So the v-cam update for iOS was actually released about two weeks ago. Surprise!
No but really, it was. I was away at the time and had numerous reports of MP4 exporting not working for users since the update. As a result, I put off making this post until I had things corrected.
That time is now. As of right now, there are updates for iOS Stick Nodes Free and Pro users on the App Store, so check it out and let me know if everything is good.
Changelog
Here are all of the changes that came to iOS in the 1.7.2 and 1.7.3 updates.
- Major fix for MP4 exporting issue, also added button to use the old method in case any issue is still present (Pro only).
- Fixed crash when exporting a single-frame looped animation.
- Some other minor fixes.
- (1.7.2) V-Cam added! Double-tap to enable Camera Mode.
- (1.7.2) The “Stop” button now resets zoom to 100% (instead of double-tapping like before).
- (1.7.2) Added onion skin to v-cam to see where it is in the previous and next frames.
- (1.7.2) Increased size of the scrollbar for frame thumbnails.
- (1.7.2) Added background color/image functionality to Create Mode.
- (1.7.2) Improved MP4 exporting (Pro only).
- (1.7.2) Added 40+ sounds (Pro only).
- (1.7.2) Changed FPS limit to 60.
- (1.7.2) Background images can now scale in the x and y direction.
- (1.7.2) Increased maximum zoom from 500% to 800%.
Next up?
Well, next I need to get Android users updated to 1.7.3. There won’t be any significant changes from what you guys already have but there will be a few bug fixes and tweaks. My favorite bug on Android right now is exporting an MP4 at a width that isn’t a multiple of 16, it skews the video.
After that I begin work on the next “major” change…
Make it possible to scale stickfigs! Animations would be better that way. Or maybe make stickfigs be able to be downloaded without using a PC
For scaling, I think you mean the stick figure size button.
And for iOS, I’m pretty sure that’s due to how they handle downloads, not up to Ralph. If you have android then you don’t need a PC
Dragonmon’s answer is quite good.
Like he mentioned for scale, look under “Stickfigure Tools” and use the + and – buttons next to “Stickfigure scale”.
That’s not really what I meant. As in, the tool in flash where a selected item can get thinner and fatter?
Segment thickness?
Yeah, what Dragonmon said.
Hi Ralph,
I’ve been trying to contact you but the email address on the Play Store got a delivery failure response and I don’t know if you’ve seen this email on the Google+ page, hence I’m trying here.
I’ve been looking at your app and am very impressed by its features. There’s a few things I would like to know though before I purchase the Pro version.
First, what frame size are the created projects, and the exported video? Is this customisable? I presume the exported video has the same frame rate as selected within the app? Is that correct?
Secondly, what are the audio option details – length, format, live record, etc.- since they are Pro only there’s no way of knowing what limitations might exist before purchase.
Thirdly, with character creation, is it possible (or, will it ever be possible) to import elements drawn in other software for putting together more highly detailed models? Will it ever be possible to draw elements directly from within the app? One of your competitor’s apps (Drawing Cartoons 2) allows this functionality, though your app seems to be better thought out in other ways! I realise that your app is aimed at a particular aesthetic, but allowing such things would mean it could be used in many other ways as well.
Lastly, will you ever have greater control over the tweening options – adding 2 frames between keyframes is not ideal for all situations.
I really hope you continue to improve your app.
I look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks for your time.
Best wishes,
Robin.
Hi Robin.
Sorry about that, I don’t know why that email failed, it’s a valid address that still works (just checked it). And yeah, sorry again, I only check the social media pages 2-3 times a week.
First of all, glad you’re interested in the app!
Well, just like when exporting GIFs, you enter the resolution after clicking the “Export MP4” button. It will force it to stay as a ratio of 16:9, and ranges from very tiny to 1280×720 as a max.
And yes, the FPS will be what you entered in the app. Though if tweening is on, that FPS is technically tripled “behind the scenes”. Either way, the exported animation will play back just like how it plays in the app.
The sound tools are visible under “Frame Tools”, even in the Free version (just not enabled). No live recording, sorry. It works just like stickfigures do, you import a file (MP3 only, under 256kb, so typically no music – memory constraints) and once imported you can apply it to any frame. You can also modify the volume of the sound on a per-frame basis.
To be honest, I wasn’t aware of that app until I just looked at it now, very impressive. That seems like it’s more art-based (with moveable joints) rather than just “stickfigures”, which is what Stick Nodes will probably be staying as. So I’d have to say no, those features probably won’t be added to Stick Nodes, sorry. Maybe a future app I make though 😉
I have plans for tweaking the tweening in an upcoming update, but I have to test it out first to make sure it’s efficient enough for public use. This will allow users to enter in their own value of the number of interpolated frames (probably a range of 1-10).
Appreciate the questions and interest in the app, thanks! And sorry again for making you wait so long for a response.
Hi Ralph,
Thank you very much for getting back to me. No worries about the wait, just glad I managed to get a message to you in the end.
That’s such a shame that you imagine you’ll stick with just stickmen for Stick Nodes. Completely understandable of course – it’s not pretending to be anything else – but what I’m looking for is something that allows me to create non-stickmen characters but still has the benefits of tweening so that I can use it in combination with the Rough Animator app for hand drawn work.
As such, I’ll probably have to go with the other app. As so often, the perfect app for my needs would be a combination of your app and the other one!
Just to be clear then, there’s no way to get hand drawn character elements into Stick Nodes?
Thank you again for getting back to me, I really appreciate it. I hope you continue to improve Stick Nodes; it’s very well thought out and I’m sure it gives your users the control they need. I shall keep an eye on it to see if you ever introduce that functionality i need or develop a separate app for that purpose. Please feel free to let me know if that’s ever the case.
Very best wishes,
Robin.
Too long
Ralph sum it up
Yeah, it will probably stay stickfigure based, as it’s heavily rooted in the Pivot community from which Stick Nodes is inspired.
I’m curious though, just from looking at that app you mentioned, it seems to have non-stickmen characters that can be animated through the use of pivot points, and also has tweening too, how come it doesn’t suit your needs?
And yeah, there’s no hand-drawing in Stick Nodes, just “building”, really, segment-by-segment.
Thanks again for the thoughtful comments and questions, I enjoy reading and answering them.
yo Ralph
in the next update, can you add like a search panel thing?
sorry because idk what is called, it’s for the import stick figures
that you can search the name of the node or stk.
because i have a ton of nodes and stk that i have to scroll down…
a LOT.
Lol, I kinda want to know just how many.
Most I ever have is around 20-40 lol.
But yes, it’s on my never-ending to-do list, many people have requested it.
Hmm, I should probably work on getting some of those things done.
OK :3
I have 2066 Figures XD
most of them are effects
hey what do i i cant import the new stickfigures im my sticknodes
hey ralph do u know how 2 fix this
You’re probably using an old version of Stick Nodes, check the App Store/Play Store for an update.
Hey Ralph, I just want to ask something.
Would it be possible for you to create a in-app downloads spot? Such as in-app purchases that allow in-app stores to change the internals.
I wish it could come soon, making iOS devices have a easier way to download sticks, the same with Android.
When is the Desktop version coming out? :)) I CAN’T WAIT AT ALL XD
Why when I export something to gif. and i play it in my device, it looks like if it is in slow motion?…i tried to put the animation in 20 fps (i was using tweening on), and export it but it looked the same:/
It could be just whatever you were using to view it, what happens if you upload it to imgur or another website for example?
like is me
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