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dessertmonkeyjk

@dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social
90 followers 12 following 76 posts

Some tech guy who likes to tinker with things. Occasionally does 3D art/animation stuff in Blender/Unreal/some 3rd thing. linktr.ee/dessertmonkeyjk

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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Starting to slowly migrate over the rigs I built in Unreal 5 for Spyro animation Special Delivery, planning to publish that as its own project so it can be used as a template. The rigs are working, just need to carry over all the models/materials/textures/etc. at this point.
Screenshot of Spyro and a dragon elder in Unreal 5, showing off the Control rig for each.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Sometimes I'm usually doing more than just Spyro stuff on the side, such as practicing 3D sculpting/texturing/animation/etc. Thought this Fox I made was cool enough to share, using Blender's tools such as Rigify (for rigging) and hair system. Some parts are a little off but still fun to mess with.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Well it's Spyro 28th anniversary so I might as well post something. Currently looking at putting out the rig I made for Special Delivery amongst other things, might be awhile. This new render is from the Blender rig I made around February 2024.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Completely random but... Why did Krita (an alternative to Photoshop) create a near 1 TB log file on my system? That's insane lol Nothing important was lost, I just couldn't save anything for a moment. Had to dig out WinDirStat to see what was taking up so much space.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Why yes I am still up at 2 AM wrapping up the final edit, why do you ask? Will get it rendered and uploaded tomorrow, just be patient, I know I was lol
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
"A small purple dragon pressed against the window is staring at you, what do you do?" This image of Spyro just glaring through the window never stops being funny imo Got about 90% of the video is edited at this point, mainly dealing with audio balance (music/dialogue) still.
A video being edited in DaVinci Resolve, showing Spyro staring at a dragon elder through the window.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Got about half of the animation sorted out at this point, mainly just some minor tweaks and polishing audio/music for the 2nd half at this point. Might still tweak the framing and text color (blends too much into the sky imo) but happy how this intro shot turned out (music included).
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Still adjusting audio and other minor things (meaning I'll have to record another "take" as it's done through Unreal) but started assembling a rough cut of the final animation in DaVinci Resolve. Adding in subtitle and additional credits while I'm at it, currently looking at around 01h 10m length.
A rough cut of a Spyro animation in DaVinci Resolve 21.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
...what do you mean the animation constraints fixed themselves? I swear I'm not making this up, Unreal 5 is driving me crazy behind the scenes🙃 For context, I was recording the animation just in case and that's when it started working again... I like Unreal but it seems it doesn't like me lol
No seriously, they all came back.
A list of animation constraints in Unreal 5 that were previously non functional.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Welp, it finally happened. All the constraints in the one shot that used them the most broke. Animation constraints is the most unreliable thing in Unreal 5 I ever dealt with, I'm NOT going back to fix it. Good news is I have some older footage to fall back on, so I can salvage it in post.
A sad display of a list of animation constraints in Unreal 5.5 that suddenly stop working, with no means to fix it at all.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Been mainly going through all scenes and finding/adding SFX here and there, while trying to audio balance everything inside Unreal. Some scenes (such as the video attached) feature physics props, so added some blueprint logic that triggers SFX based on how hard objects are hit. It mostly works 🧵
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Back at it again, more or less just working through a to-do list (around 25+ left). Getting to the point where I'm confident at setting a deadline soon, at least with recording video/audio from Unreal. Mainly just getting one or two hurdles out of the way first.
Spyro and an elder (Ferran) taking a ride through a portal, with a sunrise on the other side.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Since it's summer break, I'll be out for a week so might as well post something. Been looking at adjusting audio balance and working on polishing some shots, one of them showing Spyro taking a cart ride back to a cavern space of some sort. (Yes, I know the wheels don't rotate don't worry about it)
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
About 8 hours already and the 2nd trailer is already surpassing Jar Confusion, the last animation I did that currently sits at 10k currently. I guess I did something right😅 Probably should resume animating this thing and not just stare at YouTube stats all day but appreciate the support!
