Moho Animation Forum

In retrospect, it makes sence that layers within a group or switch layer would inheret the scaling (and positioning, etc.) of the parent group.

How do you make sure that you are dealing with consistent scaling when you are compining parts of the same original source image into a switch layer?

For whatever reason, my switch layer had one scaling (not = 1) and I adjusted scaling for each image layer inside of it independently.

The background image had a different scaling so that it would be maximized to fit the frame.

Do people follow a routine when images are sourced from the same photo, or consistent set of photos? For example, keep the background image and any subsequent images in the same group which is scaled at once?

Just wondering what rules of thumb / approaches others use in such a circumstance.

Whatever makes it easier.

It also depends on the type of project. If you have multiple images that need to be scaled together absolutely put them in a group or bone folder and scale/rotate/translate the group layer. If they are used as switches or as part of a character bound to bones you would have to do this anyway.

When exporting multiple images for a switch layer make sure that each image is the same size. For instance if you export mouth shapes. Crop the layered PSD, or what ever format you are using, to the same size. Then when importing into AS into your switch, import them all one after the other before making any other changes. Even if you import the first one and don't like where it is it doesn't matter. Wait until they are all in the group layer and then modify that group as a single layer. This will guarantee that all the images are lined up and exactly the same.

You can also use the "image import" menu script if you have AS Pro. It brings in sequentially numbered images into a switch folder and keys the switch for "cell" style animation. Then I would just delete all of those keys.

If you have a bunch of body parts and don't want them all to be the same "size", (a hand would be cropped tighter than a leg) you can put registration marks on the image file to line up the parts in AS. then remove the register marks and resave the images. Since AS uses path references the images will automatically update when you close and reopen the project.

I would also suggest that if you have different images that should work "together" and you find you are scaling some and not others, you might want to go back to your image editor and rescale the images there, or at least make them all the same relative scale to maintain consistency.

-vern

heyvern wrote: you can put registration marks on the image file to line up the parts in AS. then remove the register marks and resave the images.

Some way to do that was on my wish list, now I have it!

heyvern wrote: Crop the layered PSD, or what ever format you are using, to the same size.

Maybe I have something wrong. I thought that the viewable image pixels would "scale" the same, in other words extra blank space on a transparent image would be ignored. But your cropping suggestion leads me to believe that AS would do an initial scaling based upon the outer dimensions of the file - that makes more sense. I'm sure it's fairly easy to learn how to crop an image layer in Gimp. It'd be great if there was a command to make an edit on multiple image layers at one time, but that is a question for a Gimp forum.

heyvern wrote:Since AS uses path references the images will automatically update when you close and reopen the project.

I did not know that. But it makes sense because if you load an AS file without having the image on your PC, you get that image icon instead. So it must load it every time. But this is useful if you are tweaking your images in your image editor. Or if the decision is made after you already begun to make the Martians shades of blue instead of green.

Answers another question I was thinking. If you update an image (how) can you keep the scaling and positioning the same. The answer being just reopen AS. This also explains another problem I noticed, certain image layers had unexplained dramatic shifts in scale and location, but now I know why. Though this be madness, there is method in it.


A very helpful post for me, saved at least a day of trial & error learning. Or more time of doing it the hard wasy. Thanks once again Vern.
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AS performs its scaling indeed on the outer dimensions of the images.

If you create your images all in the same PS file and export each of them with lots of transparent space around it, you may not need to scale them in AS - but you pay for this because AS will slow down seriously. One or two images are no deal, but a dozen makes a difference. If I have to import lots of images, I take care to minimize their size as much as possible.

Sorry I probably wasn't clear.

Cropping the images to the same size was for things like mouth shapes for switch layers. Mouth shapes all pretty much are the same size and this will keep them registered. For other parts you should crop them.

-vern