Animators can utilize Microsoft’s new Surface Dial and Moho 2D animation software for faster, easier animation with the turn of a dial.
ALISO VIEJO, CA -- At the launch event for Microsoft’s new Surface Studio, Smith Micro Software showcased enhancements to its award-winning tool for 2D animation, Moho 12 (formerly Anime Studio). The latest release includes new features optimized to work with Microsoft’s groundbreaking new Surface Dial, making it faster and easier to create complex animations with the turn of a dial.
“We were flattered to be invited by Microsoft to demo our unique Moho animation software in their product showcase as part of this important launch event,” said William W. Smith, Jr., President and CEO of Smith Micro Software. “The combination of Moho running on the new Surface Studio will allow digital artists and animators to truly turn their desktops into highly productive design studios.”
“Moho 12 is already the most complete drawing and animation solution on the market. Now with the power of the new Microsoft Surface Studio, and the ease and creativity afforded by the new Surface Dial, Moho turns the tedious work of traditional animation into a faster, more streamlined digital experience,” said Fahim Niaz, Director of Product Management at Smith Micro Software.
“We are excited to see how the Moho animation software comes alive on the Surface Studio and takes advantage of Surface Dial to allow people to more quickly and easily create complex animations,” said John Richards, General Manager of Surface at Microsoft. “The Smith Micro experience on Surface Studio is a fantastic example of how Surface Dial can deliver real value and open new possibilities and efficiencies to creative professionals.”
Moho Features Enabled for Microsoft’s Surface Studio and Surface Dial:
- New Overlay Timeline: When the Surface Dial is on the screen, a new overlay timeline appears following its position, hiding other windows and allowing the artist to intuitively navigate in time, and animate using the entire screen.
- Rigged Characters: The Surface Dial allows artists to easily select frames within the timeline where new animation can be added to rigged characters using Moho’s SmartBones feature. As movements are added via pen or cursor, the animator can use the Surface Dial to scroll back and forth through the new animation sequence to easily see if the movement is correct.
- Rotating Canvas: After selecting Rotation Mode in the Surface Dial, artists can easily rotate the canvas by turning the dial left or right, making free-hand drawing easier by changing the canvas orientation up to 360 degrees.
- Frame-by-Frame Animation: Using the Surface Dial to quickly add new frames with a double-click, artists can draw on a sequence of still frames, and then rotate the dial left or right to simulate flip-book animation.
Customers can purchase Moho 12 ahead of Surface Studio availability by visiting Smith Micro’s online store, or from the Microsoft Windows online store. The new Moho 12 off-screen features created for the new Surface Dial will work on all Microsoft Surface devices.
Source: Smith Micro Software, Inc.
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
