Importing image(s) and a query about 5.6

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Mohlar
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Importing image(s) and a query about 5.6

Post by Mohlar »

I've just returned to Anime Studio Pro after (a) a couple of serious illnesses and operations, and (b) a spell of time using Artoonix. I have a simple query about importing images to which I might have known the answer some time ago, but if I did, I've forgotten.

IMAGE QUERY:
You can import single images into AS, but can you import them in batches? For instance, I am using a little cut-out style character with 6 bodyparts and I had to import them one by one which was pretty boring. Could I have imported them all in one go (as I could, for instance, with Creatoon).

UPDATE ---- SEE MY ADDED 'REPLY' LATER IN THIS THREAD. I FOUND THE SOLUTION

5.6 QUERY:
Having returned to AS and after having browsed Youtube, Smithmicro etc., I note that the current version is 5.6. The one I have is 5.5 build 20060822p. Are there any significant differences or improvements to 5.6 which would make it worth downloading?

TWO FINAL COMMENTS (AND THANK YOU) ...
Even though I haven't used AS for just under a year, I kept all my printouts of useful tips and threads in this forum. When I recently started using AS again and had to re-learn it, I ran into a few problems with bones, but then I found that Heyvern had answered all my questions last August when I made those same mistakes for the first time and posted a query into the forum. Give that man a medal!

I mentioned earlier on that I've been using Artoonix. I'll post a short comment about it into the 'Other software' thread.
Last edited by Mohlar on Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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jahnocli
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Post by jahnocli »

IMAGE QUERY: If you go to Scripts in the top menu, then go down to Image, you will see "Import Image sequence". This should do what it says on the tin...

5.6 QUERY: There have been a number of enhancements over 5.5, the most notable probably being the ability to swap level hierarchies within a Group or Bones folder. One or two users have noted small things which don't work any more -- search the forum for details.

Hope this helps...

J
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Mohlar
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Post by Mohlar »

jahnocli wrote:One or two users have noted small things which don't work any more -- search the forum for details.
Used 'Search' to look for '5.6' but no luck, so went looking for information using Google and found this for anyone else who has the same query ....


" ..... The newly enhanced version includes animated layer reordering, updates to image warping for the texture fill effect and new functionality for path animation, allowing users to easily control the movement of animated objects ........

New Features of Anime 5.6:
Animated Layer Reordering - Starting in version 5.6, Anime Studio lets you reorder the 2D layers in a scene as much as you want during the course of an animation. This makes it easy to simulate 3D effects, such as objects moving in front of and behind each other.

Path Animation - You can now control the movement of a layer using the "Translate Layer" tool by directly clicking and dragging on its path. This makes it easy to see and control where a layer is going to move over time.

Image Warping for the Texture Fill Effect - Anime Studio lets you assign an image file to be used as a texture to fill in vector shapes. Previously, these images would simply be drawn on the canvas in a fixed orientation, but the vector shape would move independently. Now these "Texture" images automatically warp with the vector shape as it gets moved and bent by the bones system, allowing for more realistic texturing of objects in Anime Studio 5.6. ...."
Last edited by Mohlar on Wed Jul 16, 2008 4:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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heyvern
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Post by heyvern »

Animated layer order by itself is worth the download for 5.6. I just finish a project that use this EXTENSIVELY to reorder arm layers behind and in front of the body/head. It worked perfectly and very quickly and without it my only other option would have been using depth sorting and layer translation... which wouldn't have worked at all since I used the 3D camera on one of the animations.

The texture fill bone warping is... good... but to get best results you need to use the "flexible" bone binding option (just like for warping image layers) which I rarely use. Image texture bone warping is exactly the same as image layer warping with a mask... just uses fewer layers and adds in the stroke texture warping too.

---

I like being able to grab the points on layer translation paths. That is pretty useful I think.

----

I forget exactly what things are "broken" in this update. I haven't encountered them yet.


-vern
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Mohlar
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Post by Mohlar »

IMPORTING MULTIPLE IMAGES INTO ANIME STUDIO

Experienced users will know the answer, but I didn't when I posted my original query. I tried the suggestion which was subsequently posted, but couldn't make it work. Then, after trial and error I found the answer. Isn't it obvious when you know how????

For anyone else who has this query, this is what I did:

(1) I had a file of images in the png format. I opened this and left it parked on the right side of my screen.
(2) I opened Anime Studio and temporarily moved aside the 'Style' and 'Layers' windows. This revealed the parked folder with images listed.
(3) I used the usual method to highlight all the files that I wanted in the folder of stored images.
(4) I dragged these across into the working window and hey presto - after confirming that I wanted to import each file, they were all transferred one after the other.

Hope that helps anyone else who has that query.
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heyvern
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Post by heyvern »

Cool tip about drag and drop!!! Woohoo!

Another way to do this is the script called "Import image sequence" or something like that under the "image" menu script category.

This of course brings them in as a switch layer with keys set, and they have to be named with numbers... but it works. I just use a text editor to change the switch layer to a group or bone layer and delete the switch info in the file format. You could just as well drag the image layers by hand in AS.

There is also a Photoshop (CS only) script that will export layers of a PSD file to an AS file (I assume with the position "registered"). I don't have CS so I don't know how well it works.

-vern
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jahnocli
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Post by jahnocli »

heyvern wrote:Another way to do this is the script called "Import image sequence" or something like that under the "image" menu script category.
Well, I did mention this...

And I have used the "Export Layers" script from Photoshop several times recently -- it works great. Thanks Mike!
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synthsin75
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Post by synthsin75 »

Definitely worth the update.

The only thing I noticed that was broken is that when you save from a render (ctrl-r) the PNG option nolonger supports transparency. The workaround is to just export a single (or multiple) frame.
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Post by mkelley »

Or any other formats (if they ever did).

So I always use "Export animation" for a single frame if I need transparency (I'm usually using PSD files).
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