Toon Boom Studio 5 adds stop-motion animation
updated 11:10 pm EDT, Sun May 3, 2009
Toon Boom Studio 5
Toon Boom Animation has announced Toon Boom Studio 5, an update to its software that allows animators to create, animate and publish projects. Version 5 adds stop-motion animation, improved image-playback optimization and the ability to review a series of pictures using time-lapse imagery. Also new is a "chroma key screens" function that enables users to change the background screens, while a preview window displays live feeds and provides customization options for the subject, focus and brightness.
The stop-motion capabilities are designed to help users study animation techniques. Possible subjects include figurines, toys or household items. The company also added an "onion skinning" feature which presents previous shots when positioning characters in a scene to help with alignment. Animators can use "rotoscoping" to import live video and synchronize character movement in each frame for added realism.
The update also offers an enhanced user interface, along with the option to export animations in formats compatible with Facebook or YouTube. To improve project feedback, users can now designate each set of layers as annotations for instructor's notes.
Studio 5 is compatible with Mac OS X 10.4.7 or higher, and is available at a pre-launch price of $330 until May 14th. Users can also upgrade from previous versions for $100.
