Is there a way to animate without keyframing?

[sdsumike619]

I need to move some objects around on the screen, but keyframing is a bit of a PITA. Does anyone make a program that makes animating objects easier or is keyframing the only tool available to do this?

[poisondeathray]

It depends on what exactly you are trying to do

Some programs can use expressions or simulations to animate objects (almost) automatically without keyframes

[sdsumike619]

You ever see on kids shows like sesame street where they are teaching, doing spelling for example, letters move around on the screen to form words, and so on,, that kind of stuff..

I was thinking about just opening up photoshop and doing a screen recording, like a screen cast, and drag the stuff around with a mouse, kind of a cheesy solution, I dunno....

[poisondeathray]

Again - It depends on the exact movements you want to do. What program are you using now ?

Some programs have hundreds of preset text animations (eg. after effects) , and are set up so animations are much easier to do with dozens of text animators . Expressions can reduce or eliminate the need for keyframes in some situations as well

But - Often if you want precise custom animation you will have to resort to at least a few keyframes

I was thinking about just opening up photoshop and doing a screen recording, like a screen cast, and drag the stuff around with a mouse, kind of a cheesy solution, I dunno....

That's basically one way how you can do it in after effects (without the screen recording). You just drag the stuff around and it sets keyframes automatically . That's how it works in NLE's as well . What program are you currently using ???

[Cornucopia]

BluffTitler also has expressions as well, IIRC.

But what's so hard about keyframing?

Scott

[sdsumike619]

Using Vegas, maybe it's not as hard as I'm thinking, probably need to watch a few tutorials on using keyframes since I have not used them much before

[budwzr]

Keyframing is only part of it, you also need to get familiar with center of rotation, and possibly 3d track motion. Then there are the deform tools to create squishy, stretchy, bouncy motion fx.

The more effort you put into it, the better it will show. You may need to keyframe the motions of each element, AND the track motion. Then composite several tracks.

Oy Vey!

[pandy]

You ever see on kids shows like sesame street where they are teaching, doing spelling for example, letters move around on the screen to form words, and so on,, that kind of stuff..

I was thinking about just opening up photoshop and doing a screen recording, like a screen cast, and drag the stuff around with a mouse, kind of a cheesy solution, I dunno....

Perhaps some tablet, drawing animation path, then smooth and use to animate objects...

No clue to be honest is there any tool that support this method of the animation...

[Bjs]

The term "path"

Most good editors can move objects along any type of path, you simply include the number of frames used.

Wax2, blender, the gimp, synfig studio (called bline), these are just a few of the freeware applications which are capable of much more.

[pandy]

The term "path"

Most good editors can move objects along any type of path, you simply include the number of frames used.

Wax2, blender, the gimp, synfig studio (called bline), these are just a few of the freeware applications which are capable of much more.

But how many of them support interactive interface with real time pre-render that provide capability to operate with objects (animate) in "natural" i.e. interactive way...?

[poisondeathray]

Using Vegas, maybe it's not as hard as I'm thinking, probably need to watch a few tutorials on using keyframes since I have not used them much before

That's probably a good idea - it's not as difficult as you were thinking

The term "path"

Most good editors can move objects along any type of path, you simply include the number of frames used.

Wax2, blender, the gimp, synfig studio (called bline), these are just a few of the freeware applications which are capable of much more.

But how many of them support interactive interface with real time pre-render that provide capability to operate with objects (animate) in "natural" i.e. interactive way...?

Not quite sure what you're asking, but you can draw splines or paths with a wacom pen for example and get objects to follow the path

But objects don't "interact" with each other unless you use a simulation . Simulation models are not common in 2D, 2.5D programs. Forces like gravity, mass, dynamics are part of 3D programs, but those simulations were what I was referring to earlier - objects interact automatically with each other without keyframes based on the simulation parameters. (But I don't think this is what the OP was getting at)

"natural" animation is actually quite difficult to do. Objects in real life don't move linearly. There are other forces like gravity, mass, acceleration / deceleration, vectors, wind; other effects like object deformation , various material resiliency.

[pandy]

Not quite sure what you're asking, but you can draw splines or paths with a wacom pen for example and get objects to follow the path

But objects don't "interact" with each other unless you use a simulation . Simulation models are not common in 2D, 2.5D programs. Forces like gravity, mass, dynamics are part of 3D programs, but those simulations were what I was referring to earlier - objects interact automatically with each other without keyframes based on the simulation parameters. (But I don't think this is what the OP was getting at)

"natural" animation is actually quite difficult to do. Objects in real life don't move linearly. There are other forces like gravity, mass, acceleration / deceleration, vectors, wind; other effects like object deformation , various material resiliency.

