Hello. This seems like a friendly forum.
Would pencil2D be able to do a simple animation involving straight paths? I think this is as simple as can be, I’m going to cut a logo into parts then have it assemble at the end.
Will it be smooth? Wouldn’t it create a lot of frames?
My only previous animation was on the Amiga, about 35 years ago. It was just a jokey one for a mate.
Thanks!
Arthur
@ArthurDent Hi, welcome to the forum. Pencil2D is mostly meant for 2D hand drawn animation. It seems you might require a motion graphics software that can interpolate motion rather than meticulously crafting each drawing exposure.
I will offer you a few ideas but do let me know if you might need anything else.
There are various apps that can help you work with logo animation and that are free to use online or free to install offline.
Online
Offline
Pencil2D does not let you currently import vector graphics, but you can copy paste from a vector graphics software like Inkscape and it will become rasterized.
If you need interpolated motion you can use the camera to simulate the movement of each logo piece, then compose it in a different program, like a video editor, so you won’t need to animate them frame by frame yourself.
Without more details I’m not sure how else I can assist you, but hopefully these resources and ideas are enough to get your started with what you need.
Best regards,
@JoseMoreno thanks for the reply.
I’ve tried synfig, and TBH, the timeline feature is hard to use, I’ve been getting nowhere as it keeps changing the duration of the anim back to zero!
Could you recommend a paid for app? I don’t mind paying up to fifty.
Hi @ArthurDent I don’t know if you tested the other ones I recommended yet, but to answer you question regarding Paid apps, the only simple to use and streamlined paid app that I could recommend to match close to your budget is Moho 14 Debut ($59.99)
This one has a 30 day trial so you could try it out first, and if you like it once you purchase it comes with permanent license (no subscription thankfully)
They also have a forum with veteran users to help, but also the manuals are pretty good, usually enough for self-driven learners.
There’s even an entire free course on their youtube channel which applies to both the debut and pro versions except for really advanced stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLynyD-7entJ2giKWS9ReviR-exwJ3UJ3T
For logo animation it should work wonders however I’ll link the features page for the app
And near the bottom you’ll find a comparison table between the Debut and Pro versions in case you need to review what you can and cannot do with it. The link is a bit odd but it’s their official “wiki”
If I recall other options I’ll let you know. Cheers.
My requirements are a desktop solution, mainly. Just in the time it took to type my last message i managed to make my first animation using synfig. I might just stick with it for a little longer.
@JoseMoreno - many thanks.
There’s a small, but dedicated group of animators, including myself, that use Pencil2D vector tools for production projects.
I personally find using the Vector tools, once you have figured out how to use them, easy to use.
But it required an ability to think laterally. The project below is an example.
Some people in the Pencil2D community, frown at using the Vector tools because they say that they’re a ‘work in progress’ sometimes called a WIP.
Another example of a vector based Pencil2D project is the one below.
The graphics and text and all drawn images are vector .VEC files.
I’ll check out those anims when I get the chance. All I’ve done is the first 'Knight Rider’s example from the docs.
Can someone suggest my next tutorial, stick with the documents, or are there any good ones in here? Just sending out feelers for my next project, except I don’t know what it is yet.
Maybe I’ll use DVDs and do something along those lines. Launching an .avi file when the disc first loads.
Thanks for your help, everyone.
I might just do a compilation of anims stick them on a disc.