OpenToonz Lesson 10 - Skeleton Tool & Character Rigging

OpenToonz is a professional, 2D illustration and animation program for Windows, Linux, and Mac.
You can download OpenToonz here:
opentoonz.gith...
Find more great free software at tjfree.com/

[@dedrestols4332]

You. Are. Awesome. I was trying to decide which free software to learn for a project and after finding your tutorials, I got OpenToonz based on the fact that I knew I'd be able to learn how to use it through your channel! you are a fantastic teacher. Your pace, thoroughness and tonality is gold. Thank you!!!!

[@TJFREE]

Thanks for the kind words and the feedback. I wish you the best of luck with your projects!

[@georgwagner937]

"I want my body to be the one that's tied into the table. " 8:35 Interesting... 🤔

[@Bugsterio]

interesting indeed... 🤔

[@wesleyjank]

RJ games: LOLOLOL

[@grasified4320]

It's a proverb: "Skeleton Tool & Character Rigging: Chapter 8 Verse 35"

[@farouqAliyu]

LMAO: Of all the information in this lecture. This line is all you pick up.

[@georgwagner937]

@@farouqAliyu you are wrong. It's not the only thing I pick up, it's the only thing I wrote about.

[@jonahvenables8917]

Thank the lord there is actually someone who is incredibly useful and easy to understand here. Thank you, you amazing man, you have saved me!

[@growingwithblake4625]

This is one of the best explanations I've come across for open toons, simplifies everything that I wanted to know and showed that it doesn't take long to achieve animation!

[@immortalwolf1909]

You've explained this REALLY WELL. I saw the skeleton tol while using the software for the first time and checked up on how to use it, but no one was as thorough with it as you were! thank you so much for an awesome video!

[@wewatchwithchad]

This is the first of your videos that I've watched, but it is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. I know that I will be watching your videos if I need more information in the future.

[@studioange5708]

bonjour, merci pour vos tutoriels si intéressants. Même si je ne parle pas anglais, je peux suivre vos gestes, qui sont très clairs. Particulièrement je suis avec Opentoonz. Merci beaucoup !

[@MuhammadAli-eb2tk]

This helped me a lot! I used blender before but now I like opentoonz better!

[@SmellyNutz]

@@SketchyStudio Yo Shut up man, He really aint Muhammad Ali

[@SmellyNutz]

@@SketchyStudio It didn't seem like one

[@seaandstorm]

Nice tutorial. Maybe it's new with 1.4, but I found that you can add the rigging directly without moving the center points and it works just fine. I can't figure out how to squash and stretch a rigged figure and keep everything connected. Is this a pegboard thing like you were mentioning at the end?

[@southernguy35]

What I've learned so far, is most of this is going to be in vector view. he's also not using the latest version and they have added, changed and taken out a few things. To compensate, open the online manual when you're stuck. Stop the video until you get what he's saying. Third, do a google search for an element. While you're looking for one thing, you'll probably find four additional things that will stick with you.

[@FMMF69]

you did a lot to the community, respect!

[@pulchi661]

I am not speak english, but,(valió la pena) . I understood because i use program

[@TJFREE]

Great!

[@alexisxyz7531]

Ta bien!

[@Prajwal____]

Nice

[@Sushingames]

thank you I'll be animating something today because of you

[@imrankhan-yx5cp]

this video was not too long but best described I like the way you teach thank you TJ.

[@robertcammack902]

Hi again. With the help of your tutorials I am slowly getting the way of this program. Thanks. One point I found . My character has rather a large chin which must be in front of his shirt and jacket. The same with other parts of the body. The hands must be behind the jacket cuffs. I sorted all this out with cut and paste but it has to be done before starting on the rigging as it swaps all the columns round and if you have already rigged the scene it goes all haywire! Can you give us another tutorial as to how to get two characters on the screen at the same time - say, having a sword fight? Thanks.

[@Alpha74SF5]

Thank you for the tutorials.

[@zipgun7132]

If I had the whole character collapsed into a subfolder, could I create a subfolder within it just for the head (hair, eyes,mouth). I wanted to have frame by frame loops for the eyes and mouth, while having the character's bangs being mapped to the head node just like the arms are mapped to the body node. I apologize if my question is a bit confusing.😅

[@MyStudio-io3so]

So asked in a previous comment if you had a video that show how to animate the chatacter you created in Inkscape, just got the answer for that. But just wondering, If you wanted to show the side view and animate it you will will have to use inkscape and draw a side view of the character as well as the back and a 45deg as well. so for each side of the character you will have to crate that in inkscape then bring it into opentoonz and then animate it?

