Hello,

I would like to try creating an animation like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcIxD070LJg - originally made through Apple Keynote Animation).

a) Could anyone inform if Inkscape is able to give me tools to create similar still drawings/images?

b) If yes, does anyone know any tutorial that approaches more directly this style of drawings/images?

c) From sequence of still images created in Inkscape I intend to use video editing software (Sony Vegas) to animate them. Actually I don’t know whether it is the best way to animate the images. So, if someone has any tip about this other matter, I would appreciate as well.

Thanks in advance,

Cadu
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Wishes of amazing ideas in 2012!!!!!!!!!

Hi!
Inkscape could produce all of these images. As much as I saw, all of these are vector images which were later manipulated. You`ll need to go trough layers and preparations (it looks to me like characters are divided in to the few pieces, like cutout animation), but I`m pretty sure that SonyVegas has all the necessary effects to achieve at least similar if not much better ending result. Few transitions, drop of blur... well, couple of hours awaiting for you ,)

Due to the drawing style, I`m not quite sure what you have on mind. Most of these images are simple vector drawings and occasionally some of them look like traced images. For these traced ones this could be a clue/solution: http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Trace.html

If carefully planed and prepared, this should not be too difficult for realization.

Full sails!

Many thanks for your encouraging answer!!!

I am not familiarized with Inkscape features yet. In the same way, I was wondering if Gimp could be useful as well. I just found Gimp has the plugin GAP (the GIMP Animation Package). I know Gimp forum will be best place to approach this software features, but I am trying to "draw" in my mind which software could be more useful, once I will invest time to learn. So, by chance, do you have any idea about Inkscape x Gimp application to basic drawing and animation? I am not tied to the exactly youtube animation I mentioned before. I am just trying to find a way (nothing much complex) to use interesting animation together common video footage...

Bye,
Cadu

"I am just trying to find a way (nothing much complex) to use interesting animation together common video footage"

Well, why didn`t you say so....

You know, if we were talking about apples and then about cider... it might be easy to follow.. but about pears or about finding shortcuts in time and knowledge... I`m not much of help in that quest.

Hi Maestral,

Your answer seemed little bit abstract for my understanding (I am not english native speaker). So, I am deducting Inkscape could provide powerful tools than Gimp, is it? I really don't know both but I will need to chose one soon. Or will both software be useful in some way? I am confused about this subject yet.

And when I mentioned "I am just trying to find a way (nothing much complex)" it is because this project is related to teaching in academic environment (applied social sciences) bearing in mind students could make video + plus animation as an pedagogical resource. So, if complexity is part of the "quest" lets face it!!! But I need to be aware about pedagogical process x complexity x results/outputs.

Anyway, your first answer was more clear and I really took it as an encouraging answer!!!

Bye,
Cadu

Hi Cadu!

Misunderstanding could be there cause I`m also not english native speaker ,)

I think I can be of some help about animation, but it would be easier if you could explain in a few more details how and in which manner do you plan to incorporate the animation in that pedagogical process. It could be easier and faster if I could give you an opinion about your plan`s complexity rather then start explaining what is or could be complicated to produce in situation which you described as academic environment.

First of all, GIMP produces bitmaps or raster images which are bit more complicated for animation. On the other hand, Inkscape produces vector images and that could make the whole thing much simpler and easier to produce, and to comprehend as well. It`s all just a matter of treatment and I could imagine usage of GIMP aswell, but here we go on the starting point - what is it that you plan to do. Still, in the sample video (which you linked to your post) they used some techniques which require certain experience in animation. It does not look to complicated to me, but I don`t know how much you are familiar with 2D animation at the first place.

I have used/tried out GIMP GAP but not recently, and from what I could find on web, you`ll need to prepare some elements before you go animating "live" with students. Any, and I mean any animation requires preparation which is most often time consuming. Again, it also depends of users experience and speed of work. If you look on web for further explanation on cut-out animation, which I believe is most appropriate in this case, you could also conclude if it is possible to be applied in your plan.

I hope this could give you a bit clearer image of where you`re heading to.

p.s.
No matter how much you could simplify your plan, bare in mind that I think there might not be much animators willing to dive into "live" animating with non-animators. I did it once (had to), and I find it enough for the rest of my life ,)

Hi Maestral,
Thanks for your elucidating answer! I am studying this whole thing recently and my own "learn curve" is showing that it could be really difficult to fit easy to non-animators in academic context. Anyway, I will have a better idea of the whole thing soon. I would appreciate new advises from you in the future! And happy new year!!! Cadu