iPad Animation: Animation Creator HD vs Do Ink vs Animation Desk vs Animation Studio vs PhotoPuppet HD
Animation Creator HD
This app might look basic, but it is an excellent choice for frame-by-frame animation. It includes:
(1) a flexible range of drawing tools
(2) animation layers
(3) image import from photo library
(4) variable frames per second during playback
(5) audio recording
(6) export to online services and email
(7) export of animation frames as still images or video (to photo library)
(6) export to online services and email
(7) export of animation frames as still images or video (to photo library)
It lacks:
(1) audio file import
(2) animation along a path using keyframes
(2) animation along a path using keyframes
Do Ink Animation & Drawing
This app is unique among the animation apps because it is designed to animate along a path when using imported images. This makes it ideal in preparation for computer based animation, such as can be achieved in Hype (Tumult) or Adobe Edge. It is also a good place to experiment with animations that are going to be coded in Xcode. The help system is a good piece of assistance in some of the areas of the app that aren't entirely intuitive at first but soon become second nature. It includes:
(1) animation along a path using keyframes
(2) vector drawing tools
(3) opacity fades
(4) useful help feature
(5) drag and drop one animation into another
(6) ability to add text
(7) animation layers
It lacks:
(1) audio
(2) SVG import (as do the other apps here, but since this includes vector drawing it would be a nice addition)
(3) mixing of drawing and imported images
(4) a range of export options (can only export video to camera roll)
(1) animation along a path using keyframes
(2) vector drawing tools
(3) opacity fades
(4) useful help feature
(5) drag and drop one animation into another
(6) ability to add text
(7) animation layers
It lacks:
(1) audio
(2) SVG import (as do the other apps here, but since this includes vector drawing it would be a nice addition)
(3) mixing of drawing and imported images
(4) a range of export options (can only export video to camera roll)
Animation Desk for iPad
The starting point for the design of this app is skeuomorphism and at times the app seems enslaved to its design. The main thing that got in the way of me enjoying this app was the lack of ability to resize imported images beyond a certain point and also that the tool for stamping images and shapes onto the page was restricted unnecessarily by the placement of icons and the need to move between zoom and desktop modes to get everything done. However, the app does have some great flexibility when it comes to onion-skins and rearranging frames.
It includes:
(1) good onion skin options
(2) drag and drop rearrangement of animation sequences
(3) shape and image tool
(4) traditional animation approach through skeuomorphism
(5) audio recording and sound effects
(6) audio files can be imported through iTunes
(7) good range of export options including PDF
(8) animation layers
lacks
(1) the flexibility in resizing images that Animation Creator HD has
Note: assessment is based on the lite version, which is restricted in the number of animations, frames, and dynamic background images that can be utilized, but in all other areas (except for stamp add-ons?) I believe it to be the same (but please draw my attention to any errors in the comments section).
(1) musical instruments
(2) audio recording
(3) speech cue
(4) extensive range of drawing and manipulation tools
(5) layers
(6) extensive range of export options
It is let down by:
(1) sluggishness
(2) lack of audio import
(1) puppet approach, which saves animation time
(2) attractive interface
(3) ability to add transparency to images from photo library
(4) good range of export options and preferences
(5) freedom to resize images at will
(6) audio recording
lacks
(1) drawing tools
I felt overall that the apps placed too much focus on drawing (with the exception of PhotoPuppet HD), but none of the apps has drawing tools powerful enough to replace vector or bitmap apps like iDraw or Procreate. This means that they aren't suited to the creation of design assets, and they also tend to confine you to an exchange of PNGs through the iPad's photo gallery app, since none can import or export SVGs. It is also rather frustrating that the apps do not allow you to easily import audio and that it must be recorded within each of the apps (with the exception of Animation Desk).
Despite these grievances the apps are still useful tools for casual creation and experimentation, but what I tend to do is to build the assets within a design app (mainly iDraw) and then export as PNGs, so I have them ready for use on the desktop at the end of my experimentation on the iPad.
Audio I leave for the desktop.
It includes:
(1) good onion skin options
(2) drag and drop rearrangement of animation sequences
(3) shape and image tool
(4) traditional animation approach through skeuomorphism
(5) audio recording and sound effects
(6) audio files can be imported through iTunes
(7) good range of export options including PDF
(8) animation layers
lacks
(1) the flexibility in resizing images that Animation Creator HD has
Note: assessment is based on the lite version, which is restricted in the number of animations, frames, and dynamic background images that can be utilized, but in all other areas (except for stamp add-ons?) I believe it to be the same (but please draw my attention to any errors in the comments section).
Animation Studio
Inside this app there are options to do everything from text to drawing to image import, but I found that the time taken to create blank 'cells' ready for drawing or importing images was time-consuming and that overall on a third-generation iPad things could be too sluggish to work quickly. However, in theory the app contains an extensive range of tools that could be used to build an end to end animation if you put the time into it. It benefits from:
(1) musical instruments
(2) audio recording
(3) speech cue
(4) extensive range of drawing and manipulation tools
(5) layers
(6) extensive range of export options
It is let down by:
(1) sluggishness
(2) lack of audio import
PhotoPuppet HD
This app combines frame-by-frame animation with the ability to move objects around in real time and record as you go. This means that objects can have animation such as leg walking that can be combined with movement across the screen. This saves a great deal of animation time once you get the hang of it. It benefits from:(1) puppet approach, which saves animation time
(2) attractive interface
(3) ability to add transparency to images from photo library
(4) good range of export options and preferences
(5) freedom to resize images at will
(6) audio recording
lacks
(1) drawing tools
Conclusion
It is unlikely that you'll be doing end-to-end professional animation on the iPad. However, it is an ideal tool for planning animations.I felt overall that the apps placed too much focus on drawing (with the exception of PhotoPuppet HD), but none of the apps has drawing tools powerful enough to replace vector or bitmap apps like iDraw or Procreate. This means that they aren't suited to the creation of design assets, and they also tend to confine you to an exchange of PNGs through the iPad's photo gallery app, since none can import or export SVGs. It is also rather frustrating that the apps do not allow you to easily import audio and that it must be recorded within each of the apps (with the exception of Animation Desk).
Despite these grievances the apps are still useful tools for casual creation and experimentation, but what I tend to do is to build the assets within a design app (mainly iDraw) and then export as PNGs, so I have them ready for use on the desktop at the end of my experimentation on the iPad.
Audio I leave for the desktop.
Thank you.
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