I can't figure out how to make a switch layer!!!

goat · Post by **goat** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 4:46 am

Hello, okay, so my problem is I want to an animation but have a mouth that moves and eyes that blink. I see now that to do that I need to make switch layers. I have been trying to make switch layers, but can't figure out how. Nothing on Anime Studio actually shows me how to create them. I understand I need to create a data file to make the switch layers to?? I am so confused. I've been trying to figure it out on my own but can not. COULD SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME PLEASE!!!?!?!?!?!?! Thank you very very much.

synthsin75 · Post by **synthsin75** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:25 am

Have you worked through the tutorials in the help? If so (or once you have), ask questions to clear up specific issues.

goat · Post by **goat** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:58 am

Yes, I've done all the tutorials and went through all the help that's with the Anime Studio. I select "add new layer" and then "switch layer" but when I'm on that layer I can't do anything but mess with bones. After I make a switch layer, how do I create the sub-layers where I can have the different mouths and eyes. I can't figure out how to make the sub-layers, although it said I could make them myself. If that makes sense. Any suggestions? Thanks alot.

funksmaname · Post by **funksmaname** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 10:25 am

you sure you've done the tutorials?
put vector layers under the switch layer (inside it) and then you can select which of the sublayers shows at any particular time.

goat · Post by **goat** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 10:48 am

Yes, but how do I get the vector layers in/under the switch layers. I have clicked "add new layer" then "switch layer" and then after that "add new layer" again and then "vector layer" but it does not go inside the switch layer/folder it just becomes a new layer. How do I make it a sub-layer of the switch folder? There was something in the tutorials over switch layers which said that I need to make a "data file"? Is this something I must do first, and if so, how? Thanks alot.

slowtiger · Post by **slowtiger** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 11:13 am

You need to create a hierarchy of layers, like you do with folders on your computer. Pick any layer and drag it over a switch layer, a bone layer or a group layer - these are the ones that can contain other layers. When the underlying layer switches to red, release the mouse. Your dragged layer will show up under the top layer, but shifted to the rigfht a bit, which indicates it is inside the top layer.

This operation is described in the bone part of the tutorials.

synthsin75 · Post by **synthsin75** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:20 pm

You might want to review all of the tutorials again (Help>Help...>Tutorials). All of that is very basic and covered well in the tutorials. Actually working through them will give you a ton of practical experience with the interface.

Learn to walk before you try to run.

goat · Post by **goat** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:45 pm

I did work through them, and I really do not appreciate the way you talking to me. I already did it all. Now listen, if it is so easy then why can't you just tell me how? I know how to add a new layer and make it a switch layer. How do I make the folders/layers that go inside each switch layer? When I create a new layer it does not go in the switch layer folder. Do you understand my question?

goat · Post by **goat** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:48 pm

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SLOWTIGER! YOU WERE VERY HELPFUL! Thanks alot. That's all I was trying to know.

synthsin75 · Post by **synthsin75** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 10:32 pm

Well Slowtiger just pretty much quoted from the tutorials, so I can't help but think you missed something there.

slowtiger · Post by **slowtiger** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 2:10 am

Thing is that I have a very good test subject for all tutorials and manuals: my father. He's 75 now, got his first computer with 66. He doesn't speak any word english. And yet he manages, somehow, to work with iMovie and Garage Band and stuff. And with AS.

I worked in multimedia design for some years and think of myself as someone who knows about usability and interface issues. But still my father surprises me with doing things I never thought of, or getting stuck at points I never thought to be difficult. Since I have to explain stuff over phone to him I am very trained in getting the right wording to describe simple actions like "grab that item, drag it over another item, then release it".

I remember some issues I found very hard to understand when I started with AS. There are some points where I still have trouble every time. The "manual" isn't always helpful, it is very concentrated so it's easy to miss an important step.

Please give newbies some leeway when they ask basic questions here.

synthsin75 · Post by **synthsin75** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 2:54 am

Please give newbies some leeway when they ask basic questions here.

I thought I was. Oh well, glad you could help. When I hear stuff like "Yes, but how do I get the vector layers in/under the switch layers." I just get overwhelmed with the depth of unknowing I imagine.

I didn't think I was being rude. Seriously, if someone has done the tutorials and missed things like that then they really should think about going over them again.

It would probably help if some of these people would explain up front things like their age and language, as both of these would be understandable hurdles to comprehension.

There was something in the tutorials over switch layers which said that I need to make a "data file"? Is this something I must do first, and if so, how?

I'm willing to bet this will lead to a long string of hand holding.

-------------------------------------------------------

Goat,

I really wasn't trying to upset you. Now that Slowtiger has answered to you satisfaction, I would still suggest going through the tutorials again. Knowing the answer, you'll be able to see for yourself where you missed that information, and perhaps find more you didn't catch the first time.

"Time over material equals certainty."