video -> cartoon / illustration effect

[suztv]

I found a link that has a pod-cast like overview of what was done to achieve that effect. http://www.nytimes.com/packages/khtml/2006/07/06/movies/20060707_SCANNER_AUDIOSS.html?ei=5088&en=9cfec30c4699b028&ex=1309924800&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1152514209-ZgJM46sy0/G3tmt5TdVIzg

It ain't easy. Looks like you have to do this the old fashioned way.

[StructAural]

export all frames and batch process in Photoshop or Painter?

[beenyweenies]

There is a way to do this with quite a bit of control combining Illustrator CS and After Effects.

Creative Cow has a detailed 3-part podcast tutorial on it HERE. (http://cowcast.creativecow.net/after_effects/index.html) It's about 3/4 down the page down and is called "Converting video to cartoon."

[takshaka]

thanks guys, fortunatly i do not need to do this any more, after doing some tests it is not possable to get a decent look.

the CC article i had allready seen and whilst it is intereting it does not really create a convincing look.

the batch processing deal i had also tried. the problem with that is that whilst you can get a decent looking still, you are restricted to using filter / image operations that are then redone on the following frames, this gives a wierd flickering effect and honestly does not look very good. i tried reducing the frame rate and better but still not great.

i would still be interested in seeing an examples that people have done but as yet have not seen any decent ones.

i guess it would be a cast of drawing out paths / vectors and then moving the points a few frames apart. but hey i dont hav to do it anymore....phew!!

[StructAural]

It took 18 months to rotoscope A Scanner Darkly !

[Rainer K]

Hi,

I'm looking to convert video to outline animation, (just simple single line stuff) previously i've simply traced each frame...a long process but producing quality results.

I'm wondering if during your searches....if you've discovered any particular methods that may not help you convert to effect cartoon style, but may help someone like me who is wishing to convert to simply outline animation....

[beenyweenies]

Hi,

I'm looking to convert video to outline animation, (just simple single line stuff) previously i've simply traced each frame...a long process but producing quality results.

I'm wondering if during your searches....if you've discovered any particular methods that may not help you convert to effect cartoon style, but may help someone like me who is wishing to convert to simply outline animation....

The Foundry's Tinderbox Set 1 (http://www.thefoundry.co.uk/pkg_plugins.aspx?ui=7EB882D6-AFE1-4CCA-B28D-B20DB7A46E7A) has an effect called T_Etch that works pretty well. Tinderbox Set 2 (http://www.thefoundry.co.uk/pkg_plugins.aspx?ui=AD02E15F-9F7A-47FA-961F-8F0041440780) has an effect called T_Contour that is similar but with more control. Tinderbox Set 3 (http://www.thefoundry.co.uk/pkg_plugins.aspx?ui=5DD2A940-1D4B-4884-AE22-3FCC03D7530A) has an effect called T_EdgeDetect that gives different results but uses a similar algo.

In short, using a plugin is almost certainly going to be the quickest method for achieving this effect, but you will give up a certain level of specificity in the look. If no plugins offer the look you want, roto may be the best approach if you have the time and patience.

[Rainer K]

Fantastic, I will look into them.
Thankyou for your help.

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