Blender New Innovative 2d Animation "GP Tools"

A place to discuss non-Moho software for use in animation. Video editors, audio editors, 3D modelers, etc.

Moderators: Víctor Paredes, Belgarath, slowtiger

herbert123
Posts: 216
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:06 am

Re: Blender New Innovative 2d Animation "GP Tools"

Post by herbert123 »

JaMike wrote: Thu Dec 26, 2019 8:43 pm
Maestral wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2019 8:28 pm To me, tvpaint is among the superior 2d animation tools but with more and more features added to GP tools that 1st place does not seem so secure :)
As a TVP user who has been trying to use the latest Grease Pencil, I can say with confidence that there is still a long way to go before Blender gets to 1st place. Working in a 3D space is nice (nicer than Toon Boom) but as a drawing experience it's not there yet if you really know how to draw. The upcoming version of PAP is way more interesting to me as a cheap alternative to TVP.
Version 2.82 has just been released, and its splash screen showcases Grease Pencil very well. Every new release continues to improve Grease Pencil.
https://wiki.blender.org/wiki/Reference ... ase_Pencil

What is really exciting are the 2.83 improvements: Grease Pencil gets a refactor:
https://code.blender.org/2020/02/grease ... -refactor/

Effects are improved, a new mask system, anti-aliasing issues are resolved, infinite colours with a small list of materials, palette improvements, much smoother drawing of fast strokes and imrpoved stroke quality, and performance improvements across the board which result in scenes playing twice as in the viewport.

Check out the parrot/pirate animation at the top of the page.

Exciting times! 2.83 will be out in a month or three.
User avatar
Maestral
Posts: 531
Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:44 pm
Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Re: Blender New Innovative 2d Animation "GP Tools"

Post by Maestral »

Thanks for the update. I was about to do the same since I'm following what's going on with Grease Pencil.
From what I could learn, GP was brought to the attention of some of the core developers and they have had already made their contribution to these latest improvements.

GP still lacks the admirable arsenal of tools and features available in TVP but just as much as TVP brings the feel of the classical, GP brings the new surrounding which is not exactly 2.5 nor it's just 3d either but the classical approach is more than welcomed. And to be clear, I'm not even remotely fascinated with the VR approach nor with drawing in such an environment /as it is now.

Aside from my impressions and fascinations, I keep hearing R.Bakshi's response to a question about the current animation production and about the future of 2d (paraphrasing):
You have an entire studio at your desk. Why are you not producing more?

IMO, it all boils down to the one holding the pen hence my rooting for this kind of approach. I have firm faith in the new generation of 2d animators and hope for this approach to spark their imagination as well. I'm expecting some fresh interpretation of animation in the time ahead.
herbert123
Posts: 216
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:06 am

Re: Blender New Innovative 2d Animation "GP Tools"

Post by herbert123 »

After watching the wonderful Klaus last Christmas, I am certain 2d (style) animation is going to be just fine.

That Toy Story 4 won the Oscar instead of Klaus is a farce. Disney has a stranglehold on the industry, that's for sure.
herbert123
Posts: 216
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:06 am

Re: Blender New Innovative 2d Animation "GP Tools"

Post by herbert123 »

Another interesting video:
https://www.blendernation.com/2020/02/2 ... nt=item-10

A file download is available to test the Gravity Falls face rig.
User avatar
Greenlaw
Posts: 9192
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 5:45 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Re: Blender New Innovative 2d Animation "GP Tools"

Post by Greenlaw »

Maestral wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2020 2:17 am R.Bakshi's response to a question about the current animation production and about the future of 2d (paraphrasing):
You have an entire studio at your desk. Why are you not producing more?
Speaking for myself of course but my employers would just love that. Sadly, I need to eat and sleep sometimes. (Just kidding. I understand and agree with the intended context.) :)

I am intrigued by of the 2D work I see being done with Blender. I wish I had time to explore it myself.
User avatar
Greenlaw
Posts: 9192
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 5:45 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Re: Blender New Innovative 2d Animation "GP Tools"

Post by Greenlaw »

JaMike wrote: Thu Dec 26, 2019 8:43 pm The upcoming version of PAP is way more interesting to me as a cheap alternative to TVP.
I'm glad to see some actual movement there, at least with their blog announcement. I looked into Animation Paper a few years ago and wondered if it was ever going to come out. Will put an eye on this again.
herbert123
Posts: 216
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:06 am

Re: Blender New Innovative 2d Animation "GP Tools"

Post by herbert123 »

Greenlaw wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2020 6:28 pm I am intrigued by of the 2D work I see being done with Blender. I wish I had time to explore it myself.
Version 2.83 is going to be a major update for 2D animation in Blender. The current version still has some issues with anti-aliasing, for example, and these are resolved in the refactor of Grease Pencil. And Grease Pencil objects will then be fully integrated with lights in the 3d environment.

The drawing feel in the current version is already really, really good. And it is so easy to "sculpt" your lines into new shapes, rather than redrawing an entire frame, so it speeds up the frame-by-frame process as well. And having the full IK tools available to rig these as well - very nice.
herbert123
Posts: 216
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:06 am

Re: Blender New Innovative 2d Animation "GP Tools"

Post by herbert123 »

Interesting. I posted a response on the Toonboom forum mentioning Grease Pencil and Blender's 2d animation capabilities, and they immediately removed the entire thread. I know a number of animation studios have been adopting Blender for 2d animation work, so it makes sense.
User avatar
Maestral
Posts: 531
Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:44 pm
Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Re: Blender New Innovative 2d Animation "GP Tools"

Post by Maestral »

Another interesting approach to GP...
video is on the artist's twitter acc / cli(n)ck here

Don't know about other links but it's worth checking out

/edit/
... and, in fact, there was a YT link -
Post Reply