In this course, we will explain the animation production process at CLIP STUDIO PAINT based on the method of digital animation work of Nippon Animation Co., Ltd.

 

• This article is in Japanese. Machine translations are available for sites other than Japanese.

 

 

While actually doing the drawing work, you will learn how to use the interface and tools in it.

[1] Various settings for drawing

■ 1. Pen tablet writing pressure setting

Writing pressure varies depending on each individual. Before starting full-scale drawing, let's perform [Adjustment of pen pressure detection level].

 

(1) Select [File] menu → [Adjust pen pressure detection level] on the menu bar.

 

(2) The [Adjust pen pressure] dialog is displayed. Set your own pen pressure.

■ 2. Confirmation of display resolution

As I mentioned in the previous lecture, “display resolution” is very important when using a pen tablet. If you have not done so, set it before printing.

 

(1) Select [File] menu-> [Environment] on the menu bar to display the [Environment Setting] dialog.

 

(2) Select [Canvas] in the [Preferences] dialog and click [Settings] in [Display resolution] to set [Display resolution].

(3) Put an actual ruler on the display screen, adjust the slider, and press [OK].

(4) Click [OK] to close the [Environmental settings] dialog box.

 

 

■ 3. [Number of stories] [Dragonfly / Basic frame]

If you want to hide the [Number of stories] in the lower left, uncheck [View] menu-> [Work information] in the menu bar. If you want to hide the blue frame (standard size), uncheck [Register Mark / Basic Frame].

■ 4. Structure of Layer Palette

Let's look at the layer structure of the cel folder (animation folder of each cel) on the [Layer] palette.

 

When the originals match on paper The originals and layouts that have been loaded are stored in the "original" folder.

 

The animation folder for movie cels has a blue palette color.

 

A number is written next to each "cell name" folder. This is the number of videos stored in each cell. ("A: 5" etc ...)

 

On the [Animation cels] palette, the layer structure of the movie paper selected on the [Layer] palette is displayed.

The layer structure of each motion picture paper is the same.

[2] Tools used for video work

 

Introduces the tools used to create original images registered in the [Command Bar]. ‥

 

The following is a keyboard shortcut table. Shortcuts are assigned to frequently used tools.

Since most of the tools in the Japanese animation workspace are registered in the [command bar], operations other than paper parame- ters are possible without a keyboard, but let's find a method that is easy for individuals.

[3] Video work

Now let's get into the video work.

 

 

■ 1. Register the original picture on the light table

① On the [Layer] palette, select movie paper "1" in the "a" cell.

 

The video number of "1" selected in the [Layer] palette was displayed in the light table below the [Animation cels] palette.

• It may be difficult to understand because "1" in "a" cell and "1" in "b" cell have the same display on the light table. In that case, you may change the naming convention to "a0001", "b0001", etc. Use a method that is easy for workers.

 

(2) Next, expand the "original image" layer folder on the [Layer] palette and check the box next to the original image "A0001" used for the tress.

 

(3) Click [Register selected layer] at the top of the [Animation cels] palette.

 

The image of "A0001" has been registered in the [Light table] of the [Animation cels] palette.

Light bulb marks are displayed on the [Layer] palette for images registered in the [Light table]. This indicates that the image is registered in the "light table".

 

Images registered in the [Light Table] will be displayed on the canvas. Think of it as if you were painting a picture on the desk light table.

 

[POINT] About the name

Describes the "name" of the file. As you can see from the procedure so far, the originals in the originals folder are shown in "uppercase", and the folder names of movie cells are shown in "lowercase".

 

In digital video, in various processes, "data sharing" is performed on the assumption that the same name is used, so it is essential to standardize the names. Please note that the use of uppercase and lowercase letters is the necessary distinction for managing data on a PC.

Also, basically all alphanumeric characters are half-width characters to prevent garbled characters.

 

• Name rules vary depending on the company and work. When working digitally, talk to each department and decide the rules.

 

 

■ 2. Original picture tress

The original picture "1" is tressed. First, let's trace from the solid line.

 

(1) Since you want the drawing color to be black, select the "Black" layer from the [Animation cels] palette.

 

[POINT]

If you are using a non-touch type LCD pen tablet, etc., [magnifying glass] (keyboard shortcut: "Z" key), [palm] (keyboard shortcut: "Space" key), [rotate] (keyboard shortcut: Use the "S" key) to move the paper to a position that is easy to trace.

You can switch to each tool only while pressing each key.

If you want to reset the rotation, double-click the canvas while pressing [Rotate] (S) to reset the rotation.

It is convenient to remember the movement-related tools with keyboard shortcuts.

 

If you don't have a keyboard, you can do the same by using the Canvas Control next to the Scroll Bar.

 

② Select [G Pen] from the [Command Bar] and draw.

 

(3) Use the [Curve] and [Ellipse] tools to trace inorganic materials such as machines.

 

④ Use the "eraser" to erase the line.

