Artoonix v1.7 now includes tweening (for registered users) At last, tweening has now been implemented in Artoonix. Although this isn't of the same vector-graphics type as found in, say, 'Anime Studio' , 'Tweenmaker' or 'Express Animator', it works very well, especially for the movement and rotation of objects along straight or curved paths. This saves a HUGE amount of time. When used as a way of morphing between diffent or altered shapes, a ghosting effect usually happens, but this can easily be turned to your advantage and isn't necessarily the problem that you might think it is. AND, of course, there is the inescapable fact that Artoonix offers an extremely powerful entry point into the world of traditional animation at very low cost indeed. Also, with v1.7, several tweaks and improvements have been made to the ways in which files can be selected and re-used (eg: the facility to now easily block-select .ipa files instead of having to check each image one by one). A few users seem to feel hard done by because tweening is only accessible to registered users of Artoonix - but this is surely a selfish and short-sighted view. The cost of registering is very low AND the developers did offer unregistered users the chance to register for v1.7 at a reduced cost for several weeks before it was actually released. This software is, after all, being developed as shareware and as such nobody can justifiably claim that all the most powerful functions should be given away free of charge. And tweening IS a really powerful function in Artoonix. NEGATIVE ASPECTS of Artoonix are increasingly few and it truly is a powerful and comprehensive entry-point into the world and field of computer-based 2D animation. It's a shame that the drawing tools aren't more like vector-style graphics, but once you get used to them, they work very well and are more flexible than you might imagine if you juggle with the opacity and tolerance controls. The one plea I would make is that for anyone who tries and decides to use this program - please add your ideas, opinions and feedback into the Artoonix forum. It is remarkably low on contributors, despite the obvious growth in the program's popularity. » reply to this review
was this review helpful? - report abuse 257 of 509 users found this review helpful
Version 1.8 brings excellent new functions for sound I've already reviewed Artoonix v1.7 and so won't repeat any of that. In version 1.8 some excellent new functions have been added to the sound functions (eg: ability to fade in and fade out whatever section of a track is highlighted; ability to change speed or level and also ability to reverse any section(s) and also mixing-down of tracks. The sound functions of Artoonix were already superb - making it unbelievably easy to synchronise sound with movement without the need for exporting into external editors. These new functions now turn that part of the program into a full sound editing and mixing suite. There are also some other changes to the ways that files are handled. The saving of files has also been modified to make sure that Artoonix is now also compatible with Vista. The only down-side of the program is the fact that only one centre of rotation is provided - but unless you want to work on Creatoon-like cut-out animations, this is no drawback. As an entry-level program into the world of traditional animation it is unbeatable. » reply to this review
was this review helpful? - report abuse 104 of 207 users found this review helpful
ARtoonix is already extremely good and will be excellent I have been using Artoonix for several months and it is MASSIVELY more powerful than you might imagine from the simple 'pony' demo that comes with the download. It's strength is that it can be used for the most basic and simple animations - even to the level of animating scribbles - right up to much more complex work where onion-skinning, imported images and intricate animation can be developed. Even more astounding - the way in which sound (.wav or mp3) can be imported and edited within the program is a revelation. It far outstrips most other animation software in this respect. Don't expect anything as professional as, say, 'Anime Stduio' or 'ToonBoom', but do expect to be surprised and enthusiastic once you start to experiment. Visit the two galleries that can be accessed via the homepage. There you'll find examples of everything from stick-figure and blob animation to much more evolved work. » reply to this review
was this review helpful? - report abuse 264 of 525 users found this review helpful
Is this program still being developed? As of September 10th 2008, Express Animator forum has been offline for weeks. No reponses whatsoever from the developer when emails sent. No news updates since late July '08, at which time it was said that an update MIGHT be ready by December. I advise serious levels of caution if you're thinking of registering it. My advice is to email the developer via the 'Who are we?' part of the website and get his written assurance that the program is still under active development(if you can!). As it stands at the moment, it shows potential but has SERIOUS limitations. (eg: inability to rename or even label layers). » reply to this review
was this review helpful? - report abuse 101 of 202 users found this review helpful
Forget 'easy to use' --- it isn't Promoted as being very easy to use, I'd have to disagree. The interface is REALLY complex and confusing with all sorts of menus and offshoot menus - many of which have complex-looking maths and data elements. Using and animating stock characters IS easy but the creation of new characters and the tutorials that go with that process are both poor and weirdly formatted. Compared to other free or affordable animation software (of which there is a lot), Stickman seems both expensive, unnecessarily complex and idiosyncratic. My advice would be to look elsewhere unless you want a real challenge and have little ambition beyond creating and animating crude stick-figures. » reply to this review
was this review helpful? - report abuse 8 of 15 users found this review helpful
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