Week 2/3

Toonboom is a software package that allows you to animate in 2d. The package operates in a similar way to traditional methods of animation. The exposure sheet allows you to draw out each frame individually. There is also a very handy feature called 'onion skin' that allows you to see the previous or next few frames. This means easier animation. During the days of hand drawn cel animation, each drawing would be laid ontop of the other which would give the animator a good indication of movement. The Toonboom package also contains a handy camera function which allows you to move in and out of a piece of animation. The software also offers a nice range of drawing tools.
However the software is not perfect and through personal experience I have found that is does not work entirely well with graphics tablets. Even when the click pressure sensitivity is turned down the pen will draw all over your work. Speaking to other students I have founf that i am not alone in this problem. To solve this problem I have been using a mouse to animate instead. In some ways this has made things easier. By creating characters made with simple shapes it made the whole animation process easier.
Flash is another animation package that allows you to animate in 2D. However i have found it to be alot more technical in approach, compared to Toon Boom. The 'motion tween' function provides you the means to fill in the process of motion between key frames. This makes the animation process look more professional and less stunted, but can be difficult to master. The drawing tools are not as advanced as Toon Boom and so it is harder to be more creative visually. Flash is not akin to old fashioned animation techniques and tries to bring the animation process into the 21st century. The software works in a similar way to new 3D packages and the 'timeline' function helps prepare you for more difficult animations.
With its vast array of drop down menus and functions Flash can be confusing. Toonboom provides a more straight forward user interface. Flash is a more technical piece of software that may well have more functions and tools than Toon Boom, but i prefer the more hands on approach that Toon Boom offers.