How can you digitize hand-drawn animations using scanners and 2D animation software?

2 Scan your drawings

The next step is to scan your drawings and import them into your 2D animation software. You should scan your drawings at a high resolution, such as 300 dpi or higher, to preserve the quality and clarity of your images. You should also scan your drawings in the same order and orientation as you want them to appear in your animation. Depending on your scanner and software, you might be able to scan multiple drawings at once and have them automatically separated and numbered. You can also adjust the brightness, contrast, and color settings of your scans to make them more consistent and vibrant.

3 Create your animation

Once you have scanned and imported your drawings into your 2D animation software, you can start creating your animation. You can use the timeline, layers, and frames tools to arrange, edit, and animate your drawings. You can also add effects, transitions, sounds, and text to your animation. Some 2D animation software, such as Toon Boom Harmony or Adobe Animate, have features that can help you smooth, clean, and color your drawings, as well as create vector graphics, backgrounds, and characters. You can also use other software, such as Photoshop or GIMP, to edit your drawings before or after importing them into your 2D animation software.

4 Export your animation

The final step is to export your animation in a format that you can share, upload, or distribute. You should choose a format that is compatible with your intended platform, audience, and purpose. For example, if you want to upload your animation to YouTube, you might choose a format such as MP4, MOV, or AVI. If you want to burn your animation to a DVD, you might choose a format such as MPEG-2 or VOB. You should also consider the file size, quality, and compression of your animation. You can use software such as HandBrake or VLC to convert and optimize your animation for different formats.

5 Experiment and have fun

Digitizing your hand-drawn animations using scanners and 2D animation software can open up new possibilities and challenges for your creativity and innovation. You can experiment with different styles, techniques, and tools to create unique and original animations. You can also have fun and express yourself through your drawings and animations. Digitizing your hand-drawn animations can also help you preserve, showcase, and share your work with others. You can use your animations for personal, educational, or professional purposes, such as making a portfolio, a demo reel, or a short film.