How To Animate Characters In Unity 3D | Animation Layers Explained

Learn the fundamentals of animating characters with Unity's animation layers, and understand how & why it all works!
This beginner-friendly tutorial is a thorough break down of Animation Layers in Unity 3D and explains how each of the layer's properties work and are useful. By the end of the video, our character is able to walk and aim simultaneously!
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This is the seventh video in a series covering Unity's animation system! Be sure to check out the other videos in the series to continue learning!
WANT MORE?
Interested in learning more about animating characters in Unity? Check out my growing series of tutorials:
✅ • Unity's Animation System
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• How to Move Characters...
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►TIMESTAMPS:
Intro: 0:00
What are layers for?: 0:28
Project Setup Mixamo: 1:26
Import Characters to Unity: 2:26
Convert To Humanoid: 2:35
What Does Humanoid Do?: 2:59
Setup Scene And Character: 3:19
Setup Walk Animation: 3:46
Animator Grid: 3:57
First Animation Layer: 4:08
Add Layer animation: 4:29
Animation Layer Settings: 4:46
Layer Weight Explanation: 4:59
Avatar Mask Intro: 5:46
Avatar Mask Humanoid Settings: 6:00
Using Avatar Mask: 6:22
More Humanoid Settings: 6:41
Avatar Mask IK Example: 6:54
Avatar Mask Transform Settings: 7:30
Blending Settings: 8:02
Blending Override Explained: 8:08
Blending Additive First Explanation: 8:27
Blending Additive Example: 8:43
How Additive Layers Are Tricky: 9:54
How Additive System Works: 10:21
Additive Reference Pose Example: 10:42
Interactive Additive Example: 11:20
Two KeyFrame Crouch: 12:03
Sync Setting Explained: 12:17
Sync Practical Example: 12:44
Timing Setting Explained: 13:22
Timing Example: 13:40
Timing Re-described: 14:25
IK Pass Setting Explained: 14:46
IK Pass Example: 15:00
Outro: 15:25
Next Time:15:30
Thank you for stopping by and checking out my tutorial -- Hope you all enjoy! Please feel free to leave any questions & feedback you may have. This will help shape the direction and style for upcoming videos!
Thanks again for watching!
#indiegame #gamedev #indiedev #2020

[@Noixelfer]

As always, the quality of the explanations is just the best. I can't even describe how perfect the pacing and the video demonstrations are, well done!

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@@iHeartGameDev It definitely is, thanks to the animations you keep the viewers engadged while also providing aditional informations on the presented topic

[@Ryan-mf4pd]

Even 4 years later this still holds up

[@Boujonzu]

Seriously dude, probably some of the best unity tutorials. The fact that you go over EVERYTHING makes this more like a lecture than a regular tutorial

[@mixandjam]

Such a well explained video!! Thanks for it Nicky!

[@N0Mana]

Can't thank you enough for the tutorials, man. There aren't enough advanced, concise, and digestible animation tutorials for Unity, and you help fill in that gap.

[@XURlMA]

Throughout my entire career of learning from tutorials, this is the only channel that not only goes over what each setting does, but also how they can be useful, which in my opinion is just as important as understanding what something does, you just can't have one without the other. Hope it inspires others to do the same :). Also, HUGE props, must take lots and lots of effort to make these vidoes, but it will help a whole lot of people immensely, and for that you earned my sub despite me never subscribing to anyone really :) It will definitely pay off for both you and others, keep it up man!

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Thank you very much for such kind words!

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Completely agree with this. Well done!!

[@runehammergaming9580]

This tutorial series has been invaluable to me. Clear instructions with visual examples, concise and sticks to the point of the video instead of being an hour long hard to follow tutorial where the narrator just rambles. Prior to finding these videos my animation setup was unruly and very amateurish. Now the setup is clear and easy to read, professional, and most importantly, bug free. You are saving my game with this series. I'm not an animator, and while my art is good and my coding skills sharpen all the time, using Unity mechanim was a nightmare for me. Thank you for this series.

[@GymCritical]

I didn’t even bother with layers in my project and avoided them because I didn’t want to get into it too deep. You made it a lot easier to grasp. Those equations in the beginning were incredibly useful. Thank you.

