There are some differences between how Pencil2D V 0.6.6 and version 0.7.0 works. This is a sketchbook exercise to find out exactly what they are.
This is important because I’m going to use the new version for a significant production project soon!
The project file is Legs.pclx (45.0 KB)
There are still a few problems with version 0.7.0, so my advice is save your work regularly.
Learning to best use the features of Pencil2D version 0.7.0 has caused me to rebuild my animation workflow, from the ground up.
This has lead to fundamental changes, which looking back, is a more efficient workflow. This has been both challenging and intellectually interesting.
The project file is Legs-4.pclx (78.1 KB)
When I started this process, I didn’t fully understand how it would change my process, but I’m much happier my workflow!
I have developed better drawing techniques, using the Pencil2D vector tools, that produce smaller files too. During this process I’ve watched Pencil2D tutorials, experimented.
I hope that you’re going to share your learning.
As my animation tutor said in the first class, animation is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration!
The most important technique in animation, is to be methodical in the execution.
After the first phase, any attempt to make short cuts, leads to more work!
Even with experience, the above is still true.
Pencil2d vector tools, treated with respect, is an excellent toolset.
So to give the raising sun shadows doubled the file size of the project. This is because the number of filled shapes doubled.
So why didn’t I use thick black lines instead of a second shape, underneath the existing shapes? This is because of 1 of the very minor bugs in Pencil2D’s vector engine. But every cloud had a silver lining, there is no facility for changing the line width, at different parts of the same line, but using a second shape this is possible.
The .PCLX files are compressed using Zip technology, the uncompressed files have a combined size of 635 KBytes.
The hidden colour is an important component, because the lines are required to contain the fill, but because of the above problem, we don’t want them to be seen. Colour 23 is with the alpha set to 0!
I would be possible to further reduce the file size. But for this exercise I’m not going to put the effort in.
One of the lessons I have learned during this process is that: when parts are selected, then moved and or rotated, you require to deselect them by clicking outside the selected area, with the
Select Tool.
If you don’t the part of the drawing will be displayed as a semi see-though form, even when exported as a .GIF or .MP4 files.
If I had been producing a ‘Production Job’ I would have used a more consistent process and this would have resulted in every Right Leg .VEC file being the same size and the same for the Left Leg .VEC files too.
I am however glad that I experimented because i have learned more about using Pencil2D vector graphics in the process.
I must enforcise that what follows is not a criticism of Pencil2D or the Pencil2D Team, but a series of thoughts.
I’ve not, at this point have a full understanding of what’s happening, within Pencil2D. I’m writing my comments, in the General Discussion area because I’m just stating what I have experienced, whilst using Pencil2D.
I’m currently working on a Production project, using vector graphics within Pencil2D. I hit a difficulty with a frame, in that it didn’t produce the desired results. But I’m glad that when I save the file, so that I could have time to ‘think’ and then carry on with my work, with all the materials safeguarded.
Using the Save option, not the Save As one, saves all the files, vector, bitmapped and sound imported up to that time.
Using the Save As function only saves the files as actually used in the project at that particular time. Using the Save function, has on this and other occasions has literally ‘saved my bacon!’
In making this post, I simply wish to tell others about my experience, so that they can understand the difference between these 2 options.
Incidentally when I had solved my difficulty, and I resaved the project, using a different filename of course, to preserve the previous files, the new file was significantly smaller that the previous file.
Recover or Open clickbox
I think that the reason, that I make more comments than other users, is that I use Pencil2D vector animation for production jobs.
I recently had a interesting problem? But because I save my work regularly, I was back on track quickly.
I was using Pencil2D 0.7.0, I did something which caused a crash, my fault. I was presented with the screen question, Recover or Open. I choose Recover and I was surprised when I found myself using version 0.6.6 instead of 0 7.0!
On a brighter note, I wish to thank the Pencil2D Team for their efforts, in particular the join feature on the vector tools! Introduced in Pencil2D 0.7.0.
Some extra information, the Pencil2D 0.6.6 is in the Windows/Programs directory and the Pencil2D 0.7.0 is on the Desktop. Both shortcuts are on the Desktop and the Taskbar.
