What I'm about to ask is, I suspect, baffingly simple, yet my peanut-sized brain can't work it out it seems. It just freezes all the time.
(I'm a traditional animator by the way, just entering the world of animation software, and no tech guy at all.)
One layer I have is an image layer. It has an imported .jpg image on it: it's the planned opening image. On another layer, a vector layer, I have the title in the form of an added text. What I'd like, is to have this text fade in at about 3 seconds in. (I'm using 25 fps.) Then, after again about 3 seconds, it should fade again. How do I do this?
For the vector layer that contains the text, there's a key at frame 0 (which is where it was when I entered the text), so the text is right there at the start, whereas it shouldn't be visible at first -- like I said, it should fade in at about frame 75. I know this can be changed, maybe I can drag the key to frame 75, but I just can't figure out how.
If anyone could help me get on my way, it'd be much appreciated.
A (probably) simple question regarding fading text
Moderators: Víctor Paredes, Belgarath, slowtiger
Double-click the text later -- a "Layer Settings" panel will appear. Under 'Compositing Effects - animated' you will see an Opacity box. The settings in this are animatable. So you could make a gradual fade in by setting two keyframes at different settings...
You can't have everything. Where would you put it?
Did it work?
I am using the demo version of the Anime Studio to see if I can use it for a project I am working on that involves mainly fading of layers. I have read the manual and the posts here and followed the rules. It hasn't worked at all.
I did manage to have a text become larger and smaller and the screen, but when I used the rendering tool it stayed the same size as the ending size. (All the keyframes have the correct settings). As for the fading text, again the keyframes read correctly from 3% to 100%, but nothing changes on the screen and the text doesn't even appear on the rendering.
I was going to export to see if it would work in quicktime, but I can't do that without purchasing the software. - So... several people have posted about fading problems and no one has posted that they did in fact fix it... Does it work?
Thank you very much in advance for help with this.
renkath
I did manage to have a text become larger and smaller and the screen, but when I used the rendering tool it stayed the same size as the ending size. (All the keyframes have the correct settings). As for the fading text, again the keyframes read correctly from 3% to 100%, but nothing changes on the screen and the text doesn't even appear on the rendering.
I was going to export to see if it would work in quicktime, but I can't do that without purchasing the software. - So... several people have posted about fading problems and no one has posted that they did in fact fix it... Does it work?
Thank you very much in advance for help with this.
renkath
renkath
If you can post the file I suspect we could solve this in a hot New York minute.
Otherwise -- the fact the text doesn't appear during the render makes me suspect that layer isn't visible at all. If the layer is selected you will always see whatever is on it, whether it's visible, but in the timeline it will turn pink to show it isn't visible (it's a common newbee mistake to create a layer on any frame other than 0, in which case the default is invisible). Check to make sure there aren't any keys in invisibility on the timeline for that layer (or set a visible key at the appropriate places).
Otherwise -- the fact the text doesn't appear during the render makes me suspect that layer isn't visible at all. If the layer is selected you will always see whatever is on it, whether it's visible, but in the timeline it will turn pink to show it isn't visible (it's a common newbee mistake to create a layer on any frame other than 0, in which case the default is invisible). Check to make sure there aren't any keys in invisibility on the timeline for that layer (or set a visible key at the appropriate places).
can't export
Thanks Tiger for such a quick response- mkelly, too.
I have done all the steps and, theoretically, it should work. When I go back to check the opacity settings they are correct. I have "spot checked" them in between the keyframes, too.
As I said, the demo doesn't allow me to export. So I can't post anything.
I am using a mac. It would be helpful to know if anyone else is having a similar problem with mac...
I have done all the steps and, theoretically, it should work. When I go back to check the opacity settings they are correct. I have "spot checked" them in between the keyframes, too.
As I said, the demo doesn't allow me to export. So I can't post anything.
I am using a mac. It would be helpful to know if anyone else is having a similar problem with mac...
renkath
fade up and down
I just noticed that if I put the opacity at 100 reducing to 0, the text shows (but doesn't change) in the rendering. But if I do the reverse - begin at 0 and increase to 100, no text shows up. It seems pretty logical that, if the rendering involves quicktime and I am not allowed to export to quicktime, it won't work until I buy the software....
After all, if it is working for you...
Thanks- I will report back in case anyone else has the same issues with the demo.
After all, if it is working for you...
Thanks- I will report back in case anyone else has the same issues with the demo.
renkath
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synthsin75
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- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:20 pm
- Location: Oklahoma
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but when I used the rendering tool...
Wow, I never knew there was a rendering tool!But seriously, it sounds like you are calling the workspace the render, which is not right. Ctrl+R renders, but I don't know if that is available in the demo. Also it sounds like you really need to do the tutorials in Help>Help...
If you can save the file, not export the movie, you can share it. Anyone else can render it themselves.
Learning some of the terminology is a good starting point.
well, gee, how very helpful. . . I figure a button that can display a rendering could be called a rendering tool without causing too much confusion. I had no idea knowing the jargon and using it correctly would amount to a magic spell. Clearly it does give one a sense of purpose and authority. 
