Tutorial on cutting out the frames

Right here is a tutorial showing exactly what I am doing to the frames so that me and Pucknell can do this tomorrow without compromising continuity.

 1. First thing is batch editing the photos and upping the contrast so that the lines are easier to cut out later. Open any of the images from the exported sequence

 2. From the window tab select Actions

 3. Name the action, in this case contrast and brightness.

 4. The action should now be recording, if not then press record, go to image and Brightness/Contrast

 5. Play with the settings until the lines are prominent enough for easy viewing. This also helps photoshop distinguish which shapes are wanted.

 6. Whilst still recording save the image where the new corrected sequence will be needed later. This is not a true save but serves to automate the save settings whilst doing batch editing as otherwise each individual image still needs its settings refined before each save.

 7. High Quality Jpeg is perfect and produces manageable file sizes and is more than high enough resolution for our final dv output. Naming is actually not necessary here just be sure not to overwrite your original image.

8. This is where you need to give the eventual sequence its folder. Make sure it is a new save location and is not the same as the batch source as this will course problems with double exposure to the action resulting in dark frames and strobing.

9. Set all settings to highest Quality.

10. At this point you can delete the file you just saved as it will be redone in the batch. I personally think this is a good idea although I doubt anything bad will come of ignoring this step.

11. Go to file - Automate and select Batch...

12. Here you need to select you source folder. The dragon folder is ideal and holds the original high quality images.

13. Select or create the destination folder (we've already done this)

 14. Select 'Override Action "Save As" Commands'. This means that each image will be saved according to the settings we recorded in the original action. Saves a lot of pressing enter. Choose a naming convention and numbering system. We have fairly self explanatory scenes so naming is fine and we have no scenes with frames reaching the thousands so + 3 Digit Serial Number would be fine.

15. Click Ok and wait for process to finish. It can take a little while with the longer scenes but no more than a few minutes, saving hours.

16. Go back to Photoshop and go Edit - Open

17. In the Open menu locate the exports from the batch edit.

18. Select image sequence and only the first image of the sequence. This will open all the images in the animation mode. This is very useful for speed. If you try to select multiple images the 'image sequence' checkbox will become greyed out.

 19. On the first image select the Quick Select tool, it is the other tool under the magic wand and is far superior.

20. Carefully paint over the objects shape. You can subtract a selection by hold alt. This is important for opening spaces between two objects like under the arm.

 21. Also take care to include as much of the pencil lines as possible as the selection tends to stop at any near edge which in this case would actually be the insides of the pencil lines.

22. Here is the selection perfectly outlined. This unfortunately has the shape itself selected...

23. However a quick shift + option + i will inverse the selection perfectly outlining the shape. Obviously in some cases it is easier to use the method above and select the outside of the shape. It seems to be easier depending on if their is more shape or more space. for instance for the lion roaring it is much easier to just outline the head whereas the girl is smaller and tends to get lost in the selection tool if done that way round.

24. Press delete and you will be left with just the object on a transparent back

25. Pressing the next keyframe key will instantly take you to the next frame to repeat the process.

30. When the video is completely cut out go to File - Export - Render Video...

31. Choose Quicktime export with Animation Settings as this allows for an alpha channel. The images are actually huge but the file sizes are manageable so leave them at best settings. You can turn off sound export obviously. Make sure the frame rate and any other scene unique settings are correct.

32. At the bottom of the window select Alpha Channel and Straight - Unmatted, then click render after choosing your destination folder. This will make a quicktime file with a transparent background that can be imported into after effects and animated the same way as any other component.

See you tomorrow guys