Return-Path: Received: from mail-qc0-f178.google.com ([209.85.216.178] verified) by media-motion.tv (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.2.10) with ESMTP-TLS id 5343441 for AE-List@media-motion.tv; Fri, 10 Jan 2014 17:45:25 +0100 Received: by mail-qc0-f178.google.com with SMTP id i17so4093085qcy.37 for ; Fri, 10 Jan 2014 08:49:06 -0800 (PST) DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=gmail.com; s=20120113; h=mime-version:in-reply-to:references:from:date:message-id:subject:to :content-type; bh=/cjp4iwWzuC8eZSycjt0SO6tsIwpXAIVaoQiCq6IW9w=; b=NFeNmuu7SfYTuV5tltFCnHaDUKDviKvNRBq5ZIk694durf/g5hB6rfY+6Wtpx4WXOZ D5vCJAJC+taZep4MvUyk0/D9aPCsOoIns/pnyzc+fv3TY9lzh90jSAxChIEUzsKhtJY4 oqaCa3pboA5Y6mzNiNXg4s2wWHC8JgvIOqO/dko/wdS2mym76jbm9EcjZZoTvfvzcqQA IR8InoPM+9Cn3e1p9mhshnVdKjYytkadc0rGys+P589PX2Jx/DhyHDZj0N4LRU1Fn8VN KB1mmTpmcyUFF6MWHcmeT4uY4SmiOjVFE32iB/rWX8v56mqqrEquuH3LvGkfUDxR0BQM Z0uQ== X-Received: by 10.229.102.4 with SMTP id e4mr9276849qco.2.1389372546093; Fri, 10 Jan 2014 08:49:06 -0800 (PST) MIME-Version: 1.0 Received: by 10.96.216.132 with HTTP; Fri, 10 Jan 2014 08:48:24 -0800 (PST) In-Reply-To: References: From: Teddy Gage Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2014 11:48:24 -0500 Message-ID: Subject: Re: [AE] Methods of creating illustrative assets and artwork for animations To: After Effects Mail List Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=001a1133ba2c12168e04efa081ef --001a1133ba2c12168e04efa081ef Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I have a Cintiq 22HD, not sure I could work without it. The majority of the time I use it for roto work, but it is just as indispensable for character design and painting as a hobby. It does take a bit getting used to, and nothing is quite the same as the tactile feedback you get from pen and ink, but it has considerably changed my workflow and I can't say enough great things about it. There are 16 macro keys that are heavily programmable with macros and easily changed per program on the fly. It is designed really well. Obviously it is not cheap, but in terms of time savings it can pay for itself. You also need a good place to put it. The thing is pretty big (although not the 60 lbs+ of the last gen cintiqs...) IMO the touchscreen features are not worth the extra expense unless you are using it for a lot of 3D. The new 13HD might be worth an investment as it's half the cost of the 22HD. If you hate it you can always return it. On Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at 10:04 AM, Greg Balint wro= te: > Blazej, > > Do you have experience with Wacom Inkling? I had first heard about it > before they officially released it, and then they had horrible issues wit= h > the start of the product offering (had it on amazon and then it was > completely sold out for months) > > From the reviews I saw of it back then (2 years ago?) it looked like the > digitizing was kinda horrible.. lines were never where they were supposed > to be and there was a lot of clean-up needed in AI before you could get > something useable at all.. > > > > > On Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at 9:47 AM, B=C5=82a=C5=BCej Pieczonka < > blazej.pieczonka@gmail.com> wrote: > >> At Studio Pigeon our designers tend to draw characters or other assets o= n >> paper first, then scan and work with scanned ones in Illustrator or >> Photoshop using Wacoms. In my opinion the fastest way is to use digital >> tablet and draw directly in PS or AI, but as long as I observe my >> collegues, drawing on paper first gives nicer results (I don't know why >> :P). As it comes to tablets, check Wacom's Inkling to draw on paper and >> have Illustrator paths created that way ;) Also, heavier solution is Wac= om >> Cintiq, check that one too :) >> >> Hope this helps! >> Blazej >> >> >> 2014/1/10 Greg Balint >> >>> I would reccomend trying out a drawing tablet if you haven't yet. Its >>> the closest analog to digital for this type of work. >>> >>> I bought a Monoproce tablet a little whole back and it has been great >>> for these situations. Background painting is a breeze and more intuitiv= e >>> while character creation can come faster with the addition of multiple = undo >>> states, etc. >>> >>> Some will say they aren't as good as Wacom tablets, which may be true, >>> but I've used both this monoprice one and an intuos and can't really fi= nd >>> much difference in daily usage. >>> >>> For reference, the monoprice tablets are much cheaper, but they do have >>> some oddities compared to wacom, like batteries in the pen, but it woul= d be >>> a good starting point tonseenif you like the tool. >>> >>> Here's their list of tablets. >>> >>> http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=3D108&cp_id=3D10841 >>> >>> And here's the one I got. >>> >>> >>> http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=3D108&cp_id=3D10841&cs_id=3D10841= 02&p_id=3D6814&seq=3D1&format=3D2 >>> >>> The hotkey buttons on that one help out a lot with things like holding >>> down alt/control or space bar to pan around. It's all customizable thro= ugh >>> their drivers. >>> >>> It has compatibility with OS X, but not sure about the super latest >>> versions. I use it on Windows 7 just fine here. >>> >>> ///Greg Balint >>> //Art Director / Motion Graphics Designer >>> /321.514.4839 >>> delRAZOR.com/ >>> >>> On Jan 10, 2014 8:41 AM, "Anders Sundstedt" >>> wrote: >>> >>>> Hi all AE Mail list followers, >>>> >>>> It=E2=80=99s been very silent on this mail list yesterday and today s= o I >>>> thought I would contribute with a new discussion. >>>> >>>> I am looking to find alternative, perhaps more efficient was of >>>> producing original from scratch made artwork for my animated cartoon s= tyle >>>> videos (2D or 2.5D). >>>> >>>> Currently, I have 3 alternative ways (for creating 2D assets): >>>> >>>> 1. Draw required artwork (separated if to use as layers) on paper >>>> using pen =E2=80=93> Scan =E2=80=93> Touch up in IL =E2=80=93> Export = .PSD to PS =E2=80=93> Color in PS, >>>> polish add any textures etc. =E2=80=93> Save .PSD for AE =E2=80=93> Im= port to AE =E2=80=93> Use as >>>> a comp or separate layers =E2=80=93> Animate. >>>> >>>> 2. Draw layers using Path/Shape in PS using Pen Tool and Direct >>>> Select Tool =E2=80=93> Import PS into AE. (Question: When I draw it fi= lls the drawn >>>> path automatically, how do I draw it all first and then fill after dra= wn >>>> instead?) >>>> >>>> 3. Draw on SketchUp on iPad =E2=80=93> Import into Illustrator =E2=80= =93> Export to >>>> PS =E2=80=93> Animate in AE. >>>> >>>> Now, I don=E2=80=99t know which is the fastest, but I don=E2=80=99t t= hink it=E2=80=99s option >>>> 3, as it=E2=80=99s a bit limited. >>>> >>>> I have now shared some of my techniques for creating artwork for my >>>> animations, including background artwork, characters and props/objects= . >>>> >>>> Please would you suggest better/easier/more efficient or more fun >>>> ways that used in your production (or ways I could improve any of the = 3 >>>> ways listed above, that you have experience of (I don=E2=80=99t use st= ock artwork >>>> so I am not interested in that option). >>>> >>>> I would also love to know what you use for storyboarding (even if >>>> just sketchy line drawings / stick figure). I have been using pen and = paper >>>> mainly. What do you or your clients use? >>>> >>>> P.S. I am looking for more freelance work in 2014 so if you are >>>> looking for an animated web video / explainer / demo video of a more >>>> illustrative / cartoon style, please do feel free to get in touch to >>>> discuss your project. I can do a video from start to finish, or only >>>> artwork or animation if you prefer). >>>> >>>> >>>> Kind Regards, >>>> >>>> Anders >>>> >>>> Anders Sundstedt | Director | Animator | Illustrator >>>> After Effects Artist | Motion Designer >>>> M.Sc. Media Technology & Visualization >>>> e: anders@sundstedt.co.uk >>>> t: +44 141 886 2037 | m: +44 7531 800 711 >>>> a: 3/2 8 Whimbrel Wynd | Glasgow | PA4 8TJ | UK >>>> Twitter: @sundstedt & @AfterEffectsArt= >>>> Vimeo Channel: sundstedt >>>> LinkedIn: Anders Sundstedt >>>> Web: www.sundstedt.co.uk >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >> > > > -- > > ///Greg Balint > //Art Director / Motion Graphics Designer > /321.514.4839 > delRAZOR.com/ > > --=20 _____________________________ VFX & Motion Graphic Artist teddygage dot com --001a1133ba2c12168e04efa081ef Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I have a Cintiq 22HD, not sure I could work without it. Th= e majority of the time I use it for roto work, but it is just as indispensa= ble for character design and painting as a hobby. It does take a bit gettin= g used to, and nothing is quite the same as the tactile feedback you get fr= om pen and ink, but it has considerably changed my workflow and I can't= say enough great things about it. There are 16 macro keys that are heavily= programmable with macros and easily changed per program on the fly. It is = designed really well. Obviously it is not cheap, but in terms of time savin= gs it can pay for itself. You also need a good place to put it. The thing i= s pretty big (although not the 60 lbs+ of the last gen cintiqs...) IMO the = touchscreen features are not worth the extra expense unless you are using i= t for a lot of 3D. The new 13HD might be worth an investment as it's ha= lf the cost of the 22HD. If you hate it you can always return it.


