BateMania » Animation

Frame-by-Frame Animation

admin — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:22:56 +0000

1. Create a vector/plain text using any of the drawing tools in Flash, say a text with ‘Animation’ typed as shown in the example and break it using Break Apart (Ctrl + B) to separate the alphabets as shown below:

2. In Frame-by-Frame animation we create the object for each frame so as to produce an animation sequence.
3. Insert Keyframe (F6) and move the alphabets so as to produce an animation sequence.
4. Repeat the above step as far as desired to create Frame-by-Frame animation as shown in the example.
5. Save your work and test the Movie (Ctrl + Enter). That’s it you have created an animation using Frame-by-Frame animation.

Simple Text Effects

admin — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:17:08 +0000

You can create simple scrolling text in Gif Construction Set in less than a minute, and you don’t need to be an artist, either!

Simply select Edit/Banner from the menu bar in Gif Construction Set. You’ll be able to then select a Text Color, Background Color, and Shadow Color for your scrolling text. The type of color palette you will see when you click on the color swatch next to the Text, Background or Shadow Color options depends on the settings you have selected in File/Setup (located on the main Gif Construction Set screen). The types of color palettes available in Gif Construction Set include:

* 2 Colors
* 16 Colors
* 32 Colors
* 64 Colors
* 128 Colors
* 216 Netscape Colors
* 256 Colors
* 256 Colors with Gray

This animation:

Was created by selecting Edit/Banner. The 256 color palette with grays had been preselected in the File/Setup dialog. The Colors were:

* Text Color – 2
* Foreground Color -255
* Shadow Color -136

This animation has 10 cells, with a delay of 10 /100 of a second set for each cell, and a shadow offset of 2. The effect type is Drop Shadow, and the typeface is ITC Anna. This second animation:

This animation has 10 cells, with a delay of 10 /100 of a second set for each cell, and a shadow offset of 2. The effect type is Embossed, and the typeface is ITC Anna. The Colors were:

* Text Color – 131
* Foreground Color -112

You’ll notice that this effect doesn’t anti-alias (or smooth) the edges of the type.

Scrolling Animation with Anti-aliased Text
You can achieve a smoother looking animation by first creating the type in a paint program like Photoshop, PaintShop Pro, or Corel PhotoPaint, and then using the Edit/Transition command from the Gif Construction Set. By selecting Wipe in from Right, you’ll be able to get scrolling text with anti-aliasing. This does result in a larger file size, so you might want to consider using fewer cells (frames) in the animation.

Cartoon Animation (The Collector’s Series)

admin — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:02:53 +0000

This is the one sourcebook that cartooning and animation enthusiasts have been clamoring about for years! A time-tested classic, this tried-and-true reference is often used as a textbook in cartooning workshops, and beginning and professional cartoonists alike are known to have copies of Cartoon Animation in their libraries. In this comprehensive title, famed animator Preston Blair shares his expertise on how to develop a cartoon character, create dynamic movement, and coordinate dialogue with action. Topics include character development, line of action, dialogue, timing, and, of course, animation! This valuable resource provides all the inspiration and information you need to begin drawing your own animated characters.

From the Publisher
The Collector’s Series books offer a selection of popular projects form best-selling titles in the How to Draw and Paint series. The Collectors Series books cover fundamentals and explore the techniques of featured artists. Each title provides in-depth instruction and numerous illustrations. All are perfect for the coffee table or reference library.

Price: $16.47

A Complete Guide to Animated Filmmaking

admin — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:56:33 +0000

Review
“After ‘Why is the sky blue?’ one of the most important questions we ask is ‘What is a cartoon?’. This is the definitive book that tells all about the process closest to our hearts–animation.”
–Albie Hecht, President, Film and TV Entertainment, Nickelodeon

“This book is great! If ever there was the ultimate textbook for animation, this is it. The Animation Book is the perfect starter kit for anyone interested in entering the animation business or learning about the art of animation.”
–Terry Thoren, CEO/President, Klasky Csupo Inc.

“I love the new edition of Kit Laybourne’s The Animation Book. As with the first edition, he manages to give a world-eye view on the art and craft of my favorite medium with extra emphasis on personal styles and techniques, while including studio styles and techniques. I’m especially impressed that computer animation has been folded into the blend without overwhelming the mix.”
–Henry Selick, Director of The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach

“A very essential book for any animator. I wish I’d read this book before I started out in animation.”
–Bill Plympton

“I read one chapter on stop-motion animation and then went and made a little film with my seven-year-old son. When he finally saw the thing moving and come to life, he giggled for solid half hour. I love this book.”
–Peter Hastings, Writer/Producer of Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain and Creator of Disney’s One Saturday Morning

“The Animation Book is a classic. If you can afford to buy only one book on animation, this is the one to buy–it has it all.”
–Gunnar Willie, Head of the Animation Department, The National Film School of Denmark

“A very essential book for any animator. I wish I’d read this book before I started out in animation.”
–Bill Plympton

Price: $17.13

Character Animation Crash Course!

admin — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:55:18 +0000

Character Animation Crash Course! is a veritable Genie’s lamp stuffed with everything the aspiring animator could wish for! Renowned animator Eric Goldberg’s detailed text and drawings illuminate how to conceive characters “from the inside out” to create strong personalities. Classic animation techniques are analyzed and brought to life through this unique book and its accompanying CD that offers readers animated movie examples that show, in real time or frame-by-frame, the author’s principles at work. Add to this Goldberg’s discussions of classic cartoons and his witty, informative observations based on the wealth of knowledge he’s gained during his 30-plus years in professional animation, and you have a tour-de-force guide to character animation with the classic touch.

From the Author
Foreword When I first started making films, books about character animation were rare, and most were written from the distant, historical perspective of an observer. Of the meager handful of books that actually discussed how to do animation, only two were really good: Walt Disney’s Tips On Animation from the Disneyland Art Corner and the classic Advanced Animation by Preston Blair. In the half century since, many animation books have been written, but still few are considered indispensable to people interested in doing animation themselves. To that exclusive club we must add the book you now hold in your hand: Character Animation Crash Course. Among Eric’s many achievements is the “Friend Like Me” sequence from Walt Disney Pictures’ Aladdin, a chunk of pure cartoon magic so dense that it can be enjoyed two ways: at regular speed or one frame at a time… where every aspect of Eric’s astonishing embellishments, caricature, and razor-sharp timing can be savored like fine wine. In this jam-packed book and CD Eric will show you the rules for getting the most out of your animation. If you learn them well, you’ll be good. If you can internalize these rules to the point where you can call upon them without thinking, you’ll be exceptional. And if you learn them as well as Eric, you might even be able to successfully break a few of these rules and add to cumulative knowledge of how to make pencil lines (or pixels, clay, stop-motion models, etc.) come to life. You might even become accomplished enough to write the next great animation book. Good thing the rest of us don’t have to wait until then. We have this terrific book right now. Brad Bird — Writer / Director, The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille

Price: $23.10