So the lack of decent pixel art animation programs on Mac has pushed be over the edge. I'm in the first stages of developing a multi-platform tool.

I'm not really looking for feature suggestions (though innovative ideas are welcome).

What I would like to discuss is the best approach to layered animation (animation functionality will be a development priority). I've discussed this a little over a pixelation but am looking for more input.

I've used a variety of animation packages and know of a few different approaches but none of them seem ideal - I've tried to conceive a hybrid but so far no luck.

Known approaches;

a/ New frame = Blank canvas = Layers only accessible on their frame of origin.

b/ New frame = All layers available.


a. This approach keeps things simple. As long as onion skinning or something similar is available its ok and easy to understand. But it can really slow down your work-flow if you need access to a constant layer (e.g. a background).

b. Its easy to get confused. Inexperienced users accidentally edit the look of an early frame. Can lead to far too many layers.


ImageReady uses b. - I've gotten quite used to this for pixel animations but it is messy at times. On the other hand you can do some forms of animation so quickly and easily.

One partial solution I'm considering to improve things is the way in which frames/layers are displayed. The standard Photoshop solution is classic. Ordered by height with visual ques as to whats on the layer - great for static work. ImageReady continues to use Photoshop established layer gui.

But Flash for instances gives you a much more time based approach (its for the user to decide a+b hybrid). Though layers in Flash are quite different in concept to layers in Photoshop as the image itself can change from frame to frame. So I've been contemplating using both displays or attempting different form of hybrid version.




My first idea (which won't work as I first conceived it) was to have 2 layer panels.

1 = constant layers (available in all frames).
2 = frame layers (unique to their frame of origin).

You would be able to drag and drop between them ^_^ This would make organising your layers really easy BUT as I realized the fundamental flaw - how do you keep track of layer ordering/height... At present I'm pursuing this idea but in a single panel.

So does anyone use or know of a program that handles things differently? Please post a screenshot and description.

Does anyone want to help try and conceive a system? I've had some ideas but so far their not perfect.