Page 1 of 2

GreyKid Style

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:01 am
by superanimatrix
Hello,

I am brand new here. I am getting my 1st Anime Studio Pro software tomorrow. I am use to doing all of my animations in macromedia flash 8 which you can see some of my work at www.grnb.tv I love the way GreyKid's projects look. How do I get that look? I love their style. Does anyone know what they use to draw with?

- London Lyric

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:35 am
by Patmals

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:22 pm
by heyvern
If you plan to use Flash as the final delivery of the content AS probably won't be of much help. AS to Flash has many limitations and could make more trouble for you.

For instance if you use point motion or bone "warping" of vectors in AS as Greykids does and export this to Flash, it won't be "optimized". Each frame will be a single unique piece of flash vector art... makes for big files.

The only type of animation from AS that is optimized for Flash (creating symbols, instances etc) is layer binding using bones, or image layers bound to bones... like simple puppet animation.

EDIT:

I would suggest using raster output if you use AS for anything really big and complex.

-vern

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:10 pm
by superanimatrix
Patmals wrote:HI,

Maybe this will help you.

http://www.2-4-2.co.uk/projects/giss/ar ... =619200601
Thanks. That does help alot. A lot of things they did not explain like:

1. The artwork is scanned into the computer and then drawn with the model building software.

What model building software?

2. What program do they use to draw and color everything?

3. The backgrounds in 2-4-2’s Gone in 60 Seconds are very unique. They may appear to be 3d but in actual fact they are made of 2d elements. Each piece of scenery is produce as a flat image first then constructed in a 3d space within the compositing software. Lighting is added to the scene to enhance the mood. This works the same way as placing lights on a live action set.

What compositioning software? What software do they use for lighting?

4. At this stage we also add character lighting. Adding this lighting to a character can add more vibrant colours, shading and depth. With over all scene lighting we can change the whole mood of the scene making it feel like morning, noon or night. In the instance of ‘2-4-2 Gone in 60 Seconds’ the lighting for every scene is drenched in golden sun


Again how do they get the lighting? is this all done in AS?



5.The renders are imported into an editing software and placed together in sequence.

6. Imported into what software?

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:35 pm
by Patmals
Stu from Greykid wrote a summary of their workflow in another thread, which they answer questions like yours.

I think they use ASPRO, Flash and conbustion but don't quote me on that.

Do a search for Greykid in this forum.

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:41 pm
by superanimatrix
Patmals wrote:Stu from Greykid wrote a summary of their workflow in another thread, which they answer questions like yours.

I think they use ASPRO, Flash and conbustion but don't quote me on that.

Do a search for Greykid in this forum.
Thanks Patmals. I will do a search right now. I have no idea what ASPRO is. I have been working with only Macrimedia flash 8 forever lol! Thanks again!

:D

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:44 pm
by Patmals
oops, ASPRO is Anime Studio Pro- an acronym :)

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:48 pm
by superanimatrix
Patmals wrote:oops, ASPRO is Anime Studio Pro- an acronym :)
Oh :lol: yeah I should have got that. ASPRO is what I will be useing. I will be getting it today and am so excited :D . I just really want that GreyKid look. I am wanting to do an animtion like The Gorilaz where I will do all the voices and music!

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:54 pm
by Patmals
Good luck!

The Gorillaz style animation can be done easily in ASPRO but for the final look i think you would need to use compositing software such as Combustion or After Effects.

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:10 pm
by superanimatrix
Patmals wrote:Good luck!

The Gorillaz style animation can be done easily in ASPRO but for the final look i think you would need to use compositing software such as Combustion or After Effects.
Where do I get Combution and after effects? Also how epensive is it?

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:23 pm
by Patmals
yes they are expensive, high end, hollywood standard tools.
but there are free alternatives and maybe even the video fx in cheap or free video software can do the trick too - to a degree.

um
after effects

http://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects/

combustion

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/in ... id=5562397

a free alternative

http://www.jahshaka.org/




but i would really concentrate on ASPRO first. its animation that matters.

good animation is what is really appreciated.

all the fx stuff is just sugar topping :)

good luck

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:29 pm
by heyvern
I just really want that GreyKid look.
Just remember. That "GreyKid look" does not come from using "ASPro". That look takes talent and effort. ASP does not have any "magic features" for creating that "look". You could achieve it using Flash or Photoshop or ink on paper. It is 99% hard work and skill.

GreyKid has traditional animation background and a ton of talent. AS won't give you that on its own.

When I first saw some samples of their work I was astonished that it was done with AS (Moho at the time). As I spent more time with ASP I could see to some extent how they got their "look" and was even more impressed.

I only point this out so you won't be disappointed trying to achieve someone else's style rather than pursuing you own. One of the great features of AS, is the ability to achieve any look or style you desire.

GreyKid is a great inspiration but as I've learned many times just using the same tools won't give you the same skills. I could buy a race car but it won't make me a race car driver. ;)

-vern

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:36 pm
by superanimatrix
Patmals wrote:yes they are expensive, high end, hollywood standard tools.
but there are free alternatives and maybe even the video fx in cheap or free video software can do the trick too - to a degree.

um
after effects

http://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects/

combustion

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/in ... id=5562397

a free alternative

http://www.jahshaka.org/




but i would really concentrate on ASPRO first. its animation that matters.

good animation is what is really appreciated.

all the fx stuff is just sugar topping :)

good luck
Thanks for the links. What about in the beginning of there animaion (their logo)? What software do they use to get that effect with the streams of light and stuff like that? is it Particle Illusion?

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:38 pm
by superanimatrix
heyvern wrote:
I just really want that GreyKid look.
Just remember. That "GreyKid look" does not come from using "ASPro". That look takes talent and effort. ASP does not have any "magic features" for creating that "look". You could achieve it using Flash or Photoshop or ink on paper. It is 99% hard work and skill.

GreyKid has traditional animation background and a ton of talent. AS won't give you that on its own.

When I first saw some samples of their work I was astonished that it was done with AS (Moho at the time). As I spent more time with ASP I could see to some extent how they got their "look" and was even more impressed.

I only point this out so you won't be disappointed trying to achieve someone else's style rather than pursuing you own. One of the great features of AS, is the ability to achieve any look or style you desire.

GreyKid is a great inspiration but as I've learned many times just using the same tools won't give you the same skills. I could buy a race car but it won't make me a race car driver. ;)

-vern
Yes I understand about creating my own look but what do they use to draw there characters? it has that flash look. I dont want my animations to look too dry since i am so use to flash. Plus the lighting they use is fantastic!

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:44 pm
by Patmals
i guess the logo is done in combustion or a video tool which has cool video effects.

but try and read about animation workflows. how to set up a scene and planning etc.
all the candy should come last :) post production stuff.