Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
This new Unreal Engine workshop by Taylor Whitsett offers a comprehensive introduction to building gameplay-ready character animation systems in UE5: thegnomonworkshop.com/workshops/introduction-to-technical-animation-for-games-using-unreal-engine
Plus, watch hundreds of other free lessons, available now at thegnomonworkshop.com
CHARACTER ANIMATION TECHNIQUES USING MAYA & UNREAL
Taylor Whitsett focuses on the technical animator’s role in integrating animation with gameplay, following a realistic, production-oriented workflow used in modern game development. His lessons are intended for beginner to intermediate artists, animators, and technical artists, with at least a foundational level of navigating Unreal Engine 5. Knowledge of basic core 3D principles is recommended.
Over the course of 5 hours, Taylor covers the requirements for runtime animation assets, including skeletal meshes and rigs, character configuration, player gameplay systems, and animation blueprint logic. Topics include blend spaces, aim offsets, animation montages, root motion, combo systems using animation notifies, and animation retargeting with Unreal’s IK Rig and IK Retargeter systems. Other topics covered include: Unreal’s Enhanced Input System, camera setup, character movement logic, and best practices for scalable, data-driven animation systems.
Experience and knowledge about common pitfalls, debugging systems, structuring logic, and blueprints for growth and feature iteration are shared throughout. By the end of the workshop, artists should expect to have built a fully playable character with locomotion, aiming, melee combos, and retargeted animations, along with a clear understanding of how Unreal’s animation and gameplay systems interact.
LESSON HIGHLIGHTS:
— Asset Requirements & Runtime Preparation
— Introduction to Unreal Blueprints
— Enhanced Input System
— Animation Blueprints, State Machines & Blend Spaces
— Additive Animation Part 1: Aim Offsets
— Root Motion Animations
— Melee Combo Systems & Animation Notifies
— Iterating, Debugging, Cleanup & Polishing
— Retargeting Animations using IK Rig
— Physics Part 1: Creating the Physics Asset
— Physics Part 2: Rigid Bodies & Chaos Cloth
— Additive Animation Part 2: Firing & Reloading
— Sockets & Props
— Improving Game Feel: Final Polish, Clean Up & Bug Fixing
Project files provided with this workshop include the Nyra mesh and accompanying weapon props for retargeting. The royalty-free gun model utilized by Taylor is available from CGTrader (cgtrader.com/free-3d-models/military/gun/ak47-low-poly-pbr). The workshop also features several free asset packs from the FAB Marketplace.
For more workshops by industry professionals that will help you take your creative skills to the next level using industry-trusted software, check out our complete video tutorial library at thegnomonworkshop.com/workshops.
This new Unreal Engine workshop by Taylor Whitsett offers a comprehensive introduction to building gameplay-ready character animation systems in UE5: thegnomonworkshop.com/workshops/introduction-to-technical-animation-for-games-using-unreal-engine
Plus, watch hundreds of other free lessons, available now at thegnomonworkshop.com
CHARACTER ANIMATION TECHNIQUES USING MAYA & UNREAL
Taylor Whitsett focuses on the technical animator’s role in integrating animation with gameplay, following a realistic, production-oriented workflow used in modern game development. His lessons are intended for beginner to intermediate artists, animators, and technical artists, with at least a foundational level of navigating Unreal Engine 5. Knowledge of basic core 3D principles is recommended.
Over the course of 5 hours, Taylor covers the requirements for runtime animation assets, including skeletal meshes and rigs, character configuration, player gameplay systems, and animation blueprint logic. Topics include blend spaces, aim offsets, animation montages, root motion, combo systems using animation notifies, and animation retargeting with Unreal’s IK Rig and IK Retargeter systems. Other topics covered include: Unreal’s Enhanced Input System, camera setup, character movement logic, and best practices for scalable, data-driven animation systems.
Experience and knowledge about common pitfalls, debugging systems, structuring logic, and blueprints for growth and feature iteration are shared throughout. By the end of the workshop, artists should expect to have built a fully playable character with locomotion, aiming, melee combos, and retargeted animations, along with a clear understanding of how Unreal’s animation and gameplay systems interact.
LESSON HIGHLIGHTS:
— Asset Requirements & Runtime Preparation
— Introduction to Unreal Blueprints
— Enhanced Input System
— Animation Blueprints, State Machines & Blend Spaces
— Additive Animation Part 1: Aim Offsets
— Root Motion Animations
— Melee Combo Systems & Animation Notifies
— Iterating, Debugging, Cleanup & Polishing
— Retargeting Animations using IK Rig
— Physics Part 1: Creating the Physics Asset
— Physics Part 2: Rigid Bodies & Chaos Cloth
— Additive Animation Part 2: Firing & Reloading
— Sockets & Props
— Improving Game Feel: Final Polish, Clean Up & Bug Fixing
Project files provided with this workshop include the Nyra mesh and accompanying weapon props for retargeting. The royalty-free gun model utilized by Taylor is available from CGTrader (cgtrader.com/free-3d-models/military/gun/ak47-low-poly-pbr). The workshop also features several free asset packs from the FAB Marketplace.
For more workshops by industry professionals that will help you take your creative skills to the next level using industry-trusted software, check out our complete video tutorial library at thegnomonworkshop.com/workshops.
