Masking with Anime

Hi!!

I've recently begun to edit anime. and I had noticed..masking anime is VERY DIFFERENT.

This is weird because people claim its so much easier masking anime because it is not 3-dimensional like video game footage. But quite honestly, I find it harder.

Can someone put up a tutorial or explain to me the tips of masking anime?

I have a habit of getting rid of the black outlines of characters, and only in certain areas, making it look really horrible.,

It would be MUCH appreciated <3

I don't have a tutorial of sorts but I've got a few tips. Mask every frame in which a change happens, keep the outlines of the characer (the black lines) in because it looks sloppy without them.

xsmatthijsse wrote:I don't have a tutorial of sorts but I've got a few tips. Mask every frame in which a change happens, keep the outlines of the characer (the black lines) in because it looks sloppy without them.

OKAY...so I should keep the lines?

Great to know.

Also what do you mean make a key frame at every movement?

So only mask when there is a change of movement like how we do with Video games?

OH. Wait you are telling me, at every movement, instead of taking the frame of an the previous masking key frame, erase it and COMPLETELY mask it all over again?

Sorry if I'm asking too many questions

Yes keep the lines (:

And just mask the same as with video games. Mask a frame, and only change the points when there is a movement. Don't mask it all over again, that's way too much work ><

Basically what Sifra said, but I'm just going to add in my experience (since I mask anime frequently and my, uh...interesting method has worked for a lot of people.)

First off, when you create a new project file, CHANGE YOUR FRAME RATE PROPERTIES. Most anime is in 23.976 IVTC FILM. If you don't change it, masking will most definitely glitch out, and you'll be masking more frames than necessary.

On to the mask. Before you start masking, right click the video and hit "disable sample properties" or something along those lines. This will stop the clip from glitching when you render.

Finally, the actual process of masking! This might seem tedious, but it's a way to make sure your masking turns out nice. Most animes are animated in 3 frames per second, meaning that there will be 3 keyframes that are the same. Mask, drag your timeline and, even though the mask doesn't move, add keyframes to hold that space so that the mask doesn't try to follow the general outline you created. Because anime is 2d, the motions are subtle but drastic? If that makes sense? Anyways, when it's finally time to move the anchors: don't. Don't move them. Reset the mask and redraw to avoid wobbles.

It's tedious, I know, but you'll get the hang of it. Good luck!

BlehxIshxMe wrote:

First off, when you create a new project file, CHANGE YOUR FRAME RATE PROPERTIES. Most anime is in 23.976 IVTC FILM. If you don't change it, masking will most definitely glitch out, and you'll be masking more frames than necessary.

MY GOD I DID A MASK BEFORE I READ THIS, AND YOU ARE SO RIGHT.
So many USELESS MASKS I DID!! T-T

It was okay when the clip barely moved but I tried to mask walking feet and it...was so bad T-T

When you say reset the mask, you mean completely erase the last mask and start BRAND NEW correct?

Thank you so so much BlehlshxMe!!!!

This will DEFINITELY HELP ME.

Arigato~~

When you say reset the mask, you mean completely erase the last mask and start BRAND NEW correct?

Exactly that! Just redraw for each moving frame. (: And it's no problem Asuka! I'm glad I was able to help. I know how frustrating it can be at first.

BlehxIshxMe wrote:

When you say reset the mask, you mean completely erase the last mask and start BRAND NEW correct?

Exactly that! Just redraw for each moving frame. (: And it's no problem Asuka! I'm glad I was able to help. I know how frustrating it can be at first.

OH. ok. I will definitely do that next time.
You are a LIFESAVER!!

Thank you so soo much!

p.s. always wanted to tell you that your icon made me LOL
so hard! xD

PrincessGarnetXVI * wrote:Hi!!  

I've recently begun to edit anime. and I had noticed..masking anime is VERY DIFFERENT.

This is weird because people claim its so much easier masking anime because it is not 3-dimensional like video game footage. But quite honestly, I find it harder.

Can someone put up a tutorial or explain to me the tips of masking anime?

I have a habit of getting rid of the black outlines of characters, and only in certain areas, making it look really horrible.,  

It would be MUCH appreciated <3

I am totally unknown and if I wanna to learn this would you help me please? I am interested to learn this. Thanks!!

This video should give you some good tips on masking with anime. 



Chi~