I'm still looking for a Macintosh program which will be similar to traditional drawn cel animation, with layering abiilities and onion-skinning. Anybody have any ideas? Web Painter sounds like a possibility--has anyone used it, and can tell me the limitations? Retas costs more than my last two cars put together (and is incompatible with my old ADB hardware.) Aura sounds good, but there doesn't seem to be a downloadable Mac demo. Digicel's Flipbook sounds perfect, except no Mac version at all...yet, anyway. Has anyone tried Etchelon, or know what features the upcoming upgrade will have? http://website.lineone.net/~andy.pritchard/tracer.html

Hi, I use Animation stand. It is used by the big studios and was developed on the mac but eventually got ported to all the OS versions ( windows, I believe linux too ). I use the windows version 'cos I have windows 3D programmes and I couldn't afford two systems for different programes. The website is www.animationstand.com . They have a fully functional Lite version you can download for free. The full Pro version costs about $600. Another option would be ToonBoom. It is a new Lite version of USanimation Software used by the big studios ( USanimation was used for the rugrat movies ). You can check it out at www.toonboom.com. They have a demo you can download too but I think it's geared more towards web animation. However, reviews I've read state that it could also export quicktime movies. The full version costs about $380. Adobe After Affects is another industrial standard software you might want to check out at www.adobe.com. The standard version goes for about $650. The production bundle with extra filters, bell and whistels, etc costs more. After Effects is used for everything ranging from TV motion graphics, South Pack and even the pilot Blue's Clues series. Infact the latest Version 5 has very high reviews. I'm sorry I particularly don't know much about the Etchelon software you wrote about, but I think I identify with your dillema on 2D cel software ( especially on the mac ). I've lived with it for years :-) !!!! 2D animation is my first love, but unfortunately the digital tools are still beyond reach for the average independent film maker with RETAS at almost $5,000, ANIMO at $15,000, TOONZ at $15,000, CTP at almost $3,000. It's indeed absurd. Especially judging by the fact that all the software really does is to simply move YOUR DRAWINGS. Anyway, maintain your high spirit. Good luck and happy animating !!!!! :-) !!!

Hey, thanks! I tried Animation Stand before, it crashed three times while I attempted to get through the chimp-written tutorial. :P I guess they didn't put much effort into the Mac version. But I'll have a look at your other recommendations! Never heard of ToonBoom.... But I'm hoping Etchalon will work out. Apparently a new version is about to be released, with a lot more features...if it does close enough to what I want, $27 registration fee sounds a whole lot better than the competition! I can always port stuff to Painter for ink-n-paint work, if necessary.

Cool. I'm glad I could be of some help. Hopefully Etchelon would work out for you too. It seems to be an AWESOME bargain. The Painter option is not bad either, but from my experience, it might be a bit cumbersome if you have a lot of frames. Infact, INK and PAINT is where I think the real nature of digital animation comes into play and dedicated 2D Cel animation programes excel due to their numerous Automated-Painting options. ;-) However, if you are willing to do the grunt work, then Painter is the way to go. Animation boils down to "a labour of love" anyway. :-) !!!!!! Keep on keeping on. Enjoy !!

What wrong with flash??? Flash is good to use, its not just for the web. And don't forget about dare I say...warez!!! Okay I'm just kidding about the w word. But do you think van gogh would have stolen some paint and brushes if he had to. Heheheh!!! Yes warez are stealing, so depending on your moral standing. Personally I'm not behind warez but hey whatever floats your boat. I heard toonboom was good as well. Look around the web for it. Hmmm have to check these things out you guys mentioned. There is also always the old fashioned way, 8mm

Toonboom looks perfect....unfortunately it requires Os X, which my old computer isn't up to handling. Oh, well, maybe someday... And from what I've seen of Flash, its strength is more in moving predetermined objects around than in detailed traditional-style animation.