Hello everyone. This article explains how to animate using Ibis Paint X and FlipAClip. I have written another article on animating with just FlipaClip in 4 steps, https://greystokeyproductions.com/animate-in-4-steps-with-flipaclip/. However, this article explains how to animate something in FlipaClip that you have drawn in Ibis Paint X.
Draw
First, draw something in Ibis Paint X. Make sure it’s not too complex because you’ll have to draw it multiple times to make multiple frames later on. If re-drawing is difficult, you can duplicate the layer of your drawing and edit each duplicate to make the frames. Your frames can be already colored, or just line-art.
How to Make Frames
There are two options to make frames. The first one is to select your original drawing layer then lower the opacity by dragging your finger across the opacity bar in the layers tab. Then tap the + in the bottom left corner of the layers tab in Ibis Paint X to add a new layer. Re-draw your original drawing, but change something a little. For example, close the eye or move an ear or add a smile to your character. Whatever movement your decide on will occur over numerous frames, so each drawing/layer should only be slightly different.
The second option is what I prefer to do, which is to duplicate the first layer multiple times, then edit each duplicated layer as you go. This option does not include re-drawing. Turn off visibility of the original layer by tapping the eye symbol.
Save Layers as Photos
Go to the layers tab with all of the layers visible. This may look weird, but each layer will be individually saved as an image. Select a layer, and go to the three dots in the corner of the layers tab. Then select “Save layer as transparent PNG”. This will save an image of the layer to the camera roll. Repeat for however many layers you have. Make sure all the layers have been saved as images. Tap the eye icon to make already saved layers not visible so you don’t get confused.
Send to FlipaClip
Now it’s time to bring the layers into FlipaClip. Make a new FlipaClip project, and make sure you have enough frames for each image. Tap the three dots in the upper right corner of the FlipaClip project area, and tap “Add Image”. This will allow you to add things from your camera roll into the FlipaClip project. Tap the option, then select “Photo Library” and select the images you would like to add. You will need to insert the images one at a time.
Color the Frames
If you already colored the frames in Ibis Paint X, you can skip this step. However if you have not, here is how to color. Go to the layers in FlipaClip, select the first layer and swipe to the left. Some options will appear that allow you to lock, duplicate or delete the layer. The lock option allows you to lock the layer, the two pages option allows you to duplicate, and the trash can allows you to delete the layer. You can duplicate the layer, and color one version of the layer, for each frame. You can use the brush tool, or bucket tool to color. Be sure to keep colors consistent, unless one of the points of the animation is a change in color.
Double Check
Check and make sure the resulting animation is what you want. If not, edit while in FlipaClip instead of going back to Ibis Paint X. But if you prefer going back to Ibis Paint X, that is fine too.
I hope you enjoy learning how to animate with Ibis Paint X. I’ll “see” you in our virtual art world again very soon!