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[50.0.136.140]) by mx.google.com with ESMTPSA id yz5sm35027370pac.9.2014.01.11.17.08.39 for (version=TLSv1 cipher=ECDHE-RSA-RC4-SHA bits=128/128); Sat, 11 Jan 2014 17:08:39 -0800 (PST) From: patrick Siemer Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="Apple-Mail=_7D6AD4CD-22A3-49A5-9605-AFACB8D8A41C" Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 (Mac OS X Mail 7.1 \(1827\)) Subject: Re: [AE] Methods of creating illustrative assets and artwork for animations Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2014 17:08:26 -0800 References: To: After Effects Mail List In-Reply-To: X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.1827) --Apple-Mail=_7D6AD4CD-22A3-49A5-9605-AFACB8D8A41C Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Also check out the Paint Bucket effect in AE. it is just like the paint = bucket in Photoshop, with the addition of be able to animate the = tolerance and position over time. if you have a problem with your wacom, it is usually the driver that = needs updating. I have found Wacom tablets to be indispensable, I could = not live without them! hope that helps. patrick siemer vimeo.com/siemer On Jan 11, 2014, at 5:20 AM, Anders Sundstedt = wrote: > Hi Richard, > =20 > Thanks. I had not heard of Dynamic Sketch plugin - sounds like what I = need, pretty much. I am watching some videos now. Great. > =20 > What would be the main difference between drawing smooth lines in = Manga Studio and using this Dynamic Sketch Plugin for Ai? > =20 > 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.) > =20 > Peder: > =20 > It=92s an Intuos3 6x8, and I am using Pen mode not Mouse Mode, but = thanks for the tip!. > =20 > 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 using a brush in Ai I notice that lines are not jaggy because = they are smoothed out after releasing pen. I also tried this Live Paint = Bucket tool to fill areas I have drawn with the Paintbrush. Nice. > =20 > I am not sure how to find some brushes that respond to Wacom pressure = with the pen though to vary brush stroke width? > =20 > Stroke with also keeps reset back to 1pt all the time though. > =20 > 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 Ai and that creates a shape that can be filled like in Ai? > =20 > So I guess the jaggy line was a problem in Ps only. > =20 > Ai could be a great option then. Just wish it worked like Adobe Ideas = without this Live Paint Bucket selection requirements in Ai. > =20 > 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. > =20 > Thanks all of you. > =20 > I=92ll try and experiment with these options today. > =20 > -Anders > =20 > =20 > =20 > =20 > =20 > =20 > 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 > =20 > 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. > =20 > Peder Norrby / Trapcode >=20 >=20 > 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 = reason 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? >=20 >=20 > Kind Regards, >=20 > Anders >=20 > 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=20 > LinkedIn: Anders Sundstedt > Web: www.sundstedt.co.uk >=20 > On 10 Jan 2014, at 14:10, "Greg Balint" = wrote: >=20 >> I would reccomend trying out a drawing tablet if you haven't yet. Its = the closest analog to digital for this type of work. >>=20 >> I bought a Monoproce tablet a little whole back and it has been great = for these situations. Background painting is a breeze and more intuitive = while character creation can come faster with the addition of multiple = undo states, etc. >>=20 >> 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 find much difference in daily usage. >>=20 >> 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. >>=20 >> Here's their list of tablets.=20 >>=20 >> http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=3D108&cp_id=3D10841 >>=20 >> And here's the one I got. >>=20 >> = http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=3D108&cp_id=3D10841&cs_id=3D1084102&= p_id=3D6814&seq=3D1&format=3D2 >>=20 >> 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 through their drivers. >>=20 >> It has compatibility with OS X, but not sure about the super latest = versions. I use it on Windows 7 just fine here. >>=20 >> ///Greg Balint >> //Art Director / Motion Graphics Designer >> /321.514.4839 >> delRAZOR.com/ >> =20 >>=20 >> On Jan 10, 2014 8:41 AM, "Anders Sundstedt" = wrote: >> Hi all AE Mail list followers, >> =20 >> It=92s been very silent on this mail list yesterday and today so I = thought I would contribute with a new discussion. >> =20 >> I am looking to find alternative, perhaps more efficient was of = producing original from scratch made artwork for my animated cartoon = style videos (2D or 2.5D). >> =20 >> Currently, I have 3 alternative ways (for creating 2D assets): >> =20 >> 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> = Color 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. >> =20 >> 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?) >> =20 >> 3. Draw on SketchUp on iPad =96> Import into Illustrator =96> Export = to PS =96> Animate in AE. >> =20 >> Now, I don=92t know which is the fastest, but I don=92t think it=92s = option 3, as it=92s a bit limited. >> =20 >> I have now shared some of my techniques for creating artwork for my = animations, including background artwork, characters and props/objects. >> =20 >> 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). >> =20 >> 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? >> =20 >> 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). >> =20 >> Kind Regards, >>=20 >> Anders >>=20 >> 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=20 >> LinkedIn: Anders Sundstedt >> Web: www.sundstedt.co.uk >> =20 >> =20 >> =20 >> =20 >> =20 >> =20 >> =20 >=20 > =20 --Apple-Mail=_7D6AD4CD-22A3-49A5-9605-AFACB8D8A41C Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset=windows-1252 Also = check out the Paint Bucket effect in AE. it is just like the paint = bucket in Photoshop, with the addition of be able to animate the = tolerance and position over time.
if you have a problem with = your wacom, it is usually the driver that needs updating.  I have = found Wacom tablets to be indispensable, I could not live without = them!