 

If you use [Eraser] by checking [Delete vector] in [Tool properties] and switching to [Intersection], you can erase lines up to the intersection.

Let's switch depending on the application.

 

 

<[Transparent color] that can be used in place of the eraser>

 

Since it is a vector layer, it may be difficult to erase fine lines.

In that case, change the drawing color to [Transparent color] with the pen tool and use it as an eraser.

• If you use it in a large area, it may be difficult to fill because it will be caught by the transparent vector line when painting the shadow.

 

After using [Erase] instead of [Transparent Color] to return to line drawing, select a drawing color other than [Transparent Color] from the [Command Bar]. Layer colors are applied to layers, so it doesn't matter what color you choose.

 

 

<About brush settings>

 

To change the pen brush size, click [Tool Properties] on the [Command Bar] to display the [Tool Properties] palette.

 

From the [Brush size] on the [Tool Properties] palette, select the brush size that matches the original image.

 

It is a good idea to set a standard [Brush size] for each work so that you will not have any problems in writing the later steps.

(In this course, I will work with a brush size of 0.50 mm.)

 

Let's set the writing pressure arbitrarily.

It is also very important to check carefully whether or not the lines are strong and weak, and then work.

 

If it is not possible to draw digitally, if you set the value of [Image Stabilizer] or the value of [Vector Snap] to a little higher, the line will be less likely to blur due to the correction. However, note that the lines may be overcorrected and the pen may become heavy.

 

[POINT] About antialiasing

At Nippon Animation Co., Ltd., we are working on original images and moving images with [Anti-aliasing] enabled, and at the time of writing, we are converting to binarized lines.

Brush settings can be set on the [Tool Property] palette.

■ 3. Paper Paragraph Method

If you can draw a line to some extent, try pressing "1" and "2" on the keyboard.

These number keys have the command of [Check the movement of the cell with the key].

Only the top image registered in the light table will be displayed while pressing "1", and only the second image will be displayed while pressing "2".

It's a little tricky to write paper, and it's easy to grasp the feeling by pressing the buttons on the keyboard to switch as if pressing "Do", "Le", "Mi" on the piano.

 

Images registered in the [Light Table] can also be rearranged by dragging and dropping.

■ 4. Saving during work

While working, let's save the data frequently with [Save] on the left side of the [Command Bar].

■ 5. Drawing of color trace line

A red line can be drawn by selecting the "Red" layer on the [Animation cels] palette and a blue line by selecting the "Blue" layer.

 

Select each layer and draw a color trace line. Let's trace all "1" of "a" cell.

■ 6. How to use [Cut] and "Paste Layer"

This section describes [Cut] and "Paste Layer".

By using [Cut] and "Paste Layer", you can move the line to a layer of another color.

• "Layer paste" is an auto action of [Transfer] + [Erase].

 

Before that, let's customize the selection launcher used in the operation.

The selection launcher is the launcher that appears when you create a selection on the canvas.

<Custom selection launcher method>

(1) Click [Selection Launcher Settings] at the right end of the selection launcher.

 

② Select the item you want to add and press [Add] to add it to the launcher. You can also cancel the command added to the launcher by pressing [Delete].

 

The Nippon Animation Digital Drawing Department customizes and uses the launcher as follows.

 

③ Similar to [Command Bar], right-click the launcher icon and select [Icon Settings] or [Sub Tool Settings] to customize the icon image.

(On the iPad, you can perform the same operation by clicking while holding down "Control" on the edge keyboard or the keyboard you have.)

 

Adding a background color or setting an icon makes it easier to understand visually.

• You can use the "51_layer-paste" icon of the distribution material icon for "Paste Layer". [50_delete] is set in [Delete].

 

(4) Similar to the [Command Bar], you can change the order of icons by dragging and dropping while [Selection Launcher Settings] is displayed.

 

 

<Moving lines between layers>

After customizing the launcher, let's cut it.

This time, paste the line written on the "Black" layer to "Red".

 

(1) On the [Animation cels] palette, select the "Black" layer on which the line you want to cut is drawn.

 

(2) Enclose the line you want to cut with the [Selection] tool on the [Command Bar].

 

When you create a selection, the selection launcher appears below.

 

③ Click [Cut] from the selection launcher.

 

The surrounding part was cut off.

 

(4) Select the layer of the color you want to paste without canceling the selection. Since we want the black line to be red this time, select the "Red" layer.

 

⑤ Click “Layer Paste” from the launcher. (* "Layer paste" is an auto action.)

 

The line cut in the "Black" layer is pasted on the "Red" layer.

■ 7. Video number transcription, back coating

 

The video number and backing are done on the "Shadow" layer.

You can draw any color on the "Shadow" layer. When choosing a drawing color, choose from a drawing color compatible with "Paintman" registered in the command bar.

 

[POINT]

Since the "Shadow" layer is specified as a draft layer, by checking [Paintman export] at the time of [Export animation cel], the name "External (non-editable)" that can be viewed only by "Paintman" Will be exported as a layer.

The image is the data read in by Paintman.