sample of curriculum - toon boom...

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Learning Curriculum - Teacher Edition

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Legal Notices
Published by Toon Boom Animation Inc.Corporate Headquarters 5530 St. Patrick, Suite 2210 Montreal, Quebec Canada H4E 1A8 Tel: (514) 278-8666 Fax: (514) 278-2666

toonboom.com

DisclaimerThe content of this manual is covered by a specific limited warranty and exclusions and limit of liability under the applicable License Agreement as supplemented by the special terms and conditions for Adobe® Flash® File Format (SWF). Please refer to the License Agreement and to those special terms and conditions for details.

The content of this manual is the property of Toon Boom Animation Inc. and is copyrighted. Any reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. For additional copies of this manual, please contact Toon Boom Animation Inc. at the Corporate Headquarters address.

Copyright © 2008 by Toon Boom Animation Inc. All rights reserved.

TrademarksToon Boom Pencil Check Pro is a trademark owned by Toon Boom Animation Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CreditsDocumentation Development: Peter Cawthorne

Content Development: Marie-Eve Chartrand. Anouk Whissell

Publication DateJune 2008

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Contents
General Introduction............................................................................................................................. 7The Curriculum ........................................................................................................................................... 8

Teacher Edition Book ........................................................................................................................... 8Student Edition Book ........................................................................................................................... 8The Teaching Modules ......................................................................................................................... 8The Learning Modules .......................................................................................................................... 8

Documentation ........................................................................................................................................... 9Installation and Getting Started Guide ................................................................................................ 9Keyboard Shortcuts .............................................................................................................................. 9User Guide ........................................................................................................................................... 9Online Help .......................................................................................................................................... 9

Information Icons ........................................................................................................................................ 9

How to Use the Curriculum ............................................................................................................ 11Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Modules .................................................................................................... 11Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Outlines .................................................................................................... 11

Basic Training ..................................................................................................................................... 11Complete Training ............................................................................................................................. 11

Prerequisites ............................................................................................................................................. 12Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Requirements ..................................................................................... 12

Lesson Structure ....................................................................................................................................... 12Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 12Objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 12Lesson ................................................................................................................................................. 13

Teacher’s Notes ........................................................................................................................... 13Sample Scenes ............................................................................................................................. 13

Exercises ............................................................................................................................................. 13Learning Curriculum Material Pack - Content .......................................................................................... 14

Module P1: Interface and Capture - Introduction .............................................................. 1Topics Covered ........................................................................................................................................... 1

Module P1: Interface and Capture - Objectives .................................................................. 3Managing the Interface .............................................................................................................................. 3Capturing Animation Sequences ................................................................................................................ 3Importing Bitmap Images ........................................................................................................................... 3

Module P1: Interface and Capture - Lesson........................................................................... 5Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Demonstration ............................................................................................ 6Launching Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro .................................................................................................... 6

Mac OS X .............................................................................................................................................. 6Windows XP ........................................................................................................................................ 6Windows Vista ...................................................................................................................................... 6

Creating and Opening a Scene .................................................................................................................. 7Using the Welcome Screen .................................................................................................................. 7

Creating a Scene using the Welcome Screen ............................................................................... 7Opening a Scene using the Welcome Screen ............................................................................... 8Opening a Recent Scene using the Welcome Screen ................................................................... 8Accessing Tutorials using the Welcome Screen ............................................................................ 8

Using the File Menu ............................................................................................................................. 8Creating a Scene using the File Menu ........................................................................................... 8Opening a Scene using the File Menu .......................................................................................... 8

Menus ......................................................................................................................................................... 9Top Menu ............................................................................................................................................. 9

Copyright © 2008 by Toon Boom Animation Inc. 1

Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum - Teacher EditionD

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Quick Menu (PopUp Menu) ................................................................................................................. 9Views ......................................................................................................................................................... 10

Managing the Views ........................................................................................................................... 11Adding a View .............................................................................................................................. 11Closing a View ............................................................................................................................. 11Swapping Views ........................................................................................................................... 12Restore Default Workspace ......................................................................................................... 12

Toolbars .................................................................................................................................................... 12Managing the Toolbars ...................................................................................................................... 13

Showing and Hiding toolbars ...................................................................................................... 13Moving toolbars to a new location .............................................................................................. 13

Interface Navigation ................................................................................................................................. 14Preferences ............................................................................................................................................... 15

Customizing a Shortcut ...................................................................................................................... 15Setting the Scene Length ......................................................................................................................... 16Capturing .................................................................................................................................................. 17

Capturing From a Live Device ............................................................................................................ 18Capturing From a Progressive Device ............................................................................................... 19

Importing Backgrounds and Other Images .............................................................................................. 22Custom Vectorization Parameters ............................................................................................................ 23Playing Back your Line Test ...................................................................................................................... 24

Playback Toolbar ................................................................................................................................ 24Playback View Bottom Toolbar .......................................................................................................... 25

Module P1: Interface and Capture - Exercises ..................................................................... 11.01 Capturing an Animation Sequence .................................................................................................... 2

Task ...................................................................................................................................................... 21.02 Importing a Bitmap Image .................................................................................................................. 3

Task ...................................................................................................................................................... 3

Module P2: Timing and Xsheet - Introduction...................................................................... 1Topics Covered ........................................................................................................................................... 1

Module P2: Timing and Xsheet - Objectives ......................................................................... 3Columns ...................................................................................................................................................... 3Filling Exposure .......................................................................................................................................... 3Annotation Columns ................................................................................................................................... 3

Module P2: Timing and Xsheet - Lesson.................................................................................. 5Adding Frames ........................................................................................................................................... 6

Adding Frames Before or After a Selection ......................................................................................... 6Adding Frames to the Beginning or End of a Scene ........................................................................... 6

Columns ...................................................................................................................................................... 7Column Types ...................................................................................................................................... 7Creating Drawing Columns ................................................................................................................. 7Columns and Drawing Concept ........................................................................................................... 8Modifying Columns ............................................................................................................................. 9

Ordering Xsheet Columns ............................................................................................................. 9Show and Hide ............................................................................................................................... 9Column Properties ....................................................................................................................... 10

Thumbnail Display .............................................................................................................................. 10Duplicate Columns ............................................................................................................................. 11Column Transparency and Colour .................................................................................................... 11

Changing the Transparency of a Column ................................................................................... 11Changing the Colour of a Drawing in a Column ........................................................................ 12

