D image, you will have it a little difficult because you have a static image that you want to make blink, in this case I would recommend that you make it blink by cut.

Or if you want to complicate a little, you have the eyelid in Photoshop, put it in a composition, apply a mask with the shape of the eyelid, soften the edge of the mask so that it integrates with your image, you animate the eyelid by modifying the Anchor Point first placing it at a good point, then insert that composition into the composition where the Warrior is and place it so that it covers the eye when blinking.

[Mugen777]

Hey, thanks for the answer (and sorry for replying late)

>I would recommend that you make it blink by cut.

What is "blink by cut"? I understand your second advice and i love the "soften the edge of the mask" idea so thank you for that But since you said the second one is faster, i wanted to ask you to be sure

[kirkeric]

I would take it in to after effects and do it.  In terms of how to do it, the first thing that comes to mind to me is to use a script called Lip Synch which I think would be good for this.  It essentially would split at points you define.  It would require that you keep or copy the eyes as a layer in background (and remove on top layer), apply the effect on the eyes, relatively straight forward.

The start point would be to bring the eyes closed, then use sounds to open them (like 1 syllable - blink, blink, blink, or whatever).

I can tell you more if you like.

Other manual ways would be to, again, make the eyes a separate background layer with the eyes cut out on the top layer.  Then use and animate the eyes closed with Mesh Warp.  That's probably the simplest way.

Eric

[Mugen777]

>I can tell you more if you like.

Well yes I check the script and looks like it could be useful, but will we be able to close eyes for a long time? Let's say for 3-5 second. And do we have to use/create a sound file?

(I really love the script tho, it could be useful later anyway. Thanks )

edit. by the way, sorry for the late reply 😕

[kirkeric]

You could simply speak the sounds yourself.  I think the key to figuring out how best to use would be to determine how long the clip is.  The eyes would begin in the close state and blink via sound to open.  In that case, essentially, they would be closed more than open, so long as there were no sounds.  Now, that said, you could easily just play with some keyframes after the fact to adjust.

For example, I'd probably make one sound and just duplicate it. So, if one syllable sound opens the eyes, probably 2 key frames.

That means that if on first keyframe they are closed, second keyframe they are open and would now remain open.  They duplicate those again at a point in time of your choice and she will blink again.  To remain closed a bit longer, you'd just copy the keyframe in which they are closed and slide out the open eye keyframe to the right.  That would then keep eyes closed for longer period.

A combination of the automated and manual procedure.

Eric

[Mugen777]

One last question : )

Do i need to create an eyelid for this?

Or do you think it will be natural enough if i use it for eyes directly?

[ScooterD76]

You might need to... looking at the pic, it looks like there is enough there already to work with, but i would be concerned about the lashes, they are very dark and thick. you may need to paint a "down position".

( love the artwork btw )

[Mugen777]

Thanks for the advice : )

It's from yoon sanghyuk, here is the link --> https://www.artstation.com/artwork/23JoY

Like you said, great artwork : D

[Dave Merchant]

Once you have a well-matching layer with just one closed eyelid (which you will have to create in Photoshop), you can use the Puppet Warp effects in AE to animate the contraction as it opens and closes. Then duplicate and mirror the animated layer for the other eye.

If you're looking for something realistic, the open-close-open sequence is at most 4 or 5 frames long, so true animation is the eyelid shapes isn't necessary. For a slow blink, or a character waking up, it will be.

[Mugen777]

I did that before for another project but it was a comic drawing and eyelids was easy to draw. I can't do it for current image tho, tried several times but it didn't satisfy me 😕

[ScooterD76]

Ive had success with the Liquify effect, but with a prepared layer with the eyeballs removed...

[kirkeric]

Hey Scooter,

That's great news!  Glad you found a method that works for you.

Eric

[Mo Moolla]

You can also use the Puppet Pin for this.

You would need to create a few layers and mask but its a very straightforward process with pretty decent results

Mo