[@Mamika_AFK]

Yes

[@robertcammack902]

All your tutorials are GREAT, TJ, including the ones for other programs like Pencil. What I want to know is - can I save separate frames as png's?

[@gunluk3006]

you are the best teacher in the world

[@futureghost3868]

Is there any way to duplicate a skeleton for a separate character that looks the same? Or do I have to create a separate skeleton with the duplicate drawing?

[@markdefeo7958]

hi there love the tutorial, is it possible to animate a walk cycle with the character rigging or skeleton tool? also how can you put an element to the front or back so it can show a sense of 3d?

[@daysintirol]

I love all the tutorials so far. I'm getting a little stuck with this one. Once I change the schematic and the scale has changed, I wasn't able to separately move the different levels/columns from each other. I'm thinking I've missed something ... (I figured out what was happening but decided to leave it in in case it helps someone else...) Before I changed the schematic I adjusted the scale of each item to 50%, but after I reconnected the schematic, the parts aside from the body that were 50% became 25% because the body was 50%. I fixed this by changing everything back to 100% resetting everything, then only reducing the body to 50% which adjusted everything else. (I hope that made some sense!)

[@Inuitman]

Hello, when I try to move my arm, in animate. It only moves the entire body and not the arm.

[@paulhaskew3848]

Great tutorial thank you. Question about “scaling” using the animate tool. Is it possible to select, say, the 3 parts of the leg and scale them all together, rather than scale each part separately in the viewing window?

[@Warun16]

I have a question. What about the eyes and eyebrows in stage schematic? Do we leave them connected to table?

[@purple9030]

Hey can you do a tutorial on 2D pencil, when I use onion skin it uses too many layers when I only wanna see the one before and after my frame, do you know how to change it?

[@TJFREE]

To change onion skin, just hover above or below the red & green circle in the xsheet/timeline. How ever many frames above/below you are, that what onoin skin you will see. I touch on it a little in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGq7mpiAqpqmbrs

[@deepakeswaran]

12:24 my marker (pink marker ) becoming big when I connect in stage schematic

[@creator4873]

Can you like, save a image or whatever that has a skeleton and bring it to other I guess stages or projects with the skeleton?

[@Basztan]

Will you show how to save the finished character skeleton to computer?

[@civilhorizon]

Thank you for all the detailed explainations.

[@cherrydragonet]

this is a very cool video

[@surabhib1705]

Can any body pls tell why opentoonz distorts when i import SVG? This is really frustrating

[@Runic_Raptor_Art]

Is it possible to make a rig like this and then export it to another project? For example, say I make a really complicated character with a lot of moving parts which I want to use on multiple projects. Is there a way to import the rig into that project without having to rig it all over again?

[@akvalia]

wondering about this as well

[@Nick-pc4in]

I've been having a bit of trouble recently; Whenever I move a part, it refuses to set a Key in that frame and instead sets that position across the entire animation, even for the first frame before it's supposed to start moving.

[@ArunKumar-hr6tk]

Is it possible to make Inverse kinematics (Bone Tool) with plastic mesh? I mean is combination of Bone Tool & Plastic possible?

[@cricketplus3247]

Which tool can be used for character creation? Celebrity character.

[@theodorathanasiadis6629]

How do you create those images.I have try pencil 2d but always export in white background

[@lukasmojzis3970]

Hey, quick question, what is the difference between plastic tool and skeleton tool? other than the setup? i quite dont understand when to use what tool

[@NivekProAnimations]

Never mind. Figured it out. Right click the anchor and select "Reset Pinned Center"

[@ClonedTyranny]

Is there a way to scale multiple layers at once? It seems to link certain layers and do so, but not others. I can't seem to figure out the variable.

[@infumiinations1311]

do you have a video on editing face to switch out mouths the animate talking??

[@pixelio1631]

good man thx to you i started to make animtions

[@mitsuuteplays8239]

Thank you for making this Video tutorial... it's a big help for me to the future, i just sub

[@trey5718]

when the torso of my character moves, the rest of the body moves too. I don't want that. How do i fix it? I want my torso to move like it's been bent over.

[@magicalempire]

Can all objects be selected at one time to scale the animation?