On Fri, Jan 1= 0, 2014 at 10:04 AM, Greg Balint <delrazoraelist@gmail.com><= /span> wrote:
Blazej,=C2=A0

Do you have experience w= ith Wacom Inkling? =C2=A0I had first heard about it before they officially = released it, and then they had horrible issues with the start of the produc= t offering (had it on amazon and then it was completely sold out for months= )

From the reviews I saw of it back then (2 years ago?) it = looked like the digitizing was kinda horrible.. lines were never where they= were supposed to be and there was a lot of clean-up needed in AI before yo= u could get something useable at all..=C2=A0




On Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at = 9:47 AM, B=C5=82a=C5=BCej Pieczonka <blazej.pieczonka@gmail.com> wrote:
At Studio Pigeon our design= ers tend to draw characters or other assets on paper first, then scan and w= ork with scanned ones in Illustrator or Photoshop using Wacoms. In my opini= on the fastest way is to use digital tablet and draw directly in PS or AI, = but as long as I observe my collegues, drawing on paper first gives nicer r= esults (I don't know why :P). As it comes to tablets, check Wacom's= Inkling to draw on paper and have Illustrator paths created that way ;) Al= so, heavier solution is Wacom Cintiq, check that one too :)

Hope this helps!
Blazej


2014/1/10 Greg Bal= int <delrazoraelist@gmail.com>

I would reccomend trying out = a drawing tablet if you haven't yet. Its the closest analog to digital = for this type of work.

I bought a Monoproce tablet a little whole back and it has b= een great for these situations. Background painting is a breeze and more in= tuitive while character creation can come faster with the addition of multi= ple undo states, etc.

Some will say they aren't as good as Wacom tablets, whic= h may be true, but I've used both this monoprice one and an intuos and = can't really find much difference in daily usage.

For reference, the monoprice tablets are much cheaper, but t= hey do have some oddities compared to wacom, like batteries in the pen, but= it would be a good starting point tonseenif you like the tool.

Here's their list of tablets.=C2=A0

http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=3D1= 08&cp_id=3D10841

And here's the one I got.