Filling Exposure ........................................................................................................................................ 13Filling an Exposure Manually .............................................................................................................. 13

2 Copyright © 2008 by Toon Boom Animation Inc.

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Typing Mode ............................................................................................................................... 13Holding Exposure ........................................................................................................................ 14Extending and Dragging Exposure ............................................................................................. 14Increasing and Decreasing Exposure ........................................................................................... 15Creating Cycles ............................................................................................................................ 17
Automated Filling ............................................................................................................................... 18Fill Cells Randomly ....................................................................................................................... 18Fill Selection ................................................................................................................................. 18Sequence Fill ................................................................................................................................ 19

Navigating Between Frames and Columns ............................................................................................. 20Drawing Identification .............................................................................................................................. 21

Identifying Drawings ......................................................................................................................... 21Annotation Columns ................................................................................................................................ 22

Adding an Annotation Column ......................................................................................................... 22Drawing and Typing in the Annotation Column ............................................................................... 23

Drawing in the Annotation Column ............................................................................................. 23Typing in the Annotation Column ............................................................................................... 23Erasing Annotation Column Content ......................................................................................... 23

Changing the Drawing Settings ........................................................................................................ 24Importing an Annotation File ............................................................................................................ 24

Module P2: Timing and Xsheet - Exercises............................................................................. 12.01 Reproducing a Traditional Exposure Sheet ........................................................................................ 2

Task ...................................................................................................................................................... 22.02 Adding Annotations ............................................................................................................................ 3

Task ...................................................................................................................................................... 32.03 Setting the Timing on a Personal Animation ...................................................................................... 4

Task ...................................................................................................................................................... 4

Module P3: Camera, Sound and Render - Introduction ................................................. 1Topics Covered ........................................................................................................................................... 1

Module P3: Camera, Sound and Render - Objectives ..................................................... 3Creating a Camera Move ............................................................................................................................ 3Adding Sound to a Line Test ...................................................................................................................... 3Rendering a Line Test ................................................................................................................................. 3

Module P3: Camera, Sound and Render - Lesson.............................................................. 5Camera ........................................................................................................................................................ 6

Creating a Camera Move ..................................................................................................................... 6Modifying a Camera Move ................................................................................................................... 7

Sound .......................................................................................................................................................... 8Importing a Sound File ......................................................................................................................... 8Playing Back the Sound ........................................................................................................................ 8

Render ........................................................................................................................................................ 9Rendering Images ................................................................................................................................ 9Rendering a Movie ............................................................................................................................. 10

QuickTime Movie with Alpha Channel ....................................................................................... 10Rendering an SWF .............................................................................................................................. 11

Module P3: Camera, Sound and Render - Exercises ........................................................ 13.01 Creating a Camera Move .................................................................................................................... 2

Task ...................................................................................................................................................... 23.02 Adding Sound ..................................................................................................................................... 3

Task ...................................................................................................................................................... 33.03 Rendering ........................................................................................................................................... 4

Task ...................................................................................................................................................... 4



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Module P4: Colour and Animation - Introduction .............................................................. 1Topics Covered ........................................................................................................................................... 1

Module P4: Colour and Animation - Objectives.................................................................. 3Using the Drawing Tools ............................................................................................................................ 3Using the Painting Tools ............................................................................................................................. 3Use the Sound Scrubbing Feature .............................................................................................................. 3

Module P4: Colour and Animation - Lesson .......................................................................... 5Drawing Tools ............................................................................................................................................. 6

Override Tool ....................................................................................................................................... 6Apply Tool to All Visible Layers ........................................................................................................... 7Auto Create Colour Art from Brush ..................................................................................................... 7Brush ..................................................................................................................................................... 7Eraser .................................................................................................................................................... 7Grabber ................................................................................................................................................ 8Grid ...................................................................................................................................................... 8Light Table ........................................................................................................................................... 8Onion Skin ............................................................................................................................................ 9Reposition All Drawings ....................................................................................................................... 9Rotary Table ......................................................................................................................................... 9Select .................................................................................................................................................... 9Zoom .................................................................................................................................................. 10

Drawing Layers ......................................................................................................................................... 11Drawing ..................................................................................................................................................... 12Animation ................................................................................................................................................. 13Detecting Your Lip-sync ........................................................................................................................... 15Painting Tools ........................................................................................................................................... 16

Auto Gap Closing ............................................................................................................................... 16Backlight ............................................................................................................................................. 16Close Gap ........................................................................................................................................... 17Close Gaps ......................................................................................................................................... 17Create Colour Art from Line Art ........................................................................................................ 17Dropper .............................................................................................................................................. 18Paint ................................................................................................................................................... 18Paint Unpainted ................................................................................................................................. 18Show Strokes ...................................................................................................................................... 18Stroke ................................................................................................................................................. 19Unpaint ............................................................................................................................................... 19

Dirt Clean Up ............................................................................................................................................ 20Remove Art Inside Selection .............................................................................................................. 20Remove Art Outside Selection ........................................................................................................... 20Remove Dirt ....................................................................................................................................... 21

Colour Art Filling Zones ............................................................................................................................ 22Colours ...................................................................................................................................................... 23

Adding and Modifying a Colour Swatch ............................................................................................ 23Painting ..................................................................................................................................................... 25

Painting Process ................................................................................................................................. 25Verification ................................................................................................................................................ 26Importing a Colour Model ........................................................................................................................ 27

Loading a Colour Model .................................................................................................................... 27Painting With a Colour Model ............................................................................................................ 27


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Module P4: Colour and Animation - Exercises ..................................................................... 1
4.01 Designing a Character ........................................................................................................................ 2Task ...................................................................................................................................................... 2

4.02 Painting an Animation Sequence ........................................................................................................ 3Task ...................................................................................................................................................... 3

4.03 Animating a Walk Cycle ...................................................................................................................... 4Task ...................................................................................................................................................... 4

4.04 Breaking down and Animating a Lip-Sync .......................................................................................... 5Task ...................................................................................................................................................... 5

Reference: Animation Glossary ...................................................................................................... 1The Terms ................................................................................................................................................... 1

