Will Xara draw 2D with Splines for 2D static Cartoon Creation?

[Mel_3]

There are some animation creation products on the market that use splines.

With splines you can create a shape and add nodes and "nudge" it into the shape you want... and the lines flow smoothly...

This makes it easy to draw characters or objects for someone who can't draw

I'm looking for software to create 2D static illustrations for a childrens book and would like to use splines or some easy way to create original characters and objects and have them look sorta hand drawn.

Does Xara allow you to create objects or characters like this?

Thanks for any help.

[handrawn]

Hi

you can create shapes and add/subtract nodes to the outline strokes

you can reshape by dragging with the mouse any where along the stroke outline, does not have to be at a node point, so there is a lot of control

there is an adjustable amount of smoothing too

[gwpriester]

Mel is right. Xtreme's nodes are not quite the same as splines. But Mel, once you get used to drawing in Xtreme it works quite well.

If you draw with the Shape Editor Tool, you can edit your lines at the same time as you draw them. I have the straight line option selected and so I draw straight line outlines and edit the lines into curves as I draw. If you opt for the Curves line option, then each line connects to the next point as a curve.

This is a little out of date but should give you an idea of how Xtreme's three drawing tools work. Workbook 34 Xara's 3 Drawing Tools.

[Rhanna]

I think the Shape Editor tool is one of the least mentioned tools in the Forums (probably because long term users take it for granted?). But it has some of the most remarkable characteristics and adjustments-really amazing. I find I am using it more and more. As usual, Gary's tute really explains it very well.
Rupert

[gwpriester]

Because of the Shape Editor Tool's dual function, drawings and editing, and how it compares to equivalent tools, say in CorelDRAW, new users don't think to use it to draw with. But it is a very powerful and intuitive tool. More so than the Pen Tool, although many Illustrator users would disagree I'm sure.

[LEFT] You can edit while you draw by dragging on a line segment, or you can sketch out the shape in straight line segments (Make Line option), select all the control points and press Make Curve, and Xtreme creates logical spline line curves between the points.

[RIGHT] If you select Make Curve as your option, and click four control points around a square, Xtreme makes logical curves and you wind up with a circle.

[Manoj]

Hi Mel,

I use XXP's Shape Editor for my cartooning work. As mentioned by others you can edit the lines as you work, or you can simply lay in the main points where the curves would start and finish, and shape the curves later on by dragging the lines. Shaping has a pleasing, sculpting like feel to it which makes drawing in Xara a pleasure.

Some of Xara's default brush profiles can be used for a more organic, handrawn look, and lots of posts here explain how to make the brushes look like pencil, sketch pen etc.

Best
Manoj

[Mel_3]

Thanks to everyone for their comments.

The provided illustrations were also very helpful.

Just for reference... are there any video tutorials on creating simple cartoon characters?

[Soquili]

Hello Mel,

You can find a list of video tutorials created by many of the forum members in the following link:
http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthread.php?t=28298

Bob Hahn (known as sofafire on YouTube) makes some amazing cartoons.

[handrawn]

if you 'cannot draw' and you want to try a basic approach this might help:
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.c...w-cartoons.htm

be best to learn to draw though