[@pinakastudio2020]

In which application we can create drawing file for opentoonz, i tried but opentoonz count whole rectangle so I can't make any image outside of opentoonz. please help in this matter any application be it on Mobille or on p.c. thanks

[@Emreethekid]

Which video did you make the drawing pls i missed it

[@RanjithKumar-nv9hz]

Can i save the skeleton character and use it for further use? if yes how? Please explain

[@LeoPerezmusic]

I figured it out. You can simply load it from the "open level" menu or from the browser window in Opentoonz, by right clicking on the file you want to import, and click on "Load as a sub xsheet". It will appear in your normal timeline/xsheet, but only in one layer/column with everything apparently merged. However, all the schematics remain underneath, all you have to do is click on the button above the timeline (in the timeline toolbar) that has an arrow entering a square, which reads (on hover) "Open Sub XSheet", and VOILA, all will be there for you to edit if needed, including schematics. This is extremely useful and powerful. Just like Flash in the all days when you had symbols, which could always reuse. I love this software.

[@WekizZ]

I know this is old video, but after importing my files, I dont understand why but my legs file is invisible, and anything I do, my character have no legs ;(

[@douglasvancier7683]

There is no Basics tab anymore. Can you please update?

[@赤バニー-y9c]

me : **happily watching the chuchurial and opens my Opentoonz as i watch** also me : **panics**

[@lainen4078]

how do i open the "Stage schematic" thing if it isn´t there when i click on "Animation"

[@egonpauli1744]

click "Windows" at the top of the screen - choose "Schematic" (or any missing window)

[@AmericanRX]

SVG files keep getting changed during import. D:

[@agungwidi799]

TJ , can you make a tutorial series for Enve please

[@naveshborkar9579]

Sir, when I import the character in opentoozs after designing in inkscape as png it gets blurred and the svg file looks very dull, why is this happening please help Sir 🙏

[@NivekProAnimations]

How do you remove an anchor point? I accidentally created 3 and the righ is acting very weird.

[@Jinaci152]

It's possible to make the animation using svg files?

[@givelightstory]

Thank you very much.Great teaching.

[@itiller69]

what software to separate the body parts

[@VinayKumar-vu3en]

I want to create handwriting animation , is that possible with opentoonz?? I know blender can do that but I don't like it's interference!!

[@TJFREE]

That's a good question. I've never done it in Opentoonz, but I'm sure it can. Let me look into it...

[@VinayKumar-vu3en]

@@TJFREE Thanks for replying!! I'll be waiting!!

[@Retro-Future-Land]

@@TJFREE How is the handwriting investigation going friend?

[@TJFREE]

@@Retro-Future-Land It's yet to begin! I've taken a break from OpenToonz for too long, but have started trying new things with it in these past few weeks. Thanks for the reminder!

[@Retro-Future-Land]

@@TJFREE No worries brother, you do good work, one of the best channels for this sorts of thing.

[@paulscott94]

Great little lesson

[@hirdyanshsharma4349]

one of the best tutorial

[@Human950ff]

I actually learned something!

[@theluckg]

Awesome love from india ❤️

[@enzocaramella2617]

I don't understand, why the peg and not the body ?

[@RakeshKumar-zj4hu]

Hey TJ, every png I import, it resizes the canvas. So whenever i try to reposition, it just goes out of the frame. I had to manually resize the canvas for every object i imported. Is there some setting which does not resize my canvas when i import? Thanks for your help

[@RakeshKumar-zj4hu]

Please help me!! this is killing me. I just cannot import anything. It is such a pain...

[@egonpauli1744]

Most of the imported files are invisible, even though the center seems to be moving them

[@katappamama007]

How to save the rigged charecter and open it on onther projects ?

[@riczort]

Hello all, could anyone advise what would be best software, or best way to create characters for rigging. Prefferably free or cheap way i mean 20 bucks a month. Im new to this, plese use language that i will get. Thank You

[@NickSBailey]

great got it to work, a v.good clear tutorial

[@AppleComicsDude]

Este es muy interesante y yo comprendo todos, gracias hombre. Tienes un vida bien

[@brainpowerrb3003]

Is there a column limit?

[@willyjakob8630]

hey how do you unwire a peg

[@HiroKitty]

I can't seem to figure out how to make another frame

[@maxmagnus777]

Hi, love the video. I've made multiple vector characters with bodies, hands, feets 20 mouth shapes, eye shapes (basic + 20 emotions like > < or Oo or Xx) in Illustrator. I was preparing it for usage in After effects + DUIK. Can I use my vector files in opentoonz? I am thinking about making whole series of cartoons and I've noticed some problems in AE.

