Here's a list of some of the more common questions I get from users. Hopefully it'll help you out if you're having any troubles.
Feel free to ask questions in the comments below, myself and other users will try to help you out. Alternatively, feel free to also make an account and post your question on the Activity section of the website for a likely faster answer!
- I want to use Pivot 3 or Pivot 4 figures, how do?
- How do I download/import new stickfigures?
- How do I use a pack (ZIP file)?
- When importing a stickfigure, the app is giving me an error message - what do I do?
- How can I share my animation (GIF or MP4)?
- How can I upload my animation to Youtube?
- How can I add sounds/music/voices to my animation?
- How can I delete stickfigures/projects/exports from my device?
- How can I remove an imported stickfigure from the library of my project?
- How can I add more sounds to import?
- How can I create a ZIP (also how do I submit a ZIP or submit stickfigures)?
- How do I export in high quality?
- If I buy Pro, do my projects and stickfigures carry over from the Free version?
- I have an idea for Stick Nodes, will you add it?
- My audio cuts off when playing why do you suck Ralph?
- How do I update Stick Nodes?
Q. I want to use Pivot 3 or Pivot 4 figures, how do?
A. By default, Stick Nodes can easily import STK files made with Pivot 2 and lower. If you have a Pivot 3 or 4 stickfigure, you will need to DOWNSAVE it using Pivot 4. Open your stickfigure in Pivot 4, edit it, and re-save it as a V2 file. See this image.
Q. How do I download/import new stickfigures?
A. Check the dropdown answer at the top of the stickfigures page.
Q. How do use a pack (ZIP file)?
A. Check the dropdown answer at the top of the stickfigures page.
Q. When importing a stickfigure, the app is giving me an error message - what do I do?
A. If you're importing a Pivot STK file, make sure the stickfigure was made with Pivot 2.2.7 or earlier (not Pivot 3 or Pivot 4, you can use Pivot 4 to re-save a stickfigure as a 2.2.7 file and then import that).
If you're importing a NODES file, make sure your Stick Nodes app is up-to-date as this is most likely the issue. If you're using an older version of the app, you may be trying to import a stickfigure that was made with a newer version of the app. As a result, your Stick Nodes app doesn't know how to open the file.
A. After exporting your animation as either a GIF or MP4 file, go to the Gallery/Camera Roll of your device. Find the file you just created and share it to any social network as you would with any other piece of media on your device. (Note you cannot share a GIF file to Youtube as it is not a video, read below to find out how to convert a GIF to a video file.)
Q. How can I upload my animation to Youtube?
A. If you have the Pro version of Stick Nodes, simply export your animation as an MP4 file. Afterwards, go into the Photos/Camera Roll on your device and find this video file. From there, you can share it to Youtube just the same as you would with any other video on your device.
Now, if you only have the Free version, you'll be limited by only being able to export a GIF file. After exporting, you'll need to import this GIF into another app or desktop-based video-editing program and re-export it as a video file. You would then upload this file to Youtube.
Q. How can I add sounds/music/voices to my animation?
A. As of the 1.6.0 update, Pro users can add sounds to their animations from within the app! Select a frame and look under Frame Tools for the sound options.
For Free users, however, all is not lost. You can very easily take your exported GIF or MP4 files and import it into another app or desktop-based video-editing program. From there, you'll more than likely be able to add sounds/music/voices and re-export your animation as a video file.
For desktop, programs like Windows Movie Maker, Flash, or iMovie would very easily do the trick. I'm sure there are also many apps like this as well.
Q. How can I delete stickfigures/projects/exports from my device?
A. As of the 1.6.0 update, you can delete stickfigures/projects from the Import/Open windows in the Stick Nodes app. To delete exports, go to the Camera Roll/Gallery on your device and delete them like any other photo/video.
Q. How can I remove an imported stickfigure from the library of my project?
A. Since the 3.0.0 update of Stick Nodes, you can "Edit" the list of imported stickfigures (see the edit icon next to the imported stickfigures lists in the app). From there you can rename and delete-from-the-project any imported stickfigures.
Note that deleting a stickfigure from the library of a project will remove that stickfigure from all frames as well!
Q. How can I add more sounds to import?
A. If you're on Android, the app should automatically find compatible sounds in your /download/ folder (they must be MP3 and less than 256kb in size). So simply Google for a sound you want, download the file, then open Stick Nodes and go to import the sound - it should be there in the list if it satisfies the above criteria.
If you're on iOS, since the 2.2.3 update it's much easier. If you're downloading an MP3 sound from Safari/your browser, just replace the "http" in the URL with "stknds". This will open the SN Pro app and download the sound into your library, then just go to import the sound - it should be there in the list (if it was an MP3 under 256kb in size).
Still regarding iOS, if you're instead OPENING an MP3 already on your device (aka not on Safari/your browser) - for example an email attachment or a file in Dropbox, then long-press the file and select "Import with Stick Nodes Pro". This will open the SN Pro app and download the sound into your library, then just go to import the sound - it should be there in the list if it in fact was an MP3 under 256kb in size.
