Simple lipsync one for open one for closed

[mangeman]

I'm creating pixel-art type shorts where the characters just have a mouth with either open or closed states to save time. Right now I'm studiously making these lip-syncs manually with switch layers and although it's doable, it's time wasting.

Can I make a convincing automation for this somehow?

Here's the latest animation to illustrate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVI18GJvd9w

[Greenlaw]

In the Layer Settings for Switch Layers, If you look under the Switch tab you'll find options for automated lipsync. It's basically just 'mouth flapping' based on peaks in the audio track but it could work just fine for what you're doing.

Setting it up should be pretty simple but there's be more info about it in the manual.

[Greenlaw]

I just did a dumb test using a box shape and it works. There doesn't appear to be a way to adjust the threshold (just a volume control) so you might need to create a custom dialogue track optimized for the tool.

Also, if you look under the Audio tab for the Audio layer, you can enter text to help the tool figure out what's being said.

Bear in mind, it's been ages since I read that section of the manual so I'm probably overlooking a few important things about this feature. Let me know how it works for you.

[mangeman]

Ok great I'll give it a try.

[Greenlaw]

BTW, it looks like the way it works is that it 'bakes' the animation the moment you select the audio track, so I'm guessing you can tweak it afterwards where necessary.

Personally, I think it might be faster and more accurate to keyframe it. It's just a matter of Pressing Alt C or D to switch the mouth open and closed as you scrub through the track. With only two shapes to deal with, this shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes.