Little Summary

This semester, in preparation for my thesis, I set out to investigate the various manifestations of cutout animation, and the methods used to create this look. As a part of this exploration, I opted to do a hands on comparison of 3 software packages that I was considering using for my thesis project: Flash, After Effects, and XSI.

I started with a simple animation that I had created in Flash using bitmap animation, and used that as the template to create similar versions in the other two packages. After creating the three animated loops that I've posted on this blog, I made simple and necessary discoveries that helped me figure out a flexible workflow to accomplish the look I want for my thesis film, as well as a method that will facilitate working in stereo.

On the most basic level, Flash seems like the most simple software to jump into for bitmap animation, but it's simplicity is it's downfall for cutout animation. The major shortfall of flash for cutout is the inability to parent objects...a feature available in both AE and XSI. The other limitation of Flash that is innate to both AE and XSI is the ability to create a 3D space, with lighting and camera options. And the final straw that ruled out Flash for my thesis film is there is no way to do stereoscopy.

As a long time Adobe user, in terms of comfortable workflow, AfterEffects was far more user friendly than XSI. I was able to put together the cutout animation far more quickly than using Flash, and add some depth using the 2.5D feature of AE. I really liked the look, however, the shortfall for AE was the inability to give the illusion of depth necessary to make it feel like a real piece of cardboard or wood.

XSI seems to be the best option for me to model the objects, and characters for my Thesis project. Not only can I create characters with a little bit of depth along the z axis, but I also learned of sophisticated lighting options from Daniel that will help me achieve the tinted film look I'd like. XSI also exports camera moves, and render passes that can ultimately be composited in After Effects with stereo video, and stop motion.

It's been an invaluable period of research and experimentation.