Adobe Character Animator is considered one of the best software packages to help you learn more about 2D digital animation. Not to mention how fun the software can be to experiment and play with.

Adobe Character Animator uses your camera and microphone to sync your movements and voice to a layered 2D character created in Photoshop or Illustrator. From creative personal projects to producing professional content, this article will take you through the basics and help get your project started.

The Basics of Adobe Character Animator

Before you begin your project, you should familiarize yourself with Adobe Character Animator's interface, which is fairly straightforward.

Before starting, you will need an understanding of the different modes, and how each is used to produce your animation. Below, we explain each of the three modes, what they do, and when you will want to use them.

1. Rig Mode

Rig mode Character Animator

Matching the standard definition of the word "rig," Rig Mode allows you to configure ways to manipulate and control your character. You will create and use Triggers and Draggers in this mode.

Triggers are motions you can assign to your character that are "triggered" by hitting a key you assign to a specific motion. Draggers are points you can assign to your character, allowing you to click and drag that point with your mouse to create the desired motion.

Luckily, Character Animator does provide some premade triggers and draggers you can apply to your project when starting, allowing you to see exactly how triggers and draggers work.

2. Record Mode

Record Mode Character Animator

Record Mode is exactly what you would assume—it is the mode that you use to record your character's actions. Each recording of a specific action or movement your character makes is called a take.

A take could consist of the use of draggers and triggers, or you could take advantage of the automated lipsync and expression features. This feature allows you to use your microphone and webcam to record your expressions, lip movements, and voice, allowing the character to mimic these actions.

The series of recordings create a timeline. Selecting a take on the timeline will allow you to modify properties, such as the length of triggers and draggers, modify any lipsyncing, adjust the character position, zoom in or out, and much more.

3. Stream Mode

Stream Mode Character Animator

Stream Mode is the least known mode in Adobe Character Animator. Working in conjunction with an Adobe Character Animator plugin, you can stream your character to platforms such as Twitch, Facebook, and even Zoom.

In Stream Mode, viewers will see your character instead of you. Your character will synchronize its mouth to your voice, and can even mimic your expressions and movements—perhaps you want to be a duck at your next virtual meeting?

Getting Started With Adobe Character Animator

Now that you are familiar with the layout of the software and the different modes, it is time to ensure your camera and microphone are set up correctly.

1. Configuring Your Camera and Mic

One of the fun parts of using Character Animator is its ability to track your movements and actions using your webcam and microphone.

Character Animator should automatically recognize your camera and microphone. However, it is important to know how to change or adjust these settings, just in case you experience issues or have multiple cameras or mics to select from.

To configure or adjust the settings of your camera and microphone in Character Animator, follow the below steps.

  1. Open Character Animator.
  2. Select Edit > Preferences.
    Character Animator preferences
  3. Under Audio Hardware, select the microphone you wish to use under Default Input. Next, adjust the Default Output to the speakers you wish to hear your playback on.
    Character Animator mic settings
  4. Select OK, and then choose the Window menu option.
  5. Select Camera & Microphone.
    Open camera & mic window
  6. In the Camera & Microphone window, select the Hamburger Menu (the three lines).
  7. Select the camera you wish to use from the list that appears.
    Selecting Camera in Character Animator

2. Selecting Your Puppet

Although you can build your own character using Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, the best place to start learning about Character Animator is to use a pre-constructed example. Using a prebuilt puppet allows you to examine how draggers and triggers are configured, as well as how to record and edit takes.

Related: Adobe Illustrator vs. Photoshop: What's the Difference?

Character Animator does offer several example puppets offered on the Home Workspace, which is the initial screen that appears when you first open Character Animator.

Selecting an Example Puppet in Character Animator

In this article, Stardust the unicorn will be used. If you select an alternate character, keep in mind that the triggers, draggers, and motion capabilities of your selected character may be different.

Once you decide on your example puppet, simply double-click your selection, and the software will open and insert the puppet into a Scene.

3. Set Your Rest Pose

Now that your puppet is selected, and your camera and microphone are configured, you're ready to start animating! The first thing you will want to do with your new puppet is to set the Rest Pose.

The Rest Pose is important to ensure that your puppet is not leaning off to one side. It allows you to look straight at the camera in a comfortable position, and the character will follow your movements. Setting the Rest Pose is a simple process, as outlined below.

  1. Get into a comfortable position. You will want to ensure that you are at eye level with the camera you are using.
  2. Ensure you are positioned in the center of the preview window.
  3. Once you are positioned, click Set Rest Pose found right below the preview window.
    Reset Pose in Character Animator

Your puppet should now be standing up straight. It should also be following your movements, such as your mouth and eye movements. Should your puppet become off-center or tilted while you are working on your project, you will need to reset the Rest Pose using the above procedure.

4. Setting Up a Background

Adding a background to your project can add to the story—after all, who wants to use a boring, plain white background? With many options for free and paid images on the internet, the hardest part of adding a background is selecting the right one for your project.

Once you have your background selected, resize it to 1920x1080 pixels, and then follow these steps to add it to your scene.

  1. Select File > Import.
    Import into Character Animator
  2. Select your background image by locating its file on your computer. Once you've found it, select Import.
  3. Click and drag the image from the Name window onto the Scene Timeline just below your puppet. You should now see the new background image!
    Adding Background to Character Animator Timeline

Recording Your First Scene

It’s finally time to create your very first scene! With all the technical work behind you, follow the steps below to put your character into a scene.

  1. Within your Project menu, select Record.
    Record Mode Character Animator
  2. You should see your character and background in the Scene. If you do not see them, simply drag and drop both from the Name panel onto your Timeline.
  3. Click to select your character on the Timeline, and then click Record below the Scene panel.
    Record a Scene in Character Animator
  4. Character Animator will give you a three-second countdown before starting the recording. Now, try smiling, winking, and talking.
  5. You can also select any configured triggers or draggers. In this example, select the hand of the unicorn with your mouse and drag it to create the desired movement.
  6. Select the Stop button once you have completed your recording.
    Stop Recording in Character Animator

Export Your Project to Share

Now that you recorded your first animation, you are probably going to want to share it with others. To export your project to a format that can easily be shared with others, follow the steps below.

  1. Select File > Export.
  2. Select Video via Adobe Media Encoder.
    Exporting Video from Character Animator
  3. Once Media Encoder opens, select the settings that work best for your project.
  4. Select Start Queue or hit Enter.

Read More: How to Use Adobe Media Encoder: A Beginner's Guide

There's Still More Fun to Have With Character Animator

Now you can see how much fun Adobe Character Animator can be. If you liked learning the basics, make sure to keep exploring—Character Animator has many more features, from creating your own original character to adding additional triggers and draggers.

Not only is this a great way to channel your creative energy, but if you are looking for a way to stand out online, being a unicorn might just do it!