Anatomy of a Synfig Animation - Revision history

D.j.a.y: /* What about layers */ Intra links

2013-08-20T14:37:53Z

‎What about layers: Intra links

Zelgadis: Text replace - "{{Category|NewTerminology}}" to "{{NewTerminology}}"

2013-05-20T07:42:15Z

Text replace - "{{Category|NewTerminology}}" to "{{NewTerminology}}"

D.j.a.y: Terminology Updated

2013-02-05T09:28:57Z

Terminology Updated

D.j.a.y: Change "what about layers" to level 2 paragraph

2012-11-29T23:58:15Z

Change "what about layers" to level 2 paragraph

D.j.a.y: Add "what about layers" level 1 paragraph

2012-11-29T23:56:48Z

Add "what about layers" level 1 paragraph

DeanBrettle: Replaced with word-smithed version of text posted to forum by Genete

2012-04-03T18:23:02Z

Replaced with word-smithed version of text posted to forum by Genete

Show changes

DeanBrettle: /* Summary */ Frame -> page. Simplified wording a bit.

2012-04-01T23:35:08Z

‎Summary: Frame -> page. Simplified wording a bit.

DeanBrettle: /* Synfig determines parameter values using waypoints, interpolation, or other parameter values */ More paragraph breaks and frame->page.

2012-04-01T23:28:56Z

‎Synfig determines parameter values using waypoints, interpolation, or other parameter values: More paragraph breaks and frame->page.

DeanBrettle: /* Synfig draws frames according to instructions called layers */

2012-04-01T23:20:25Z

‎Synfig draws frames according to instructions called layers

DeanBrettle: /* Paste Canvas layers allow trees of layers to be constructed */

2012-04-01T22:54:54Z

‎Paste Canvas layers allow trees of layers to be constructed

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 == What about layers ==
-There are two types of layers: Primitive and Filters. Primitives, such as shapes and gradients, produce content based on their own parameters. Filter layers, such as {{l|Blur Layer|Blur}} and {{l|Rotate Layer|Rotate Layers}}, produce content based on their own parameters and on the context of the layer. The context of a layer is the rendered result of the layers that are stacked behind it.
+There are two types of layers: {{l|Primitive Layer|Primitive}} and {{l|Filter Layer|Filters}}. Primitives, such as shapes and gradients, produce content based on their own parameters. Filter layers, such as {{l|Blur Layer|Blur}} and {{l|Rotate Layer|Rotate Layers}}, produce content based on their own parameters and on the context of the layer. The context of a layer is the rendered result of the layers that are stacked behind it.
 There is one special kind of layer that is called a {{l|Group Layer}}. It is a folder-like layer that uses the rendered result of all the layers in another canvas. The other canvas can be:

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 [[Category:Manual]]
 [[Category:Unverified]]
-{{Category|NewTerminology}}
+{{NewTerminology}}
 <!-- Page info end -->

