Cartoon Animator Unveils Game-Changing 5.2 Updates

Reallusion’s latest release automates 2D production with cursor-led movement, integrating an intuitive interface and seamless keyframe editing to generate animations in mere seconds.

For seasoned 2D animators looking to take their animation skills to the next level, or perhaps those just starting out and wondering how they can achieve organic motion in seconds, look no further. Reallusion has just announced Cartoon Animator 5.2, with updated features that include the introduction of Motion Pilot, a revolutionary tool that combines secondary animation with virtual puppetry, giving animator the ability to create stunning and dynamic animations with ease.

According to the company, with Motion Pilot, the possibilities are endless. Imagine being able to create 10 animation variations in just 3 minutes, achieving results that will leave your audience in awe. It's all about an “iterative design flow,” where you simply try out different puppet presets and watch your productivity soar tenfold. You can also transform puppet trails into editable paths in an instant and refine their shape as desired. A company spokesperson added, “It's like having a magic wand for animation! And if you thought that was impressive, you can use Motion Pilot to simulate emergent behaviors like leaves rolling in the wind and even the flocking of birds.”

The latest CTA 5.2 update includes:

1. Motion Pilot — Next-Level Puppetry

Motion Pilot empowers the effortless animation of characters and props with the precision of mouse movements. By simply manipulating the cursor's speed, orchestrating rhythm, utilizing button functionalities, and taking advantage of the innovative lazy mouse feature, animators can breathe life into creative ideas and produce fluid animations that were previously unattainable through traditional methods. Moreover, Cartoon Animator’s intuitive interface and real-time animation, combined with seamless keyframe editing, enable artists to generate 2D animations in mere seconds.

Manipulating the cursor's speed, orchestrating rhythm, and utilizing button functionalities and the lazy mouse feature.

Synchronous playing & recording

Simulating natural flocking behavior and controlling the animation tempo.

New Key Features:

Instant Animation Recording: Record puppeting sessions and create animated videos without grappling with the timeline interface. Simply press the record button and direct the motion with your mouse.
Transform with Precision: Precisely guide objects along the XYZ axis, control rotations, and easily adjust their size. Objects can also be passively oriented using automated flips and turns.
Enhanced Wave Effects: Customize 2D animations with precision by choosing amplitude, frequency, and random options, tailoring your animation effects to perfection with dedicated parameters.
Diverse Motion Options: Expand creative possibilities with four distinct types of motions: from character, prop, and elastic motion to free-form deformation. Trigger these motions effortlessly using mouse movements or clicks for quick application.
Collective Control with Flock: Seamlessly manage and customize multiple objects with ease. Choose from different delay types to achieve emergent behaviors for a dynamic and mesmerizing effect.

2. Motion Path Animation

Users can easily generate a path by either plotting Bézier points or converting it from cursor movements and puppet animations. They can switch between three modes – Bézier, Linear, or Smooth – and refine the path with intuitive handle controls.