I have done the tutorials. The animations work fine- even the renderings work in regard to things like fill color effects. The only thing that does not work is the opacity adjustments, even though the settings are correct when I move the red time line to the keyframe and check.
It would be helpful if someone would not just offer tips, but actually say, yes- I have done this it works... then I will keep at it and not wonder if there is a glitch in the software on my computer.
thanks,
r
I have done the tutorials. The animations work fine- even the renderings work in regard to things like fill color effects. The only thing that does not work is the opacity adjustments, even though the settings are correct when I move the red time line to the keyframe and check.
It would be helpful if someone would not just offer tips, but actually say, yes- I have done this it works... then I will keep at it and not wonder if there is a glitch in the software on my computer.
thanks,
r
renkath
Problems with Rendering
I will try to be very clear this time and appreciate your patience:
First, I have been over the tutorial several times. (Yes, actively step-by-step in the program). I have looked for answers to my problem there. In fact, I have even done a word search through every tutorial page to make sure I caught every instance of "Render" or "render". So, if you want me to look at the tutorials again, please let me know exactly where...
This is the link I have for the tutorials.
file:///Applications/Anime%20Studio/help.html
*
I posted because I was having trouble with fading. I have been working on it, and have even purchased the program. This is the situation I need help with now is related to that problem, but more specific:
I can create animations that work well on the workspace. Except the opacity adjustments. I understand that is not supposed to show up on the workspace.
I have saved the animations as quicktime files and they work just fine... fades and all.
The problem is in the rendering. It does not work.
The window opens with an image - whatever is visible according to the keyframe the red line is on at the time I hit Ctrl+R, be it on 0 or 175. Then I get an almost immediate "thud" sound and "Render ... done!" appears in the thin gray top border of the window.
Because I am not sure the terminology is correct, I'll say it again: if I put the red line at 0 and "Frank" is standing at 0, and then Ctrl+R, I get a window with an image of Frank standing. If I put the red line at 50 and he is sitting at 50, and then Ctrl+R, I get a window with an image of Frank sitting. Either way, it is followed immediately by a "thud" and "Render... done!"
Again: When I save this same file as a quicktime film it works perfectly. I have done this with three files, including a dancing "Frank" from the tutorial, and all of them worked fine. The rendering, however, still does not work.
I can't find any information in the tutorials about adjusting the render function.
There are two puzzling things in the tutorials:
It says, "You're welcome to render out the entire animation as a QuickTime movie to see the full, animated effect."
This makes me wonder if I should be selecting a part of the timeline render and not just hitting Ctrl+R?
It also says, "In the popup menu at the bottom of the Render window, select "Copy To Clipboard"."
What popup menu? I have a very simple render window with a red dot in the upper left corner and a thin grey line across the top. Except for the word "Render ... done!" there is nothing there. I have tried right clicking...
Just in case these questions come to mind- yes, I made the layers at 0, yes, I have paid attention to the number of frames in the project to make sure that the animation wasn't happening after the film was over
I hope this makes more sense.
Thanks in advance,
r
First, I have been over the tutorial several times. (Yes, actively step-by-step in the program). I have looked for answers to my problem there. In fact, I have even done a word search through every tutorial page to make sure I caught every instance of "Render" or "render". So, if you want me to look at the tutorials again, please let me know exactly where...
This is the link I have for the tutorials.
file:///Applications/Anime%20Studio/help.html
*
I posted because I was having trouble with fading. I have been working on it, and have even purchased the program. This is the situation I need help with now is related to that problem, but more specific:
I can create animations that work well on the workspace. Except the opacity adjustments. I understand that is not supposed to show up on the workspace.
I have saved the animations as quicktime files and they work just fine... fades and all.
The problem is in the rendering. It does not work.
The window opens with an image - whatever is visible according to the keyframe the red line is on at the time I hit Ctrl+R, be it on 0 or 175. Then I get an almost immediate "thud" sound and "Render ... done!" appears in the thin gray top border of the window.
Because I am not sure the terminology is correct, I'll say it again: if I put the red line at 0 and "Frank" is standing at 0, and then Ctrl+R, I get a window with an image of Frank standing. If I put the red line at 50 and he is sitting at 50, and then Ctrl+R, I get a window with an image of Frank sitting. Either way, it is followed immediately by a "thud" and "Render... done!"
Again: When I save this same file as a quicktime film it works perfectly. I have done this with three files, including a dancing "Frank" from the tutorial, and all of them worked fine. The rendering, however, still does not work.
I can't find any information in the tutorials about adjusting the render function.
There are two puzzling things in the tutorials:
It says, "You're welcome to render out the entire animation as a QuickTime movie to see the full, animated effect."
This makes me wonder if I should be selecting a part of the timeline render and not just hitting Ctrl+R?
It also says, "In the popup menu at the bottom of the Render window, select "Copy To Clipboard"."
