Storyboard Software Applications

Storyboard artist film worked in the television, film and advertising industries. I recently had to turn out a number of storyboards and previs drawings for a short film, so engaged in a bit of investigation on the available packages –

Storyboards are frequently known as Previsualization or ‘previs’ and may be any practice that tries to visualize scenes within a movie before filming commences.

The main advantage of previsualization is that it allows directors to test out distinct staging and art direction choices without having to bear the costs of actual production.

Storyboards can include music, sound effects and dialogue to accurately previs the feel of edited sequences, consequently they are often used in complex or tricky scenes that involve stunts and special effects.

My analysis revealed that Previs software is roughly split between 3 areas:

2D, 3D and character/environment style and design.

The 2D products can be considered as being a digital model of conventional storyboarding -they don’t offer up camera moves or character movement within a time line.

All the 3D choices have the 2D regular storyboard choice but will also allow manipulation of characters in time and space: camera variations can be designed and modified.

Not very many of the 3D packages are created to operate in real time so that a director/operator could make improvements on the fly with a small amount of rendering wait. As these systems build characters and environments that are lacking in complicated detail and textures, nonetheless this is quickly developing and improving.

The 3rd type of product is focused on environment and character design. However, despite their ability to render time-line animation and camera motion it is actually not likely these particular software programs will be utilized for on-set storyboard previs due to their render engines being devised for high res end product, nevertheless they may be extremely useful for complete detail figure development, costume, and settings simply because of these high image resolution renders.

I’m going to make an effort to determine some of the most best-selling packages available at the time of publishing:

Storyboard Quick
‘Storyboard Quick’ can be viewed as a traditional storyboard program, simply because it doesn’t utilise 3d images. Due to this, it’s super quick to learn, in addition the interface is straightforward. It is easy to bring in any location photos, which may very well be better than the rather ‘childlike’ clip art work included.

Google SketchUp
‘Google SketchUp’ does not possess timeline animation although the pro option does incorporate dynamic properties or constrained animation within the scene, with that said, it is an tremendous piece of free software that has a huge, active, service online community and free models. It’s lots of fun too because the graphical user interface is relatively easy to negotiate.

Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
‘Story Board Pro’ from Toon Boom is really a completely different product from the other 2D storyboard software products listed in this doc. Instead of employing clip art and imported textures Storyboard Pro is really a powerful drawing product, ideally suited to employing a pen tablet interface -so in the event you can’t draw it will be advisable to stay clear. If you’re able to draw then the gui is extremely good, making it possible for extremely swift paint and brush selections,

Storyboard Artist
I think the brand name of this program is a touch confusing because it is a lot more than a two dimensional old fashioned storyboard interface. This program lets superb 3-d animatics, verbal synchronization animation help your work and appears to have top notch three-dimensional clip art and models already built in.

Frameforge previs studio
FrameForge Previz studio has quickly become the industry everyday on-set product for directors to change 3D storyboards in (virtually) real-time, it will output comprehensive timeline animation and mix a variety of camera moves.

E frontier poser 8
‘Poser’ is a very precise computer program that allows easy and quick character development employing a huge variety of 3 dimensional themes and open source additions. It enables a creator to promptly integrate three-dimensional characters into any kind of animation, animatic or still frame.

Vue
‘Vue’ is a very remarkable niche software package that employs templates to produce environments which can be used for full-res matte paintings. It’s recently been utilized on Avatar and Indiana Jones 4 to create jungle surroundings.

Hitchcock Storyboard Composer for Iphone/Ipod touch platform
Just creeping in on the end of my previs investigation is Cinemeks Hitchcock storyboard composer for iphone/Ipod touch (needs camera).
You simply acquire scene images within the camera and employ the software program to manipulate the framing, flow and timing of the shots in your storyboard. Despite the small interface the opinions have been favourable. Nonetheless, if I was spending money on actors to help me with a photographic storyboard I would most likely employ a better stills camera which would make it possible for depth of field and lighting options. That being said, I’m sure lots of people will find it a particularly useful tool.

The Previsualization Society
Lastly it is worthwhile looking at the recently formed Previsualization Society for more in-depth info: They advocate the application of previs in multiple groups around the world by promoting effective applications and an awareness of the features of previsualization as a collaborative approach and communication method.