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 [[Category:Manual]]
 [[Category:Unverified]]
 <!-- Page info end -->
 Before attempting to use Synfig Studio to create an animation, it is worthwhile to get a basic understanding of what a Synfig animation is, the names of its various parts, and how the parts fit together.
-Synfig files are called "documents" or simply animation source files in the wiki. Synfig can use these files to "render" the frames in an animated GIF or a video.
+Synfig files are called {{Literal|documents}} or simply animation source files in the wiki. Synfig can use these files to {{Literal|render}} the frames in an animated GIF or a video.
-In each Synfig document there must be at least one canvas (called the root canvas). A canvas is defined by the default width and height of the rendered frames, the default frequency for sampling the contents of the canvas when rendering (the frames per second), the animation duration (start and end times), other parameters, and a stack of layers that are combined on the canvas to render each frame.
+In each Synfig document there must be at least one canvas, called the root canvas. A canvas is defined by the default width and height of the rendered frames, the default frequency for sampling the contents of the canvas when rendering (the frames per second), the animation duration (start and end times), other parameters, and a stack of layers that are combined on the canvas to render each frame.
 == What about layers ==
-There are two types of layers: Primitive and Filters. Primitives, such as shapes and gradients, produce content based on their own parameters. Filter layers, such as blur and rotate layers, produce content based on their own parameters and on the context of the layer. The context of a layer is the rendered result of the layers that are stacked behind it.
+There are two types of layers: Primitive and Filters. Primitives, such as shapes and gradients, produce content based on their own parameters. Filter layers, such as {{l|Blur Layer|Blur}} and {{l|Rotate Layer|Rotate Layers}}, produce content based on their own parameters and on the context of the layer. The context of a layer is the rendered result of the layers that are stacked behind it.
-There is one special kind of layer that is called a Paste Canvas layer. It is a folder-like layer that uses the rendered result of all the layers in another canvas. The other canvas can be:
+There is one special kind of layer that is called a {{l|Group Layer}}. It is a folder-like layer that uses the rendered result of all the layers in another canvas. The other canvas can be:
 * the root canvas of another document,
 * an internal separate canvas, called an "exported canvas", that can be used at several different places in the same document,
 * an exported canvas in another document, or
-* an "inline canvas" that takes the default definitions (dimensions, frames per second, etc.) inherited from the canvas containing the Paste Canvas layer
+* a {{l|Group Layer}} that takes the default definitions (dimensions, frames per second, etc.) inherited from the canvas containing the Group layer
-All the layers inside the canvas held by a Paste Canvas Layer, are called children layers of the Paste Canvas layer.
+All the layers inside the canvas held by a Group Layer, are called Children Layers of the Group Layer.
-The Context of a layer is defined by the canvas where it lives. It is the rendered result of layers that are behind it. If the layer is a child of a Paste Canvas layer, its context is the sibling layers (i.e. other children of the same Paste Canvas layer) which are behind it.
+The context of a layer is defined by the canvas where it lives. It is the rendered result of layers that are behind it. If the layer is a child of a Group Layer, its context is the sibling layers (i.e. other children of the same Group Layer) which are behind it.
-Treated as a layer, a Paste Canvas is like a "super layer". Its rendered result is based on its context, parameters, and the rendered result of its children.
+Treated as a layer, a Group Layer is like a "super layer". Its rendered result is based on its context, parameters, and the rendered result of its children.
-The layers of a canvas are used for the entire duration of the canvas. In other words, the same layers are used to render all frames. However, each layer can be animated by the animation of its parameters. The animation of a parameter is determined by a list of 'waypoints' associated with the parameter. Each waypoint defines the value of the parameter value at a certain time. Synfig automatically interpolates parameter values between waypoints.
+The layers of a canvas are used for the entire duration of the canvas. In other words, the same layers are used to render all frames. However, each layer can be animated by the animation of its parameters. The animation of a parameter is determined by a list of {{l|Waypoint|Waypoints}} associated with the parameter. Each waypoint defines the value of the parameter value at a certain time. Synfig automatically interpolates parameter values between waypoints.
-Many types of layers have a parameter called the "blend method" parameter. The blend method defines how a layer is combined with its context. The default blend method, composite,
+Many types of layers have a parameter called the {{l|Blend Method Parameter}}. The Blend Method defines how a layer is combined with its context. The default Blend Method, {{Literal|Composite}}, effectively places the layer in front of its context, letting the context show through only where the layer is transparent. However, there are other blend methods that do other effects like masks, shading, etc.
 effectively places the layer in front of its context, letting the context show through only where the layer is transparent. However, there are other blend methods that do other effects like masks, shading, etc.
 To summarize, when Synfig renders an animation from a Synfig document it renders each frame using the layers in the root canvas and their interpolated parameter values.

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 In each Synfig document there must be at least one canvas (called the root canvas). A canvas is defined by the default width and height of the rendered frames, the default frequency for sampling the contents of the canvas when rendering (the frames per second), the animation duration (start and end times), other parameters, and a stack of layers that are combined on the canvas to render each frame.
-= What about layers =
+== What about layers ==
 There are two types of layers: Primitive and Filters. Primitives, such as shapes and gradients, produce content based on their own parameters. Filter layers, such as blur and rotate layers, produce content based on their own parameters and on the context of the layer. The context of a layer is the rendered result of the layers that are stacked behind it.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:56, 29 November 2012
Line 11:		Line 11:

