Switch Layer Trouble

[whatshername]

Okay, I'm brand new to Anime Studio Pro, just got it 2 days ago, so please be patient with me as I ramble a bit :]] My intention with this program is to create an anime that my best friend and I are writing. We are fully capable to drawing out every single scene, but that takes so much time we'd never get it finished. First of all - although I'm pretty sure it's possible, is this program capable to creating a credible anime that LOOKS like a real anime?

Secondly, for a mock-intro I'm creating for the anime, to experiment and see if I can get it the way I want, I am using the "Aya" images that come with the program. Just to clear that up.
By using the imported "Aya" character images, the bone layers are already created for the character. This causes a problem since apparently the Switch layer only will do smooth transitioning with vector layers.

My question is, is there a way to combine a bone layer with a vector layer under a Switch layer in order to create smooth transitioning while moving the bones?

Should I be using a Switch layer at all? D:

My goal is to begin with the Aya character "back" image, smoothly transition to the "side" image, move her arms and hands while smoothly transitioning to the "side-angle" image, arms and hands continuing to move while smoothly transitioning to the "front" image all while having the camera zoom in on the character. I hope that made sense to someone who can help me.

[synthsin75]

viewtopic.php?t=12643

This forum member does pretty good anime style with AS.

Yeah, switch layers can only interpolate vectors that are first level child layers. So there are a couple of options. First thing you must know is that you can create bones on a switch layer. It is technically a bone layer that has the sub-layer switching ability.

The method you use depends greatly on how you plan on constructing the characters. Vector or image. Like you said, there is no interpolating images. So if you want to do any real turns in camera, other than quick cartoon ones, you'll want to use vector art.

Now with vectors you still have many options to choose from. The easiest way to do interpolated switch layers would be to construct the character on one layer. The drawback to this is that you can't use animated layer ordering, so the shape sorting has to be done with another sub-layer for the switch. Also this can be a bit confusing to animate since the skeleton will not be aligned to the art in every switch layer.

Or you can create a regular bone layer skeleton and have each body part in its own switch layer for individual turns. These switch layers would then be layer bound to you skeleton. Overall I think this is the most flexible switch layer option, although you lose the ability to have the body parts stretch as if connected.

If you have ASPro then actions are a much more flexible option. But try out several and who knows, you may come up with your own unique method. There are just too many possibilities. That's part of the fun of 2D and especially AS. It's all about creating the illusion, so anything goes.