MODULE 7: STUDIO PROJECT 7

STUDIO PROJECT 7 - ROTOSCOPING ANIMATION

INTRODUCTION + WORKING WITH ROTOSCOPE TECHNIQUES

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS + BASIC DESCRIPTION

This project uses Photoshop to produce a 2 second, 24 frame, looping rotoscope animation. The rotoscope will be based on a starting video that captures physical/real subjects in complex motion. This video must be from “real life” - it cannot already be an animation / CGI / or include other special FX. Simple movement, such as a sleeping cat, should not be used, unless the camera movement creates a sense of complex motion that changes frame to frame. It can be a video that you record OR a video clip from the internet (even in GIF form).

Its recommended to work with a starting video that is 3 - 8 seconds long. Make sure to follow the steps below to set up the file for easiest rotoscoping in Photoshop, and ensure it fits the required dimensions and aspect ratio before starting the rotoscope process (Step 3).

You will also want to ensure your starting video is a smooth loop before starting the rotoscope process. These most straightforward ways to do this are to:

Ensure the moving subject(s) starts and stops in roughly the same position / shape in the frame
Have the subject(s) start outside of the frame, move into the frame then exit the frame

It is also possible to create a loop using a “boomerang” technique (described below), but this is only really ideal for video with camera movement, or movement that work well in reverse.

STEP 1: IMPORTING VIDEO into Photoshop + Setting Up Rotoscope File

Directions for starting with a video file

Import Video Frames to Layers: File > Import > Video Frames to Layers > Select File > Open
Dialog Box Import Video to Layers : Adjust Clip Length (if needed) by moving the sliders at the bottom of your timeline & click the play/stop button to view the selected range
Estimate the time of clip in seconds
Most videos are ~30 frames per second (FPS), and it will be ideal to import approximately 30 frames to start this project. After estimating the length of the clip / selected range in seconds, enter that number into the "Limit to Every___ Frames" field. If the length is in between seconds (like 4.5), enter the lower number.
> Check Make Frame Animation > Click OK
Check Frame Number + Adjust Frame Limit if needed:
If timeline is not visible, go to Window > Select "Timeline"
Press Space Bar within Timeline to play through your imported frames
There should be approximately 30 frames. If you end up with less than 25, it will be easiest to redo steps 1 - 3, and enter in a lower “Limit” number in step 3. If you end up with ~60 or more frames, it is possible that the FPS of the original video was higher than 30, so you might need to double the frame limit number. If you end up with ~15 or less frames, the original FPS might be lower than 30, so, you might need to cut the frame limit number in half.
Need to Add or Delete a few frames (27 - 33 frames)?
Deleting Frames in the Timeline: Select frame(s) to delete > click the Trashcan > check YES
To Add frames: Select frame in timeline, go to hamburger menu > Copy Frame then select frame where you want to paste and go to hamburger menu > Paste Frame
Save your project: File > Save > Make sure the format is saved as a Photoshop Document (.psd) & title your file > Make sure "Layers" is selected > Hit Save

DIRECTIONS FOR STARTING WITH A GIF

REMINDER: Since many well-known memes are already in GIF form, this is an option for this assignment, however, it still must fit the other motion and subject requirements. The GIF must be of a video, and not already be a drawn-animation / CGI or other special FX.

You will want to aim for 20 frames or 30 frames
It is easier and more ideal to delete a few frames than to add multiple frames
If you have closer to 30 frames when you open the GIF in Photoshop, skip to the next video at ~7:30 (I will say in the video)
If you have 20 frames, change the frame delay on all frames to .1, then go to hamburger menu > Convert to Video Timeline
Once in Video Timeline, confirm there are ~60 frames, then go to hamburger menu > Set Timeline Frame Rate > 12 FPS

If you have 30 frames, change the frame delay on all frames to .08, then go to hamburger menu > Convert to Video Timeline
Once in Video Timeline, confirm there are ~60 frames, then go to hamburger menu > Set Timeline Frame Rate > 12 FPS

If Needed: Setting up Boomerang Loop + editing down longer gif

This step is only needed if you need to set up a boomerang loop, or if you are starting with a GIF that has a lot of frames you need to trim.

STEP 2: setting required size AND aspect ratio

Video should be SQUARE, at least 1000 Pixels x 1000 Pixels

Use Image> Image size + Image > Canvas size to fit the required dimensions and aspect ratio. Cropping tutorial starts at ~7:00 minutes.

Consolidate layers

STEP 3: the rotoscope process

Before starting the Rotoscope Process, video should be 12 FPS, 24 frames total, looping, square, and at least 1000 Pixels x 1000 Pixels

WORKING WITH BLANK VIDEO LAYERS

Rotoscope Techniques

The final rotoscope should contain a combination of line work, shapes / filled areas of color, shading, details, background colors and static background or foreground elements.

Additional OPTIONAL Graphic Tools + Creation Tutorials

The tutorials below do not work with the special “rotoscope layers” used above, but show additional brush and drawing techniques that could be used for the rotoscope, as either static layers or frames of a video layer.

STEP 6: Exporting

Also, a few reminders of your options with this different video format:

Pop out of Canvas and watch in a new tab if any of the features aren't working
There are fullscreen and CC (Sub-title) options available in the right hand corner. For being YouTube auto-captions, these are pretty clear. I think they must have improved their algorithm. Please email me with any accessibility needs.
If you are feeling pressed for time, but don't want to miss anything, you can watch with audio in 1.5 speed by hitting that little gear icon.