Alpha Channel ...................................................................................................................................... 1Animatic ............................................................................................................................................... 1Aspect Ratio ......................................................................................................................................... 1Background .......................................................................................................................................... 1Bitmap .................................................................................................................................................. 1Camera Shake ...................................................................................................................................... 1Caption ................................................................................................................................................. 1Clean Up ............................................................................................................................................... 1Cut ........................................................................................................................................................ 2Cut-out Animation ................................................................................................................................ 2Cycle ..................................................................................................................................................... 2Dialogue ............................................................................................................................................... 2Ease / Velocity ...................................................................................................................................... 2Establishing Shot .................................................................................................................................. 2Exposure ............................................................................................................................................... 2Fade In / Fade Out ............................................................................................................................... 2Field ...................................................................................................................................................... 2Field chart ............................................................................................................................................. 2Flipping ................................................................................................................................................ 3Frame ................................................................................................................................................... 3Frame Rate ........................................................................................................................................... 3Ink and Paint ......................................................................................................................................... 3Interpolation ......................................................................................................................................... 3Jump Cut .............................................................................................................................................. 3Key ........................................................................................................................................................ 3Keyframe .............................................................................................................................................. 3Layer ..................................................................................................................................................... 3Layout ................................................................................................................................................... 3Library ................................................................................................................................................... 4Light Table ............................................................................................................................................ 4Model / Colour Model ......................................................................................................................... 4Multiplane ............................................................................................................................................ 4Nudge .................................................................................................................................................. 4Onion Skin ............................................................................................................................................ 4Overlay ................................................................................................................................................. 4Palette / Master Palette ....................................................................................................................... 4Pan ........................................................................................................................................................ 4Panel ..................................................................................................................................................... 4Paperless Animation ............................................................................................................................. 4Pivot ..................................................................................................................................................... 5Rendering ............................................................................................................................................. 5Resolution ............................................................................................................................................. 5Rigging ................................................................................................................................................. 5



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Rotary Table ......................................................................................................................................... 5Roughs .................................................................................................................................................. 5Safety Area ........................................................................................................................................... 5Scene .................................................................................................................................................... 5Script .................................................................................................................................................... 5Sequence .............................................................................................................................................. 5Shot ...................................................................................................................................................... 5Slugging ............................................................................................................................................... 5Template .............................................................................................................................................. 6Thumbnails ........................................................................................................................................... 6Time Code ............................................................................................................................................ 6Timeline ................................................................................................................................................ 6Traditional Animation ........................................................................................................................... 6Transition .............................................................................................................................................. 6Underlay ............................................................................................................................................... 6Vector ................................................................................................................................................... 6Workspace ............................................................................................................................................ 6


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General Introduction
Welcome to the Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum - Teacher Edition.

This comprehensive document and its supplied training material, provide you with the tools to teach the students in your class to successfully and confidently use Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro.

Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro is an easy and complete solution for verifying traditional animation sequences. With Pencil Check Pro you can capture your drawings in many ways including: camera, scanner and bitmap image import. It is even possible to paint your drawings and correct them. Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro also includes camera motion planning and annotation columns in your digital exposure sheet.


Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum - Teacher Edition General IntroductionD

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The CurriculumThe Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro consists of:

• Teacher Edition

• Student Edition

The layout of both books and the module structure contained within is the same.

Teacher Edition BookThis is the document which you will use as a primary resource to teach your students. It has all the teaching modules required to take your students from the basic introduction to final production of an animation using Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro. The Teacher Edition has notes and information specifically dedicated to you the educator, as well as guidelines and suggestions which will aid in the teaching of Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro.

The Teacher Edition also contains Objectives Modules which are not contained in the Student Edition.

Student Edition BookThis is the students primary resource. It is a duplicate of the Teacher Edition, but only contains material specific to the student. The Student Edition cannot be used alone as the student requires the educator to provide information contained in the Teacher Edition.

The Teaching ModulesThese teaching modules are included in the Teacher Edition book.

• Module P1: Interface and Capture• Module P2: Timing and Xsheet

• Module P3: Camera, Sound and Render

• Module P4: Colour and Animation

Each teaching module contains the following:

• Introduction

• Objectives (These are only provided in the Teacher Edition)• Lesson

• Exercises

The Learning ModulesThese learning modules are included in the Student Edition book.

• Module P1: Interface and Capture• Module P2: Timing and Xsheet

• Module P3: Camera, Sound and Render

• Module P4: Colour and Animation

Each learning module contains the following:

• Introduction

• Lesson

• Exercises


General IntroductionD

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DocumentationThe following documents are available for Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro and are provided either with the software or included on the product cd in PDF format. You can use these documents to further enhance your teaching experience and the students learning experience:

Installation and Getting Started GuideThis provides program installation and launching instructions and the basics of how to start your line-test.

Keyboard ShortcutsContains a description of the keyboard shortcuts, their purpose, how to customize them and also how restore default shortcuts.

User GuideFind out about: launching Pencil Check Pro, managing the interface, capturing image sequences, importing bitmap images, setting timing, modifying the exposure sheet, adding annotation columns, drawing, animating, colouring, adding a camera motion, playing sound and rendering.

Online HelpThis is available through the software from the Main menu.

Information IconsThese icons provide you with useful information to help you improve your work skills. You will find these information icons throughout the Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum documentation and the Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro User Guide:

Icon Information Provided

Watch this video tutorial

Tips and tricks

Work smarter


Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum - Teacher Edition General IntroductionD

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How to Use the Curriculum
This Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum embodies a large amount of material which can be used in several ways. This section explains how to use the curriculum and is divided into the following topics:

• Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Modules

• Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Outlines

• Prerequisites• Lesson Structure

• Learning Curriculum Material Pack - Content

Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro ModulesThe Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum is divided in four lessons. Each lesson is equivalent to one class. The Lesson Structure topic below explains more how each lesson should be organized.

There are four lessons in the Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum:

• P1: Interface and Capture• P2: Timing and Xsheet

• P3: Camera, Sound and Render

• P4: Colour and Animation

Refer to the software’s User Guide for more detailed information on the lesson content.

Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro OutlinesToon Boom Pencil Check Pro is a complete line testing solution that can be used for several different workflows. Some courses or students may be required to cover only the basic or the entire software. That is why this Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum is divided in modular lessons.

Here are the recommended outlines for Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro:

Basic TrainingThe Basic Training covers all the modules:

1. P1: Interface and Capture

2. P2: Timing and Xsheet

3. P3: Camera, Sound and Render

Complete TrainingThe Complete Training covers all the modules:

1. P1: Interface and Capture

2. P2: Timing and Xsheet

3. P3: Camera, Sound and Render

4. P4: Colour and Animation


Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum - Teacher Edition How to Use the CurriculumD

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PrerequisitesEach module requires the completion of the previous one before the students can start the module.

Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro RequirementsHere are the Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro requirements:

Lesson StructureThe Curriculum is straightforward and easy to use. Each Teaching module is self-explanatory and contains notes and information specifically for the teacher as well as guidelines and suggestions which will aid in the teaching of Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro. These teaching aids are only included in the Teacher Edition.

Each teaching module is laid out as follows:

• Introduction

• Objectives

• Lesson• Exercises

The Student Edition has Learning modules, these are identical to the teaching modules but only contain material specific to the student.

Each learning module is laid out as follows:

• Introduction

• Lesson

• Exercises

IntroductionThe Introduction provides a brief summary of what is contained in the module, the topics covered, the proposed exercises

ObjectivesOnly available in the Teacher Edition. The Objectives lay out the purpose of the module and what is expected to be attained by the students on completion of this module.


How to Use the CurriculumD

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LessonThe Lessons explain how and what you should prepare and the tasks the students must undertake to successfully complete the module.

Teacher’s NotesIn the Lesson and Exercises chapters, the teacher will encounter notes related to the teaching of the particular module. These Teacher’s Notes are identified by the following icon:

Sample ScenesIn the Lesson chapter, the teacher will encounter notes related to what sample scene or template to use of the particular topic. All the sample material is found in the Pencil_Check_Pro_Learning_Material_Pack provided with this Learning Curriculum. These Sample Scenes notes are identified by the following icon:

ExercisesThe Exercises provide a hands-on practical learning experience for the students.



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Learning Curriculum Material Pack - Content The Learning Curriculum Material Pack is required by both the teacher and the students as it includes all of the necessary material required for the suggested exercises.

A list of suggested practice exercises is provided with the Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum.

The package is called: Pencil_Check_Pro_Learning_Material_Pack it contains the following:

• PencilCheckPro_Demonstration.movA Pencil Check Pro demonstration video.

• Bitmap ImagesA series of bitmap images with and without an alpha channel.

globe-1.psdvolcano-2.psdbitmap_image_001.pngbitmap_image_002.pngbitmap_image_003.pngbitmap_image_004.pngbg-1.tga

• CameraCamera_MoveA complete sample scene ready for a camera move.Camera_Move_CompletedA complete sample scene showing the completion state of a camera move.

• CaptureA series of sample animations in different file formats ready for import.

Bat_Black_White_240dpi_PNGsBat_Greyscale_300dpi_PNGsButterfly_300dpi_SCANsFelin_300dpi_SCANsLippy_200dpi_TGAs

• DrawingDrawingA sample scene ready for a drawing demonstration.Line-art_Colour-artA sample scene ready for the line-art and colour-art layers demonstration.

• Extra_DocumentationA PDF file containing extra information on how to use the annotation columns.

Using_Annotation_Columns.pdf• Ink_and_Paint

Colour ModelTwo colour models ready for an import in the model view.Ink-and-PaintA sample scene ready for a ink and paint demonstration.Ink-and-Paint_CompletedA sample scene showing the completed state of the ink and paint process.

• MovieAn example of a rendered line-test project in QuickTime movie file format.

Render_Completed.mov


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• Paperless_AnimationLip-SyncA sample scene ready for lip-sync animation demonstration.Lip-Sync_CompletedA sample scene showing the completion state of a lip-sync animation.PaperlessAnimation_HorseA sample scene showing an example of a paperless animation.

• SoundCamera_Sound_CompletedA sample scene showing the completion state of a scene containing a camera movement and sound.Welcome.wavA sample dialogue sound file ready for import.Wing_Flap.wavA sample sound file ready for import.

• XsheetXsheet.pdfDigital sample of an exposure sheet ready to be reproduced in Pencil Check Pro.Xsheet.xlsDigital sample of an exposure sheet ready to be reproduced in Pencil Check Pro.xsheet_annotation_004.pngA bitmap annotation sample ready to be imported in an annotation column.



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Module P1: Interface and Capture -
Introduction

The Teacher Edition of the Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum contains several modules.

In this module you will find the following:

• Module P1: Interface and Capture - Objectives

• Module P1: Interface and Capture - Lesson• Module P1: Interface and Capture - Exercises

Topics CoveredThe Interface and Capture module covers the following topics:

• Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Demonstration• Launching Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro

• Creating and Opening a Scene

• Menus• Views

• Toolbars

• Interface Navigation• Preferences

• Setting the Scene LengthSetting the Scene Length

• Capturing• Importing Backgrounds and Other Images

• Custom Vectorization Parameters

• Playing Back your Line Test

The proposed exercises are:

• 1.01 Capturing an Animation Sequence

• 1.02 Importing a Bitmap Image


Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum - Teacher Edition Module P1: Interface and Capture - IntroductionD

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Module P1: Interface and Capture -
Objectives

The objectives of the Interface and Capture module are to have the students become proficient in:

• Managing the Interface• Capturing Animation Sequences

• Importing Bitmap Images

These objectives are summarized in the sections below.

Managing the InterfaceThe students must know how to:

• Locate and use each menu in the software• Locate and use each toolbar in the software

• Organize the workspace

• Navigate in the views

Capturing Animation SequencesThe capture process is a central point in the software. It is very important that the student understands how to import animation sequences in the software by the end of the class.

The student should know how to import the images, but not to set their timing yet. This will be covered in a later module.

Importing Bitmap ImagesThe students must know how to:

• Select and import bitmap images and pictures created in external software.


Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum - Teacher Edition Module P1: Interface and Capture - ObjectivesD

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Module P1: Interface and Capture - Lesson
In this lesson you will learn about Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro’s interface and capturing images.

The goal of this lesson is to teach the students how to use Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro’s interface, import an animation and become familiar with the software.

This lesson covers the following:

• Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Demonstration

• Launching Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro

• Creating and Opening a Scene• Menus

• Views

• Toolbars• Interface Navigation

• Preferences

• Setting the Scene Length• Capturing

• Importing Backgrounds and Other Images

• Custom Vectorization Parameters• Playing Back your Line Test

The proposed exercises are:

• 1.01 Capturing an Animation Sequence

• 1.02 Importing a Bitmap Image

This lesson shows how to import an animation into the software. Some image sequences are provided in the sample material package, but it is recommended that the students capture or import their own animation. Prior to the class, the students should create a traditional animation on paper to test in Pencil Check Pro during the class.

