Return-Path: Received: from mail-ve0-f170.google.com ([209.85.128.170] verified) by media-motion.tv (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.2.10) with ESMTP-TLS id 5344071 for AE-List@media-motion.tv; Sat, 11 Jan 2014 16:42:43 +0100 Received: by mail-ve0-f170.google.com with SMTP id oy12so4304935veb.29 for ; Sat, 11 Jan 2014 07:46:25 -0800 (PST) X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=1e100.net; s=20130820; h=x-gm-message-state:mime-version:in-reply-to:references:from:date :message-id:subject:to:content-type; bh=ZZsvoZyVFsqsM80b5fmryAlRX9bU0zKQGNb2BKJQB2s=; b=BDo1+iFBozmaKL5hgOIMUVEUhrcwv/xGAcp84eNpJ7/XarGKqZxuPpLzucUIIPZU/Z m3hsK6ijeLf6lVDFPNiFV6HZW87xUXmEsiIwMAM96P8u0YvSuoW1H1hz3ZZXi/IlQp+0 Rjth18QJq0GVHArJ0mW6vHtMWh1wqF68jK5vEDJOKGHTLm4R0owTIVGJTI0AM1ovY7Y2 pZi5BdlIU2Dmfaye6x1JnYAVUZN1I+J2ARLjYLsUJuh/Kz/FrbgMOkoFE25hRfOAYoyo 4tivYJK6CvRchQvX67JJ0mIE303Pf05XOnnV3WATlcAa8GI4/tgdJ/yrXm///l6sjwfh GTvw== X-Gm-Message-State: ALoCoQnBY5/q4j3Nez54tMQ/4TLOXpXA0OdcZ1JEbvIbvyU2BdO0drPq2UzABtyWgbMzHBADtyea X-Received: by 10.52.57.194 with SMTP id k2mr1733704vdq.41.1389455185074; Sat, 11 Jan 2014 07:46:25 -0800 (PST) MIME-Version: 1.0 Received: by 10.58.46.193 with HTTP; Sat, 11 Jan 2014 07:46:04 -0800 (PST) In-Reply-To: References: From: Robert Kjettrup Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2014 16:46:04 +0100 Message-ID: Subject: Re: [AE] Methods of creating illustrative assets and artwork for animations To: After Effects Mail List Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=001a113675b8bcf88304efb3be26 --001a113675b8bcf88304efb3be26 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable about smooth brush strokes in PS. You have turned on the "smoothing" checkbox in the "brush" panel? i get smooth strokes with my wacom using that on, and jagged if off and drawing quick strokes. Robert 2014/1/11 Anders Sundstedt > Hi Richard, > > Thanks. I had not heard of Dynamic Sketch plugin - sounds like what I > need, pretty much. I am watching some videos now. Great. > > What would be the main difference between drawing smooth lines in Manga > Studio and using this Dynamic Sketch Plugin for Ai? > > So I don=92t have to buy both! Do they both support pressure of pen and > smoothing out brush strokes and making it vector (dynamic)? > (With my goal to draw clean lines that I can color easily, rather than > doing more rough quick draft sketches.) > > Peder: > > It=92s an Intuos3 6x8, and I am using Pen mode not Mouse Mode, but thanks > for the tip!. > > I had not been using/painting in Ai (only really use it for Image trace o= f > my scanned drawings), only really drawn i PS. So now when I tested using = a > brush in Ai I notice that lines are not jaggy because they are smoothed o= ut > after releasing pen. I also tried this Live Paint Bucket tool to fill are= as > I have drawn with the Paintbrush. Nice. > > I am not sure how to find some brushes that respond to Wacom pressure wit= h > the pen though to vary brush stroke width? > > Stroke with also keeps reset back to 1pt all the time though. > > I guess it=92s just getting used to Ai. I assume there is no tool in Ps t= hat > allows to draw with a brush that smooth out what is drawn like in Ai and > that creates a shape that can be filled like in Ai? > > So I guess the jaggy line was a problem in Ps only. > > Ai could be a great option then. Just wish it worked like Adobe Ideas > without this Live Paint Bucket selection requirements in Ai. > > A dynamic