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
A new Spyro animation trailer tomorrow
Spyro confident nothing is wrong despite the two dragons still shocked by the mess he somehow caused for a stupid box
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Animation is practically done, currently making small music snippets for the Spyro animation that still needed it. I might of gotten carry away with a scene of someone simply running out the door lol Yes, this is still the Spyro Soundfont collection I'm using
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Well how about that, a new official Spyro game is on the way. Definitely looks interesting to say the least. Planning on posting a trailer for my animation project but gonna wait a week at least. Spyro kinda "flies" in it, this is the most relevant screenshot I got lol
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Could there be a Spyro 4 around the corner? (picture unrelated, though I'm a little skeptical of a leak with no source/evidence imo but I'll guess we'll see)
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Wondering if something will happen if a few days? (Not related to anything official, planning on finishing this project regardless... also wanted an excuse to post another scenic screenshot from the end credit sequence I'm working on.)
Returning home...
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Mostly got the music and animation polish done (aside from blocking & animating one last scene during end credits). Mainly taking to finish up things I had on the backlog (additional sky & terrain lighting, cleaning up other things, audio, 2nd trailer). Shot of evening & night for the 3rd location.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Finished most of the music and starting to adjust the animation to account for it, mainly working through the 1st location. Also quickly made last weekend of a short scene to help show what the dragon elder Spyro is trying to avoid is doing (who otherwise flies in out of nowhere in a later scene).
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Had nothing really planned for April Fools so here's a slightly awkward Spyro picture instead. In other news, almost got the music for the last scene done that the screenshot takes place in.
Spyro standing in a doorway, nervously avoiding eye contact with the viewer.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Another music update covering scenes 7 & 8, with Spyro "borrowing" something. Starting to get the hang of it, just scene 9 to do then anim polish & timing adjustments for the music. Shoutout to Swordtee40 & KovutheVA! (The green dragon talks, but in an earlier scene but I'm mention it anyway.)
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
More music work, mostly got scene 6 sorted and 7-9 to do at this point. This section I was mainly trying to do something more "atmospheric" and also landed on the idea of the clock being part of the music. Took awhile to find what instruments worked best but I'm mostly happy with the result so far.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
With most of the animation polished (aside from some minor things), starting to delve into making some music (first time doing so😅). Got 15 minutes so far in a week. Using Mixcraft 10 in my case, has basic video editing to help retime things so music & animation work well enough together.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Another small update, I'm currently doing some late night animating (scene 8 of 10) and accidently made Spyro look like they got stung by a bee while doing lipsyncing lol I'll fix him I swear
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Spyro in places where he probably shouldn't be. Got majority of scene 6 out of 10 done with dialogue all sorted out at this point. There's only so much I can post without spoilers so here's some more nice screenshots instead, with improved lighting overall.
A social gathering on top of a floating island illuminated by a sunset, with a tiny purple dragon hitching a ride on an unassuming dragon elder.Two dragons, with one flying/pacing around wondering if they missed their portal.Spyro sitting between a clock, lamp and a closed portal wondering if they'll make it in time.An annoyed elder dragon that's trying to not ruin Spyro's whole career after shaking them off their tail, pointing them in the right direction.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Spyro checking to see where they are while riding on a dragon elder who may not be aware they picked up a passenger. Mainly polishing scene 6, just couldn't help but post this one shot that I find amusing on so many levels. This shot crashed Unreal 5 in the past but it's more stable now.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Updates will probably be more sparse as it's mostly just polish work at this point. Finally working on scenes in the second location and I'm super happy how some of the shots look at this point. I might of made things a little too big though, oh well.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Last December I posted an early look on YouTube of the Spyro animation. This December I'm putting together a lengthy BTS video showing how I made it. Was planning on doing this after the animation was done but now just want to get it out of the way. Still polishing the animation itself.
