Overview
This beginner’s guide covers the essential features and workflow of Flipaclip for animation, from project setup to advanced layer effects, culminating in a sample animation process.
Project Setup and Canvas Options
- Press the plus button to create a new project and name it.
- Set canvas background color, import a photo, or use built-in textures.
- Choose canvas size (default 1280x720 recommended) and frames per second (default 12).
Workspace Navigation and Basic Tools
- Use pinch gestures to move and center the canvas.
- Brush tool offers various brush types, thickness, opacity, and color adjustments.
- Eraser tool functions similarly to the brush, with size and opacity controls.
- Lasso (selection) tool allows movement, scaling, perspective adjustment, flipping, and deleting selections.
- Double-tapping the selection tool selects everything in the frame.
Drawing, Coloring, and Color Management
- Bucket tool fills areas with color; adjust threshold for fill quality.
- Pen and bucket tool colors are independent; use the eyedropper to match colors.
- Color selection includes swatches and different UI layouts (wheel, classic, harmony, value).
- Text tool allows font, size, color, and transformation adjustments.
Advanced Drawing Aids and Tools
- Ruler tools provide straight lines, circles, ovals, and squares for precise drawing.
- Mirror tool duplicates strokes symmetrically.
- Copy and paste buttons duplicate selected content or entire frames.
Animation Features and Frame Management
- Onion skin shows previous/next frames for smooth animation.
- Frame viewer displays all frames for easy navigation and management.
- Add in-between frames to smooth movement.
- Frames can be added, copied, deleted, and saved as images.
Layers and Organization
- Access and reorder layers; hide, adjust opacity, and set blending modes.
- Each layer is present across all frames; can be locked, unlocked, copied, or deleted.
- Naming layers is advised for organization, especially as layers persist in every frame.
Audio Integration
- Add, record, lock, and adjust volume for multiple audio tracks.
- Import audio from device or use Flipaclip’s audio library.
- Audio integration supports syncing animation with sound.
Animation Workflow Example
- Begin with rough sketches, refine poses through frame copying and transformation.
- Use references and screenshots for consistency.
- Clean line work is created on a new layer above the rough animation.
- Duplicate linework layer for coloring; use swatches for efficient color fills.
- Fill gaps by hiding linework to spot missed areas.
Effects and Exporting
- Add additional layers for backgrounds, shading, and effects.
- Use layer properties for glow and blending modes.
- Save each element separately for compositing if needed.
- Free version exports with a watermark; paid version allows watermark-free saving.
Recommendations / Advice
- Regularly name and organize layers for smoother workflow.
- Use references to improve animation accuracy.
- Save effects and compositing steps for the final stages to optimize performance.
Questions / Follow-Ups
- Comment with questions for further clarity or tutorial requests.