Q. How do I submit stickfigures / a pack of stickfigures?
A. Check under Library Tools in the app for the Submit Stickfigures button, use that to select all of the stickfigure(s) you wish to submit. The approval process takes a few days, you will receive back an email once your stickfigure(s) are approved and live on the website.
Q. How do I export in high quality?
A. When exporting a GIF or an MP4, simply change the resolution to 1280x720 (or 1920x1080). It will take longer to export, and some devices may struggle with 1080p, but will look much better!
Q. If I buy Pro, do my projects and stickfigures carry over from the Free version?
A. As of recently, no. You will have to use a file-explorer app to move the files from SN Free to SN Pro folder. On iOS this is relatively simple in the Files app. On Android you will need a file-explorer that can access the /Android/data/ folders, find /org.fortheloss.sticknodes/files/ and transfer them. Alternatively, you can use "Send Files" in the app to email a bulk of files to yourself. Then, open the attachment with "Stick Nodes Pro".
Q. I have an idea for Stick Nodes, will you add it?
A. Maybe! Please do let me know. Feel free to @ralph me in the Activity section of the website. Not to sound ungrateful, as I truly love the enthusastic users of the app and the new ideas they come up, but I sometimes get asked the same things over and over, so here's a quick rundown on some of the more common requests in in a tl;dr fashion:
1. Transparent nodes/segments?
This is a roundabout way of asking for filters per segment. Unfortunately, allowining filters, or even proper handling of transparency on a per-node basis, requires a whole extra layer of rendering logic. And if you've used Stick Nodes with a moderate amount of nodes/filters on the screen, you already understand how the app is pushing it to the limit when it comes to processing power vs lag. So no, sorry. Not anytime soon.
2. Drawing?
Stick Nodes isn't a "drawing" animation app, it's more of an object-based/building system. It would be too convoluted to combine the two.
2½. Music?
Maybe, but it's not on the priority list right now.
3. Unlimited nodes PLS!
As it is with most denied ideas, memory has to be conserved or you're gonna have a bad time. The node/stickfigure limits are in place to keep all users within a "reasonable" state of use to keep the playing field even (for sharing/creating) as well as to prevent you from crashing the app and then come yelling at me because you had eight million dash effects on the screen.
More nodes = more lag, as well. Much more lag. In fact, TRY to actually conserve node usage when creating stickfigures, it will only result in a much more lag-free stickfigure!
4 Pls text layering...
Maybe.
5. Stick Nodes PC when!?
Oof. Look, I want Stick Nodes PC too. Badly. It would be awesome. It still might happen, too. Here's the thing. A typical day for me is basically wake up - work on Stick Nodes - go to sleep. And that's WITHOUT a "PC version" in the works. That's all just app work. And website work. And stickfigure-submission handling. And community management. Etc...
So will it ever happen? I hope!
7. Pivot projects or newer STK files?
Okay so back when SN was young, being compatible with Pivot files was very important. I'm still happy that I did add support for Pivot 2 stickfigures, but that was only doable because some madlad was able to decode the STK format and properly make sense of all the bytes so, in turn, I could turn that into code for SN to read.
So unless said madlad comes back and can decode Piv3 / Piv4 STK files, I have no plans of adding compatibility with these formats to Stick Nodes, sorry. I mean, there are over 50,000+ and counting stickfigures available on the website, surely you can find something.
Oh and as for PIV project files, same goes for that. I do not not know how to read the files but also, at this point, PIV and STKNDS files are so different (features) that compatibility may even be impossible. Text, camera, moveiclips, filters, sounds, etc...
8. Auto-Save pls
There is auto-save in Stick Nodes, it's called "Save Reminder" and it can be turned on/off from the "App Settings". While it doesn't actually save the app automatically, it does give you the chance to by reminding you every X minutes.
It has all the benefit of auto-save by reminding you to save but not FORCING you to stop and wait 1,2,3+ minutes while your project saves when you really would prefer it had not interrupted you.
Now, auto-saving a stickfigure you're creating/editing in Creation Mode is a different story, and is on the to-do list to be added eventually.
9. But there was no six?
Good, nobody likes the number six it's the worst.
10. Masking? Layers? Music?
Very OP features which would require an entire app rework from the ground up. Always possible in the future, but right now, these are for a hypothetical future Stick Nodes PC release only.
11. I want to record sound pls?
Just use a proper (and more robust than SN could ever do) sound-recording app, save as MP3 (edit/crop the audio if necessary), and import into Stick Nodes.
Q. My audio cuts off when playing why do you suck Ralph?
A. This is actually a built-in memory-saving sound limit that is used by the underlying framework Stick Nodes is built upon. While I can hack it away, until I have time to look into that and its repercussions we must suffer.
Q. How do I update Stick Nodes?
A. The same way you update any app, visit the app store from where you downloaded the app. If you visit that store page and don't see an "Update" button, then you are not logged in to the same Google Play / App Store account from which you bought the app.
Uhm hey Ralph I downloaded a stick figure when I imported it it said “stick nodes ran into an error importing this node,if you believe that this is a valid NODES file,try again” I kept on trying again what do I do?
