About Animation

Think You Can Do Better? Submit Your Animation!

2009-11-22T23:02:21Z

If you think you can do better than the latest submissions to the Animation Showcase, don't hesitate to submit your work for display. It'll get you publicity, at least, and if you include a link we'll be happy to link back to you. Just remember to follow the guidelines to the letter, because Adri gets very, very cranky when he has to convert your QuickTime files into the appropriate format.

Think You Can Do Better? Submit Your Animation! originally appeared on About.com Animation on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 23:02:21.

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New Animation Showcase Submission: "The Train"

2009-11-20T22:55:58Z

This submission to the Animation Showcase uses Flash, and Terry Sinclair uses it to experiment with Flash. For a first-timer in Flash, the grasp of movie clips, segmented characters, and cyclical animation is pretty good. At the very least it's a good example of timing audio with motion, and of using cycling clips for repeated motions.

New Animation Showcase Submission: "The Train" originally appeared on About.com Animation on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 22:55:58.

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New Animation Showcase Submission: "Blink Kitty Love"

2009-11-18T22:50:57Z

I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I opened submissions for the Animation Showcase - but what I'm getting is a surprising number of novices who aren't afraid to show off their first efforts. Such is the case with "Blink Kitty Love" (I have no idea what that means) by Michelle D. Norton, which shows that you don't need an expensive animation program to try to get your story across. She created this in Flip Boom, which has a very limited toolset and color palette - and with that in mind, she didn't do half bad...though I would advise muting the audio.

New Animation Showcase Submission: "Blink Kitty Love" originally appeared on About.com Animation on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 22:50:57.

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Animation Software Review: Reallusion's WidgetCast

2009-11-15T06:54:34Z

Normally I'm pretty excited when I get to review new software; in this case I think I might have shot myself in the foot, as while I enjoyed WidgetCast and it's a darling piece of software with extremely useful features, I nonetheless found it to be a little bit of a letdown (probably because I built it up too much in my head). It's basically Sprout Builder with a few extra capabilities and a much larger price tag - but for what it's worth, it does its job well as a product that can neatly deliver Web 2.0-ready microapplications / widgets, capable of interacting with a range of popular social media platforms to enhance the interactive online experience.

Animation Software Review: Reallusion's WidgetCast originally appeared on About.com Animation on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 06:54:34.

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Balancing Your Pocketbook and Your Animation Habit

2009-11-13T07:01:29Z

If you aren't cutting corners with the current economic recession, you're one of the lucky ones. I know I'm scrimping and saving even the tiniest pennies: foregoing new pen nibs for my tablet, buying budget versions of softwae applications, using free trials where I can, clinging to my royalty-free content for dear life. Right now the only way to stay afloat as a freelancer is to save money where I can...and these tips might help you keep your head above water, too.

Balancing Your Pocketbook and Your Animation Habit originally appeared on About.com Animation on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 07:01:29.

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Staying Up-to-Date

2009-11-11T07:19:46Z

Competition for work is extremely stiff these days. Everyone's looking for work, looking for new clients, and there are plenty of talented people out there willing to do your job for less money. So how do you make yourself more attractive to potential clients? One way is to stay up-to-date...not just on the latest trends, but on the latest software, developments in the industry, and your own presentation materials.

Staying Up-to-Date originally appeared on About.com Animation on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 07:19:46.

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Sakura Pens in Santa's Stocking

2009-11-08T01:47:47Z

For you gift-giving types out there, Christmas is next month - and if you aren't shopping already, you're a bit behind the curve. If you know any animators or artists, you might be a bit stumped about what to get them, especially if you're anything like me: disgustingly practical and determined to choose gifts that are appealing and useful. My grandmother used to try to do that, and I'd get socks and ugly sweater-vests. My partner's trying to do it this year, and instead I'm getting a new computer to replace the one that's started crashing any time I try to do something with high-end graphics (like animate). Granny, partner, parent, or friend, though...you might find these suggestions useful when picking out a gift that your animator will love.

Also, don't forget to go vote in last week's poll. Right now the AS2ers are leading with 46%, with the AS3ers in a distinct minority. Chime in with your opinion!

Sakura Pens in Santa's Stocking originally appeared on About.com Animation on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 01:47:47.

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The Only Snow That Won't Pile Up in Drifts

2009-11-06T02:08:14Z

Wondering how the snow was done in the Christmas tree ornament animation? It's pretty easy, just a matter of using random motion and symbol-duplication scripts in Flash to create a mild flurry, a blizzard, a pleasant evening snow - only you'll never have to shovel this snow from your sidewalk, or scrape it off your windshield.

The Only Snow That Won't Pile Up in Drifts originally appeared on About.com Animation on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 02:08:14.

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Flash Christmas Tree - Decorate Your Own!

2009-11-04T01:58:53Z

I love seeing a Christmas tree strewn in lights, tinsel, and glittering ornaments.

I hate seeing a Christmas tree dripping needles all over my carpet. Not to mention the Christmas tree toppling when the cat decides those pretty baubles are lunch, or the Christmas tree still sitting there at the end of January growing a fine coating of mildew, or...

Well, you get the idea. One solution for that is a plastic tree. Another? A virtual tree, one you can make yourself in Flash and decorate with any ornaments you can think up and create.

Flash Christmas Tree - Decorate Your Own! originally appeared on About.com Animation on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 01:58:53.

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DVD Review: NFB's Animation Express

2009-11-01T05:09:27Z

It's a little ironic (or more like coincidental, Alanis) that on the weekend my partner and I went haring off on a spontaneous trip to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, the National Film Board of Canada contacted me asking if I'd like to review Animation Express, a veritable kaleidoscope of Canadian animation talent compiled into a single collection. I can't say I enjoyed all of the 26 shorts on the 2-disc DVD set, but it's impossible for everything to appeal with such a broad gamut of styles and stories portrayed. Talent was the universal factor across each animation, though, and many were not only unique and beautiful, but also deeply enjoyable.

DVD Review: NFB's Animation Express originally appeared on About.com Animation on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 05:09:27.

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