[@johnh.2028]

Hey uh have you figured out the answer to your question? I'm also interested in importing svg files into opentoonz but the result is so weird, the colors and lines are wrong

[@maxmagnus777]

@@johnh.2028 Hi, I gave up OpenToonz. I am using AE+AI and soon with start with Blender. I will stick with these as I've already invested a lot of time in them. Cheers.

[@johnh.2028]

@@maxmagnus777 I see ahaha thanks for answering me and best of luck in your projects!

[@maxmagnus777]

@@johnh.2028 u 2

[@BaldorfBreakdowns]

Not trying to be rude, but it's just Bicep, not Bicept. Great tutorial by the way!

[@TJFREE]

Oh wow, thanks. I've definitely been saying that one wrong, :)

[@y0bo3000]

@TJ FREE does the file have to be an SVG for this to work ?

[@thecosmicbackyard1857]

no

[@haideralfadhel8431]

What's the difference between the plastic tool and the Skeleton where to use each one?

[@BaronsHistoryTimes]

Watch tutorial 9 in the same video series

[@omiorahman6283]

heads and hand moves further apart per frame

[@toyormaghrib3749]

top tutorial. thanks

[@moldingpotatoes]

ur first\

[@sharkrean5395]

Very good apps but still bug and have problem with save as video. Need to installing others mode "ffmg" and set up again.

[@beady3707]

He explained in the 2nd video that you need to install FFMPEG to your computer to render it as a video, otherwise it won't work

[@paulhaskew1654]

How do I select multiple columns in OpenToonz 1.4 please.

[@balcansexgod2893]

Hold shift and select

[@zenn1047]

i think im in love with you tysm

[@mokshajain5529]

Thank you for great tutotial!

[@ParanoidFactoid]

No ctl-alt-v for auto-invert. sigh. EDIT: also, I know there's a way to collapse all the columns into a single column nested object like pre-compose in Ae.

[@paulhaskew1654]

How did you rename shoe to left shoe?

[@MadApplesWA]

@Paul Haskew There is several ways, however he actually renamed the cell the shoe was in by double clicking the name of the cell. select around the shoe --> copy it --> past it into the new level. If you are still having issues, simply copy and past a duplicate image in your folder before importing, and simply rename it.

[@christiancolewan]

wow fun fact OpenToonz was customized by the legendary STudio Ghibli :)

[@Quirkykitty]

Thanks man helps a lot

[@rehanmemon3969]

I've worked on flash CS6 before. and comparing this software to flash, it's asset importing method seems really cumbersome. Is there anyway to fix that?

[@LeoPerezmusic]

I was an animator and coder for Flash and AS3, Once you get used to this, is even better. Every previously saved animation you import will have the underlying data. It's really easy and powerful.

[@tresnadwipayana]

please help, i cant find skeleton tool in my toolbar, i'm using v 1.4,thankyou

[@sunuy192]

same

[@BaronsHistoryTimes]

did you watch tutorial 9 in the series? You'll see the answer there; starts with using Plastic tool.

[@beady3707]

on the left side there are all tools and on the bottom there's an arrow you have to click to reveal the other tools (like the skeleton tool)

[@THESEOWORLD]

Nice video

[@pratikvasu2.0]

how record whole scene and see it in pc

[@benchang6549]

You must render your scene. For .mp4-format you'll need ffmpeg-codec. You can find your rendered video at *projects\\outputs*

[@qwekla82]

good job !

[@randomvideosclub]

thanks please upload more

[@Vartanchik]

Thank you so much bro❤❤❤❤

[@دانیالحمزهلویی]

Why dont you just use the plastic tool?

[@NinjaThug]

Awesome! Thanks!!!

[@karanamkishorekumar7591]

dude can you please tell how to slow down the person in the last part of the video i did not understand how he moved so faast

[@lvlemup]

It depends on how fast or how many frames you have

[@iAMX01]

شكرا جزيلا

[@randall-thehorrorwriter]

Don't know if you're still doing vids but I created a character in krita and exported each piece but when I load it into opentoonz they have a back ground so they're not really pieces. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong, is it how I saved the pieces, did I mess up my cut out in krita? Any help would be welcomed.

[@bentondata]

Make sure you save them in PNG. I am not familiar with Krita, but there should be various layers. Make sure you create a new layer and delete the default one (usually white background) and then export your drawing.