I understand - natural interaction is for example draw some path, path is smoothed, then for example a can rotate object already moving over this path with additional operators that can be adjusted by interaction ie with help some trackball, tablet etc - everything is recorded, can be edited and at some point place together - so perhaps i should use term like "layers to describe motion" - but this is only curiosity - now im not sure that i understand correctly thread author.

[poisondeathray]

I understand - natural interaction is for example draw some path, path is smoothed, then for example a can rotate object already moving over this path with additional operators that can be adjusted by interaction ie with help some trackball, tablet etc - everything is recorded, can be edited and at some point place together - so perhaps i should use term like "layers to describe motion" - but this is only curiosity - now im not sure that i understand correctly thread author.

Still not quite sure what you're asking, but typically not in real time for 2D/2.5D programs like NLE's , After Effects, those sorts of programs . You can smooth the path, and use additional operators, but it has to be edited/adjusted and re-rendered for the preview - this is done in stages you make adjustments, go back, refine, preview (ie. not usually realtime)

In 3D type programs, it can be done in realtime. The preview can play (e.g. enable repeat) and as it's previewing you can adjust a parameter and you can see it change in real time , make more adjustments etc...

The OP is probably talking about basic 2D text and object animation

[budwzr]

You ever see on kids shows like sesame street where they are teaching, doing spelling for example, letters move around on the screen to form words, and so on,, that kind of stuff..

Yes, Vegas can easily do that kind of thing.

The first step is to prepare all your graphics ahead of time as PNG w/transalpha. Vector graphics would be the sharpest, and I don't know if PhoShop can do that because they want to sell you Illustrator. So you may need a cheap or free software like InkScape. BTW, thanks to PDR for recommending that one on another thread. Together with Gimp(free), you're all set.

Try to create enough variations on everything so you can move whole words. Example, you animate single letters to make a word, then you take a snap and move that instead of each letter. Make shortcuts like that.

Vegas has two main ways of animating. The Crop window and the Track Motion window. Both do essentially the same thing, but on different levels. The crop tool is more "local" to a media event, and TM is more global.

If you want to really go simple, without keyframes, do your movements by hand and take a snap every second, then bring in those snaps as an image sequence, and retime it to suit your project. It's going to be a little jerky, but maybe OK for a first try. Then you will really get a feel for animation-making.

In fact, I would highly recommend this method to learn the concepts involved. It's called "cel animation", and that's how Disney used to do it. An artist hand painted each "cel" in a sequence. They didn't have "keyframing" back then. Keyframing is a computer enhancement.

Try it! It's an extremely valuable skill. The modern equivalent is called "Motion Graphics", but it's the same basic principle.

[poisondeathray]

In fact, I would highly recommend this method to learn the concepts involved. It's called "cel animation", and that's how Disney used to do it. An artist hand painted each "cel" in a sequence. They didn't have "keyframing" back then. Keyframing is a computer enhancement.

It's a bit off topic , but that's where the name "Keyframe" (in animation) is derived from. The master artist/animator would draw every nth frame the so called "KEY frame", and his students would fill the frames in between by looking at those "key" frames

The interpolation or "inbetween frames" nowadays is done automatically by the software. You don't need to hire a student anymore . I think maybe the OP was keyframing every frame or something...

Lookout...It's almost animated gif time again...

[budwzr]

Yes it is almost that time!

I'm slogging through photos from a supposed "Glamour Shoot" that I did the other day, and even Photomatix Pro can't turn out the look I need.

The problem is the subject is NOT glamorous, and doesn't show well in a beauty shot. All the angles and lighting are good. The shots are technically correct, but just don't have that pizzaz.

Got any ideas?

[poisondeathray]

Got any ideas?

Yea, a plastic surgeon

It's probably not a good idea to post client info and pictures like that on a public forum... I would remove it

And what does this have to do with "is there a way to animate without keyframing" ?

[budwzr]

Nobody will know her, but I took it off anyway. Hahaha, she already had the surgery! Hence the pictures.

[poisondeathray]

Nobody will know her, but I took it off anyway. Hahaha, she already had the surgery! Hence the pictures.

NO!! ? You're joking!! That's the "after" shoot ?

[budwzr]

Hahaha, she's expecting proofs this afternoon and I'm sweating bullets. I might have to bail on this one.

[budwzr]

OK, this thread's finished. Talk to the clown.

[El Heggunte]

OK, this thread's finished. Talk to the clown.

No, thanks.