A behind the scenes video for a Spyro animation project, edited in DaVinci Resolve
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
The 2nd part of the update (see my previous post) of Spyro essentially being given a task but not before consequences of his actions catch up to him, featuring Evan Duff and AnnoMorana. More info on my YouTube channel.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Finally another full update on the Spyro animation "short" I been doing, this being part 1 of 2 as it's a lengthy sequence of Spyro essentially being given a task but not before consequences of his actions catch up to him, featuring Evan Duff again. More info on my YouTube channel.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Still grinding away at polishing the little dragon project, planning on posting a more full update (usually have to go out of my way to do so). For now, a handful of screenshots as I'm on the scene where Spyro nearly gets caught, playing around with expressions. Lighting/shading was also tweaked.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
Still making progress on the animation, aside from polish, trying to adjust the animation and character expression to match the VA better. The other reason I'm posting is this dumb face I made Courier do by complete accident lol
"Courier" elder with the dumbest smile on their face.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
Another Spyro animation update: Mainly just polishing since all the voice work has been done (might re-do some Spyro lines). Underestimated how much iteration is involved but it's progressing. Here's a scene with VA by Evan Duff with Spyro acting like nothing's wrong, trimmed to fit to 3 minutes.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
Places where Spyro probably shouldn't be: Accidently ruined an Artisans painting. In other news, got almost all the voices from the VA talent I worked with recorded (aside from one) so next on the to-do list is adding it into all the shots. Planning on posting a bigger update on that soon.
Spyro ruining a painting in front of another Artisan dragon.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
I hear every once in a while animators like to goof off. With how smoothly everything is going at this point, I wanted to see if Spyro can do a handstand for the fun of it.
Spyro doing a handstand with an Artisan costal town in the background.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Got one role voiced so far on the animation project (thanks Evan Duff!). Meanwhile, the number on Casting Call Club just keeps getting bigger, having to keep track of auditions, got another VA call tomorrow, and still animating on top of that. Very exciting lol
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Gotta say, the Casting Call Club is doing pretty good after 10 days. The hard part is having to assign roles, I'm having to use a spreadsheet to take notes at this point lol
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Places where Spyro shouldn't be. (The one shot Unreal 5 finally decided to not crash on so I can finally finish it)
Spyro caught hanging on a dragon elder's tail
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
2nd part of scene 5, with some hiccups with how Unreal doesn't always play audio properly and still some audio adjustments. Also showcasing a dynamic ambient lighting setup I recently got working to help various props/characters fit the environment better.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
Another Spyro animation update after some time, mainly wrapping up scene 04 and polishing 05 as Spyro rushes to get to the boat with the package. There's a lot with two videos and some music (Cope Land) and audio as well (some still temporary). The 2nd video is in the thread below.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Still working on it with an update soon, for now here's a purple dragon hiding in a barrel.
Spyro hiding in a barrel, looking annoyed
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
Been busy with another project but got most of shot 4-6 done for the Spyro animation. Mainly wrapping up Spyro nearly getting caught and be given a harness for delivering an interesting package. Not having the wings/tail get caught in the doorframe was interesting to figure out lol (no audio)
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
Another update on that Unreal Spyro animation thing. I usually post updates as a YouTube community post but couldn't easily fit things into a 40 second GIF. More info on my YouTube channel. This shows the segment of an upset dragon elder looking for Spyro and another trying to hide him (no audio).
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Me when I'm trying to animate in Unreal Engine 5 but I have to wait until it stops hogging up 17+ GBs of RAM for the 100th time. Also just wanted an excuse to post this somewhat accidental goofy expression.
A dragon elder looking super grumpy
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
A "behind the scenes" screenshot of what animating a Spyro short in Unreal 5 looks like. Curve Editor, Anim Details, control picker, etc. seen in a separate window on my 2nd monitor.
Screenshot of Unreal Engine 5 showing sequencer (bottom), curve editor and custom control rig picker (right), and working viewport with control rigs (left)
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Some funny shots while working on this, including accidently scaling Spyro's head to zero with an appropriate reaction.
Dragon elder with oversaturated colors that looks like a carrot. Dragon elder staring uncomfortable right into the camera.Spyro missing their head (accidently scaled their head rig control) and a young dragon ironically looking shocked by it.
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
More Spyro animation progress, mostly wrapping up what I call scene 09 out of 10 with Spyro delivering a gift but accidently broken the contents and gets promptly shown the door in a unique way. Also some magical shenanigans. (No audio, just animation) (Don't grab anyone by the tail either).
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dessertmonkeyjk @dessertmonkeyjk.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
I tend to post community posts on YouTube related to a Spyro "short" I'm working on but always have to convert it to GIF/WEBM which cuts the framerate. I might start posting updates here as well (shorter posts) For context: Spyro is delivering a package but not who they were expecting (no audio).
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