Mouth Positions

I've looked at the tab and it looks pretty neat, but I can't really afford it. Toon Boom I've been using for about a year and a half and like a lot of the features it has. Not too thrilled about their customer service, however...

Things I like about it: Multiplane camera in 2D/3D space; lip synch tools (as limited as they are); painting tools and Wacom interface; ease of operation; pegs.

I think the trick to using Toon Boom well to cut down production time is to use the pegs to hold sets of animated characteristics like mouth, eyes, and other facial features on an otherwise blank head. That way you can do a style of limited animation but still have some decent head movement and a variety of facial expressions. You could work out the other body parts similarly, I think...I figured that out while learning 3D, but haven't tested it out yet, so I may be full of bright ideas that go out like a small candle.

If you need a lipsynch chart that matches the Toon Boom system, email me (rupert@cartoonthunder.com) with Lip Synch Chart in the subject line.

Lately I've been going over to 3D using a freeware program called Anim8or. Having a great time with that. In the process I tested the pro version of Magpie and saw how terrific it it is with relatively easy lip synch for 2D or 3D. A nice tool to have on hand, no matter what you're using.

I realized that I have a character from a past project with most of the mouth positions. This isn't the most extensive chart, but will definitely get the job done!

Thanks BlueHickey,

Another printout that I can study for lipsyncing.

i've found toon boom auto lip-sync to be useful for somethings & not for others. a rapid song i'm using it for now doesn't analyse well, but other stuff worked fine.

The best chart can be found in Preston Blair's How To Animate Film Cartoons pg 17 in # 190 in the Walter T Foster series. A good art store should be able to get it for you and it is realtively cheap.

My advice: think acting, buy a little mirror to check your expressions and stay away from automated lip synch at least until you can do it organically and manually.

I agree with the above. Buy a mirror or try to "feel" the shape of your mouth as you say words. Plus, you'll be able to see the basic shape of your entire face (e.g., eye shape, eyebrows, chin, ears, etc.). The best way of all is to practice, of course. Make short one sentence animations and try to make them look the best you can. This is the best way to learn. Mouth charts will only get you so far (though they're a good place to begin). You'll also find that synching has as much to do with timing as it does with mouth shape. Sometimes a well placed mouth shape that doesn't "seem" to work on freeze frame works amazing in action.