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View Full Version : Finding a 2D "rigging" program?

jtuulos
08-03-2007, 11:15 AM
I don't know if this is the right sub-forum for this thread but I really couldn't find more suitable ones out there (if you have some ideas where I could find answers better, please tell me).

So, I'm planning a 2D short movie and I'm trying to find software to fit my project's needs. Technique-vise it's going to be vector-based graphics. However, I'm not so interested in traditional frame-by-frame 2D animation. I'd like to have a software which could create joints and maybe even inverse kinematics for 2D characters. Think of a string puppet like this:

http://www.takegreatpictures.com/content/images/tip1_1768.jpg

The progam should be able to create joints and constraints for 2D pieces (limbs, head etc.) and then animate them via keyframes. Also some kind of rotoscoping possibilities would be nice. I know I could theoretically create everything as planes in a 3D software like Maya and then use the built-in character rigs to animate. But I'd like to know if there is some 2D software created to do this.

I'm just starting to learn Flash animation so I don't know if this is possible to do in Flash. Also, does somebody know if ToonBoom or similar serious 2D software can create joints/dynamics. I've also considered After Effects but as far as I know, it doesn't support any kind of joints.

Please reply if you have any ideas / tips & tricks for my project.
stewartjones
08-03-2007, 12:04 PM
If I remember correctly it is possible to do in Flash, and pretty well too. It's been a long time since I used the program though, so I couldn't tell you how to do it!

Take a look at toon boom as well, that seems to be pretty popular I think!
Mr-Bullfrog
08-03-2007, 03:25 PM
Hi,

I know Moho does this quite well. Although, it's been some time since I've used it (It's called Anime Studio now)

http://www.lostmarble.com/

-Jeremy
m|3
08-03-2007, 03:43 PM
It is Possible to set up an IK rig in After Effects using expressions -- I've recently completed a project using such.

These links may be of interest to you:

http://www.motionscript.com/design-guide/ik.html

http://www.motionscript.com/expressions-lab-ae65/ik.html
benytone
08-04-2007, 12:15 PM
Anime Studio-former called Moho, RiggingVideoTutorials;
.
http://genetita.googlepages.com/videotutorials
http://www.e-frontier.com/article/articleview/1918/1/800?sbss=800

.
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/media/folder_8/file_364515.jpg


.
djorzgul
08-04-2007, 07:29 PM
toon boom solo has inverse kinematics and glue that would do the job.

on the other side I would suggest you to go down the 3d road, doing 2d setup and that kind of animation in 3d soft is far more flexible then in any 2d based soft. I did one southpark like animation in school like that (in maya) and it was super fast'n'flexible comparing to the others workflow in flash and after...

good luck
jtuulos
08-06-2007, 12:55 AM
Thanks for the replies everyone, very informative indeed. You can always trust CGTalk for finding solutions :D

Actually I might take the 3D way after all because I know Maya already and it is quite versatile (and I don't have to learn a completely new program). It also gives the possibility to render in passes and maybe even add some 3D (cell shaded) stuff. Quite relaxing to know that I can skip the modeling phase and go straight to rigging and animation.

Maybe someday I'll get my hands on ToonBoom or Anime Studio and learn them but for this project, Maya and AfterEffects will do just fine. If someone has experience on this kind of workflow (2D animation with 3D programs) it would be nice to hear how it worked out (what kind of problems, pros/cons of the technique etc.)
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