Trial Restrictions?

[Vespin]

Hello all! This is my first post here, and I just downloaded and activated the free trial of Anime Studio Debut 11 for Windows.

An immediate question develops: why is the maximum possible resolution I can set 900x900? Are there restrictions on the trial period? I don't recall seeing that said anywhere, though of course I could have missed it.

Any input here would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

[synthsin75]

That is a restriction of Debut. http://my.smithmicro.com/anime-studio-p ... sions.html

Pro has a 9000x9000 resolution.

[Vespin]

Debut, even when purchased, has a 900x900 limit?! Are you serious?! That absolutely cripples the program! It's worthless without HD ability, and I have no idea how anyone could believe otherwise!

This is a shocking limitation on Debut, simply shocking. Worse, it comes across as supremely manipulative!

...

I apologize for such an explosive reaction, and I am grateful for having my question answered. I'm just... very deeply disappointed. This is terrible.

[synthsin75]

What do you expect for $50? If you're not willing to step up to Pro, maybe you should check out some free software instead.

All software companies find ways to incentivize upgrades.

[Vespin]

By far the biggest thing that attracted me to Anime Studio was that I thought a $50 version existed that could at least do basic Flash-like animation. But as I said, the Debut app is worthless without HD ability. It doesn't matter what else it can do. It might as well not exist. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but it's 2016. 480p might as well be stone age.

I do not have $300 to spend on something like this. I was elated when I first discovered Debut, an app much better than free alternatives yet only $50. This is a major let-down.

[3deeguy]

Vespin, What will you say to your clients when they complain about your prices?

[synthsin75]

Well, you could pay $20/mo. for Adobe Animate CC (latest name for Flash?).

[Vespin]

3deeguy -
Oh, I'm not in this to learn how to animate professionally or charge anyone anything. This is just for fun. My stuff is just going on YouTube, and maybe someday Vimeo.

synthsin75 -
True. This limitation/pricing thing has just been a shock, is all.

[funksmaname]

If I'm honest, I didn't realise the 900x900 restriction either, it does feel a little odd to me. Given all the other cut down features of Debut I would have thought a 720p max would be reasonable personally... and perhaps NO EXPORT on trial. But it is what it is I suppose

[obtusity]

I think it is possible to be too concerned over specifications.

Vimeo defines its SD material as 640×480 or 640×360.
The standard preview for most YouTube videos (viewed directly in the YouTube interface on a desktop computer) is 854x480.

Sure, you have the option to maximise to full-screen HD, but from the people I know, most don't bother (assuming they are actually watching it on a computer screen instead of a pocket-sized mobile device, many of which would struggle to reach smooth HD playback).

As graphics-savvy people, we may be concerned about quality and resolution, but for fun and general viewing, most people don't really care - story and entertainment in low-res always beats boring animation in HD.

Heck, half the digital TV here in Australia is still broadcast at 720 x 576 (SD), even if it might be showing on a way-too-many-inches-monstro-HD screen.

[dueyftw]

3deeguy -
Oh, I'm not in this to learn how to animate professionally or charge anyone anything. This is just for fun. My stuff is just going on YouTube, and maybe someday Vimeo.

synthsin75 -
True. This limitation/pricing thing has just been a shock, is all.

You might try an older versions of ASP on eBay or Amazon.

Dale

[slowtiger]

I hadn't noticed this change in AS Debut's restrictions sice I've used Pro from the very beginning. I don't think that's a clever idea from the marketing department.

Earlier versions didn't do this, IIRC. Being able to work in HD even in Debut is one of the strongest arguments to sell the program: even a beginner can enjoy the feeling of "now I'm doing stuff which could fit on the big screen". Those who need the more sophisticated stuff will eventually update to Pro. But it doesn't make sense to spoil the fun for beginners.

AS was one of the few programs offering HD in Debut. TVPaint is another.

Anybody remembers Animation Stand? Or ToonBoom in some of its incarnations (still not sure which one does which)? They all had a ridiculous screen size restriction, which was the main reason I never bought them.

[Dpendleton77]

By far the biggest thing that attracted me to Anime Studio was that I thought a $50 version existed that could at least do basic Flash-like animation. But as I said, the Debut app is worthless without HD ability. It doesn't matter what else it can do. It might as well not exist. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but it's 2016. 480p might as well be stone age.

I do not have $300 to spend on something like this. I was elated when I first discovered Debut, an app much better than free alternatives yet only $50. This is a major let-down.

Man you just missed a flash sale they had on the program not to long ago. I would say be on the look out for the sales smithmicro has on anime studio when they come out. I think it was like 99.00 dollars for ver.11.