You’re using a version of Stick Nodes that isn’t the latest (1.6.3 for example) and trying to import a stickfigure that someone else made with a later version (1.7.1 for example).
Just update your app and you should be good.
So….. I have another problem. Ever since i added a background, my project broke and it crashes when i save. I can’t even add a single frame and save without my app crashing on me! Even when i clear the background, it still crashes! Please fix this 🙁 I wanna upload this to YouTube.
I’m sorry to hear this, so when you say save, do you actually mean “save” or export? I’m not able to have this crash occur on my device, can you outline the steps you do that cause this to happen?
Save the project. When i load the project, i go to where i left off, mostly when im doing this my sticknodes stops responding, or just freezes entirely, i cant move anything. when it stops after 5 minutes i continue. From where i left off, i add a frame to my latest one, and pan it slightly to the left, (Im making a cinematic scene) and do it for atleast 5 frames. I save, it freezes, and i redirects me to my home screen. When i open it back up, it doesnt save.
Okay, I think I understand now.
I’m curious now how many frames your project is? I’m assuming it’s very large?
There’s just a limit with some devices about how many frames a project can have before things start to get unstable and memory becomes scarce (leading to a crash).
So if your project is too big, I’d recommend just starting a new one as a “part 2”.
You can then always just export both and combine them into one video with some video editing app or program, or just upload each separately to Youtube as “part 1” and “part 2”.
It’s only 500 frames. If the more frames = crash thing is true, then my other project, which is 1200 frames should crash constantly, but it doesnt, it only freezes. But i’ll try your suggestion.
But now i have another problem. When i export MP4 with sounds, and i watch it, it looks fine it has all the sounds and stuff, but when it gets to the end, the sound is muted and i cant hear the sounds at the end. Please fix it, i tried a lot of things to do it and it didnt work.
That’s interesting.
I hope this isn’t too much trouble, but if you could send me the 500 frame project (.stknds file) and then 1200 frames project that would really, really help me figure out the issue.
As for the sounds, I’m unsure what that’s about. You’re 100% sure the sounds are there when you hit “Play” in the app? Is this on iOS or Android?
Alright, can i have your email?
and yes, it shows in Sticknodes, but when i export, i dont hear it. I’m a IOS.
Oh sorry, I actually forgot to include the email for once.
Send it to [email protected], thanks.
Sent
Sorry, but did it go through? I don’t have the email. Maybe it didn’t send, or is the email address correct?
Ralph, this may be too much too ask for, but can I get a dab?
Thanks
I only have half of a dab.
Is that okay?
Yeah, that’s good.
…wat?
I have a suggestion on a sound to add to the pro version next
Is it a dog barking?
No, it’s the Chris Benoit theme. You already have the John Cena Theme, so…
Also, I’m NOT joking btw
Lol, is that as popular as the John Cena theme? That is pretty much a meme at this point.
No, it’s not AS popular, but it would be worth adding a few seconds of the begging or middle of the song
ralph, please in a new update we need a opacity function
to do hollograms and thinks like that
Yeah, that would be cool, as well as transitions when you delete things, like a teleport
I shall be gone for around an entire month…wait, Ralph, my stickfigures…where day at?
hold on, that’s not the point. The point is, I just moved to a new house, and don’t have internet yet, so I won’t be active until my mom get’s paid (end of month). Soooooooo, yeah, see ya later.
Ey, see ya later, good luck.
Nevermind Hotspots exist apparently.
Such huge lies.
…k den
I think I’m going to start charging $1 per submission.
please don’t do that, I already paid 2+ dollars for pro version, that’s like…more than 20% of my allowance.
Charge 1$ for submissions i will literally remove everything that has to do with sticknodes. If this sounds like a over reaction then it just shows my love for this app. And i know you need money and stuff to support the app but making people PAY to give other players things to use in their animations.
He…was..kidding…well, alright then, You heard him ralph.
Lmao.
I was just kidding.
I think I need to indicate jokes/sarcasm in all of my comments.
Also I just had another great idea. Charge $1 per comment!
(Joke ^)
that’s mean.
Alright i did go ape you got me. [Some guy ” ITS JUST A PRANK BRO ITS JUST A PRANK!”]
Lol.
Lmfao, yeah pretty much everything Ralph says is either a lie or a joke.
Basically if he cry’s wolf, just let the wolf eat him.
I don’t actually know how to be serious.
Please please please please please make naruto shippuden characters
PLEASE please pls pls pls pls some should make RHG Davids *sword*
Man do I have some good news for you https://sticknodes.com/stickfigures/?wpfb_s=naruto
If I was to get StickNodes pro, would all my stuff from free get transfered? Or is there a way I can do it manually through the files like when I would download a stickman?
On Android, the Free and Pro versions share the same folders, so you’re good.
On iOS (which I think is what you’re referring to), they have different “folders”. So you’d need to open iTunes and basically copy everything in “Stick Nodes” and paste it into “Stick Nodes Pro” and you’re good.
that’s exactly what I did lol. To backup my files that is