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A
Andreas__m
Known Participant
January 20, 2021
Answered

(1) Multiple scenes in one file OR (2) only one scene per file (workflow and performance)

  • January 20, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 1418 views

Hi, 

 

For projects which include many characters and multiple scenes, which approach would you recommend?

 

I would like to  stay within one file, having set up all my characters, and for each new scene I use duplicated versions of the graphic symbols (unless I want to re-use certain animations, like walking).  However, I am getting concerned that this approach results in a huge file and library (with LOTS of duplicated characters) and eventually will have a negative impact on the workflow (like long saving times, lags, glitches and similar). 

 

Would it be better to have one master file with all the characters and then duplicate the file for each new scene (so only one scene per file)?

 

Thanks for some advice on this!

Andreas

Correct answer n. tilcheff

Hi mate,

 

Whatever you do, do not use Scenes.

 

Whether to split your film into separate FLAs by shot or keep it all in one timeline is entirely dependent on the project specifics.

I have made 5 min. episodes as one file. Studios usually keep one shot per FLA, but some do sequences.

 

Here are two articles that I have written which may answer some of your questions regarding structure and approaches:

https://flash-powertools.com/workflow/

https://flash-powertools.com/organic-animation-and-cinematic-look/

 

The most important advice would be: make backups; save incremental versions of your work several times a day.

 

Hope this helps!

 

1 reply

n. tilcheff
n. tilcheffCorrect answer
Legend
January 20, 2021

Hi mate,

 

Whatever you do, do not use Scenes.

 

Whether to split your film into separate FLAs by shot or keep it all in one timeline is entirely dependent on the project specifics.

I have made 5 min. episodes as one file. Studios usually keep one shot per FLA, but some do sequences.

 

Here are two articles that I have written which may answer some of your questions regarding structure and approaches:

https://flash-powertools.com/workflow/

https://flash-powertools.com/organic-animation-and-cinematic-look/

 

The most important advice would be: make backups; save incremental versions of your work several times a day.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Nick - Character Designer and Animator, Flash user since 1998 | Member of the Flanimate Power Tools team - extensions for character animation
    A
    Andreas__mAuthor
    Known Participant
    January 20, 2021

    Thanks, Nick!

     

    I will surely work through the two articles. Could you just give me a very brief explanation why scenes are a bad idea? I wonder why they are actually implemented as a feature when they should be avoided.

    n. tilcheff
    n. tilcheff
    Legend
    January 21, 2021

    Thank you for the insight. That's too bad, as I find the scenes feature very convenient, but I guess I will have to work around it then. 


    Nothing can stop you from using Scenes, mate, if they work for you, as long as you are aware of the potential problems and are ready to cut/paste all the content from those Scenes into new FLA files if you have to.

     

    At the end of the day, if you are the only one who works on a project, you are the one who makes all decisions and takes all the risks.

     

    Nick - Character Designer and Animator, Flash user since 1998 | Member of the Flanimate Power Tools team - extensions for character animation
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