Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO Review - Animation World Network
Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO Review
If you are looking for a software that can help you create 2D animations with ease and fun, you might want to check out Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO.
Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO
Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator is a software that allows you to create 2D characters from templates, images, or drawings, and animate them with 3D motions, facial expressions, and voice.
In this article, we will review Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO, which is the latest version of the software as of August 2011.
We will cover what the software is, how it works, what it can do, its features, benefits, drawbacks, and how to use elastic and bouncy curve editing, motion path and timeline editing, etc. It also renamed the software as Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO, to emphasize its professional features and capabilities.
Since then, Reallusion has not released any new updates for Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO, but it has continued to provide support and resources for the users of the software, such as tutorials, forums, blogs, etc.
In 2014, Reallusion announced the development of a new software called CrazyTalk Animator 2, which was supposed to be a major upgrade of Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO, with new features such as 3D character creation, multi-dimensional animation, G3 character system, etc. However, the release date of CrazyTalk Animator 2 has been postponed several times, and as of June 2023, it is still not available for the public.
The Features of Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator
Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO is a software that offers a variety of features that enable you to create 2D animations with 3D motions and facial expressions. Some of the main features are:
2D Character Creation
One of the most important features of Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO is the ability to create 2D characters from templates, images, or drawings.
The software provides a content manager that contains hundreds of character templates that you can use to create your own characters. The templates are divided into categories such as human, animal, cartoon, etc., and they have different styles such as realistic, comic, sketchy, etc.
You can also import your own images or drawings and turn them into 2D characters with the image import and vector import tools. The image import tool allows you to import images in JPG, PNG, BMP, or TGA formats and automatically convert them into sprite-based characters with transparent backgrounds. The vector import tool allows you to import vector graphics in SWF or AI formats and automatically convert them into vector-based characters with editable shapes.
Once you have created or imported your 2D characters, you can customize them with props, accessories, and motions from the content manager or from an external source. You can also edit their body parts, facial features, colors, textures, etc., with the character composer tool.
Animation
Another important feature of Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO is the ability to animate 2D characters with 3D motions and facial expressions.
The software provides a motion library that contains thousands of 3D motions that you can apply to your 2D characters with a simple drag-and-drop action. The motions are divided into categories such as idle, walk, run, jump, dance, fight, etc., and they have different styles such as realistic, comic, sketchy, etc.
You can also create your own motions with the motion editor tool, which allows you to edit the 3D motions with elastic and bouncy curve editing, motion path and timeline editing, etc. You can also record your own motions with the motion capture tool, which allows you to use a webcam or a mouse to capture your body or facial movements and apply them to your 2D characters.
Once you have applied or created the motions for your 2D characters, you can adjust their speed, direction, rotation, position, etc., with the transform tool. You can also add effects such as motion blur, shadow, glow, etc., with the effect tool.
Facial Puppeteering and Audio Lip-Syncing
A third important feature of Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO is the ability to use facial puppets and audio lip-syncing tools to make 2D characters talk and express emotions.
The software provides a facial puppet tool that allows you to control the facial expressions of your 2D characters with a simple mouse movement. You can choose from different facial puppets that have different emotions such as happy, sad, angry, surprised, etc., and you can also customize them with the facial puppet editor tool.
The software also provides an audio lip-syncing tool that allows you to make your 2D characters talk with voice files or text-to-speech. You can import voice files in WAV, MP3, or M4A formats and automatically sync them with the mouth movements of your 2D characters. You can also type in text and use text-to-speech to generate voice files in different languages and accents.
Once you have used the facial puppet and audio lip-syncing tools for your 2D characters, you can adjust their volume, pitch, tone, etc., with the audio editor tool. You can also add effects such as echo, reverb, distortion, etc., with the effect tool.
SWF Output
A fourth important feature of Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO is the ability to export animations as SWF files for web or other applications.
The software provides a SWF output tool that allows you to export your animations as SWF files with vector graphics and sound. You can choose from different SWF settings such as quality, size, frame rate, background color, etc., and you can also preview your SWF files before exporting them.
The SWF output tool also allows you to export your animations as HTML files with embedded SWF files. This way, you can easily upload your animations to your website or blog without any additional coding or hosting.
