Regular Anime Studio file import

fracturedray · Post by **fracturedray** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 10:36 pm

I have tried to draw with Anime Studio and while I like the effect I was able to get, I was disappointed that I'd lose the line quality if I made the movie a swf.

I have MX Flash from long ago so I used it to paint a character and exported him in ai format.

I can't import this file at all. I browsed the forum and saw that some people can so I assume this is a Pro feature?!

Anyone know if there is a plugin for MX Flash to export as an Anime Studio file?

thanks

heyvern · Post by **heyvern** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:21 am

Did you try exporting to EPS from Flash and then importing that? I've never tried importing Flash exported AI files to Anime Studio (I have the original Flash MX from 2004).

You won't loose "quality" exporting to SWF. You need to know what won't be exported like gradients and fill effects, masks, things like that. SWF export is basic stuff.

AS really needs to have "simple" AI and EPS format to import properly, no fancy gradients, no fancy fills or strokes. Better off adding strokes in AS. I have an old version of AI (v9) that I use to use a long time ago to import drawings into AS until I learned to love drawing in AS directly. Haven't imported any AI or EPS files in a couple of years. Clean up of the imported files took longer than redrawing it.

I would recommend "redrawing" characters in AS. Learn to draw in AS. Check the scripting forum. Look for Fazek's Tools in one of the sticky threads at the top of that section. He is a forum member who created new tools that are WAY better than the tools that come with AS. They make drawing and editing much more enjoyable. A vast improvement.

-vern

fracturedray · Post by **fracturedray** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:13 pm

Thanks for the suggestions "heyVern"

I'm bad at explaining myself at times so here is a sample of the line quality trouble I had with AS. I'm obviously losing the line weight/width info.
http://www.epicwalnut.com/temp/linequality.jpg
http://www.epicwalnut.com/temp/linequality2.jpg

In MX the line tool would be the same but they also have an option to paint with a brush/shape as you may know. So the vector image drawn is truly what is seen when rendered in any movie.
http://www.epicwalnut.com/temp/linequality3.jpg

I did try eps but the Basic version of AS doesn't see it either. Perhaps basic AS will only see raster images. D'oh!

Thanks for the tips about "Fazek" I took a look at his tools and they seem pretty cool but don't really help with this problem.

Not sure I want to save up for Pro right now. But I really like the bone system they made.

chucky · Post by **chucky** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:28 pm

Does the export animation dialogue have the export variable line widths in AS non pro?
It works great for me using PRO, I have even found that I can get point motion the render nicely if I don't go overboard.

This anim is a little dodgy and unpolished but shows the variable line widths in swf.
The flash drawing tools are looking pretty good these days, I wonder what's in store for ASPRO version 6 , it would be nice to get some forecasts from lost marble on what may be in store.

http://charleskenway.com/goodies/dinochook.swf

fracturedray · Post by **fracturedray** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:24 pm

The export animation options in AS are very basic.

choose start frame, end frame
output format (swf)
(locked when swf) apply layer effects
render at half dimensions
and render at half frame rate
(locked when swf) extra smooth images

that's it.

Good to know pro can solve this. Cool animation btw I like your art style.

heyvern · Post by **heyvern** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 1:24 am

Aha! Variable line widths. Another feature not in standard. It's odd they would leave that one out. I guess with so few features that aren't important... it's tough to pick ones to leave out.

-vern

Post by **Víctor Paredes** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:16 pm

heyvern wrote:Aha! Variable line widths. Another feature not in standard.