How to create animation in Synfig (3rd edition)

In this course you will learn how to create 2D animation using Synfig.

Synfig is a free and open-source software available for Windows, Linux and Mac OSX. Do you want to create your own animated movie? Or just animated postcard? Or animation for a game? Synfig can do that for you! You can use Synfig anywhere without limitations - at home, at work or at school.

This course is created for people who would like to learn how to use Synfig in a short time. It equally fits for those who just starting to learn computer animation, as well as for established artists who would like to master cutout technique with the free and open-source software.

The course will guide you from the very basics of application interface to the techniques of creating character animation and some advanced features. The sample files are also included, so you will be able to work alongside with instructor during the course.

Master 2D animation in Synfig

• Learn all basic principles of creating animation of Synfig.
• Build and animate heroes for your animation.
• Learn the basic and everyday animation skills, like face animation and walkcycle.

Cutout (sprite) animation technique

In this course you will learn how to create animation constructed from bitmap images. This approach is called "cutout" or "sprite" technique. Cutout technique is known to be the fastest way to create animation and at the same time it's the easiest way to learn it. Despite it's simplicity, the cutout technique remains very expressive and used by many creators to create exciting animation.

Course contents

• Lesson 1: Getting Started
• Lesson 2: Your first animation
• Lesson 3: Rendering
• Lesson 4: Simple character
• Lesson 5: Keyframes
• Lesson 6: Face animation
• Lesson 7: Bones
• Lesson 8: Skeleton animation
• Lesson 9: Walkcycle
• Lesson 10: Linking files
• Lesson 11: Moving background
• Lesson 12: Parallax effect
• Lesson 13: Converters

Requirements

For this course you will need Synfig version 1.0 or above installed. It is available for download here - http://www.synfig.org/.

Note: This course is not for you if you would like to learn the technique of frame-by-frame (traditional) animation.