Smith Micro Animation Tools at Comic-Con

 July 2012 – As the graphics world has shifted to computers for the basis of their art, a large variety from low cost entry level tools, to high priced commercial enterprise class tools for the cinema and TV industry have entered the market. Smith Micro has been a long time player in this market, and has lead at the mid to low end price point, while offering commercial enterprise quality tools.

Smith Micro Manga Studio EX 4

At the show, they were showing results from and the new version of Manga Studio EX 4.0  . This product is the current industry leader for the Manga and Comic industry for a drawing and coloring tool. The software supports a full pen tablet interface and simplifies common tasks such as 2D image conversion to line and tone data and importing and rendering 3D objects into line and tone data. The new version simplifies Manga design new a new story editor, vector tool kit, enhanced color set, additional word balloons, new brushes, and new mesh transformations.

Smith Micro Anime Studio 8

They were also demonstrating Anime Studio Pro 8 which is their new version of their graphics product that is an alternative to time-consuming, frame-by-frame animation. Designed for content creators, Anime Studio is targeted to creative users who need to produce film, video and online media quickly and with a low learning curve. The product includes designs for fully rigged characters with multiple views, walk cycles, expressions and more movements. A library of dozens of pre-designed components, purchasable and user created and reusable actions are supported to enhance the creation process. The current version has a real time media connection allowing imported media files that are edited in their native applications to be automatically recognized and updated within Anime Studio. The product (version 7) has been enhanced to be available in English, French and German versions, it is anticipated that the V8 will also be enhanced in the near term.

Smith Micro Motion Artist

Their highlight in the booth was the launch of their Beta version of Motion Artist. Designed for the digital comic and presentation market, this tool allows for a simplified interface to allow already created objects (such as characters and backgrounds from Poser, ASP8, and MSEX4 to be imported and integrated into real time motion and action. It is not a tweening tool, rather it is a true motion tool that brings timing visualization to preciously created objects. The nature of the tool – available for free download – allows for creativity in business and story board creation and timing well beyond the capabilities of a Power Point solution and with an ease of use that is better and faster to learn that most dedicated story-boarding tools.

Wacom Cintiq 24HD Touch Interactive Pen Display

All of these products are currently available for both PC and Mac. The show had the products demonstrated with the Wacom Cintiq 24HD Touch screen interactive pen tablet display. This display appeared on the show floor in over 90% of the animation and graphics software being shown, and where it did not appear, the stations featured a standard display and a Wacom Intuos interactive pen tablet.