Alexei Volkov
Animation Paper is software for hand-drawn animation that is currently in its alpha version. It has been praised for its super-fast responsiveness and smooth rotation and zooming of the view. Users have been asking for colouring features, and the developers have confirmed that colouring will be added soon. In the meantime, users can use the blue pencil for their rough pass and then clean it up using black.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Coloring | Not yet available in the alpha version, but will be added soon |
| Blue/Black Pencil Feature | Use the blue pencil for the rough pass, then clean it up with black; can also turn black lines blue for another pass |
| Layering | Black, blue, red, green, or custom |
| Importing Images | Easily import images for backgrounds, layout, or sequences of images (or clips) for rotoscoping or as a moving reference |
| Cross-Platform Compatibility | Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux |
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What You'll Learn
Using the blue pencil for rough passes
Plastic Animation Paper (PAP) is a popular 2D animation tool that has helped many animators transition from analogue to digital. The software is currently in its alpha version, with new features being continuously released. One of the features animators are anticipating is the ability to colour characters directly in Animation Paper.
When using the blue pencil for rough passes, animators start by sketching with the blue pencil, which is easily erasable and doesn't smudge or show on xeroxed copies. This allows for quick and convenient rough passes that can be cleaned up later. After completing the rough pass with the blue pencil, animators can go over it with a black pencil for a cleaner look. This is done on separate layers, allowing for better control and simplicity compared to the pseudo-layer system in the old PAP version.
The blue pencil is also preferred by some animators for its aesthetic appeal and ability to build upon drawings with other colours. Starting with a blue rough pass provides a good base for further refinement, as it allows animators to easily distinguish the lines they are working on. This technique is similar to the traditional 2D animation process at Disney, where red pencils were used for rough animation, enabling cleanup artists to view and compare the cleanup lines easily.
When using the blue pencil for rough passes in Plastic Animation Paper, it's important to remember that you can switch the blue lines to black by clicking the gizmo at the top of the layer column in the X-Sheet. This allows for easy refinement passes in black, ensuring that your final animation looks clean and polished. The ability to work with separate layers for blue and black lines provides a simpler and more efficient workflow for animators.
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Cleaning up with black pencil
Plastic Animation Paper (PAP) is a popular 2D animation tool that has been used for many years. The software has been praised for its ease of use and compatibility with modern computers. However, one of the drawbacks of PAP is that it does not allow users to colour in their animations.
The process of colouring in Plastic Animation Paper involves using a blue pencil for the rough pass and then cleaning it up with a black pencil. This is done by turning the blue lines to black, which can be achieved by clicking on the top of the layer column in the X-Sheet and selecting the colour you want.
When cleaning up with a black pencil, it is important to use the right type of paper and pencil to achieve the desired effect. The paper should be light and smooth, easy to erase, and should not smudge or tear. For clean-up, you can use animation bond paper, which is a standard paper for animation studios. It comes in different sizes and colours and has peg holes at the bottom to fit the animation disc.
The type of pencil you use is also important. For a clean look, you should use a hard and dark pencil that gives you a sharp and consistent line. A 2H or 4H pencil is ideal for this, as they have hard leads that do not break easily and do not smudge or erase.
It is also important to consider how well the paper and pencil work together. Some combinations can cause problems such as bleeding, smearing, or fading. For example, using a soft pencil on rough paper can result in fuzzy and uneven lines, while using a wet pen on thin paper can cause blotchy and distorted lines. To avoid these issues, it is recommended to test your paper and pencil before starting your final drawings.
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Refinement passes
Animation Paper is a software for hand-drawn animation that is still in its alpha stage. It is the latest iteration of Plastic Animation Paper (PAP), which was a popular 2D animation tool. While the older version, PAP, allowed for the blue pencil to be converted to black, Animation Paper has separate layers for blue and black, allowing for refinement passes.
In Animation Paper, you can use the blue pencil for your rough pass and then clean it up using black. If you need another pass, you can turn your black lines into blue and perform another refinement pass in black. This is done by clicking the little gizmo at the top of the layer column in the X-Sheet and selecting the colour you want the lines changed to.
The ability to perform refinement passes is made possible by having separate layers for black and blue lines. This is in contrast to PAP, where black and blue were technically the same layer, so the black lines were always on top of the blue, and the blue lines would be destroyed by the black lines.
The ability to colour directly in Animation Paper is a feature that is yet to be released. The developers have stated that colouring will be the first feature to be added, and it will come very soon.
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Using the eyedropper tool
The eyedropper tool is an asset for animators, offering a quick and easy way to ensure colour consistency and saving time by eliminating the need for manual colour tracking. It allows animators to select colours from existing objects or images and apply them to other areas of their animation. This enables seamless transitions between scenes and a cohesive look throughout the project.
To use the eyedropper tool effectively, follow these steps:
- Import an existing image or take a new photo to use as a reference for colour selection.
- Tap on the eyedropper icon to activate it.
- Move the eyedropper over the desired colour on the reference image.
- Observe the cursor to determine if you are selecting a fill or stroke colour. A solid black square below the cursor indicates a fill colour, while an outlined square indicates a stroke.
- Click on the desired colour to select it.
- Apply the selected colour to the desired area of your animation.
The eyedropper tool can be used in conjunction with a colour palette or mixer to further refine and adjust the selected colour. This allows for experimentation with different colour combinations and shades. It is an invaluable tool for animators, providing accuracy, consistency, and efficiency in colour selection and application.
The eyedropper tool is particularly useful when working with complex colour schemes or when trying to match specific colours for character details, such as eye colour, as mentioned in the example. It simplifies the colour selection process and ensures a professional and cohesive final product.
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Fill colouring
There are a few different ways to approach fill colouring, depending on your preferred method and materials. One way is to draw your animation on paper, scan it into your computer, and then use a program like ToonBoom to ink and paint it digitally. This method allows you to remove the drawing layer and have your character on a separate layer that can be placed over any background.
Another option is to use a lightbox with a peg bar and animation paper, or a simple flip book method with a hole punch to make your paper compatible with the peg bar. This allows you to draw your animation directly onto the plastic animation paper and then flip through the pages to see how it looks in motion. You can then choose to ink and colour the frames by hand or import them into a digital program for further editing.
It's worth noting that some digital animation programs, like Animation Paper, may not offer fill colouring capabilities in their basic versions, requiring users to employ additional rendering programs to complete their animations. However, updates are continuously being released, and colouring features are expected to be included in future versions of these programs.
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Frequently asked questions
Animation Paper is software for hand-drawn animation. It is currently in alpha, meaning it is not finished and new features are still being added.
Yes, you can. Animation Paper allows for simple colouring with an eyedropper and fill. You can also use the blue pencil for your rough pass and then clean it up using black.
Yes, you can import images for backgrounds, layout, or other purposes. You can also import sequences of images or clips to rotoscope or use as a moving reference.
Animation Paper is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