Video tutorials are available to demonstrate most of the step-by-step lessons. It is recommended to watch them before the lesson.


Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum - Teacher Edition Module P1: Interface and Capture - LessonD

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Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro Demonstration

Launching Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro

Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro is an easy and complete solution for verifying traditional animation sequences. With Pencil Check Pro you can capture your drawings in many ways including: camera, scanner and bitmap image import. It is even possible to paint your drawings and correct them. Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro also includes camera motion planning and annotation columns in your digital exposure sheet.

Before you can check any of your animation you must open Pencil Check Pro.

Mac OS XTo open Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro:

Double-click the Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro icon or select Applications > Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro > Pencil Check Pro.

Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro opens, displaying the Welcome Screen.

Windows XP To open Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro:

Double-click the Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro icon or select Start > Programs > Toon Boom Animation > Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro.


Windows VistaTo open Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro:

Double-click the Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro icon or select Start > Programs > Toon Boom Animation > Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro.


To get familiar with Pencil Check Pro, the students should watch the demonstration video to get a good overview of the software’s capabilities. The video should be watched prior to the lesson.

Load the PencilCheckPro_demonstration.mov video.

To demonstrate the whole lesson, use the blank scene you will create during this lesson.


Module P1: Interface and Capture - LessonD

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Creating and Opening a SceneNow that Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro is open, the first step is to create a new scene.

All Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro scenes are independent and kept locally on your computer.

There are two ways to create a new scene:

• Using the Welcome Screen

• Using the File Menu

Using the Welcome ScreenWhen you open Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro, the Welcome Screen appears. You can create a scene from the Welcome Screen.

Creating a Scene using the Welcome ScreenTo create a scene from the Welcome Screen:

1. To select the Project Directory location, browse the files by clicking on the Choose button.

2. In the Project Name field, type the scene’s name.

3. In the Field Size field, choose the scene’s field size, which is the actual paper size and not the field in which the scene is animated.

4. In the Resolution window, select the scene’s resolution or click on the Add button to add a new resolution to the list.

In the Resolution Name field, name your new resolution.In the Width field, type the resolution width in pixels.In the Height field, type the resolution height in pixels.In the Frame Rate field, type the scene’s frame rate in frames per second.

5. Click on the Create button.

If a scene is already open, select Help > Show Welcome Screen.



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Opening a Scene using the Welcome ScreenTo open a scene from the Welcome Screen:

1. In the Recent Scenes section, click on the Open Scene option.

The Open Scene dialog box opens.

2. Browse and select the *.pencilCheck file.

3. Click on the Open button to open the scene.

Opening a Recent Scene using the Welcome ScreenTo open a recent scene from the Welcome Screen:

In the Recent Scenes section, select a scene from the list of recent scenes.

Accessing Tutorials using the Welcome ScreenTo access the tutorials:

In the Tutorial section, click on the tutorial that you want to view.

Using the File MenuIf a scene is already opened and you want to create a new one, use the File menu.

Creating a Scene using the File MenuTo create a scene from the File menu:

1. Select File > New or click on the New button. The default keyboard shortcut is [Ctrl]+[N] (Windows) or [ ]+[N] (Mac OS X).

The New Scene dialog box opens.

2. In the Project Name field, type the name of the new project.

3. Select a scene directory by clicking on the Choose button.

4. In the Field Size field, choose the scene’s field size.

NOTE:

This is the actual paper size and not the number of the field in which the scene is animated.

5. In the Resolution window, select the scene’s resolution or click on the Add button to add a new resolution to the list.

6. Click on the Create button.

The new scene is created.

Opening a Scene using the File MenuTo open a scene from the File menu:

1. Select File > Open or click on the Open button. The default keyboard shortcut is [Ctrl]+[O] (Windows) or [ ]+[O] (Mac OS X).

The Open Scene dialog box opens.

2. Browse to the scene file.

3. Click on the Open button.

The new scene opens.



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Menus

For this section, watch the Interface video.

The user interface (UI) has two menu types:

• Top Menu

• Quick Menu (PopUp Menu)

Top Menu

The top menu remains in the same location whichever workspace is used. The menu contains all of the commands and features available in Pencil Check Pro and provides access to them.

Quick Menu (PopUp Menu)Each view has a quick menu containing recurring actions. The Quick Menu is accessed by right-clicking (Windows) or [Ctrl]+Click (Mac OS X) anywhere in the view.

Refer to the User Guide to learn about the menus command functionality.

For the Menus section, just give a general explanation of the different menus and how to access them. There are no hands-on step-by-step lessons.

Windows

Mac OS X



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Views


For more information about the different views, refer to the User Guide.

• Colour ViewThe Colour view is used to create and modify colours. The Colour view is necessary when you draw and paint.You can create and delete colours using the Colour view buttons.

Adds a new colour to the palette.

Deletes a colour from the palette.• Drawing View

The Drawing view is used to see the images, and to draw and paint. At the bottom of the Drawing view there is a toolbar which you can use to switch between the various display modes.

Resets the view rotation, zoom and panning to the default values.

Resets the view rotation.

Displays only the Line Art (layer) from a drawing.

Displays only the Colour Art (layer) from a drawing.

Displays both Line and Colour Art (layers) from a drawing.In Preview Line and Colour Art mode you can edit the selected Line or Colour Art. To apply both layers to the art, you need to enable the Apply Tool to All Visible Layers option.

• Model ViewThe Model view is used to display colour models from which you can pick colours and refer to while painting. You can load any Pencil Check Pro vector drawing (*.tvg file) from a directory or directly from your scene.At the bottom of the Model view there is a toolbar which you can use to reset the view rotation, zoom and panning.

Resets the view rotation, zoom and panning to the default values.

Resets the view rotation.• Pen View

The Pen view is used to adjust the brush and eraser’s maximum and minimum size by moving the sliders.



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• Playback ViewThe Playback view is used to playback your line test as a final image result with anti-aliasing. You can also use the Playback view to create your lip-sync mouth chart using the sound scrubbing feature.At the bottom of the Playback view there is a toolbar which you can use to add a preroll, display the final image or the matte, scrub through your scene and detect your sound.

Displays the final image with anti-aliasing.

Displays the drawings matte shape instead of the final image.

Adds a series of black frames at the playback starts.

