To create an object click on the Create Object button...
...paint your object using the Brush, Spray, Fill and Eraser tools...
...and click on the Stop recording button.
You will see this confirmation...
And your object will be ready for use!
Once you've created your object you'll find it in the My Objects folder of the Object Library. But remember, your My Objects folder can only hold a maximum of 16 objects, so keep updating it with your best objects!
Draw your objects with the tools Library, Shapes and Text...
Once it's looking exactly how you want it, click 'Save to Library' in the Edit Tool...
Once you've created your object you'll find it in the My Objects folder of the Object Library, where you can use it over and over again! you'll find it in the My Objects folder of the Object Library.
But remember, your My Objects folder can only hold a maximum of 16 objects, so keep updating it with your best objects!
In the library you will find exciting pre-drawn objects to add to your animations. Click on them to place them onto your frame. Keep checking the folders to find new objects!
These are the hottest objects in the SketchStar gallery! Use them to liven up your animation and make it the coolest around. Click the objects onto your frame and edit them using the Edit tab.
Set the scene by choosing one of the many backgrounds available in SketchStar, just click on the background you like and it will be placed on the stage, in the background layer. Resize it to fit the frame, or drag it around to coincide with your animation. Folders containing background objects are purple.
"...just click on the background you like and it will be placed on the stage, in the background layer..."
Choose your favourite SketchStar puppet to liven up your animation. Click on a puppet with the left mouse button to drop it onto your frame. Hover your cursor above the arm, leg and neck joints until they are highlighted in yellow. When they are highlighted click and hold down the left mouse button to move the limb. Your puppet will soon be dancing around your frame!
Each puppet can have several different facial expressions, click on their face when not in Edit to see the options and use the left mouse button to select.
Pick a colour and click on the circle in the palette. Hold the left mouse button down and drag to create the circle shape you desire. If you want a perfect circle, hold down the SHIFT key on your keyboard while you are drawing. The centre of the circle will be where you start drawing from. If you need to edit it again, just click on the Edit tab!
Pick a colour and click on the square in the palette. Hold the left mouse button down and drag to create the square or rectangle of your choice. If you want a perfect square, hold down the SHIFT key on your keyboard while you are drawing. The corner of the square will be where you start drawing from. If you need to edit it again, just click on the Edit tab!
Pick a colour and click on the splash in the palette. Hold the left mouse button down and free draw your shape remembering to join up the ends. The shape will automatically fill with your chosen colour. If you need to edit it again, just click on the Edit tab!
Pick a colour and click on the triangle in the palette. This will open a line of polygons. Choose which one you want to draw by clicking on it with the left mouse button, hold the left mouse button down on the frame and drag to draw. The centre of the polygon will be where you start drawing from, so rotate it while you are drawing to get the shape right. If you need to edit it again, just click on the Edit tab!
Pick a colour and click on the line in the palette. Slide the box up and down to choose the thickness of the line then hold the left mouse button down and drag to draw. If you need to edit it again, just click on the Edit tab!
Pick a colour and click on the star in the palette. This will open a line of stars. Choose which one you want to draw by clicking on it with the left mouse button, hold the left mouse button down on the frame and drag to draw. The centre of the star will be where you start drawing from, so rotate it while you are drawing to get the shape right. If you need to edit it again, just click on the Edit tab!
Pick a colour and click on the heart in the palette. Hold the left mouse button down on the frame and drag to draw. The centre of the heart will be where you start drawing from, so rotate it while you are drawing to get the shape right. If you need to edit it again, just click on the Edit tab!
You can now add text to your animations! To add text click on the Text button in the Object Library, pick a colour and a font for your text and slide the box from left to right to change the size of your text. To write your text click on the frame and a box will appear for you to write in. You can edit your text as you go along by highlighting it with your cursor, hold down the left mouse button and drag across the text, and then change the colour, size or font. To move the text around hover the cursor just outside the text box and hold the left mouse button down and drag it around the frame. If you need to edit it more, just click on the Edit tab!
Highlight the object by clicking on it with the left mouse button, then click on the Delete Object button to remove it from the frame.
Highlight the object by clicking on it with the left mouse button, then click on the Clone button to replicate it as many times as you wish.
To merge two or more items into one object, highlight all of them by holding down shift and clicking on them one by one with the left mouse button. Once they are all highlighted click the Merge button to create one single object.
Highlight the object by clicking on it with the left mouse button, then click Flip Horizontal to flip it on a horizontal axis.
Highlight the object by clicking on it with the left mouse button, then click Flip Vertical to flip it on a vertical axis.
Use this tool to layer your objects in the right order. Highlight the object you want to bring to the very front of your layers by clicking on it with the left mouse button.
Use this tool to layer your objects in the right order. Highlight the object you want to bring to the very front of your layers by clicking on it with the left mouse button.