hope that helps.
patrick = siemer

<= div>On Jan 11, 2014, at 5:20 AM, Anders Sundstedt <sundstedt@hotmail.com> = wrote:

Hi Richard,
 
Thanks. I had not heard of Dynamic Sketch plugin - sounds like what = I need,=20 pretty much. I am watching some videos now. Great.
 
What would be the main difference between drawing smooth lines in = Manga=20 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=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.)
 
Peder:
 
It=92s an Intuos3 6x8, and I am using Pen mode not Mouse Mode, but = thanks for=20 the tip!.
 
I had not been using/painting in Ai (only really use it for Image = trace 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 = have=20 drawn with the Paintbrush. Nice.
 
I am not sure how to find some brushes that respond to Wacom = pressure with=20 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=20 allows to draw with a brush that smooth out what is drawn like in Ai and = that=20 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=20 without this Live Paint Bucket selection requirements in Ai.
 
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 not=20 always when needing lots of layers.
 
Thanks all of you.
 
I=92ll try and experiment with these options today.
 
-Anders
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2014 11:01 AM
Subject: Re: [AE] Methods of creating illustrative assets = and=20 artwork for animations
 
Anders, I used a wacom long ago and remember there was = something=20 like mouse emulation mode that didn't get full resolution, is it = installed=20 properly and recognised by the apps? I can't help much because I don'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
 
Peder Norrby / Trapcode


On Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at 8:57 PM, Anders = Sundstedt <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 = reason 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 = finger 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 = Artist |=20 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=20 8 Whimbrel Wynd | Glasgow | PA4 8TJ | UK
Twitter: @sundstedt=20 & @AfterEffectsArt
Vimeo=20 Channel: sundstedt 
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 haven'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 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 be=20 true, but I've used both this monoprice one and an intuos and can't = really=20 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, = but it=20 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=3D= 10841

And here's the one I got.

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=3D108&cp_id=3D= 10841&cs_id=3D1084102&p_id=3D6814&seq=3D1&format=3D2

The hotkey buttons on that one help out a lot with = things like=20 holding down alt/control or space bar to pan around. It's all = customizable=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/
   

On Jan 10, 2014 8:41 AM, "Anders = Sundstedt" <sundstedt@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi=20 all AE Mail list followers,
 
It=92s=20 been very silent on this mail list yesterday and today so I = thought I=20 would contribute with a new discussion.
 
I=20 am looking to find alternative, perhaps more efficient was of = producing=20 original from scratch made artwork for my animated cartoon style = videos=20 (2D or 2.5D).
 
Currently,=20 I have 3 alternative ways (for creating 2D assets):
 
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.
 
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 = drawn path=20 automatically, how do I draw it all first and then fill after = drawn=20 instead?)
 
3.=20 Draw on SketchUp on iPad =96> Import into Illustrator =96> = Export to PS=20 =96> Animate in AE.
 
Now,=20 I don=92t know which is the fastest, but I don=92t think it=92s = option 3, as=20 it=92s a bit limited.
 
I=20 have now shared some of my techniques for creating artwork for my=20= animations, including background artwork, characters and=20 props/objects.
 
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).
 
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 = paper=20 mainly. What do you or your clients use?
 
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 = /=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).
 
 
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 | m:=20 +44 7531 800 711
a: 3/2 8 Whimbrel Wynd | Glasgow | PA4 8TJ |=20 UK
Twitter: @sundstedt = & @AfterEffectsArt
Vimeo Channel: sundstedt =
LinkedIn: Anders = Sundstedt
Web: www.sundstedt.co.uk
=
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

= --Apple-Mail=_7D6AD4CD-22A3-49A5-9605-AFACB8D8A41C--