Cel Animation Shape

Create Frame by Frame animation.

Common Attributes +

Time - by default is connected to the comps Time attribute.

Onion Skinning - when enabled the frames before or after the current frame are visible in the viewport (ghosted).

Pre Steps - set how many previous frames to preview.

Pre Tint - set the color for the Steps.

Frame tools:

  • Clear Key - create a blank keyframe or clear the contents of an existing keyframe.

  • Copy to Next - copy the contents of the current frame, move the timeline forward one frame and paste the contents into it.

Example usage:

  1. Click the Cel Animation Shape icon in the Shelf.

  2. Draw in the Viewport with the Pencil tool (auto selected).

  3. Move forward one frame (cmd/ctrl + right arrow).

  4. Draw again.

  5. Repeat steps 3-4!

When you create a new frame in Cel you are literally drawing a new shape every frame, not animating paths. You can copy one frame to another and then move points but each frame is a new 'drawing' and can have completely unique artwork including multiple paths if required.

If a frame is left empty it is considered a 'hold frame' and the previous frame containing any shape information will be drawn. If you want actual blank frames then you need to create one. See Clear Key above.

The rule is...

If a frame has a keyframe then draw the contents of that frame,. If not, then draw the contents of the closest previous frame with a keyframe.

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