Difficulty Connecting Layers

[mrhoix]

Ok hello,

So I've been using anime studio for about 2 months now and I really like it. It's just that I've ran into a few issues that I cannot fix no matter how hard I try. I looked through the manual, tried to find all around the internet with absolutely no success. So as a final resort I've came here.

Now it's kind of hard to explain but I'll try with the help of pictures.

This is my character:

I made him in Photoshop as opposed to using the vectors as I feel way more comfortable using Photoshop. Yes his legs are a bit screwed up but I will fix that later. Anyway all looks fine and dandy until....

You move them around because it creates gaps! So alright I should be able to fix them right? Problem is I have no idea how. I tried messing around with it and managed to sort of fix the hand because of sheer look, it can only bend properly one way:



Soo... I'm wondering if someone could tell me how I can fix these and join these properly without creating gaps.

Here are the layers if you want to try editing them yourself to see if it is possible.









I'd be beyond happy if anyone could help me with this, as I've pretty much given up now.

[heyvern]

I've done this many times with images.

There are two basic ways to do this that I can think of.

Extend the image parts to cover the joint.
The key are "over laps" on the joints. The way your character is designed you are "cutting" the parts right at the joint and there is no overlapping. This means any rotation will leave a gap.
To help with this you want to create "extra" image at the joints on one or both parts. When the parts rotate this extra bit will cover the joint gap. When the image layer rotates that extra bit is "revealed". When animating images I usually use a "circle" that fits within the part and can be used as a reference for the rotation of the bone.

Selectively Warp Image Layers
Instead of using layer binding for all of the parts, use warp image in the image layer setting for things like arms or legs. This gets a bit tricky because you want to have the forearm be able to go up and down in the layer order but still "bend smoothly" as if connected.

Using an arm as an example;
So you have an arm image. It would have two parts, forearm and bicep. Both images with transparency would appear to be a single arm image but is actually two layers. The forearm image would not have the complete arm image, only the forearm with a bit of "overlap". Same for the bicep. Both of these images would be identical in size so they are warped by the bones in exactly the same way and will line up perfectly. Since the images are being warped by the bones there is no gap. The image is "bent" at the elbow instead of the whole layer being rotated.

This would work for legs and arms and any other place you want "smooth" bending of joints. You will still need to create "overlaps" of the images to cover joints like at the shoulder. The reason I like this technique better is that the arm/leg bends are "smoother".

[neeters_guy]

Check out tutorial 4.3. This is what I came up with based on that tutorial:

Here's the anme file.

Also, neomarz's tutorial might be useful to you: New Bone Rigg tutorial (Studio Mars). He uses this technique a lot in his Eve of October series.

Here's another video that describes the same technique: Smith Micro Anime Studio Debut Help (How To Animate Characters)

[neeters_guy]

I'd be beyond happy if anyone could help me with this, as I've pretty much given up now.

You're on the right track with the hand and forearm. Do as heyvern advises and use circles as a guide, sort of like this:

[mrhoix]

Thanks everyone, sounds like you've all gave me the information I needed

I'll let you know if all works out.