The Benefits of Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator
Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO is a software that offers a lot of benefits for anyone who wants to create 2D animations with ease and fun. Some of the benefits are:
Ease of use: The software is very user-friendly and intuitive, and it does not require any prior knowledge or experience in animation. You can create 2D characters and animations with simple drag-and-drop actions, mouse movements, and voice files. You can also use the tutorials, forums, blogs, and other resources provided by Reallusion to learn how to use the software effectively.
Versatility: The software is very versatile and flexible, and it can be used for various purposes, such as web, education, entertainment, business, etc. You can create 2D characters and animations in different styles, such as realistic, comic, sketchy, etc., and you can also import and export them in different formats, such as SWF, JPG, PNG, BMP, TGA, AI, etc.
Creativity: The software is very creative and fun, and it allows you to unleash your imagination and express your personality. You can create 2D characters and animations that reflect your own ideas, stories, emotions, etc., and you can also customize them with props, accessories, effects, etc.
Interactivity: The software is very interactive and engaging, and it allows you to communicate and interact with your audience. You can make your 2D characters talk and express emotions with facial puppets and audio lip-syncing tools, and you can also export your animations as SWF files that can be played on web browsers or other applications.
The Drawbacks of Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator
Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO is a software that also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of before buying it. Some of the drawbacks are:
System requirements: The software requires a minimum of 2 GB RAM, 5 GB hard disk space, and a dual core CPU to run smoothly. If your computer does not meet these requirements, you might experience slow performance, crashes, or errors while using the software.
Limitations: The software has some limitations that might affect the quality or functionality of your animations. For example, the software does not support 3D character creation or animation, which means that you cannot create realistic or complex 3D animations with the software. Also, the software does not support video output or editing, which means that you cannot export your animations as video files or edit them with other video editing software.
Bugs: The software has some bugs that might cause problems or inconveniences while using the software. For example, some users have reported that the software crashes or freezes when importing or exporting large files, or when using certain features or tools. Reallusion has provided some solutions and patches for some of these bugs, but not all of them have been fixed yet.
How to Use Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator?
Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO is a software that is easy and fun to use, and it does not require any prior knowledge or experience in animation. However, if you want to get the most out of the software and create amazing 2D animations, you need to follow some basic steps and guidelines.
In this section, we will show you how to use Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO to create a simple animation project from scratch. We will assume that you have already installed the software on your computer and that you have activated it with a valid license key.
The steps are as follows:
Step 1: Launch the Software and Choose a Project Template
The first step is to launch the software and choose a project template from the content manager.
To launch the software, you can either double-click on the desktop icon or go to Start > All Programs > Reallusion > CrazyTalk Animator 1.2 > CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.
Once the software is launched, you will see the main interface, which consists of four main parts: the menu bar, the toolbar, the stage, and the content manager.
The menu bar is located at the top of the interface, and it contains various menus and commands that allow you to access different functions and settings of the software.
The toolbar is located below the menu bar, and it contains various icons and buttons that allow you to access different tools and modes of the software.
The stage is located at the center of the interface, and it is where you can see and edit your 2D characters and animations.
The content manager is located at the right side of the interface, and it is where you can browse and select different content items for your 2D characters and animations, such as templates, images, motions, props, etc.
To choose a project template from the content manager, you need to click on the Project tab at the top of the content manager, and then select one of the project templates from the list. A project template is a pre-made animation project that contains one or more 2D characters with motions and backgrounds. You can use a project template as a starting point for your own animation project, or you can modify it according to your needs.
For this example, we will choose the project template called "Greeting Card - Happy Birthday", which is a simple animation project that contains a 2D character holding a birthday cake with candles and singing "Happy Birthday". You can preview the project template by clicking on the Play button at the bottom of the content manager.
To choose the project template, you need to drag and drop it from the content manager to the stage. You will see the 2D character and the background appear on the stage, and you will also see the project name and the duration appear on the timeline at the bottom of the interface. The timeline is where you can see and edit the timing and sequence of your 2D characters and animations.
Step 2: Create or Import a 2D Character
The second step is to create or import a 2D character from the content manager or from an external source.
If you want to use the 2D character that comes with the project template, you can skip this step and go to the next one. However, if you want to use a different 2D character, you need to either create one from scratch or import one from another source.
To create a 2D character from scratch, you need to click on the Actor tab at the top of the content manager, and then select one of the character templates from the list. A character template is a pre-made 2D character that has a basic body structure and facial features. You can use a character template as a base for your own 2D character, or you can modify it according to your needs.
