Return-Path: Received: from mail-ve0-f173.google.com ([209.85.128.173] verified) by media-motion.tv (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.2.10) with ESMTP-TLS id 5344170 for AE-List@media-motion.tv; Sat, 11 Jan 2014 18:35:06 +0100 Received: by mail-ve0-f173.google.com with SMTP id jy13so48201veb.4 for ; Sat, 11 Jan 2014 09:38:48 -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=eSWBUQvdbKbVMo8mMs4Sntia3LGpQ0vpTrW5aibnKbY=; b=PNyidKCgMFkt9pyxVv2gK95EIL7Metc+Ti3OdZj7r+Adb7DLTLz67aWQdhP9u56qtn yEEq7WAahmmsOcqw2OQSno4lC80nAWE+FrbhHrGskJmcQgxkyPBqzbINzikqCI34Mqrr j9gGoLP4ByZWxjK1HZkjjfKSpSJZn0qPl7zMsF9yTjXQYswt5ewl0SfJL+t73v5hTYX7 fXWChgmgKWlDbpf1bPg9es+iYWCBOawXatGi9pb8QAWfnqyJlNSbNmIXDv+FexgvCbjM Lxs5MXefj2/TEJfyZJb14Eyg/Gfkcc+7o6ppkwwjsPHjBUzdyH2EpGVTAB7/wt5tIvaJ Rmtw== X-Gm-Message-State: ALoCoQnP/ekREgdsXAs/45ldcwaao51bxBKvsF4lHSd7mQAKwqCMY0Bw0dC3Z0mV1MnbmWRlD+3N X-Received: by 10.58.181.165 with SMTP id dx5mr12913026vec.19.1389461928546; Sat, 11 Jan 2014 09:38:48 -0800 (PST) MIME-Version: 1.0 Received: by 10.58.46.193 with HTTP; Sat, 11 Jan 2014 09:38:28 -0800 (PST) In-Reply-To: References: From: Robert Kjettrup Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2014 18:38:28 +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=047d7b673c86ae2b3304efb55083 --047d7b673c86ae2b3304efb55083 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable also remember to lower the "spacing" percentage if what you are seeing is the individual brush stamps. The default on regular brushes is 25% and that can look a bit ugly on larger brushes. I sometimes lower it to 1-2% to get really smooth lines, and with the "smoothing" turned on to smooth out drawn shapes i think PS can do what you are looking for. Robert Robert Kjettrup / Grafiker / STV Mayday Mobil: 25 18 95 16 Mail: robert@stvmayday.dk 2014/1/11 Anders Sundstedt > Hi Robert, > > I tried this now, I don=92t notice much difference but thanks for the tip= . > > I think I know exactly what I want now. > > I want Photoshop to smooth a line drawn with the brush, to a smooth, > vector curve, with sharp edges. > > Just like if you draw a line in for example Adobe Ideas on an iPad. It > makes the brush stroke very smooth and looking more like line art, than > something drawn with a mouse or digital pen. > > So basically, just like the Dynamic Sketch plugin for Illustrator, but fo= r > Photoshop. I don=92t like the Pen Tool drawing curves using anchor points= for > this sketch work, so I just want PS to smooth out the lines, while allowi= ng > for pressure for line thickness. If it can be done in an app like Adobe > Ideas, there must be a way in PS? > > I will look into it now more but any tips on that appreciated. > > Thanks > Anders > > > > *From:* Robert Kjettrup > *Sent:* Saturday, January 11, 2014 3:46 PM > *To:* After Effects Mail List > *Subject:* Re: [AE] Methods of creating illustrative assets and artwork > for animations > > 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 thank= s >> for the tip!. >> >> I had not been using/painting in Ai (only really use it for Image trace >> of my scanned drawings), only really drawn i PS. So now when I tested us= ing >> a brush in Ai I notice that lines are not jaggy because they are smoothe= d >> out after releasing pen. I also tried this Live Paint Bucket tool to fil= l >> areas I have drawn with the Paintbrush. Nice. >> >> I am not sure how to find some brushes that respond to Wacom pressure >> with 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 >> that allows to draw with a brush that smooth out what is drawn like in A= i >> 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 gettin= g >> 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 rea= son >>> 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%= 207531%20800%20711> >>> 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 >>> >>> 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 >>> 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=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 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 =96> Scan =96> Touch up in IL =96> Export .PSD to PS =96> Co= lor 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 th= e drawn >>>> path automatically, how do I draw it all first and then fill after dra= wn >>>> instead?) >>>> >>>> 3. Draw on SketchUp on iPad =96> Import into Illustrator =96> Export = to >>>> PS =96> Animate in AE. >>>> >>>> Now, I don=92t know which is the fastest, but I don=92t think it=92s = option >>>> 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 ar= twork >>>> 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 >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >> > > --047d7b673c86ae2b3304efb55083 Content-Type: text/html; charset=windows-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
also remember to lower the "spacing" percentage = if what you are seeing is the individual brush stamps. The default on regul= ar brushes is 25% and that can look a bit ugly on larger brushes.=A0
I = sometimes lower it to 1-2% to get really smooth lines, and with the "s= moothing" turned on to smooth out drawn shapes i think PS can do what = you are looking for.

