X4 - Export frames from AS

[nhlisa]

I was doing a tutorial the other day that required animation shop. It required that I export the frames from AS to PSP and then back when done. When I started using PSP, I used X2. In taking lessons, I found that I needed to have PSP9 installed on my computer for the export frames to work properly. When I got X3, export frames worked fine. Now in X4, I tried to export frames from AS to PSP and it doesn't work. No error message, just a computer sound letting me know that nope, that's not going to work.

Is there anyway to fix this? Or am I going to have to use X3 whenever I do something that requires AS?
Lisa

[Radim]

If you work with amination a lot try look for alternative. Animation Shop Pro 3.11 in nowdays is not advanced animation software. My tip is:
- Sothink SWF Quicker -- http://www.sothink.com/product/swfquicker/
- Flash Banner Maker -- http://www.sothink.com/product/swfeasy/

both can export GIF or Flash animation (.swf)

[nhlisa]

If you work with amination a lot try look for alternative. Animation Shop Pro 3.11 in nowdays is not advanced animation software. My tip is:
- Sothink SWF Quicker -- http://www.sothink.com/product/swfquicker/
- Flash Banner Maker -- http://www.sothink.com/product/swfeasy/

both can export GIF or Flash animation (.swf)

Hi, thanks for the reply.

No I don't do animation that much. it's not my favorite thing to do. I realize AS is an outdated program and not very advanced but some of the lessons I do as well as some of the tutorials I do, require the use of AS. For lessons, I have to follow them (as best I can) as they are written or I won't get a pass. So if there's anyway to get export frames from AS to X4 to work, I'd love to know how. For tutorials and whatever else I do, I know I can do my own thing.

I also have Easy Gif Animator but it won't open PSP images. I have tried coping & pasting each frame into the program and while that does work, the result doesn't come out quite right. However if I save each frame in PSP as a jpg or png, I can use the wizard in Easy Gif Animator to put things together and that works well.

I haven't heard of the two programs you suggested. I will check them out. Would like to find something that can open PSP files.

I also have Photoshop which I think has some animation capability built in but I haven't gotten that far in learning it yet.

Lisa

[JStanley]

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[nhlisa]

Okay. The real answer.

Automatic exporting is not supported, but you can do the same thing manually:

• With the animation open (in Animation Shop), select the frames you want to export.
• Instead of selecting export, choose:
  File > Save Frames As...
• Save as type: "Paint Shop Pro Image" (.psp)
  Be sure "Save frames as layers" is checked (which only shows up with a Paint Shop Pro Image file type)

You can open the created filename.PSP file with any PaintShop Pro; each frame will be on its own layer, just like if you exported it automatically.

I never paid much attention to that "Save frames as" feature. I did just try it and it does work. Takes a little longer...especially if you have to go back & forth between PSP & AS more than once.

Does anyone know if there is an animation program that can open layered PSP files?

Lisa

[JStanley]

deleted

[nhlisa]

If you need to use "Save As..."

• Save as type "PSPIMAGE"
• Choose Options, then Save as: PSP7 compatible file
• filename.PSP is recommended over filename.PSPIMAGE
• You can now open the created filename.PSP in Animation Shop; each layer will be its own frame.
  (Animation Shop recognizes .PSP files/layers that are PSP7 compatible)

Yep, I already knew how to do that from PSP to save to open in AS.

Still wondering if there's any animation programs out there that will work with PSP files....

I looked at those programs the other person recommended (quickly looked) and the whole flash thing, throws me off. Have never done anything with flash before.

Lisa

[JStanley]

deleted

[nhlisa]

Animation Shop is the only one I know...

It was a bad recommendation. Might as well have recommended "Like animation! Just get a job at Pixar and use their computers.."

Flash is bloaty junk, and support is dropping for it (even though Flash Player 11 was released today). People are moving to HTML5, even Adobe.

Thanks, that's what I figured.
Lisa

[Kathy_9]

What I used to do with AS and X2 & X3 was open the animation in AS; Ctrl A to select all; Ctrl C to copy and Ctrl V to paste into X2 or X3. It worked like a charm every time. However, the same process with AS and X4 will cause X4 to "crash like a charm" every time.

[nhlisa]

What I used to do with AS and X2 & X3 was open the animation in AS; Ctrl A to select all; Ctrl C to copy and Ctrl V to paste into X2 or X3. It worked like a charm every time. However, the same process with AS and X4 will cause X4 to "crash like a charm" every time.

Hmmm...I never tried that. I assume it keeps the layers separate when you paste into PSP?

I don't think my X4 would crash. Someone said yesterday that when they copy & paste from PSP into AS that X4 crashes. I did a test on mine yesterday, I copied & pasted 3 different layers from PSP into AS and had no problems. Didn't think to try it in reverse though.

Lisa

[Kathy_9]

Yes, it does keep the layers separate. Let me know if you are able to go from AS to X4 without a crash. That would tell me if it's a somewhat universal issue or just my setup. Thanks, Kathy

[nhlisa]

Yes, it does keep the layers separate. Let me know if you are able to go from AS to X4 without a crash. That would tell me if it's a somewhat universal issue or just my setup. Thanks, Kathy

Hi Kathy,

I just tried it for you and just like you, my X4 crashed. So I guess it's a universale issue....at least for us anyway.

Lisa

[Kathy_9]

Thanks Lisa!! I'll report it and indicate it's not just me having the issue.