Do you want to know how to use LukeTools?

[lukeo25]

I’m curious to know whether anyone here is currently using LukeTools with Wick Editor, Candlestick, or Stickmanred, and if so, which tools you are finding useful.

LukeTools has grown quite a bit, and I’m still developing and refining it. Rather than scattering information across different posts, I’m going to use this thread as a central place for updates, new tools, fixes, examples, and tutorials.

I’ll do my best to gradually add clearer step-by-step instructions and short tutorials here, especially for the more complex tools.

If you are already using LukeTools, I’d be really interested to hear what you are using it for, what works well, what is confusing, and what you would like better explained.

I’ll also post updates here as new versions and features are added.

If there is a particular LukeTools feature you would like a tutorial for first, let me know in the thread.

L

[LRG6YTOSC]

I tried to but it just got confusing

[lukeo25]

What did you try and what were you trying to achieve?

[LRG6YTOSC]

well I am a OSC animator and I wanted to add away to bend the limbs easier

[lukeo25]

Lets start with something simple.

1.Grab an image of a limb you want to make. Then use the Boolean tools to build it.

2.Open Luke Tools v3. Then choose Dem Bones mark 2
You are going to bind bones to the curve (leg) you just created.
Choose the uniform option or if you want limb or have your curve left the way you made it don’t do anything.
Then Bind the curve to DemBones. When its loaded Dem Bones will jump to the Bones tab for you to add your bones.

Add your bones and choose auto Auto Size All. That will ensure the deform envelopes will cover the curve the way it needs to. You can adjust in the Edit Bones tab if needed.
3.Drag the frame count out to what you need. Then the Animate tab to move the bones as you need.

4. Now with Mk2 you can close LukeTools and DemBones and return to the set of applied bones. You can also adjust the keyframes fo each bone. I am working on a full double click to open the DemBones automatically, but that may require a LukeToolsv4.

[LRG6YTOSC]

wow thanks

[lukeo25]

Do you use InkScape?
If so the shapes you get from it are better. They bend more fluidly with DemBones.

Use the SVG import tool to bring them in. DemBonesmk2 Will soon have a direct import for them as DemBonesmk1 did - but for now use the import tool.

[lukeo25]

So Another Tip is “Multi_Asset_Imports” + “Gizmos”

I have a folder with some mouth shapes in it, and another with arms.
Say I wanted to add these to my Wick Animation but control when they show up on screen.
This is great for speaking and pointing animation.

So to get them into Wick I use the Multi_Asset_Import Tool

1. Create a clip for the arms…

Then select the first frame on the timeline inside the clip. Delete the shape you started with. Open Luke Tools choose Multi_Asset_Imports under the Imports Tab. Select Choose files and get the files in the folder by selecting them all.

2. Rearange the images to suit your needs

Return to the maintimeline…

3. Select the Tools Tab in LukeTools and choose Gizmo.

Select the clip on stage.

Then Make Gizmo - Your clip will now respond to frame by frame choices on the timeline.
Make sure you stretch your timeline out to the correct length.

Be sure to have a play.

L

[DanteMations]

Indeed! I use LukeTools and it’s amazing! Most used feature is the SVG Import tool, which was very useful to make the OSC Assets and share it to the forums. Thank you!

[lukeo25]

Yes I saw those - Totally awesome work!

[LRG6YTOSC]

well I have had to rebuild my PNG assets into vectors but thanks for helping me