Generate Blank Puppet Template in Illustrator [Free Script]

Download a free script to generate blank puppet templates for Adobe Character Animator in Adobe Illustrator. [Right structure and layer names in one click]

For a character illustration to be used as a puppet in adobe character animator, it should follow a very specific structure, hierarchy, and naming conventions.  All of those are described in detail in our guide to creating a puppet in Adobe Illustrator *.

The easiest way to assign proper hierarchy and names to an existing illustration is by using a blank puppet template.

generate blank puppet templates free script download

By using a script available for free download in this post you can generate a blank puppet template in any illustrator document.

Static Template vs. a Template Generated with a Script

There is nothing wrong with using a standard blank puppet template file and placing your character art upon it. However, using a script might be a more convenient option.

  • You don't need to create a new document. Blank puppet hierarchy can be generated in any .ai document. (You will only need to delete unrelated layers that already exist in the document).
  • You can select the exact puppet views and head views to generate for the puppet. (Layers for the views you are not planning to use will not be generated).
  • You can generate a template based on your requirements: Full Puppet Template, Half Body Puppet Template or just Head Template.

Download the Script

How to Run the Script?

Running a script in Adobe Illustrator is a matter of a few mouse clicks. Go to File –> Select Scripts –>  Other Scripts . Then navigate to where you saved the downloaded javascript file.

how to run any script in adobe illustrator

You can also save the download .jsx file in the Presets –> Scripts folder for Adobe Illustrator. that will allow you to easily run this specific script directly from the scripts menu.

how to run a blank puppet creator script in adobe illustrator

How to Use the Script?

Once you run the Blank Puppet Maker Script the following UI panel will appear:

blank puppet maker interface

Here you can select the type of template you would like to create and the views that should be included in it:

using blank puppet maker script adobe illustrator for adobe character animator

What will be Generated?

A new layer named “Puppet” will be created and it will include all the puppet layers that were selected in the section “Body views to include”:

puppet template generated views structure

The head sublayer will include all the selected head views. Each head view will have a sublayer for accessories, hair, eyebrows, ears, nose, and eyes. 

puppet template head strcture

The mouth layer will have different mouth layers for different moods: happy mouth, sad mouth, angry mouth, and regular mouth. Each of those will have sublayers for lip sync.  If you plan to use just the regular mouth group you can delete all the other ones. 

Each eye will also have its own structure and will include: the blink layer, lid layers, pupil layer, and pupil range layer.

mouth layers and eye layers that are generated by the blank template code

Now What?

Once the blank puppet layer structure is created it is time to place your art on those layers and later rig the puppet in Adobe Character Animator *.

Here are a few more scripts that you might find useful when working on your puppet art in adobe illustrator:

Use the comment section below to tell us if the script was helpful and what other processes you would like to automate in your workflow.

Stay tuned for new tutorials.

we can create a custom adobe character animator puppet for you
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Katia

Katia

Hey! I'm a CG artist, designer and illustrator. I love to explore different creative forms, media types and artistic styles. Feel free to write me with your ideas, suggestions or requests.
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