Use the 'Tone' effect in the Layer Property palette like a mask.By utilizing it for layer switching, you can create magical animations.

Introduction

Tone layers display density changes and screen angle changes very beautifully.However, even if you try to utilize these numerical changes for animation, the values set in the Layer Property palette are not reflected in the timeline's keyframes.The same applies when applying an effect tone to a regular layer; the values in the Layer Property palette are not reflected in the timeline's keyframes.I wanted to find a way...

 

So, what I came up with was...

 

Apply an Effect Tone to a folder, and create a black-filled layer inside that folder.By changing the opacity of the layer, the tone's density also changes.Layer opacity is reflected in the timeline's keyframes.

 

Still, tone rotation and similar effects cannot be achieved this way.

Let's Try Noise

In a 'New' illustration, create a (500x500px) canvas.The effect might be difficult to discern on a white background, so place a checker layer beneath it.Fill a raster layer with black.

Right-click near the layer name of the black-filled layer and select 'Create folder and insert layer'.A folder will be added to the Layer palette, containing the solid black layer. Apply the 'Tone' effect from the Layer Property palette to this folder.

Then, in the Layer Property palette, change 'Screen settings' to 'Noise'. Set 'Noise size' to (500).

Select the black-filled layer in the Layer palette.

Display the Timeline palette.

Select 'New Timeline' from the command icons in the Timeline palette.Set the frame rate to (24) and the playback time to (3+0) seconds + frames.

Press the 'Enable keyframes for layer' icon.Set keyframes for the black-filled layer.

Set 'Keyframe interpolation' to 'Linear'.

Move the opacity slider in the Layer palette left and right to set opacity back to (100).

This will add a keyframe to the timeline.Keyframes are added to the Timeline palette, but they might be hidden and not easily visible. You can reveal hidden keyframes by pressing the (+) icon to the left of the layer name in the Timeline palette.

Press the 'Go to end' icon, which is two icons to the right of the play button in the Timeline palette. The end of the playback range will be displayed.

Move the opacity slider in the Layer palette to the left to set opacity to (0).

The canvas now displays the layer you placed as the base.

Play this much.

The noise gradually fades away as if melting.

 

 

 

Next,

CLIP STUDIO PAINT includes an image material called 'River_Day' in its pre-installed 'Materials'.

Place it above the folder with the 'Effect Tone' in the Layer palette.Adjust the display size on the canvas to your preferred layout.Then, press the 'Clip to Layer Below' icon in the Layer palette.

Play in this state.

Add keyframes to the 'River_Day' layer.

First, unclip the 'River_Day' layer from the layer below.

 

Press 'Enable keyframes for layer' in the Timeline palette.Select 'Smooth' for keyframe interpolation.

'Add Keyframe'.

Press 'Go to end' of the playback.Move 'River_Day' on the canvas slightly to the left.

Since the playback time is only 3 seconds, move it just a little. You cannot confirm this movement while it is clipped.

A keyframe has been added.

 

Finally, 'Clip' the 'River_Day' layer 'to the layer below'.

Noise Complete

Play this.

You can also make the layer disappear while moving it.

 

I think it will be fun to combine various techniques.

Background used: 'Park 2_Day'

Content ID: 1379133

Let's Try Effect Tone Cross

As I mentioned at the beginning,

when changing the density of an image, some effect tones may not produce beautiful gradations. However, 'Cross' can create beautiful expressions.

(Could it be an Effect Tone bug?)

We will use this for our magic.

 

First, there are some things to note when using effect tones.

You need to set the resolution high (300dpi or more).

However, if you set the resolution high (201dpi or more), the animated image will appear rough during playback.

To properly check the result, you will need to view the exported movie or similar file.

 

In a 'New' illustration, create a (500x500px) canvas with a resolution of (300dpi).

Add a gradient layer to the canvas.

Use the 'Foreground color to transparent' gradient sub tool. Set the foreground color to (black), shape to (linear), and edge processing to (do not repeat).

Set 'Draw target' to 'Create gradient layer' and create a gradient from the left edge to the right edge of the canvas.

Right-click near the name of the created gradient layer in the Layer palette and select 'Create folder and insert layer' from the menu.

A folder containing the gradient layer will be created in the Layer palette.

With the folder selected in the Layer palette, check the Layer Property palette. Press the (Tone) icon under 'Effect' in the Layer Property palette.

Click the 'Screen settings' dropdown and select (Cross).

Set 'Tone line count' to (5).

A large checkered pattern will be created. Due to the gradient, the density changes from left to right.

Select the 'Gradient Layer' in the Layer palette.

Display the 'Timeline palette'.

Press the 'New Timeline' icon in the Timeline palette.

In the New Timeline settings, set the frame rate to (24) and the playback time to (4+0) seconds + frames, then click 'OK'.

You will now be able to work in the Timeline palette.

With the gradient layer selected in the Layer palette, press the 'Enable keyframes for layer' icon in the Timeline palette.

For 'Keyframe interpolation', select (Created keyframes: Linear).

I believe the sub tool will be automatically selected as 'Object', but if another sub tool is selected, switch it to 'Object'.

Move the canvas's gradient layer (500px) to the right. The displayed handle is the same size as the 500px canvas, so just push it to the right. Be careful not to transform it. Moving it will add a keyframe to the timeline.

Confirm that the 'X' value for 'Position' under 'Transform' in the Tool Property palette is (750). This (750) means it moved (500) to the right from (250).

Next, press the 'Go to end' icon, two to the right of the 'Play' icon in the Timeline palette, to move to the last frame of the playback range.

Move the canvas's gradient layer to the left. Move it until the handle goes off the left edge. If it's troublesome, you can directly input (-250) for the 'X' value of 'Position' under 'Transform' in the Tool Property palette.

A keyframe has been added to the last frame of the Timeline palette.

Export this much.

Effect Tones do not have anti-aliasing. That's the only regrettable point, but I don't mind.

 

Add an 'Image material' above the folder in the Layer palette. Even if the image material layer is added inside the folder, don't panic; simply move the image material layer above the folder. Then, 'Clip' the image material layer 'to the layer below'.

Cross Complete

Export this much.

You should be able to see the clipped illustration switching. The bottom sheet of paper is displayed, but you can switch illustrations simply by preparing other illustrations instead of the paper.

 

The slope illustration used is a 'material' I adore:

Content ID: 1379855 (Hill Road - Downhill_Day)

Cherry blossom season is over, isn't it?

This is an example where I layered two cross gradients and shifted their display timings so they appear to chase each other.

The cherry blossoms were snapped in a nearby park 📸.

 

I also often use this alluring 'Celeblady'.

Content ID: 1680613

The End

This was a magical animation using effect tones.

Similar results can be achieved using a (grayscale expression color layer) and (a binarization tone correction layer), but it might be slightly more complex.

While I believe magical animations can be much more dynamic and versatile, the exported file size quickly exceeds 10MB, leading to more compact creations.

 

This is an animation I first created as a test for this TIPS article.

It uses noise and cross.

I think this is probably where the real magic begins.

 

Let's have lots of fun with CLIP!