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.