Indicates if the playlist is ready or out-of-date.• Xsheet View

In the Xsheet view, you can create columns, add frames, create and expose drawings. The Xsheet displays the drawings exposure. You can also add sound, annotation columns and plan basic camera moves.By default, the Xsheet view, has two drawing columns, A and BG, as well as 24 frames.

Managing the ViewsThis section explains how you can modify the location and accessibility of the views by adding a new view as a tab or as a window, you can also swap the view locations around.

• Adding a View• Closing a View

• Swapping Views

Any workspace modifications you do are automatically saved when you exit the application.

Adding a View To add a view:

Select the view you want to add from Window > The desired view.

The new view appears.To dock a floating window in your workspace, drag the window’s tab onto one of the workspace’s views.

Closing a ViewTo close a view:

1. In the view to close, click on the Close View button.

If you have several tabs in the same window, hold [Shift] down and click on the Close View button to close all tabs at once.



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Swapping Views To swap views around:

1. Select the view tab and drag it onto one of the view’s separators, top area or onto another view’s tab.

2. When a rectangle outline appears showing an available location for the view, release the mouse button and drop the view tab into position.

Restore Default WorkspaceTo restore the default workspace:

Select Window > Restore Default Workspace.

ToolbarsPencil Check Pro has different toolbars that let you quickly access the most common features. These toolbars are located above the views and menus.

For more information about the different toolbars, refer to the User Guide.

The toolbars are:

• Drawing Tools Toolbar The Drawing Tools toolbar contains all the drawing tools necessary for you to draw and paint with.

• Edit ToolbarThe Edit toolbar contains the tools necessary to Undo and Redo actions. It also provides access to an action history list by clicking on the small downwards arrow to the side of the Undo or Redo buttons.

• File ToolbarThe File toolbar contains the tools necessary to create, open and save scenes. You can also capture and import images.

• Playback ToolbarThe Playback toolbar contains the tools necessary to playback your animation and navigate through your frames. You can also enable the sound scrubbing option.

• Xsheet Tools ToolbarThe Xsheet Tools toolbar contains the tools necessary to add and remove columns, modify a drawing’s exposure, identify drawings and create a camera move. By default, it is located in the Xsheet view.




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Managing the ToolbarsYou can reposition the toolbars to a location which suits your work style or you can hide the ones which you do not use.

• Showing and Hiding toolbars• Moving toolbars to a new location

Showing and Hiding toolbars To show or hide a toolbar:

1. Select View > Toolbars > the desired toolbar.

2. Select View > Toolbars > Line Up to align all of your toolbars.

Moving toolbars to a new location To move a toolbar:

1. Select the toolbar you want to move and drag it into a view toolbar area or into another position in the top or side interface toolbar area.

2. When a rectangle outline appears showing an available location for the toolbar, release the mouse button and drop the toolbar into position.



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Interface Navigation


Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro supports zoom in, zoom out, rotate, pan and reset view position for easy navigation of the interface.

• Zoom In: Zooms into the view. Use the keyboard shortcut [2].

• Zoom Out: Zooms out of the view. Use the keyboard shortcut [1].• To Zoom In and Zoom Out: Hold down [Spacebar] and your middle mouse button while moving the

mouse up or down.• To Pan the view: Hold down the keyboard shortcut [Spacebar] and drag your mouse in the direction

you want to pan the view.• To Recentre the view: Click on the keyboard shortcut [N] to recentre the view on your mouse cursor.

• Reset View: Resets the view to its default position. Use the keyboard shortcut [Shift]+[M].

• Reset Rotation: resets the view’s rotation to its default position. Use the keyboard shortcut [Shift]+[X].• Reset Pan: Resets the view’s pan to its default position. Use the keyboard shortcut [Shift]+[N].

• Reset Zoom: Resets the view’s zoom to its default position. Use the keyboard shortcut [Shift]+[Z].

• Toggle Full Screen: Enlarges the selected view to full screen. The full screen process is done in three stages. Use the keyboard shortcut [Ctrl] + [F] (Windows) or [ ] + [F] (Mac OS X).

First, the selected view enlarges to the maximum width or height, but keeps the tool views such as Colour or Pen. Second, the view enlarges to full screen. Third, the view returns to its original size.



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Preferences

The Preferences panel is where you can set a number of options for working with Pencil Check Pro.

To open the Preferences panel:

1. Select Edit > Preferences (Windows) or Pencil Check Pro > Preferences (Mac OS X).

The Preferences panel opens.

Preferences are organized by tabbed category:

• Shortcuts Use the Shortcuts tab to customize existing shortcuts and to add new ones.

• General

• Exposure Sheet Use the Exposure Sheet tab to change the Xsheet behaviour.

• Drawing Use the Drawing tab to affect the Drawing view behaviour.

• Export Use the Export tab to edit the time code settings.

Customizing a ShortcutTo set a shortcut:

1. In the left window, select the command to modify.

Click on the shortcut rectangle (above the right window).

2. On your keyboard, click on the desired shortcut.

3. Click on the OK button.

The students should not be required to know all of the preferences available in the panel. They only need to be aware that they can be modified to suit their way of working.



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Setting the Scene LengthTo capture your images, you need to first launch Pencil Check Pro and create a scene. Once your scene is opened, you will need to set your scene length by adding the proper amount of frames.

For this section, watch the Capture video.

To set the set scene length:

1. Select Scene > Set Scene Length.

The Set Scene Length dialog box opens.

2. In the Number of Frames field, type the number of frames needed.




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Capturing


To create your line test, you can capture your animation sequences and drawings in several ways. You can capture using TWAIN scanners, production scanners, cameras, web cam, bitmap image import, etc.

Once all of the animation layers are imported in Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro, you can proceed to set the timing in the digital exposure sheet.

To capture drawings and images in Toon Boom Pencil Check Pro, you need a supported device such as a camera or a scanner. Your device needs to be installed before launching Pencil Check Pro. Follow the device manufacturers instructions on how to install the device.

The supported devices are divided in two general categories:

• Live Devices

• Progressive Devices

Live devices display the image in real-time, examples are: webcam or video camera.

Here is a list of the main supported technologies:

• Direct Show (Windows)

• QuickTime (Mac OS X)With these technologies, you can capture images using:

Web CamDV CameraHDV CameraAnalog to Digital Capture CardAs well as any other device using the technologies above.

Progressive devices display the image after a scan process such as TWAIN scanners or SCSI scanners.

You do not need to cover the supported devices during the class.