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This is pure gold in just 15 minutes. No bs, straight to the topic. Can't thank you enough!

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Searched true hundreds of videos on youtube to find this gold, totaly worth it good job !

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Happy you found it!! Thanks for watching!

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This channel needs more visibility because it's a real gem on youtube!

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Man this type of explanation is top tier, you should honestly think about putting a paid course together. I'd pay for it.

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Excellent video. I was looking for this content for a while.

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The Quality of the Explanation is on such a level. Just based on these videos so far. I was able to fix and produce a great prototype. I would love to show you it~! Thank you for your time and knowledge! Please keep it up!

[@moniques1377]

Just started watching these recently, and I gotta say - these videos are PHENOMENAL!! Thank you so much for all your hard work 💜

[@pratyushbarikdev]

Can’t believe that this is the first tutorial that shows the animation features of unity. I’m not sure why no one has covered it till now. Found out about this channel so late.

[@mikeha]

this is great, it's amazing what you can do with layers which was a feature i normally just ignored because nobody seems to use it in tutorials

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I watched all of your tutorials from start to finish ... this step my step really helped me and the best tutorial out there for the unity animation system!

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seriously, thanks to your videos i moved past the roadblock i have had for the past 8 years with [UNITY] and animations whenever i gave it a shot

[@iHeartGameDev]

Rad! Thanks for sharing and good luck!

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The absolute best playlist explaining unity's animator.

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dude I cant believe when I wanted to make a project about animation heavily stuff I found your videos explaining just the things I need most, you are amazing very muhc appreciated

[@kaos7149]

bro its like ur entering into my head and explaining exactly what i want exactly how i want.. don't have the words to thank u enough

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Hahaha thank you!! Love to hear that!

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OMG have been looking for ages for smt like this! thank you so much man!

[@0xscythe]

Thank you saved me a lot of time trying to browse videos for an actual working one

[@aldigangster123]

You explained things in this video I've never heard of before - and I've watched a lot videos on Unity Animation. Awesome stufff! Thank you so much!

[@Oleg_UE5]

Damn, I had payed for a unity learning course but this series is free and 100 times better. I can not recommend it more. GREAT tutorial.

[@lukegf0]

Wow there is some much complexity, and power, to the Unity animation system and you explained it so well. Very impressive!

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I paused as you went along and did the steps myself and that helped a TON.

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Easily one of the best unity channels out there

[@dean_allan]

Wow you can sync layers with the main layer!? You have saved my life thank you!

[@Chickengbs]

You're so underrated Nicky! Thank you so much for sharing this useful knowledge with us all. We cannot wait and we're excited to learn more from the best teacher you are. Thank you!

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Finally soone who speaks in a calm way and getting to the point asap

[@bmtsk8er420]

This is THE BEST animator tutorial I have found on KZbin. Definitely subscribed thank you so much for making this !

[@iHeartGameDev]

Wow, thanks for the kindness Dylan!

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@@iHeartGameDev sure thing man. I also watched your story video. Very inspiring that at 25 you decided to learn. I am 27 now and I began trying to do it all on my own two years ago with KZbin tutorials so your story resonated with me but learned that I need to go back to school for fundamental structure. Definitely gonna check out the resources and give it my best. I look forward to your future content thank you so much for providing a great value to me and all other indie game devs out here!

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The quality of the videos are great!

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Yay, thank you!

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The only game developer channel I would subscribe to except Brackeys

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I am overwhelmed by your quality of explanation. Thank you

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You are a living god among n, a legend worthy of praise. What you've uploaded here, will echo into eternity!

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Best and cleanest tutorial. You don't left any doors open behind. Thank you!

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This is so underrated, this channel is pure gold! thank you so much for these tutorials so far the best i've seen on youtube

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Thanks so much!! Happy to hear that the content is still helpful!

[@manai2683]

Hey man, thanks for all this

[@lordkakabel76]

Thank you! I was able to make my player walk with a torch when in the darkness super-easy with this method.

[@arthurgentz2]

If i had the money, i'd fund and implore you to start an in-depth, AAA-level animation course. Very good work.

