Animating in Procreate is a fun and intuitive process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Set Up Your Canvas
- Open Procreate and create a new canvas.
- Choose a size appropriate for your animation (e.g., 1920×1080 for HD).
2. Enable Animation Assist
- Tap the Actions menu (wrench icon) in the top-left corner.
- Go to the Canvas tab.
- Toggle on Animation Assist. This adds a timeline at the bottom of your screen.
3. Understand the Timeline
- Each frame is represented as a layer in the timeline.
- Tap a frame to edit it.
- Use the Add Frame button to create new frames.
4. Draw Your Frames
- Draw on each frame to build your animation.
- Use the Onion Skin feature (in the Animation Assist settings) to see previous and next frames for reference.
- Adjust the opacity and number of onion skin frames for better visibility.
5. Adjust Frame Settings
- Tap a frame to access options like:
- Hold Duration: Makes a frame last longer.
- Duplicate Frame: Copies the current frame.
6. Set Animation Properties
- Go to the Animation Assist settings (tap the wrench icon > Animation Assist).
- Choose Loop, Ping-Pong, or One Shot for playback style.
- Adjust frame rate (frames per second) to control the speed.
7. Add Backgrounds and Foregrounds
- Backgrounds: Create a layer below all animation frames for a static background.
- Foregrounds: Create a layer above all animation frames for static elements like logos or titles.
8. Preview Your Animation
- Tap Play in the Animation Assist toolbar to preview your work.
9. Export Your Animation
- Go to the Actions menu (wrench icon) > Share.
- Choose a format:
- Animated GIF: For short, looping animations.
- Animated MP4: For high-quality videos.
- PNG Sequence: For individual frames.
- Animated HEVC: For higher-quality looping videos.
10. Tips for Better Animations
- Keep it simple: Start with short animations to get the hang of the process.
- Use layers wisely: Organize your frames and assets for easier editing.
- Experiment with brushes: Different brushes can add unique textures and effects.
Let me know if you’d like detailed tips on any specific part of the process!