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=3D108&cp_id= =3D10841&cs_id=3D1084102&p_id=3D6814&seq=3D1&format=3D2=

The hotkey buttons on that one help out a lot with things li= ke holding down alt/control or space bar to pan around. It's all custom= izable through their drivers.

It has compatibility with OS X, but not sure about the super= latest versions. I use it on Windows 7 just fine here.

///Greg Balint
//Art Director / Motion Graphics Designer
/321.= 514.4839
delRAZOR.com/
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0

On Jan 10, 2014 8:41 AM, "Anders Sundstedt&= quot; <sundst= edt@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi=20 all AE Mail list followers,
=C2=A0
It=E2=80=99s=20 been very silent on this mail list yesterday and today so I thought I would= =20 contribute with a new discussion.
=C2=A0
I=20 am looking to find alternative, perhaps more efficient was of producing ori= ginal=20 from scratch made artwork for my animated cartoon style videos (2D or 2.5D)= .=20
=C2=A0
Currently,=20 I have 3 alternative ways (for creating 2D assets):
=C2=A0
1.=20 Draw required artwork (separated if to use as layers) on paper using pen = =E2=80=93>=20 Scan =E2=80=93> Touch up in IL =E2=80=93> Export .PSD to PS =E2=80=93= > Color in PS, polish add=20 any textures etc. =E2=80=93> Save .PSD for AE =E2=80=93> Import to AE= =E2=80=93> Use as a comp=20 or separate layers =E2=80=93> Animate.
=C2=A0
2.=20 Draw layers using Path/Shape in PS using Pen Tool and Direct Select Tool = =E2=80=93>=20 Import PS into AE. (Question: When I draw it fills the drawn path automatic= ally,=20 how do I draw it all first and then fill after drawn instead?)
=C2=A0
3.=20 Draw on SketchUp on iPad =E2=80=93> Import into Illustrator =E2=80=93>= ; Export to PS =E2=80=93>=20 Animate in AE.
=C2=A0
Now,=20 I don=E2=80=99t know which is the fastest, but I don=E2=80=99t think it=E2= =80=99s option 3, as it=E2=80=99s a=20 bit limited.
=C2=A0
I=20 have now shared some of my techniques for creating artwork for my animation= s,=20 including background artwork, characters and props/objects.
=C2=A0
Please=20 would you suggest better/easier/more efficient or more fun ways that used i= n=20 your production (or ways I could improve any of the 3 ways listed above, th= at=20 you have experience of (I don=E2=80=99t use stock artwork so I am not inter= ested in that=20 option).
=C2=A0
I=20 would also love to know what you use for storyboarding (even if just sketch= y=20 line drawings / stick figure). I have been using pen and paper mainly. What= do=20 you or your clients use?
=C2=A0
P.S.=20 I am looking for more freelance work in 2014 so if you are looking for an= =20 animated web video / explainer / demo video of a more illustrative / cartoo= n=20 style, please do feel free to get in touch to discuss your project. I can d= o a=20 video from start to finish, or only artwork or animation if you=20 prefer).
=C2=A0
=C2=A0
<= font color=3D"#595959">Kind Regards,

Anders

Anders= Sundstedt | Director | Animator |=20 Illustrator
After Effects Artist | Motion Designer
M.Sc. Media= =20 Technology & Visualization
e:=20 anders@s= undstedt.co.uk
t: +44 141 886 2037 | m:=20 +44 7531 800 711
a: 3/2 8 Whimbrel Wynd | Glasgow | P= A4 8TJ | UK
Twitter:=20 @sundstedt & <= font color=3D"#595959">@AfterEffectsArtVimeo Channel: sundstedt
Link= edIn: Anders SundstedtWeb: www.sundstedt.co.uk
=C2=A0
=C2=A0
=C2=A0
=C2=A0
=C2=A0
=C2=A0
=C2=A0




<= /div>--



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_____________________________
<= font style=3D"background-color:rgb(255,255,255)" color=3D"#6aa84f" size=3D"= 1" face=3D"georgia, serif">VFX & Motion Graphic Artist
teddygage dot com
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