Storyboarding software

[FearlessFosdick]

Hey guys! I'm an experienced animation storyboard artist used to pencil and paper. I started storyboarding digitally a few months ago in Photoshop. I know, I know, it's not the ideal program, but I know the interface. Anyway, I want to move to a better program so I'd like some advice before I lay down hundreds of bucks.

Basically, I want to be able to do this:

http://www.ersoz.com/storyboard/sb_pages/spiderman_Ep1_act3.htm

Any ideas? Is ToonBoom the best? Are there any worthwhile free programs?

Thanks a lot!

Steve LeCouilliard

[salko007]

I would recommend a Toon Boom software also you might go for a cheaper option of using a Sketchbook Pro that I know people use storyboarding and line is much better than in photoshop...Also you can import sequence back to Macromedia Flash 8 and play it on a timeline and export as swf.I think this is how that clip is done.You can also use Macromedia Flash 8 as primary storyboarding tool.

[salko007]

also if you do a drawing in sketchbook pro and all of them are the same size and you named them sequentially lets say JPG from 001-099 if you import #001 Flash will prompt you " this is part of the sequence would you like to import remaining of the Jpg-s"

[ARROW]

Steve--

Earlier this year, I had a client that asked me to make the transition to using ToonBoom Storyboard Pro. It was expensive ( about $1200Cdn) but in the end, I think it was worth it.

Despite a couple of minor excluded items, its a very function piece of software--the main selling points are that its functional for all kind of 'boards, can be used to create animatics......and, well...............its considered the industry standard now.

Yes, you can fudge around with other free packages, and achieve most of what Storyboard Pro does, but in the end......its one that "does it all".

I know of colleagues that draw in Sketchbook Pro and import into Storyboard Pro, and myself--I was drawing on paper and scanning/importing into the software, using Photoshop to manipulate.

I have not heard/read of any suitable free programs that offer anything close to the same.


BTW, I wish I could get away with 'boarding as loose as that Spiderman animatic you linked to. Too many clients are anal about models these days--and few let nice supple ruff drawing go through.

[emceeONE]

I prefer Flash to Toonboom, though I despite vector lines entirely. I find the layout more intuitive, coming from an video editing background.

Rad mentioned something in his how-to blog about using actions for storyboarding, and his results looked pretty good.

[evillittleman]

you could try pencil
http://www.pencil-animation.org/

[FearlessFosdick]

Thanks for all the tips guys! I'll check all these programs out when I get a chance.

Steve

[Temple]

I just wanted to comment on your storyboard! The shots of the Vulture pulling Spidey across rooftops, forcing him to run across them, those are awesome! Envisioning a Spider-Man fight can't be easy, but your boards made it understandable and exciting.