Learning classes or ........

Zapman · Post by **Zapman** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:07 am

I really like this programs possibilities ... however ,
The learning curve is pretty steep...

Are there any local Classes being taught in the Chicagoland area ?

I found a instructional site that looks good but a lot of things look good on the net..

The site - http://www.cartoonlearning.com/ . Is it a good source to learn this program ?
Or dose anyone have any suggestions for me.

I don't want to become a pest on this forum .
I want to learn it and get up to speed if possible.
I just seem to have a procedure question at every turn.....

I need to get some sleep (someday )!
I'm a little frustrated with myself..

I'm....
Ron
( I think I used up my quota of "I's" ha ha )

funksmaname · Post by **funksmaname** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:22 am

have you done all of the tutorials that come with it? they will take you through most things... I would wait on Gilles (Gcharb's) upcoming series, not sure what the status is, but it seems incredibly comprehensive for the price!

RTFM

neeters_guy · Post by **neeters_guy** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 8:07 am

Yes, do the tutorials in the manual. I find that's the best way to get the basics down. You might also want to check out fiziwig's tutorial here (go to the last post): Beginner's Tutorials

But if you learn best by watching videos, then there are no shortage of them on youtube. The most comprehensive one for beginners is the one by Mark Bremmer: Animation101 youtube channel
The first lesson is here:Introduction Pro vs. Standard Scope-Anime Studio Pro Tutorial
Although it uses ver. 5, almost all of is applicable to ver. 8.

Besides cartoonlearning, there are also tutorials by:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AnimeStudioPro101
http://www.youtube.com/user/jotoonkid
These are not as good as Bremmer's videos, but maybe their style will resonate with you better.

As funksmaname mentions, GCharb's videos will no doubt cover a lot of topics, but the emphasis will be on character animation, so I would consider these more advanced lessons.

Take your time, AS does things differently than other programs, but eventually it will click. Good luck.

Zapman · Post by **Zapman** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 12:38 pm

Thanks Funksmaname, Neeters,
I'm sure that will be helpfull.
I'll check the links out ...one by one.

I'm planing to use them on my Bass Club and retail stores websites.

For now I'm directing my learning curve on the Bass Club project animation.
I'm working on a jig sinking to the bottom and hopping around with a huge lunker "eyeballing it" for a easy meal.
I'm working (learning ) by chipping away at each task, one feature at a time in trying to learn the program.
All efforts aimed at completing one planed project page to start off with.

It sure looks like a robust software program.
When I get my 1st page done, I will post a link to it.

No talented brain child genius here .... but a determined plunk away guy.
Again thanks for taking the time to reply.

One last question ....,
Should I upgrade right away or learn the easier entrance level program 1st ..

Ron

funksmaname · Post by **funksmaname** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:57 pm

if you're sure to stick with it, pro will give you more options - but at this point it might be worth learning all the basics on debut while you wait for another updgrade sale (perhaps Jan?? who knows)

You still have plenty to learn with debut, so I wouldn't rush an upgrade until you hit a feature wall you really can't live without, which may not happen before the next sale at least

Zapman · Post by **Zapman** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:19 am

Ok I will work in the starter program till the sale comes up, that makes sense.
However I'm confused by the many tools I see on the U tube demos.
How do I find and display all those tools I'm seeing used in the demos?
I can't seem to find them ?

I know that must seem dumb but it's obvious that the program authors are way beyond the mentality of "new users" trying to navigate the program for the 1st time. Not a knock just a observation.

The simplest navigation things seem to be the problem not the actual learning or doing. The how to demos are great and U tube ... thumbs up.

Boy I wish their was a local class I could attend ( Chicago area ) to learn the basics .
This program really seems worth the effort to learn.... it's really impressive.
Ron

jahnocli · Post by **jahnocli** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:29 pm

AS can be adapted for users' own tools with scripting. So the non-standard tools you see are users' scripts loaded at run time.

Zapman · Post by **Zapman** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 2:49 pm

I went ti Eric Moore's website ....,
http://www.animationtrainer.com and after looking at it.. I bought in and joined his learning program.

Spent a few hours viewing and working along with his tutorials.
They were very informative and well worth the money spent.

I'm sure you experienced "Oldtimers" think it may have been a remedial move.
For me it familiarized me with common terms and procedures.
I was able to follow each step and duplicate on my CPU.
I was able to go back and forth if I missed a stroke or some procedure.
I got a lot done and .... finally some much need sleep.
I'm like a bulldog and can't let go till I finish a task.

However: I still can't find a way to make my object ( bait ) follow along a path with a head first orientation ? You know twisting and turning with the course.

Once that is done I need to see if I can attach a straight line to the lure anchored to a fixed point that will stay fixed to the mouth of the bait as it navigates the twisting path. Looking like a fish hooked on a line.
How is that for a stumper project for me to figure out ?

If anyone can share that procedure, I would be grateful.
Thanks for your guys suggestions and help.
Ron

funksmaname · Post by **funksmaname** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:27 pm

if you double click a layer in the palette you should see a tick box with 'rotate to follow path' on it - tick that and when that layer is made to follow a path it will also rotate head first (if results are unexpected, check your origin/rotation before attaching to the path)

All the extra tools you see are addon tools which are available on this forum, at ASS (animestudioscripts.com) or animatorforums.com - but I'm not 100% sure if debut supports them? again, learn what you can till you hit a brick wall then when you ask for advice if the only solution is a custom tool we'll tell you which one to use - there are a lot available.

Zapman · Post by **Zapman** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:50 am

Thanks guys... and...,

"MERRY CHRISTMAS"

Have a safe and wonderful holiday.
Ron

3deeguy · Post by **3deeguy** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 6:02 am

Hi Zapman. I think I upgraded to Pro less than two weeks after I bought the Debut version. I really wanted the tools that the Pro version had. I'm still learning but I saw the possibilities right away.
As far as teachers are concerned I don't think anything beats a forum. It's just my opinion but this is an international group of animators some of whom are extraordinarily talented. It would have taken me years to learn what I've learned in a short time from this forum.
When I ask a question it seems I always get 'bonus' information which has helped me progress quickly.