paint brush tool with fill capabilities like in Adobe Ideas or > Ai as a feature directly in Ae would be optimal for me really. Well, > perhaps not always when needing lots of layers. > > Thanks all of you. > > I=92ll try and experiment with these options today. > > -Anders > > > > > > > *From:* Peder Norrby > *Sent:* Saturday, January 11, 2014 11:01 AM > *To:* After Effects Mail List > *Subject:* Re: [AE] Methods of creating illustrative assets and artwork > for animations > > Anders, I used a wacom long ago and remember there was something like > mouse emulation mode that didn't get full resolution, is it installed > properly and recognised by the apps? I can't help much because I don't > remember but perhaps someone else here knows this. If you're just getting > screen resolution then that could explain why lines get jaggy. > > Peder Norrby / Trapcode > > > On Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at 8:57 PM, Anders Sundstedt = wrote: > >> Thanks everyone Evan, Blazej, Greg and Teddy. I forgot to mention I do >> have a wacom 2 or 3, not sure as I am not at my desk right now. The reas= on >> I don't draw with it is that I have not figured out a way to get smooth, >> natural lines, without being jaggy? When I draw with pencil on paper or >> with finger on an ipad, I get perfect smooth lines. What is the secret? >> >> >> 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 <+44%20141%20886%202037> | m: +44 7531 800 711<+44%2= 07531%20800%20711> >> a: 3/2 8 Whimbrel Wynd | Glasgow | PA4 8TJ | UK >> Twitter: @sundstedt & @AfterEffectsArt >> Vimeo Channel: sundstedt >> LinkedIn: Anders Sundstedt >> Web: www.sundstedt.co.uk >> >> On 10 Jan 2014, at 14:10, "Greg Balint" wrote= : >> >> 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 fo= r >> these situations. Background painting is a breeze and more intuitive whi= le >> 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 fin= d >> 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 would= 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=3D108410= 2&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 throu= gh >> 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=92s been very silent on this mail list yesterday and today so 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 st= yle >>> 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 =96> Scan =96> Touch up in IL =96> Export .PSD to PS =96> Col= or in PS, >>> polish add any textures etc. =96> Save .PSD for AE =96> Import to AE = =96> Use as >>> a comp or separate layers =96> Animate. >>> >>> 2. Draw layers using Path/Shape in PS using Pen Tool and Direct Select >>> Tool =96> Import PS into AE. (Question: When I draw it fills the drawn = path >>> automatically, how do I draw it all first and then fill after drawn >>> instead?) >>> >>> 3. Draw on SketchUp on iPad =96> Import into Illustrator =96> Export t= o PS >>> =96> Animate in AE. >>> >>> Now, I don=92t know which is the fastest, but I don=92t think it=92s o= ption >>> 3, as it=92s 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=92t use stock 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<= https://twitter.com/AfterEffectsArt> >>> Vimeo Channel: sundstedt >>> LinkedIn: Anders Sundstedt >>> Web: www.sundstedt.co.uk >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> > --001a113675b8bcf88304efb3be26 Content-Type: text/html; charset=windows-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
about smooth brush strokes in PS.

