Thread: 2D animation program Free - singing pumpkins

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Pencil - a traditional 2D animation software

I am really wanting to do some singing pumpkins this year, and the only stuff I can find is either animations that no one wants to share, or I don't really like the quality of...

So I came across this program that is cross-platform and FREE. From the looks of the stuff that other animators have done, it most definitely can do the simple pumpkin singing animations. I work on a Mac platform, so I can actually use this and sync it up with sound using the lovely iMovie with any sound/songs I want. (I am a graphic designer working primarily with print media, so the arty stuff won't be a problem, but it won't be anything like Hallowindow's gorgeous stuff)

I want the typical 3 pumpkin set up, but use different faces for each one, having different expressions and the songs would be very different (I'll use "This is Halloween" most likely, but there is some rockabilly stuff, HorrorPops, Necromantix, Alice Cooper and AC/DC... and just using Vincent Price reading from some of the spooky stories... if it wasn't TOO hard I could spend the next several months and have a nice loop of an hour or so of songs and stories)

I wondered if anyone has used or even heard of this program? I used to do animations back in the 90s using Director and some other programs, but it's been a while since I've taught myself something completely new... not sure to be excited or scared.

Anyone tried this? Tips?

I'm not sure about the program you mentioned, but I am currently working on a singing pumpkin project myself. However it is not the animated kind. I am using the Vixen program (free), a kit74, and an old computer I salvaged.

I will gladly share my Vixen sequence with you when it is finished, if you decide to go this route.

Thanks for the offer Willse, but it looks like Vixen isn't available for a Mac platform, and I don't do Windows. You definitely have to post your singing when you get it finished, tho!

This is more what I'm trying to go for:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVgGGQjyCR0"]YouTube - Grim Grinning Pumpkins[/ame]


He said that he did the animation/sound in Maya, which is a program out of my league in terms of pricing and learning curve... There was a poster on Haunt Forum that did something similar, but he was selling his animation for $50 a pop for 2 songs... and the animations were exactly the same for the two background pumpkin singers (which I don't like).

I figure I'll try out the program and noodle around with it this weekend, and if it looks doable, I may break down and get a (used) projector and set this up!

No tips, but it looks cool. Please let us know what you think.

Would love to see what you come up with.

I downloaded Pencil and played with it some...this idea is totally doable however it requires an ability on ones part to do animation by hand, much like if you were to animate using a flip book and, well, a pencil. It's just in electronic form.

Originally Posted by Dr Morbius

I downloaded Pencil and played with it some...this idea is totally doable however it requires an ability on ones part to do animation by hand, much like if you were to animate using a flip book and, well, a pencil. It's just in electronic form.

Yep, I did the same. Kinda like the old Gif animator stuff where you have to draw/edit and cut and paste a lot. Maya and After Effects have a price and learning curve but well worth it for the results. I ended up using several editing tools to bring together a decent animation for my projector last year. It's hard to get one program that does it all, they all have different toys to play with.

I know this isnt exactly what you were looking for....
Nephilim : ImaginEERIEing : Gordo

but its fun to play with and can be used to interact with people in real time.

I'd love to see how your animation comes out. so if you do it, be sure to post it here.

Here's another way to animate

Easy, Cheap, Animated Cartoon in 10 Minutes

The trick to this and pencil for that matter is syncing to sound. But once you get that overcome, then anythings possible

Victor

I agree, those pumpkins in the video look awesome! Maya (aside from being $$$) seems like wayyy overkill. What about using Adobe Flash?

- Hook