EXERCISE 6.1 STEP-BY-STEP ANIMATION STUDIO TUTORIAL
EXERCISE 6.1 INTRODUCTION
This exercise explores using Photoshop and Illustrator to create roto-scope animations. These are frame animations that are typically based on video footage.
Watch and follow each of the steps below, including the Intro Video. You will turn in 1 GIF animation at the end of this exercise. In some of these videos, I talk about an creating an image sequence in Illustrator - this image is no longer a required part of this assignment, however, if you are unable to export a GIF file, this image sequence can be submitted as an alternative, in order to receive at least partial credit. This exercise is worth 8 points total.
Step 1: Import video frames to layers
Select and download a video clip to base your animation on from the list provided in the Canvas Module. You will most likely want to trim down most of these clips before importing as frames. This can be done using Quicktime (Edit > Trim), Windows Media Player, or directly in Photoshop when you are importing (by selecting a “trim portion” to use)
Using the method described below, create a Photoshop file which contains 24 still frames from the video clip. If you complete this process and have significantly less than 24 frames, simply close the file and re-import, and this time enter a lower number into the "Limit to Every ___ Frames" field, and/or trim less of the original clip. A few of the video clip options for this assignment have different starting frame rates, so, while the equation in the video is a good place to start, you might need to fine tune. At the end of this step, each of these still images - or frames - should be on its own layer in the Photoshop file. You will use these frames as the basis for your animation.
In the video below, I describe using the timeline and the "Frames from Layers" process to preview the clip of animation you will be working with. Once you are ready to copy and paste each video base layer from this Photoshop to Illustrator, you do not need the Timeline open - it might even be easier for some people to close the timeline in order to streamline the copying and pasting process, as this removes a possible source of confusion between frames and layers.
Cropping and sizing video frame guide layers
The animation you are creating must fit within a square dimension between 1000 pixels and 1500 pixels (on all 4 sides). You will probably need to use a combination of Image Size, Canvas Size or the Crop Tool, in order to consistently make all of your video frame layers the size you need them to be, and the dimension that fits the animation requirements. This is described below, and is MUCH easier than trying to do this one at a time.
Since you are only using these videos as visuals to trace or otherwise base your animation drawings on, it is fine to enlarge them and be working with a degree of pixelization. Also keep in mind that it is totally encouraged to re-frame or re-focus your animations, and it is required to change the frame dimension to a square. You can do things like discard the original backgrounds and re-center or reposition and "zoom-in on" moving subjects (as I did with the fox below).
Step 2: creating visuals in illustrator
Use Illustrator to create 24 graphic illustrations based on each of the 24 captured video frames. Copy and paste one bitmapped frame at a time from Photoshop into Illustrator, in the order of the video sequence, and develop a vector illustration using each bitmapped image as a guide. Contain each of these illustrations in a single Illustrator file - each one on its own layer. These illustrations should only capture the moving subject, and do not need to include any other elements. They should be drawn in Illustrator using the drawing tools such as the brush tool, the pen tool or the basic shape tools - in other words, vector / image / live trace is not permitted for this exercise, and neither are filters.
Step 4: Exporting a photoshop file in Illustrator
Video Correction: Select "Use Artboards" when exporting as a .PSD File
Step 5: Animating in photoshop
Automated Frame Animation Process
Manual Frame Animation Process
Step 6: Export Animation
Use these 24 vector illustrations to create a 24 frame, 12 frame per second (FPS) animated GIF. Export your Illustrator file as a Photoshop file (the copy saved prior to starting Step 3). Open this file in Photoshop, and follow the video tutorial instructions to create an animation that plays each of the 24 frames in order, and adds a background color that remains consistent throughout the entire animation. Once this process is complete, save, export as an Animated GIF and submit this file to Canvas.
Animated GIF Requirements
Square Frame, between 1000px and 1500px on all 4 sides
24 Frames, 12 frames per second, 2 seconds total
Animation set to “Loop” / repeat forever
Should include a solid background color, illustration OR a transparent background (don't leave white unless it is intentional)
Animated GIF Export Instructions
For ALL Versions:
For CC: File > Export As > Save for Web (Legacy) For CS6: File > Save for Web >
Format: GIF Format, Default Colors (if preview image is larger than 2mb, reduce colors down to next step and re-export)
All other default settings are fine
At the very bottom of the export dialogue box, ensure that “Animation” is selected, and that the GIF will “Loop Forever”
Test that this animation runs by opening the exported GIF file in a web browser. Even if done correctly, GIFs will not animate in many graphics viewing programs like “Preview” on Macs.
Optional Image Sequence Instructions
If you are unable to export a GIF animation, or, if your GIF animation has some significant issues, you can create an “Image Sequence” in Illustrator to submit for credit towards this project. Open up the Illustrator file with all 24 illustrated frames completed. This should be the file you used to export a Photoshop File. Duplicate this illustrator file (by File>Save As…and changing the name), and use this file to create your Image Sequence image.
Using this new file, create a single “Still-Motion” sequence image that contains each of the 24 graphics and communicates a sense of movement or motion. Review the images of Etienne Jules-Marey and other artists from lecture for different techniques to try for this step. Save, export and submit this file to Canvas if you are unable to export an Animated GIF file, or, if your Animated GIF file has significant issues.
Still Sequence Image Requirements
AT LEAST 1700px wide or tall, with a corresponding width or height that best accommodates your composition
Contains all 24 vector illustrations that fit mostly within the canvas (image dimensions). Some illustrations can be partially off the image edges, if intentional
Can include other background colors and supporting vector graphics, blending changes and changes to color + opacity properties. The vector shapes can be distorted and transformed
Do not apply any "Photoshop Filters" to vectors (Except for Blur) or include any bitmap or pixel-based images in this final composition.
Do not use “Vector-Tracing” processes for any part of this exercise
Export Sequence Image Instructions:
For CC:
File > Export As > Artboard > JPG format > Maximum Quality > Dimensions at least 1700px wide or tall
For CS6
File > “Save for Web”
Jpeg Format / Maximum / 100 Quality / All other defaults fine
Make sure to select “Clip to Artboard” and the size is set to the artboard dimensions (or at least 1700px wide or Tall)
Make sure to submit to the Canvas submission page.
And, as always, a few reminders of your options with this 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.