Robert

Robert Kjettrup / Grafiker / STV Mayday
Mobil: 25 18 95 16=
Mail: robert@s= tvmayday.dk


2014/1/11 Anders Sundstedt <sundste= dt@hotmail.com>
Hi Robert,
=A0
I tried this now, I don=92t notice much difference but thanks for the= =20 tip.
=A0
I think I know exactly what I want now.
=A0
I want Photoshop to smooth a line drawn with the brush, to a smooth, v= ector=20 curve, with sharp edges.
=A0
Just like if you draw a line in for example Adobe Ideas on an iPad. It= =20 makes the brush stroke very smooth and looking more like line art, than=20 something drawn with a mouse or digital pen.
=A0
So basically, just like the Dynamic Sketch plugin for Illustrator, but= for=20 Photoshop. I don=92t like the Pen Tool drawing curves using anchor points f= or this=20 sketch work, so I just want PS to smooth out the lines, while allowing for= =20 pressure for line thickness. If it can be done in an app like Adobe Ideas, = there=20 must be a way in PS?
=A0
I will look into it now more but any tips on that appreciated.
=A0
Thanks
Anders
=A0
=A0
=A0
Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2014 3:46 PM
Subject: Re: [AE] Methods of creating illustrative assets and= =20 artwork for animations
=A0
about smooth brush strokes in PS.=20
=A0
You have turned on the "smoothing" checkbox in the "bru= sh" panel?
i get smooth strokes with my wacom using that on, and jagged if off an= d=20 drawing quick strokes.
=A0
Robert
=A0
=A0
2014/1/11 Anders Sundstedt <= ;sundstedt@hotma= il.com>
Hi Richard,
=A0
Thanks. I had not heard of Dynamic Sketch plugin - sounds like what = I=20 need, pretty much. I am watching some videos now. Great.
=A0
What would be the main difference between drawing smooth lines in Ma= nga=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 = and=20 smoothing out brush strokes and making it vector (dynamic)?
(With my goal to draw clean lines that I can color easily, rather th= an=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 t= hanks=20 for the tip!.
=A0
I had not been using/painting in Ai (only really use it for Image tr= ace=20 of my scanned drawings), only really drawn i PS. So now when I tested usi= ng a=20 brush in Ai I notice that lines are not jaggy because they are smoothed o= ut=20 after releasing pen. I also tried this Live Paint Bucket tool to fill are= as I=20 have drawn with the Paintbrush. Nice.
=A0
I am not sure how to find some brushes that respond to Wacom pressur= e=20 with 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= Ps=20 that allows to draw with a brush that smooth out what is drawn like in Ai= and=20 that 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 Idea= s=20 without this Live Paint Bucket selection requirements in Ai.
=A0
A dynamic paint brush tool with fill capabilities like in Adobe Idea= s or=20 Ai as a feature directly in Ae would be optimal for me really. Well, perh= aps=20 not 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 s= omething=20 like mouse emulation mode that didn't get full resolution, is it inst= alled=20 properly and recognised by the apps? I can't help much because I don&= #39;t=20 remember but perhaps someone else here knows this. If you're just get= ting=20 screen resolution then that could explain why lines get jaggy.=20
=A0
Peder Norrby / Trapcode


On Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at 8:57 PM, Anders Sundst= edt <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 rea= son I=20 don't draw with it is that I have not figured out a way to get smoo= th,=20 natural lines, without being jaggy? When I draw with pencil on paper or= with=20 finger on an ipad, I get perfect smooth lines. What is the secret?=20


Kind Regards,

Anders
Anders Sundstedt | Director | Animator=20 | Illustrator
After Effects Artist | Motion Designer
M.Sc. Media= =20 Technology & Visualization
e: anders@sundstedt.co.uk
t: +44 141 886 2037 | m: +44 7531 800 711
a:=20 3/2 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= .com> wrote:

I would reccomend trying out a drawing tablet if you h= aven't=20 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=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=20 be true, but I've used both this monoprice one and an intuos and = can't=20 really find much difference in daily usage.

For reference, the monoprice tablets are much cheaper,= but they=20 do have some oddities compared to wacom, like batteries in the pen, b= ut 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&c= p_id=3D10841&cs_id=3D1084102&p_id=3D6814&seq=3D1&format=3D2=

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

It has compatibility with OS X, but not sure about the= super=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 Sund= stedt" <= sundstedt@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi=20 all AE Mail list followers,
=A0
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
I=20 am looking to find alternative, perhaps more efficient was of produ= cing=20 original from scratch made artwork for my animated cartoon style vi= deos=20 (2D or 2.5D).
=A0
Currentl= y,=20 I have 3 alternative ways (for creating 2D assets):
=A0
1.=20 Draw required artwork (separated if to use as layers) on paper usin= g pen=20 =96> Scan =96> Touch up in IL =96> Export .PSD to PS =96&g= t; Color in=20 PS, polish add any textures etc. =96> Save .PSD for AE =96> I= mport to=20 AE =96> Use as a comp or separate layers =96> Animate.
<= /div>
=A0
2.=20 Draw layers using Path/Shape in PS using Pen Tool and Direct Select= Tool=20 =96> Import PS into AE. (Question: When I draw it fills the draw= n path=20 automatically, how do I draw it all first and then fill after drawn= =20 instead?)
=A0
3.=20 Draw on SketchUp on iPad =96> Import into Illustrator =96> Ex= port to=20 PS =96> Animate in AE.
=A0
Now,=20 I don=92t know which is the fastest, but I don=92t think it=92s opt= ion 3, as=20 it=92s a bit limited.
=A0
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
Please= =20 would you suggest better/easier/more efficient or more fun ways tha= t=20 used in your production (or ways I could improve any of the 3 ways= =20 listed above, that you have experience of (I don=92t use stock artw= ork so=20 I am not interested in that option).
=A0
I=20 would also love to know what you use for storyboarding (even if jus= t=20 sketchy line drawings / stick figure). I have been using pen and pa= per=20 mainly. What do you or your clients use?
=A0
P.S.=20 I am looking for more freelance work in 2014 so if you are looking = for=20 an animated web video / explainer / demo video of a more illustrati= ve /=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
=A0Kind 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 +44 141 886 203= 7 | m: +44 7531 800 711
a: 3/2 8 Whimbrel Wynd | Glasgow | PA4 8TJ |= =20 UK
Twitter: @sundstedt & <= font color=3D"#595959">@AfterEffectsArtVimeo Channel: sundstedt
Link= edIn: Anders SundstedtWeb: www.sundstedt.co.uk
=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0

--047d7b673c86ae2b3304efb55083--