Expert: Luke O'Donnell - 10/6/2005

Question
Hi There,
I would just like to make sure that I understand how 2D computer software has helped 2D animation.  Am I right in saying that all these Disney animated features are still hand drawn frame by frame, and then they are scanned into the computer and colored in and touched up using the software.  My understanding is that each frame is still hand drawn.
Is this correct?
I have a 2D animation software package and I just want to confirm that I need a lightbox etc for hand drawn work.
Many Thanks,
Joel  

Answer
Hi Joel

Its been a while scince I was at Disney so I can't speak for their recent system of doing computer assisted animation. There is several systems used and several programs used. You can develop nearly all your work without the use of the lightbox and pencil these days. Software such as ToonBoom, US Animation, Flash and Moho have revolutionised how we develop content. A great place to start understanding the process is at www.cartoonsmart.com .

You should use a lightbox to develop your character in different poses and lip configurations, scan or photograph them, trace them back in the software and finaly colour and animate them.

hope this helps and sorry about the long sentences.

Luke.