You h= ave turned on the "smoothing" checkbox in the "brush" p= anel?=A0
i get smooth strokes with my wacom using that on, and ja= gged if off and drawing quick strokes.

Robert

2014/1/11 Anders Sundstedt <sun= dstedt@hotmail.com>
Hi Richard,
=A0
Thanks. I had not heard of Dynamic Sketch plugin - sounds like what I = need,=20 pretty much. I am watching some videos now. Great.
=A0
What would be the main difference between drawing smooth lines in Mang= a=20 Studio and using this Dynamic Sketch Plugin for Ai?
=A0
So I don=92t have to buy both! Do they both support pressure of pen an= d=20 smoothing out brush strokes and making it vector (dynamic)?
(With my goal to draw clean lines that I can color easily, rather than= =20 doing more rough quick draft sketches.)
=A0
Peder:
=A0
It=92s an Intuos3 6x8, and I am using Pen mode not Mouse Mode, but tha= nks for=20 the tip!.
=A0
I had not been using/painting in Ai (only really use it for Image trac= e of=20 my scanned drawings), only really drawn i PS. So now when I tested using a = brush=20 in Ai I notice that lines are not jaggy because they are smoothed out after= =20 releasing pen. I also tried this Live Paint Bucket tool to fill areas I hav= e=20 drawn with the Paintbrush. Nice.
=A0
I am not sure how to find some brushes that respond to Wacom pressure = with=20 the pen though to vary brush stroke width?
=A0
Stroke with also keeps reset back to 1pt all the time though.
=A0
I guess it=92s just getting used to Ai. I assume there is no tool in P= s that=20 allows to draw with a brush that smooth out what is drawn like in Ai and th= at=20 creates a shape that can be filled like in Ai?
=A0
So I guess the jaggy line was a problem in Ps only.
=A0
Ai could be a great option then. Just wish it worked like Adobe Ideas= =20 without this Live Paint Bucket selection requirements in Ai.
=A0
A dynamic paint brush tool with fill capabilities like in Adobe Ideas = or Ai=20 as a feature directly in Ae would be optimal for me really. Well, perhaps n= ot=20 always when needing lots of layers.
=A0
Thanks all of you.
=A0
I=92ll try and experiment with these options today.
=A0
-Anders
=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0
Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2014 11:01 AM
Subject: Re: [AE] Methods of creating illustrative assets and= =20 artwork for animations
=A0
Anders, I used a wacom long ago and remember there was som= ething=20 like mouse emulation mode that didn't get full resolution, is it instal= led=20 properly and recognised by the apps? I can't help much because I don= 9;t remember=20 but perhaps someone else here knows this. If you're just getting screen= =20 resolution then that could explain why lines get jaggy.=20
=A0
Peder Norrby / Trapcode


On Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at 8:57 PM, Anders Sundsted= t <sundstedt@hotmail.com> wrote:
Thanks everyone Evan, Blazej, Greg and Teddy. I forgot to mention I = do=20 have a wacom 2 or 3, not sure as I am not at my desk right now. The reaso= n I=20 don't draw with it is that I have not figured out a way to get smooth= , natural=20 lines, without being jaggy? When I draw with pencil on paper or with fing= er on=20 an ipad, I get perfect smooth lines. What is the secret?=20


Kind Regards,

Anders

= Anders=20 Sundstedt | Director | Animator | Illustrator
After Effects Art= ist |=20 Motion Designer
M.Sc. Media Technology & Visualization
e: anders@sundstedt.co.= uk
t: +44 1= 41 886 2037 | m: +44 7531 800 711
a: 3/2=20 8 Whimbrel Wynd | Glasgow | PA4 8TJ | UK
Twitter: @sundstedt=20 & @AfterEffectsArt
Vimeo=20 Channel: sundstedt=A0
LinkedIn:=20 Anders=20 Sundstedt
Web: www.sundstedt.co.uk

On 10 Jan 2014, at 14:10, "Greg Balint" <delrazoraelist@gmail.co= m> wrote:

I would reccomend trying out a drawing tablet if you hav= en't yet.=20 Its the closest analog to digital for this type of work.

I bought a Monoproce tablet a little whole back and it h= as been=20 great for these situations. Background painting is a breeze and more=20 intuitive while character creation can come faster with the addition of= =20 multiple undo states, etc.

Some will say they aren't as good as Wacom tablets, = which may be=20 true, but I've used both this monoprice one and an intuos and can&#= 39;t really=20 find much difference in daily usage.

For reference, the monoprice tablets are much cheaper, b= ut they=20 do have some oddities compared to wacom, like batteries in the pen, but= it=20 would be a good starting point tonseenif you like the tool.

