1st Edition
Pushing Pixels Secret Weapons for the Modern Flash Animator
You've got the cheats, tutorials, and how-tos. What else do you need? Go above and beyond those stop-gaps and step-by-steps with Pushing Pixels, the real-world guide to developing dynamic and fun content from conception to deployment. Whether you are animating for a short, a fun cartoon, or a mobile game, renowned Flash expert Chris Georgenes will show you his approach with various types of animation projects, from start to finish.
Providing in-depth knowledge of the little-known secrets used by the pros to produce creative, professional animations, this is the go-to source for anyone looking to create great animation.
Pushing Pixels
Secret Weapons for the Modern Animator
Contents
. Introduction
. Toolbox
. Setup
. Project 1: Frog Day Afternoon
. Project 2: Mudbubble Holiday
. Project 3: Focal Press "Solutions"
. Project 4: Matthew McSilly
. Exporting, Publishing and Sharing
Introduction
. Foreword
. Why this book?
. Where do I start?
. Inspiration
. Acknowledgments
The Toolbox
Hardware
. Pencil & paper
. Scanner
. Wacom Intuos 4, Cintiq
Software
. Adobe Flash Professional CS6
. Adobe After Effects
. Autodesk Sketchbook Pro
. Toon Boom Animate Pro 2
. Toon Boom Storyboard Pro 2
Setup
. Resolution (NTSC and PAL)
. Title/action Safety
. Frame Rate
. Extensions
. Wacom
Project 1: Frog Day Afternoon
. Synopsis
. Software (Toon Boom Animate Pro 2 and Adobe Flash)
. Technique (Full Animation)
. Integration (Toon Boom Animate to Adobe Flash)
. Publishing and exporting (Adobe Flash Player, Quicktime)
Project 2: Mudbubble Holiday Animation
. Synopsis
. Hardware (Microphone, audio interface)
. Software (adobe Audition, Adobe Flash, Adobe After Effects)
. Soundtrack (recording, editing, mastering)
. Technique (Full Animation and Cut-out style)
. Character design
. Rigging
. Nesting (timeline hierarchy)
. Lip-sync (FrameSync extension)
. Exporting and Publishing (Adobe Flash Player, Quicktime)
. Post production (Adobe After Effects)
Project 3: Focal Press "Solutions" Animation
. Synopsis
. Hardware (Microphone, audio interface)
. Software (Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, vAdobe Audition, Adobe Flash, Adobe After
Effects)
. Storyboarding
. Soundtrack (music composition, voice over talent, recording, editing, mastering)
. Technique (Full Animation and Cut-out style)
. Character design
. Rigging
. Nesting (timeline hierarchy)
. Lip-sync (FrameSync extension)
. Exporting and Publishing (Adobe Flash Player, Quicktime)
. Post production (Adobe After Effects)
Project 4: Matthew McSilly
. Synopsis
. Hardware (Microphone, audio interface)
. Software (Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, vAdobe Audition, Adobe Flash, Adobe After
Effects)
. Soundtrack (music composition, voice over talent, recording, editing, mastering)
. File management
. Technique (Full Animation and Cut-out style)
. Character design
. Rigging
. Nesting (timeline hierarchy)
. Lip-sync (FrameSync extension)
. Exporting and Publishing (HD video, Adobe Flash Player)
. Post production (Adobe After Effects)
. Destination (YouTube, Vimeo, blogs, portable devices, etc...)
What's on the CD
. Source files
. Videos
. Extensions
Biography
Chris Georgenes is a full-time freelance artist, animator, and all-around designer for the web, CD-ROM, and television. His clients include Macromedia, LucasArts, Universal Records, Hasbro, Ogilvy, Yahoo! and AOL, to name a few. He maintains www.mudbubble.com as his online portfolio and www.keyframer.com as his Flash tutorial website. He is also a course author and instructor for sessions.edu.
"Chris has the uncanny ability to not only make complex workflows not only simple but engaging for the reader. If there's anything the industry needs, it's more books like this that really empower the reader to create engaging animations."--Paul Trani, Creative Suite Evangelist for Adobe Systems
"I’ve admired Chris’ work for many years. His ability to clearly explain the small details that others often overlook sets him apart both as an animator and as a teacher. Regardless of your skill level, don’t pass up the opportunity to learn real-world insights into the animation process from a master in the field. If you’re looking to become a better animator, you’ve found the right book."--James Williamson, Senior Author, Lynda.com
"Chris has an amazing way of making a comprehensive guide to animation workflow from ideation to implementation that reads like a friendly conversation. He highlights helpful tips as well as exploring new techniques. Animators of all levels will enjoy Pushing Pixels."--Myra Ferguson, Multimedia Designer/Developer
"If you want to learn Flash animation, you need this book. With his background of producing excellent broadcast quality Television with Flash for many years, Chris has a unique practical wisdom and real understanding of the most efficient use of software in everyday project workflows. He is the master guru of digital animation."--Thomas Benner, Web Design and Interactive Media Faculty, The Art Institute of Austin
"Chris Georgenes can simplify complex processes, and articulate them in ways that are easy to follow, without feeling like they have been "dumbed down." Through all of his work, he slips in nuances and nuggets of great useful tips that don’t NEED to be there, but make his material that much better than most other books on the shelf."--Joseph Sliger, Technical Solutions Manager, Wacom Technology Services, Corp.
