Journal Entry:
Tue Sep 18, 2012, 10:52 PM
Thank you everyone for all your helpfull comments!
It was really interesting to read, expecially because some of you have linked your animations.
Well, last time I did not mention about the details of the animation that I am planning - Sorry! I should have done that before, haha!
Well, I actually plan to make a very 'old-fashioned' animation like usual japanese anime.
A short video to an original visual kei music track my friend and me are producing.
Some of you mentioned Anime Studio Pro - I will check out this programm!
If anyone with advanced knowledge and some skill for animation wants to help me out making it, feel free to drop me a message or note!
N.
`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
Sta.sh
But before you get around to animating, even before you decide which program or what paper to draw on, learn the Basic Principles of Animation first! If you want movements to look natural (not just smooth), learn those before you get anywhere near drawing in-between frames.
A great resource for learning the principles of animation is the book, The Animator's Survival Kit, mentioned before in one of the other DA links in the previous news post. It's got color-coded illustrations and funny animator stories. It's awesome.
[I'm also an animation student, but I'm also still pretty n00b at it. Book was strongly recommended by my 2D animation professor.]
Someone mentioned 24 frames per second for a clean, smooth animation? 12 frames per second can give a decent rough animation.
Also, if you plan to be admirably ambitious, and want to include all the cleaned up details you normally draw in your illustrations/manga... I wish you luck and Godspeed.
For a time estimate, think of two consecutive manga panels as key story frames, multiply the time spent on them by however many frames you'll need between them (average x10 for now). The number of frames needed will vary from the speed of the action. This excludes any extra practice or planning before drawing the in-betweens.
I'm sure whatever you'll come up with will turn out breathtaking!!
I suggest AfterEffects for effects/final touches/and perhaps animating as well
very handy, but don't be scared from the interface xD" you'll get used to it!
good luck~
If you want to go with the old-fashioned animation, I believe it is traditional 2D hand drawn animation. You draw a frame of animation on a special animation paper (Acme-punched) which is somewhat see-through and you can layer quite a number of drawings as guidance.
24 frames make 1 second. There are 2 ways of animating: straight ahead, and pose-to-pose. I don't suggest straight ahead because you can't predict how it will go and high chances are you'll make a major mistake and have to redo everything. With pose to pose, you draw the first 'key pose' and the next key pose. Then you draw the frames 'inbetween' them so that the character moves from pose 1 to pose 20 (or whatever) in a smooth and controlled manner. There are timing, spacing, stretching, shot in 1's or 2's and a few other things that I have no idea how to explain properly.
2D animators usually draw the line drawings for the process above. And then when you're satisfied, you scan them into your computer and color them digitally. If you have Adobe After Effects or some other similar program, you can just put the drawings together and voila you just made your first animation!
On the other approach, you can do the line drawings and painting digitally too. But I have no idea what program is best to use.
Also remember that animation isn't easy or fast if you don't have years of experience. I believe there are many free tutorials online.
I'd love to help but I'm a stressed-out and busy art student. Good luck with your animation. If you need any other help, feel free to ask me and I'll answer as best as I can.