Here's their list of tablets.=A0

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=3D1084102&p_id=3D6814&seq=3D1&format=3D2

The hotkey buttons on that one help out a lot with thing= s like=20 holding down alt/control or space bar to pan around. It's all custo= mizable=20 through their drivers.

It has compatibility with OS X, but not sure about the s= uper=20 latest versions. I use it on Windows 7 just fine here.

///Greg Balint
//Art Director / Motion Graphics=20 Designer
/321.514.4839
delRAZOR.com/
=A0=A0=A0

On Jan 10, 2014 8:41 AM, "Anders Sundst= edt" <su= ndstedt@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi=20 all AE Mail list followers,
=A0
<= /div>
It=92s=20 been very silent on this mail list yesterday and today so I thought I= =20 would contribute with a new discussion.
=A0
<= /div>
I=20 am looking to find alternative, perhaps more efficient was of produci= ng=20 original from scratch made artwork for my animated cartoon style vide= os=20 (2D or 2.5D).
=A0
<= /div>
Currently,= =20 I have 3 alternative ways (for creating 2D assets):
=A0
<= /div>
1.=20 Draw required artwork (separated if to use as layers) on paper using = pen=20 =96> Scan =96> Touch up in IL =96> Export .PSD to PS =96>= Color in PS,=20 polish add any textures etc. =96> Save .PSD for AE =96> Import = to AE=20 =96> Use as a comp or separate layers =96> Animate.
=A0
<= /div>
2.=20 Draw layers using Path/Shape in PS using Pen Tool and Direct Select T= ool=20 =96> Import PS into AE. (Question: When I draw it fills the drawn = path=20 automatically, how do I draw it all first and then fill after drawn= =20 instead?)
=A0
<= /div>
3.=20 Draw on SketchUp on iPad =96> Import into Illustrator =96> Expo= rt to PS=20 =96> Animate in AE.
=A0
<= /div>
Now,=20 I don=92t know which is the fastest, but I don=92t think it=92s optio= n 3, as=20 it=92s a bit limited.
=A0
<= /div>
I=20 have now shared some of my techniques for creating artwork for my=20 animations, including background artwork, characters and=20 props/objects.
=A0
<= /div>
Please=20 would you suggest better/easier/more efficient or more fun ways that = used=20 in your production (or ways I could improve any of the 3 ways listed= =20 above, that you have experience of (I don=92t use stock artwork so I = am not=20 interested in that option).
=A0
<= /div>
I=20 would also love to know what you use for storyboarding (even if just= =20 sketchy line drawings / stick figure). I have been using pen and pape= r=20 mainly. What do you or your clients use?
=A0
<= /div>
P.S.=20 I am looking for more freelance work in 2014 so if you are looking fo= r an=20 animated web video / explainer / demo video of a more illustrative /= =20 cartoon style, please do feel free to get in touch to discuss your=20 project. I can do a video from start to finish, or only artwork or=20 animation if you prefer).
=A0
<= /div>
=A0
<= font style=3D"FONT-SIZE:10pt">Kind Regards,

Anders

Anders= Sundstedt |=20 Director | Animator | Illustrator
After Effects Artist | Motion=20 Designer
M.Sc. Media Technology & Visualization
e: anders@sundstedt.co.uk
t:=20 +44 141 886 2037<= /a> | m:=20 +44 7531 800 711<= /a>
a: 3/2 8 Whimbrel Wynd | Glasg= ow | PA4 8TJ |=20 UK
Twitter: = @sundstedt & <= font color=3D"#595959">@AfterEffectsArtVimeo Channel: sundstedt
Link= edIn: Anders SundstedtWeb: www.sundstedt.co.uk
=A0
=A0
<= /div>
=A0
<= /div>
=A0
<= /div>
=A0
<= /div>
=A0
<= /div>
=A0
<= /div>
=A0

--001a113675b8bcf88304efb3be26--