	In each Synfig document there must be at least one canvas (called the root canvas). A canvas is defined by the default width and height of the rendered frames, the default frequency for sampling the contents of the canvas when rendering (the frames per second), the animation duration (start and end times), other parameters, and a stack of layers that are combined on the canvas to render each frame.		In each Synfig document there must be at least one canvas (called the root canvas). A canvas is defined by the default width and height of the rendered frames, the default frequency for sampling the contents of the canvas when rendering (the frames per second), the animation duration (start and end times), other parameters, and a stack of layers that are combined on the canvas to render each frame.
		+
		+	= What about layers =

	There are two types of layers: Primitive and Filters. Primitives, such as shapes and gradients, produce content based on their own parameters. Filter layers, such as blur and rotate layers, produce content based on their own parameters and on the context of the layer. The context of a layer is the rendered result of the layers that are stacked behind it.		There are two types of layers: Primitive and Filters. Primitives, such as shapes and gradients, produce content based on their own parameters. Filter layers, such as blur and rotate layers, produce content based on their own parameters and on the context of the layer. The context of a layer is the rendered result of the layers that are stacked behind it.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:35, 1 April 2012
Line 69:		Line 69:
	== Summary ==		== Summary ==

−	To summarize, a ~~list~~ of layers with their time-varying parameter values, are the drawing instructions that taken together with a flip book ~~containing some number of pages~~ make up a canvas. The time-varying parameter values are interpolated between waypoints or computed from other parameter values. The values of the parameters for a particular ~~frame~~ determine the ways that the layers ~~create the image for~~ that ~~frame, one step at a time~~. There are many kinds of layers, including layers that draw shapes ~~on the image~~, rotate the ~~image~~, or blur the ~~image~~, and parameter values control things like the position and colors of shapes, and the amount an image is rotated or blurred. There are also ~~layers called Inline Canvas or Pasted~~ Canvas layers which can ~~create~~ a ~~frame in~~ a ~~different animation and blend that frame~~ into ~~the~~ the current ~~frame~~. These layers allow ~~simple animations~~ to be ~~combined into very~~ complex ~~ones~~.	+	To summarize, a stack of layers with their time-varying parameter values, are the drawing instructions that, taken together with a flip book, make up a canvas. The time-varying parameter values are interpolated between waypoints or computed from other parameter values. The values of the parameters for a particular page determine the ways that the layers draw that page. There are many kinds of layers, including layers that draw shapes, rotate the page, or blur the page, and parameter values control things like the position and colors of shapes, and the amount an image is rotated or blurred. There are also Paste Canvas layers which can blend a page from a diffent canvas into the current page. These layers allow us to create a tree of layers which can be used to create complex animations.

@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 == Synfig determines parameter values using waypoints, interpolation, or other parameter values ==
-When drawing a particular frame, Synfig needs to determine the values of all of the parameters for all of the layers at the frame's time within the animation. If we want we can set the value directly for a particular frame. This establishes a '''waypoint''' for the value at that frame's time. The waypoint ensures that the parameter will have the specified value at the specified time. Of course, directly specifying the value for each frame is not practical. To avoid this, we can let Synfig '''interpolate''' the value based on the surrounding waypoints. There are a variety of interpolation methods from which to choose. The default interpolation method causes the parameter value to pass smoothly through the waypoints.
+As mentioned earlier, Synfig uses exactly the same stack of layers to draw on every page of a flip book. The only thing which changes from one page to another is the values of the layer parameters.
-Parameter values can also be specified in more advanced ways. We can indicate that a parameter value should always be the same as some other parameter value. The most common example of this occurs automatically when drawing a shape with the Draw tool. Drawing a single shape can create two layers, an outline layer which draws the outline of the shape and a region layer which fills the interior of the shape. The points which the outline of the shape goes through are parameters of both layers and they are normally linked to each other so that changing one will also change the other. Other values can be shared between parameters in a similar way through a process called Exporting and Connecting. In more advanced scenarios, a parameter can be one of many types of computed parameters. Computed parameters calculate their values based on one or more other parameter values.
+When drawing a particular page, Synfig needs to determine the values of all of the parameters for all of the layers at the page's time within the animation. If we want we can set the value directly for a particular page. This establishes a '''waypoint''' for the value at that page's time. The waypoint ensures that the parameter will have the specified value at the specified time.
 == Summary ==
 To summarize, a list of layers with their time-varying parameter values, are the drawing instructions that taken together with a flip book containing some number of pages make up a canvas. The time-varying parameter values are interpolated between waypoints or computed from other parameter values. The values of the parameters for a particular frame determine the ways that the layers create the image for that frame, one step at a time. There are many kinds of layers, including layers that draw shapes on the image, rotate the image, or blur the image, and parameter values control things like the position and colors of shapes, and the amount an image is rotated or blurred. There are also layers called Inline Canvas or Pasted Canvas layers which can create a frame in a different animation and blend that frame into the the current frame. These layers allow simple animations to be combined into very complex ones.