What popup menu? I have a very simple render window with a red dot in the upper left corner and a thin grey line across the top. Except for the word "Render ... done!" there is nothing there. I have tried right clicking...
Just in case these questions come to mind- yes, I made the layers at 0, yes, I have paid attention to the number of frames in the project to make sure that the animation wasn't happening after the film was over
I hope this makes more sense.
Thanks in advance,
r
renkath
Thank you for the description, this will helpt to find the mistake.
Terminology: "Rendering" is everything from a preview render of a single image to exporting a whole Quicktime. It's just the name for the process.
Since your Quicktime files show the transparency and the fade, the program is OK. Now we need to find the setting which bothers you. It's not in the "Export" settings, there you have checked "Apply Layer Effects" already.
You can even see the transparency in the workplace view. See the button "Display quality" in the bottom right corner of the workplace window? There you can choose which features should be visible while working, "Transparency" being one of them. (Works for vector layers only, not for images!)
Under the "File" menu you find the options "Preview", "Render" and "Export Animation". The last one already works. "Preview" gives you a fast render without the effects (transparency is an effect). "Render" gives you a complete render of one image, the same way as it would appear in a Quicktime.
These are the options in the "Pro" version, the standard version has less.
Terminology: "Rendering" is everything from a preview render of a single image to exporting a whole Quicktime. It's just the name for the process.
Since your Quicktime files show the transparency and the fade, the program is OK. Now we need to find the setting which bothers you. It's not in the "Export" settings, there you have checked "Apply Layer Effects" already.
You can even see the transparency in the workplace view. See the button "Display quality" in the bottom right corner of the workplace window? There you can choose which features should be visible while working, "Transparency" being one of them. (Works for vector layers only, not for images!)
Under the "File" menu you find the options "Preview", "Render" and "Export Animation". The last one already works. "Preview" gives you a fast render without the effects (transparency is an effect). "Render" gives you a complete render of one image, the same way as it would appear in a Quicktime.
These are the options in the "Pro" version, the standard version has less.
Thank you again for trying to help.
No. I don't have any buttons in the corner of the workspace window. Maybe that is Pro? Either that or I am missing more than one popup menu option (like the render window).See the button "Display quality" in the bottom right corner of the workplace window? There you can choose which features should be visible while working, "Transparency" being one of them. (Works for vector layers only, not for images!)
I don't have a "preview" option under the file menu. I would rather not go up to the pro version (I use photo shop elements and that is enough for my needs).Under the "File" menu you find the options "Preview", "Render" and "Export Animation". The last one already works. "Preview" gives you a fast render without the effects (transparency is an effect). "Render" gives you a complete render of one image, the same way as it would appear in a Quicktime.
renkath
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synthsin75
- Posts: 10278
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:20 pm
- Location: Oklahoma
- Contact:
Now see, the jargon can be useful when trying to communicate in a clear and concise manor. I'm afraid there's just no getting around that when trying to discuss technical issues.
No AS Standard doesn't have display settings, preview, or single frame render options (I bought it just so I could help out, since most of us have Pro and aren't too aware of what Standard is missing). When doing the tutorials, just refer to the Product Comparison when in doubt.
That 'thud' sound just indicates that the render is done. Ctrl+R renders the single current frame. We usually just call this 'render' even though in other apps 'render' refers to the whole animation (and I think the tutorials may also blur this point a bit). I've tested the opacity, and it does show correctly when rendering a single frame in AS Standard.
Since Standard doesn't have a preview, the only way to view any of the actual animation would be to export it (as you have done). Even with preview, you wouldn't see transparency, as Slowtiger said.
AS terms
Render - Ctrl+R, generate the current frame of the animation as it will appear in the final output.
Export - Ctrl+E, generate all or part of the final animation
Hopefully that's not too authoritative. The only magic spell needed is the one that allows us the understand the problem well enough to help.
No AS Standard doesn't have display settings, preview, or single frame render options (I bought it just so I could help out, since most of us have Pro and aren't too aware of what Standard is missing). When doing the tutorials, just refer to the Product Comparison when in doubt.
That 'thud' sound just indicates that the render is done. Ctrl+R renders the single current frame. We usually just call this 'render' even though in other apps 'render' refers to the whole animation (and I think the tutorials may also blur this point a bit). I've tested the opacity, and it does show correctly when rendering a single frame in AS Standard.
Since Standard doesn't have a preview, the only way to view any of the actual animation would be to export it (as you have done). Even with preview, you wouldn't see transparency, as Slowtiger said.
AS terms
Render - Ctrl+R, generate the current frame of the animation as it will appear in the final output.
Export - Ctrl+E, generate all or part of the final animation
Hopefully that's not too authoritative. The only magic spell needed is the one that allows us the understand the problem well enough to help.
Photoshop won't make Pro unnecessary, IMO. Once you feel you're up to speed with Standard, you may want to check out the Pro demo again. It does have plenty that I couldn't live without.I would rather not go up to the pro version (I use photo shop elements and that is enough for my needs).