For this example, we will create a 2D character from scratch using the character template called "G3 Human - Male", which is a realistic human male character. You can preview the character template by clicking on the Play button at the bottom of the content manager.
To create a 2D character from scratch, you need to drag and drop the character template from the content manager to the stage. You will see the 2D character appear on the stage, and you will also see its name and its body parts appear on the timeline.
Once you have created a 2D character from scratch, you can customize it with props, accessories, and motions from the content manager or from an external source. You can also edit its body parts, facial features, colors, textures, etc., with the character composer tool.
To import a 2D character from another source, you need to click on the Import tab at the top of the content manager, and then select one of the import options from the list. You can import 2D characters in different formats, such as SWF, AI, JPG, PNG, BMP, TGA, etc.
For this example, we will import a 2D character from another source using the image import option, which allows us to import images in JPG, PNG, BMP, or TGA formats and automatically convert them into sprite-based characters with transparent backgrounds.
To import a 2D character from another source, you need to click on the image import option in the content manager, and then browse your computer for an image file that you want to import. For this example, we will import an image file called "cartoon_dog.jpg", which is a cartoon dog image that we downloaded from [this website].
Once you have selected an image file that you want to import, you need to click on the OK button, and then wait for the software to import the image file and convert it into a 2D character. You will see a progress bar and a preview window that show the importing and converting process.
Once the software has finished importing and converting the image file, you will see the 2D character appear on the stage, and you will also see its name and its body parts appear on the timeline.
Once you have imported a 2D character from another source, you can customize it with props, accessories, and motions from the content manager or from an external source. You can also edit its body parts, facial features, colors, textures, etc., with the character composer tool.
Step 3: Animate the 2D Character
The third step is to animate the 2D character with motions, facial expressions, and voice.
If you want to use the motions, facial expressions, and voice that come with the project template or the character template, you can skip this step and go to the next one. However, if you want to use different motions, facial expressions, and voice for your 2D character, you need to either apply them from the content manager or create them with the tools provided by the software.
To apply motions, facial expressions, and voice from the content manager, you need to click on the Motion tab at the top of the content manager, and then select one of the motion categories from the list. A motion category is a collection of 3D motions that have different styles and purposes. You can choose from different motion categories such as idle, walk, run, jump, dance, fight, etc.
For this example, we will apply motions, facial expressions, and voice from the content manager using the motion category called "G3 Human - Male", which is a collection of realistic human male motions. You can preview the motions by clicking on the Play button at the bottom of the content manager.
To apply motions, facial expressions, and voice from the content manager, you need to drag and drop them from the content manager to the timeline. You will see the motions appear on the timeline under the corresponding body parts of your 2D character. You can also adjust their duration, order, speed, direction, etc., with the transform tool and the timeline editor tool.
For this example, we will apply the following motions, facial expressions, and voice from the content manager to our 2D character:
A walk motion from the "Walk" sub-category, which makes the 2D character walk from left to right.
A smile facial expression from the "Expression" sub-category, which makes the 2D character smile while walking.
A voice file from the "Voice" sub-category, which makes the 2D character say "Hello, I am a 2D character created with Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO." while walking.
To create motions, facial expressions, and voice with the tools provided by the software, you need to click on the corresponding icons and buttons on the toolbar, and then use the tools to record or edit your own motions, facial expressions, and voice for your 2D character.
For this example, we will create motions, facial expressions, and voice with the tools provided by the software for our 2D character:
A wave motion with the motion capture tool, which allows us to use a webcam or a mouse to capture our body movements and apply them to our 2D character. We will wave our hand to make our 2D character wave his hand.
A wink facial expression with the facial puppet tool, which allows us to control the facial expressions of our 2D character with a simple mouse movement. We will move our mouse to make our 2D character wink his eye.
A voice file with the audio lip-syncing tool, which allows us to make our 2D character talk with voice files or text-to-speech. We will type in "This is how you can create and animate 2D characters with Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator 1.2.2010.1 PRO." and use text-to-speech to generate a voice file for our 2D character.
Step 4: Add Backgrounds and Props
The fourth step is to add backgrounds and props from the content manager or from an external source.
If you want to use the background and props that come with the project template or the character template, you can skip this step and go to the next one. However, if you want to use different backgrounds and props for your animation project, you need to either select them from the content manager or import them fr