Xtranormal
This is a tool called Xtranormal. It is another animation tool that I have discovered.
There are many different uses for this tool. What I'm going for is creating animated characters and adding voice overs. Then using a green screen background removing the green screen and placing any background I want to behind the animated character.
The process was somewhat annoying inside of Xtranormal. Although this is a great web 2.0 tool and I will definitely use it I'm looking more for real live looking face animations. I did find one called Alterego but it was only pc based, that sucks. Anyway like I was saying annoying, not difficult but annoying. It took awhile to figure out how to export it out of Xtranormal into a file I can import into Adobe After Effects. Once I figured this out game was on.
Adobe After Effects
Once in After effects I use what's called keylight to remove the green background. Then I imported a picture file and used it as a background.
Once this process is done I'm able to export out of After Effects and place anywhere I want to. The possibilities are endless with this type of technology and creativity. What I will eventually use this process of animation for is when creating e-leaning environments for professional development the use of an animated character will give a more dynamic and engaging layer to the whole presentation.
I can vision many uses for this type of animating, for instance lets say we are creating a series for some type of specific procedure and we have shot the video for the project. Let's say the video is great but there is a specific part of the video that needs enhanced and demonstrated more. First we can create an animated character to pop in over the video an explain the need for this emphasis and now the lesson will be directed in a different way for awhile. At this point the character goes away and the video stops and the lesson may go to some type of flash animation to demonstration in further detail the procedure. Again when the enhanced demonstration is complete the animated character will pop back in and give the learner some new options, two of which will be to go back and review what was just went over or to continue back to the original video.
There are many uses for this type of animation. Looking forward to implementing it very soon.
David,
ReplyDeleteAwesome choice. I should say, as I selected the same. You traveled the path that I wanted to, but I got scared and stayed in safe territory.
I found in the help area that you could use the green screen and then export the film into iMovie and use the Chroma Key. However, I didn't want to go all the way and realize I had problems. The directions never stated, that once published I could go back and change my background if the Green Screen failed. So, I didn't try...
This time.
I'm so glad you did and had it work. I also really liked the quality of your voice over work. I tried with my little girl, but had some sound difficulties. Nice work.
Kudos to you.
Mrs. Gruber