You can also choose to only teach one of the capture method; progressive device or live device.

To demonstrate the capturing step, use either one of your own traditional animation sequence or use a print out of one of the following sample image sequences:

• Capture > Bat_Black_White_240dpi_PNGs

• Capture > Bat_Greyscale_300dpi_PNGs• Capture > Butterfly_300dpi_SCANs

• Capture > Felin_300dpi_SCANs

• Capture > Lippy_200dpi_TGAs

If ever you cannot print these sequences, import them via the Import Drawing feature.



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Here is a list of the main supported technologies:

• WIA (Windows)

• Image Capture (Mac OS X)

• Production Scanner with Proprietary Drivers

• TWAINWith these technologies, you can capture images via:

Production ScannerFlatbed ScannerUSB Digital Still CameraUSB Digital Still ScannerDigital Capture CardUSB Video Converter

As well as any other device using the technologies above.

Capturing From a Live Device

Pencil Check Pro allows you to capture your drawing sequences via several live devices.

Live devices display the image in real-time, examples are: web cam or video camera.

You can use the default Xsheet columns to capture your images. If ever you need to add extra columns, refer to the P2: Timeline and Xsheet module for more information.

The Capture command will not be available unless you select a column in the Xsheet view.

To capture your images with a camera:

1. In the Xsheet view, select the cell or column header in which you want to import your captured images.

2. Select File > Capture. You can also click on the Capture button. The default keyboard shortcut is [S].

3. The Capture dialog box opens.

4. In the Device tab, select your camera or live device in the Device field.

5. In the Peg field, indicate the peg holes location.

6. In the Device tab, enable or disable the Flip Drawing option to mirror the drawings horizontally and capture them this way.

7. Click on the Configure button to access and adjust your device’s parameters via its own configuration panel.

8. In the Adjustment tab, set the type of capture you want in the Type field.Black and White: The system will capture your drawings as black and white zones.Grey: The system will capture your drawings as greyscale images.Colour: The system will capture your drawings as colour images.

9. In the Adjustment tab, set the following capture parameters:If you selected a Colour capture, adjust the Gamma and Luma. If you selected a Grey capture, adjust the Luma, Black and White.If you selected a Black and White capture, adjust the Luma and Threshold.



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The Luma parameter transforms bright zones in an image into transparent areas. Decreasing the luma value causes darker zones to become transparentThe Threshold parameter increases or decreases the amount of information kept from the original drawing by keeping only the darker zones.The Black and White parameters increases or decreases the amount of information kept and the contrast of your lines by turning to white the lighter zones and to black the darker ones.The Gamma parameter controls the luminosity and contrast of your drawing colours in a nonlinear way. The black zones and white zones will mainly remain as they are as the in-between colour values will be increased or decreased.

10. In the Vectorization section, choose the desired vectorization style:Black and White: This style vectorizes your drawings as a solid black line.Grey: This style vectorizes your drawings as a mix of vector contour and greyscale bitmap filling.Colour: This style vectorizes your image as a bitmap texture within a vector frame.

Custom: This allows you to create your own custom vectorization parameters via the Vectorization Parameters interface.The Vectorization Parameters dialog box opens automatically once you select this option.

For more information about the custom vectorization parameters, refer to the User Guide.

11. If desired, in the Drawing Name field, type the drawing to capture’s name.

12. If desired, in the Hold Value field, type the number of frames that the drawing will be exposed.

13. Enable the Capture and Advance option if, every time you press the Capture button you want to move to the next cell, instead of overwriting the current one.

14. Click on the Capture button to record the image.

15. If you have more than one drawing, set the next drawing in place and press the Capture button again.

16. Repeat the previous steps until the capture is completed.

17. Once the entire capture is completed, click on the Close button.

Your drawings are now available in the exposure sheet.

Capturing From a Progressive Device

Pencil Check Pro allows you to capture your drawing sequences via several scanners and progressive devices.

Progressive devices are the devices that will display the image after a scan process such as TWAIN scanners or SCSI scanners.

You can use the default Xsheet columns to capture your images. If ever you need to add extra columns, refer to the Exposure Sheet chapter for more information.

The Capture command will not be available unless you select a column in the Xsheet view.



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To capture your images with a Scanner:

1. In the Xsheet view, select the cell or column header in which you want to import your captured images.

2. Select File > Capture. You can also click on the Capture button. The default keyboard shortcut is [S].

The Capture dialog box opens.

3. In the Device tab, select your scanner or progressive device in the Device field.

4. In the Source tab, select if you want to scan from the scanner’s flatbed or auto-feeder.

5. In the Resolutions tab, select the scan resolution that you want to capture your drawings at.

6. In the Fields field, choose if the animation is done on 12-field or 16-field paper size.

7. In the Peg field, indicate the location of the peg holes.

8. In the Device tab, enable or disable the following options:Flip Drawing: Enable this option to mirror the drawings horizontally and capture them this way.Optical Registration: Enable this option to get the system to automatically encounter the peg holes and align them properly as the drawings are captured.

9. Click on the Configure button to access and adjust your device’s parameters via its own configuration panel.

10. In the Adjustment tab, set the type of capture you want in the Type field.Black and White: The system will capture your drawings as black and white zones.Grey: The system will capture your drawings as greyscale images.Colour: The system will capture your drawings as colour images.

11. Always in the Adjustment tab, set the following capture parameters:If you selected a Colour capture, adjust the Gamma and Luma. If you selected a Grey capture, adjust the Luma, Black and White.If you selected a Black and White capture, adjust the Luma and Threshold.

The Luma parameter transforms bright zones in an image into transparent areas. Decreasing the luma value causes darker zones to become transparentThe Threshold parameter increases or decreases the amount of information kept from the original drawing by keeping only the darker zones.The Black and White parameters increases or decreases the amount of information kept and the contrast of your lines by turning to white the lighter zones and to black the darker ones.The Gamma parameter controls the luminosity and contrast of your drawing colours in a nonlinear way. The black zones and white zones will mainly remain as they are as the in-between colour values will be increased or decreased.

12. Click on the Preview button, to make a test-scan and visualize the parameters adjusted in the previous step.


Custom : This allows you to create your own custom vectorization parameters via the Vectorization Parameters interface.The Vectorization Parameters dialog box opens automatically once you select this option.