Use this tool to layer your objects in the right order. Highlight the object you want to bring forward by clicking on it with the left mouse button. Click on the Bring Forward button until you have your object in the correct place.
Use this tool to layer your objects in the right order. Highlight the object you want to send backwards by clicking on it with the left mouse button. Click on the Send Backward button until you have your object in the correct place.
If you have an object in the right place, use the Freeze Button to hold it there while you continue editing. Click on the object you want to freeze with the left mouse button and click on the Freeze button. This will stop any more editing until you click on the Unfreeze button.
Change the transparency of your object by moving the box from right to left. Use it to layer objects and create interesting effects!
Once you are completely happy with the place of an object on your frame, you can Flatten to Frame. This imprints the object onto the screen so you are unable to edit again.
Once you have completed your animation publish it in the SketchStar gallery to be seen by other Miniclip Players.
If you want to save your animation but you haven't quite finished yet, then you can save it as an Active Project. To carry on editing your animation, you will find it in My Animations, My Active Projects.
If you are not happy and do not want to save your animation at all, then click on the Start Over Animation button which will completely delete your animation.
Send Animations to Your Friends
Now it's even easier to share your favorite animations! On the animation page, just enter a friend's username in the 'Send to a Friend' field to add them to the list. When you've added all the friends you want, click 'Send', and each one of them will get a notification about the animation!
Control Your Frames Easily
Moving animation frames around is easy! Just click and hold on the frame you want to move, and drag it to wherever in the timeline you want it.
Become a Fan of your Favorite Artists!
If you really like an artist, click the 'Become a Fan' button on their profile. You'll get a notification whenever they publish a new animation, so you won't miss any of their masterpieces!
Tag your Animations - Get more Views!
When you publish an animation, you can add a number of "tags" to describe it. For example, if your animation was about Sketchy playing tennis on the moon, your tags might be "Sketchy", "tennis", and "moon". Sketch Star uses these for search results, so adding relevant tags will help other users find your animations. You might even get some extra votes!
Hover Over an Object for a Description
If you're unsure about an object in the Animation Creator, hover over it and a description will pop up along with its name. This might even give you some ideas for using the object in an animation!
Zoom In For Perfect Details
Here's a special zooming technique to create detailed animations. When you're using the Animation Creator, hold 'Ctrl' ('Cmd' on a Mac) and push '+' a few times to zoom closer. While you're zoomed in, perfect the detailed parts of the animation. When you're finished (or you just want to check what you've done), hold 'Ctrl' ('Cmd' on a Mac) and push '-' to zoom out again, or 'Ctrl' ('Cmd' on a Mac) and '0' to go back to the normal view.
Animate your Drawings
Sketch Star allows you to make beautiful animations, so why limit yourself to a still image? Try using more frames and instill life and movement in your creations!
Save your Animations Regularly
Save your animation as an Active Project every 15-30 minutes, to avoid losing it in case of a power outage, Internet problem or computer crash.
Sketch your Animation on Paper First
Even the greatest artists usually plan their masterpieces carefully before they step up to a canvas. Well, the Animation Creator is your canvas, so try sketching out your ideas on paper before you reach for your mouse. This will give you the chance to quickly experiment with different ideas, until you know exactly what you want.
Puppets
Try using puppets to tell a story without having to draw each frame.
Show off your Storytelling Skills
If you're not a brilliant artist, you can still make exciting, popular animations. Forget beautiful graphics for a while, and flex your storytelling muscles by making a really funny/sad/happy/scary animation with a great plot. This is still great drawing practice, so your artistic skills will improve as well!
Changing Shapes' Color
Did you know that you can change the color of an existing shape object by clicking on it with the bucket tool?
Experiment with Realistic Light Effects
Are you finding some of your animations a little flat and unrealistic? Bring life to your animations by bringing in some interesting light and shadow effects. Where is the light coming from? Are there any reflections? What directions are shadows falling?
Stories
Looking for ideas for your animation? Try animating a well known story and put your own twist on it!
Challenge Yourself! Draw what's Difficult
Even skilled artists find it difficult to draw and paint certain things. For example, many people find it hard to draw realistic hands, or horses. However, drawing what's difficult for you is a great way to challenge yourself and improve your artistic abilities.
Foreground and Background Layers
Try using both foreground and background layers to improve your animation and make it stand out.
Ask your Friends and Family for Ideas
If you don't know what to draw and need inspiration, ask your brothers/sisters, friends or other members of the family - they might have just the right idea for your to create a killer animation!
Background Objects
Did you know that when you select a background object it is automatically placed on the Background Layer?
Start your Animation with an Outline
Before you start on the beautiful details of your animation, try drawing a simple outline. This way, you can get the overall composition looking great, and you can make sure everything's going to fit in the frame! Once you're filling in the details, you can start deleting your outline if you don't need it any more.
Transparency
Did you know that you can change the transparency of an object by using the Transparency slider in the Edit section?