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 It is easy to see that drawing a rectangle and then drawing a circle will produce the same result as stacking a transparent sheet containing a circle on top of a transparent sheet containing a rectangle. So in this case it doesn't matter whether we think of layers as instructions or transparent sheets. So how are Synfig's layers different from transparent sheets?
-First, although a transparent sheet could contain many shapes, a Synfig layer can not. In Synfig, each shape is drawn by separate layer. In fact, Synfig even considers the outline and interior region of a shape to be separate shapes, so they are drawn by separate layers.
+First, although a transparent sheet could contain many shapes, a Synfig layer cannot. In Synfig, each shape is drawn by separate layer. In fact, Synfig even considers the outline and interior region of a shape to be separate shapes, so they are drawn by separate layers.
 Second, there are many types of layers that don't act like transparent sheets at all. These types of layers are sometimes called filter layers or effect layers. For example, a blur layer blurs the page, and a rotate layer rotates the page. Layers always act on the page as it was left by the layers lower in the stack. So a rotate layer on top of two rectangle layers will rotate the page containing the rectangles. It won't rotate each of the rectangles in place.
-Third, layers have '''parameters'''. Each type of layer has its own set of parameters. Layers which draw shapes have parameters such as the center and radius of a circle or the list of points that a curve goes through. A layer which rotates the page has a parameter for the angle of rotation. A layer which blurs the page has a parameter for the amount to blur it. As we'll see in the next section, we can control what value Synfig should use for these parameters when it draws each page.
+Third, layers have '''parameters'''. Each type of layer has its own set of parameters. Layers which draw shapes have parameters such as the center and radius of a circle or the list of points that a curve goes through. A layer which rotates the page has a parameter for the angle of rotation. A layer which blurs the page has a parameter for the amount to blur it. Synfig uses exactly the same stack of layers to draw on every page of a flip book. The only thing which changes from one page to another is the values of the parameters. In a later section, we'll see how Synfig Studio allows us to control what parameter values to use when it draws each page.
 Fourth, even shape layers don't always act like transparent sheets. Many types of layer, including shape layers, have a "blend method" parameter. To understand how it works it is easiest think about what these layers do as a two step process. First, they create a new transparent page, separate from any flipbook. For example, a circle layer creates a page with a circle on it. Next, they combine the new page with the current page through a process called '''blending'''.

@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 The blend method parameter value controls how each pixel in the current page will be changed based on the color and transparency of that pixel and the pixel at the same location in the new page. There are many blend methods to choose from. The default is the composite blend method. It effectively places the new page on top of the existing page, letting the existing page show through only where the new page is transparent. This is why shape layers act like transparent sheets by default. However, other blend methods can have very different effects. As an extreme example, the Behind blend method effectively places the new page ''under'' the existing page. So a layer with a Behind blend method will actually appear to be ''under'' all of the layers that are below it in the stack.
-== Paste Canvas layers allow trees of layers to be constructed ==
+== Paste Canvas layers allow us to create trees of layers ==
 There is one more way that Synfig layers are more like instructions than transparent sheets. There is a type of layer called a Paste Canvas layer that can blend a page from another flipbook (i.e. a canvas) into the current page. We can use Paste Canvas layers to build a complex canvas out of simpler canvases. Each of the simpler canvases has its own stack of layers, and the layers of a canvas only control the drawing of the pages in that canvas.