14. If desired, in the Drawing Name field, type the drawing to capture’s name.

15. If desired, in the Hold Value field, type the number of frames that the drawing will be exposed.

16. Enable the Capture and Advance option if every time you press the Capture button you want to move to the next cell instead of overwriting the current one.

17. Click on the Capture button to record the image.



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18. If you have more than one drawing, set the next drawing in place and press the Capture button again.If you are scanning panoramic drawings, in the Page Panning section, move the slider to the next letter to capture your next frame.

19. Repeat the previous steps until the capture is completed.

20. Once done, click on the Close button.

Your drawings are now available in the exposure sheet.



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Importing Backgrounds and Other Images

You can also import backgrounds and other images into Pencil Check Pro. For example, if your backgrounds were painted in a third-party software, you can import them using the Import Drawings command and retain the colours. On the other hand, if you have drawings that were drawn or scanned in a third party software, you can import them and vectorize them as black and white, greyscale, colour, background or custom settings.


You can use the default Xsheet columns to import your images. To add extra columns, refer to the Exposure Sheet chapter for more information.

To import images via the Import Drawings command:

1. In the Xsheet view, select the cell where you want to import your drawing.

2. Select File > Import > Drawings. You can also click on the Import Drawings button in the File toolbar.

The Browser opens.

3. Select the image or image sequences you want to import.

4. Click on the Open button.

The Import Drawings dialog box opens.


Custom :This allows you to create your own custom vectorization parameters via the Vectorization Parameters interface.The Vectorization Parameters dialog box will opens automatically once you select this option.



The imported drawings are now available in the Xsheet view.

To demonstrate the image import process, use one of the bitmap images included in the following folder:

• Bitmap_Images

You can also import bitmap animation sequences this way.



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Custom Vectorization Parameters

Pencil Check Pro offers a wide variety of vectorization parameters, using these parameters you can import your drawings the way you want to. The most common parameters are accessible through the user interface, while the most advanced ones are accessed by typing the values into an advanced field.


Use the Vectorization Parameters dialog box to control the final vector output of the drawings you are scanning or importing.

To open the Vectorization Parameters dialog box:

1. Select File > Import > Drawings.

2. Select the drawings to import and set the Vectorization field to Custom.

3. Click on the Custom button.

The Vectorization Parameters dialog box opens.

Vectorize arrow button: Click on this button to manually update the Vectorized Image preview.

The vectorized image is just a preview. The actual vectorization occurs when you click on the OK button in the Import Drawings dialog box.

It is not necessary to show this section unless the students want to customize their import. They can use the default settings. If the class is moving rapidly, you can spend time showing them how to use the vectorization interface.



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Playing Back your Line Test Once you have captured your images and established your timing, you can verify your animation by performing a quick render in the Playback view, this will let you see your scene playing in real time. The Playback view is used to playback your line test as a final image result with anti-aliasing. You can also use the Playback view to create your lip-sync chart using the sound scrubbing feature.

For this section, watch the Playback video.

Refer to the Chapter 9 Camera and Sound chapter to learn more about Sound Scrubbing and Lip-Sync.

To playback your line test in Playback view:

1. Open your Playback view.

2. Click on the Play button in the Playback toolbar a first time to play your scene.

The Load dialog box opens.

In the Playback bottom toolbar, the Playlist Status icon notifies you whether the playlist is Ready or Out-dated.

Ready: When the playlist is ready, the system will not refresh the frames the next time you press the Play button.Out-dated: If changes occur in the scene, the playlist will become out-dated and the system will refresh the frames when the Play button is pressed.

Playback Toolbar • Press the Play button to play the animation forward.

• Press the Play Backward button to play the animation backward.

• Press the Stop button to stop the playback.

• Press the Loop button to repeat your playback indefinitely.

• Press the First Frame button to jump to the first frame.

• Press the Last Frame button to jump to the last frame.

• Press the Sound button to enable sound in the playback.

• Press the Sound Scrubbing button to enable sound scrubbing in the playback.• Scroll through the playback’s frames using the Jog Frames right and left arrows.

• Enter new values in the Start and Stop fields to change the range of frames to be played back.

• Enter a new value in the fps field to change the speed of the playback.



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Playback View Bottom Toolbar• Scroll through the playback’s frames using the Frame Slider.

• Check the Preroll check box to enable the Preroll option and enter the quantity

of blank frames to be added at the start of the playback in the Preroll field.

• Press the Matte/Image buttons to view the playback as a matte or as the final image.

• The Playlist Status Icon notifies you whether the playlist is Ready or Out-dated.

• The Scale indication in the Playback bottom toolbar, indicates the ratio of the playback size you are currently viewing in relation with the scene’s real size.



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Module P1: Interface and Capture - Exercises
The recommended exercises for the Interface and Capture module are:

• 1.01 Capturing an Animation Sequence• 1.02 Importing a Bitmap Image

The example material required is:

• Capture > Bat_Black_White_240dpi_PNGs• Capture > Bat_Greyscale_300dpi_PNGs• Capture > Butterfly_300dpi_SCANs• Capture > Felin_300dpi_SCANs• Capture > Lippy_200dpi_TGAs

After the first class, the students should watch the following videos to review what they have just learned:

• Interface

• Capture• Playback

Distribute the following material to the students:

• Capture > Bat_Black_White_240dpi_PNGs• Capture > Bat_Greyscale_300dpi_PNGs

• Capture > Butterfly_300dpi_SCANs

• Capture > Felin_300dpi_SCANs• Capture > Lippy_200dpi_TGAs

• Bitmap_Images


Pencil Check Pro Learning Curriculum - Teacher Edition Module P1: Interface and Capture - ExercisesD

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1.01 Capturing an Animation Sequence

This exercise refers to the following section in the Module P1 Lesson:

• Setting the Scene Length• Capturing

TaskCapture a traditional animation sequence you created prior to the class or use one provided by the teacher.

To capture your animation sequence:

1. Prepare the animation sheets.

2. Make sure the capturing device is connected.

3. Create a new Pencil Check Pro scene.

4. Capture and import your animation sequence.

5. Save the scene.


Module P1: Interface and Capture - ExercisesD

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1.02 Importing a Bitmap Image

This exercise refers to the following sections in the Module P1 Lesson:

• Importing Backgrounds and Other Images

TaskImport a bitmap image as a background, use one of the images provided by the teacher or use one of your own.

To import your image:

1. Create a new scene.

2. Set the scene length.

3. Import your background image.


sample of curriculum - toon boom...

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