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Thank you Arthur! I really appreciate the kindness!

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editing is soo clean

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Your teaching style stand above all others. Great job!

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thanks man. very helpful.

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Your lessons so useful! Awesome!

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Glad you like them! Thank you

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I'm a huge fan of how clearly you explain things. Thank you!

[@the777BIGBRO]

Great instruction, also loved the music and check marks, thanks Brother! =)

[@banjo7312]

Thank you for the Playlist. At least I have lessons being learned in order. Focus guaranteed. Thankyou. Great work Sir. Michael.

[@sabythenoob]

Thank you sooooooooooo much... For past 4years I wanted to learn about combining multiple animation...

[@FAISAL-ky7ps]

You really my hero Nicky, You save me. This tutorial is really Awesome. Best Recommended channel Animation Tutorial Unity3D

[@halivudestevez2]

Need to repeat viewing this several times. Vaste of essential information.

[@TNTCProject]

Well done Nicky! Awesome video as always :)

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No his channel is not underrated. With only 6 videos he has 3k subs. Which justifies the quality of his videos. Thank you for such quality videos.

[@ragnar8871]

non ho mai visto tutorial così approfonditi...grazie mille amico!!!😎

[@viraj3944]

This was an amazing video. Will go to the IK video next

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your explanation is next level

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tNice tutorials is detailed, its amazin thanks man!

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I'd love to see a short version of this showing how to do it with the generic setup. Great work as always!

[@thescotster19]

This has been an utterly brilliant series. Fantastic presentation and attention to detail. I now know what the Unity animation system is capable of, and what I want to implement. I am doing a 2D humanoid animation but the principles will apply. Thank you @iHeartGameDev.

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I love how you show an example of every setting! Keep up the great work!!

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This is a well explained video with over the top production quality.Looking forward to see more video related to animation. Good Work Nicky!!

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I do learn a lot from this awesome tutorial. Thanks !!! 😘

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Another Amazing Tutorial

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Very in depth explanation. Thanks a heap buddy

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Thanks for the hardwork on behalf of all us game devs, appreciation +100XP!

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Nice content. I like how some channels lately have been really focusing hard on particular topics. Not that I want anyone to be pigeon-holed into anything, but the depth that some creators are going with topics like this is fantastic!

[@petermoss7387]

The additive animation explanation was amazing! I’m having my characters torso aim through IK but that is definitely something I could utilize

[@Majestyma]

Great tutorial, the way you explain thing is perfect. Thank you

[@samyam]

Super informative video, great job Nicky!

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you too sammy!

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Fantastic tutorial mate! you do a great pace and explain everything - I tip my metaphorical hat to you!

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Thanks very much Chris!!

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Another excelent video tutorial, thanks!

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Thank you! Glad you liked it :)

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Thanks for explaining things I couldn't find in the documentation

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Fantastic video. Extremely well done, helpful, well organized.

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The background music keeps making me think of supermario 64 - Dire, Dire docks (the underwater theme I think), Great Video! Thanks a lot! :)

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Your work is Brilliant! please Continue I love your content and Video form your Video is so Rare to find. Don't Give up.

[@pnpandey86]

very nice explanation dude. Thank you man for such a tutorial.

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Hello, thank you very much for this great tutorial, now I clearly understand the need for layers and an avatar mask. You are the best of those who have explained this topic :)

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Hey! Thanks so much! Glad to help!

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Let's take this guy to million

[@torppe2226]

Great tutorials on a bit more advanced topics. Just what I needed!

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Also looking forward to the IK video :)

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Thank you Flip!

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Well done,Nicky!really appreciate this video.

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This channel is a gem

[@michaelperkins1119]

Awesome Tutorial. Can't wait for the IK one.

[@prosealien]

This is very well explained. Be good to figure the code to for a blended transition from say, layer 2 sword swipe animation then revert back to a base layer walk cycle.

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Your explanations are sooo cool ....You're the best.

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@@iHeartGameDev You're welcome

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These are high quality videos. Thank you.

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Bro it’s very intimidating! I’ve been slacking on it for a month now. The symbols are very confusing. You have to train your mind to

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