About.com Animation

Animation Software Review: Reallusion's WidgetCast

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:54:34 +0000

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

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:01:29 +0000

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

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:19:46 +0000

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

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:47:47 +0000

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

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:08:14 +0000

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!

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:58:53 +0000

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

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:09:27 +0000

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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Poll: Do you still use AS2, or have you switched to AS3?

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:02:49 +0000

Flash CS3 and CS4 allow you to choose if you're going to work with ActionScript 2.0 or ActionScript 3.0. ActionScript 2.0 is familiar, easy to use...but all the bells and whistles and shiny new functions come with 3.0, and it's growing every day. I'm curious to know how many people have learned the new format for 3.0, and how many have stuck to what they know.

What I'd really like to know is why, whether you've stuck with AS2 or moved on to AS3 - and that's why this blog comes with a nifty comments section. Join in and add your opinion!

Poll: Do you still use AS2, or have you switched to AS3? originally appeared on About.com Animation on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 05:02:49.

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Using Google Adsense with Flash

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:13:16 +0000

These days, it's almost a given that when you start a website, you're looking to make some money from it - whether you're starting your own business or just trying to nab some pocket change from ad revenue. Google Adsense is one of the most common and easy ways to generate a little incremental revenue from your web pages...but if you want to use Flash, you might find yourself running into some problems with incorporating the Google Adsense code into your page. Luckily there are workarounds for that - but better still, those workarounds are pretty darned easy.

Using Google Adsense with Flash originally appeared on About.com Animation on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 06:13:16.

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Flash Tip: Using Markers

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:56:43 +0000

When I hear the word "markers" I automatically cringe - likely because I remembe the trials of long ago, when my baby brother first discovered that pristinely painted white walls made a wonderful canvas for his Sharpie art. Flash markers, thankfully, won't require a new coat of ecru gloss after use - but they will make onion-skinning your animation much easier by allowing a greater degree of control over the range of visible frames.

Flash Tip: Using Markers originally appeared on About.com Animation on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 07:56:43.

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