Hi All!
Well it's time to ask that age old question again: What's your favorite 2D software and why? I guess thats 2 questions. I am a hobbyist strapped for cash and feel there is more to 2d computer animation than my old copy of Flash MX. I have checked out a couple of programs like Flip Book, Toon Boom, TV Paint, Anime Studio 5 and I keep reverting back to Flash MX. The biggest reason I think is cash. 2nd is I am so damn used to Flash and feel that all programs should be laid out like Flash but do more. The reason I ask is Toon Boom is having a special and I love specials. Any input would be appreciated. By the way, you're all doing a bang up job. Keep up the good work. :D
I just learned that the maximum animation you can have with Flip Book Lite with out getting an editing program is 300 frames. :(
It's worth it. It's a whole new world!
Flash CS4 Pro. Check out the tuts. Try the 30 free trial. Scrimp and save, then buy!
Cheers!
Splatman:D
SPLAT digital
I can upgrade my Flash MX to CS4 Pro for $199??????
Remember, aluminum cans equals cash. :)
Do your really need more than thirty seconds?
Absolutely! Plus I do 24fps!
Hi there, the two animation programs I currently use (and love) are DigiCel Flipbook Pro and TB Animate Pro. I'm experimenting using them together with the following workflow, doing pencil test, rough and cleanup animation in Flipbook and importing the image sequence into Animate Pro to do camera work, coloring, and effects. What I love about Flipbook is that it's easy to use and its powerful but not overly complex tools that cater to both hand drawn and digitally drawn animation. Animate Pro has a host of killer features like a real 3D workspace to replicate a multiplane camera as well as a node based interface for applying effects just to name a few. The downside to Animate Pro is the steep learning curve but Toon Boom supplies some good education material in both written and video form. I have been using Flipbook for roughtly six months and Animate Pro for less than two. Both programs were purchased when they were on sale, I got them both at 50% off.
Software: TVPaint Pro, Harmony Standalone, Storyboard Pro, Maya, Modo, Arnold, V-Ray, Maxwell, NukeX, Hiero, Mari, RealFlow, Avid, Adobe CS6
Hardware: (2) HP Z820 Workstations + 144-core Linux Render Farm + Cintiq 24HD Touch
There is a lesson here, try to be prepared to buy the applications you wont. When you see that they are half off, buy them. I got mine at student prices which is also good.
I think a little part of the problem is: What do I want? I'd like Flash to have all the features of TV Paint, I think.
Right now DigiCel is selling its software at a 60% percent discount. Oh If I had only waited :D
Software: TVPaint Pro, Harmony Standalone, Storyboard Pro, Maya, Modo, Arnold, V-Ray, Maxwell, NukeX, Hiero, Mari, RealFlow, Avid, Adobe CS6
Hardware: (2) HP Z820 Workstations + 144-core Linux Render Farm + Cintiq 24HD Touch
Maybe I'll check out Flip Book again. I think the Toon Boom sale is over. Anybody know if and when TV Paint is having a sale?
TVPaint does offer a large discount for students. I was seriously looking into TVPaint a few months ago but decided to go with Flipbook because it was cheaper at the time.
Software: TVPaint Pro, Harmony Standalone, Storyboard Pro, Maya, Modo, Arnold, V-Ray, Maxwell, NukeX, Hiero, Mari, RealFlow, Avid, Adobe CS6
Hardware: (2) HP Z820 Workstations + 144-core Linux Render Farm + Cintiq 24HD Touch
Some new findings. I can't upgrade my Flash because its just Flash MX and not Flash MX 2004. Digicel Flip book studio oly has 6 layers. Did I mention I was a layer freak?
Is Flipbook Pro too much $$$ cause it can do 100 layers!
Software: TVPaint Pro, Harmony Standalone, Storyboard Pro, Maya, Modo, Arnold, V-Ray, Maxwell, NukeX, Hiero, Mari, RealFlow, Avid, Adobe CS6
Hardware: (2) HP Z820 Workstations + 144-core Linux Render Farm + Cintiq 24HD Touch
Happy New Year mlmiller1983!
I did notice that! And they are having a Christmas sale! I think its time to revisit Flip Book.
Glad to hear.
Software: TVPaint Pro, Harmony Standalone, Storyboard Pro, Maya, Modo, Arnold, V-Ray, Maxwell, NukeX, Hiero, Mari, RealFlow, Avid, Adobe CS6
Hardware: (2) HP Z820 Workstations + 144-core Linux Render Farm + Cintiq 24HD Touch
I probably should mention that I do not plan on doing any scanning of my drawings. I will probably put most of my work on the web. I work alone and don't follow any "traditonal" approaches to animation other than making my ideas come to life. With that said I am hoping to get some new input. :)
If you want to focus your work on web animation then you need to go with vector animation program. Flash and most, if not all, of Toon Boom's programs are vector based and will let you to output your animations as SWF or EPS files.
Software: TVPaint Pro, Harmony Standalone, Storyboard Pro, Maya, Modo, Arnold, V-Ray, Maxwell, NukeX, Hiero, Mari, RealFlow, Avid, Adobe CS6
Hardware: (2) HP Z820 Workstations + 144-core Linux Render Farm + Cintiq 24HD Touch
Hi mlmiller1983
Well...I maybe be taking another route in my animation learning process. I think I am going to try Blender and the 3D for a bit. I saw some Blender examples and was very impressed. Plus, I like a book I can read while working along the computer and there seems to be a fair amount of Blender books. I think I will give it a try. I have appreciated your input. :)
Or maybe Synfig! :)
I tried really hard to "get into" Flipbook. And if I remember correctly, the one thing I did not like was (and I hope I am not confusing it with Anime) is you had to take an extra step to see everything on the stage? With Flash its all there. Plus, I am a layer freak. I would like to get the blurs and pans with the other software too. Hence the dilemma!
My goal is to have a 7 min cartoon on the web that makes people laugh so hard they cry and wet themselves.
I suggest that you download the trial version of any software you are interested in and see for yourself which one works best for you.
The different versions of Flipbook allows you to work to with different amounts of layers, Pro lets you work with up to 100 while Lite lets you work with only 2. I don't understand what you mean by "take an extra step to see everything on the stage".
Software: TVPaint Pro, Harmony Standalone, Storyboard Pro, Maya, Modo, Arnold, V-Ray, Maxwell, NukeX, Hiero, Mari, RealFlow, Avid, Adobe CS6
Hardware: (2) HP Z820 Workstations + 144-core Linux Render Farm + Cintiq 24HD Touch