The most exciting features in Cartoon Animator 5.3

Building on the success of Motion Pilot mouse-led animation, Cartoon Animator advances further with the introduction of Puppet Stage and Live Camera System in the 5.3 update. As the demand for short films, social media, and live streaming grows, Reallusion is addressing the emergent need for rapid animation production.

This update delivers a game-changing trigger-based animation system that simplifies traditional keyframing by utilising existing animation assets, seamlessly integrating facial tracking and voice lip sync. Designed for real-time, studio-grade live shows, all within a unified interface, this intuitive system sets a new standard in livestream animation. Let's take a look at the highlights of this exciting new release...

New feature highlights

Puppet Stage - Live stream redefined

Puppet Stage combines trigger animations, voice lip-sync, and facial motion capture in one unified system. With Motion Pilot and Camera Switcher integration, artists can harness a full production process geared toward fast 2D production and responsive live streaming featuring original artwork and media.

The latest update introduces an array of powerful features designed to elevate animation and live streaming experiences:

• Trigger Panel: Users can now fully customise a hotkey-triggered deck to control animation files, facial performances, FFD, VFX, props, and backgrounds, delivering seamless and responsive animation control.
• Facial Mocap Integration: Effortlessly mix facial motion capture from a PC camera or iPhone to create dynamic facial expressions that blend naturally with other animation elements.
• Voice Lip Sync: Enhance character performances with automatic lip-syncing to voice input, adding emotional depth while seamlessly integrating with expression triggers.
• Head-driven Body Movements: Guide character eye movements with a simple mouse drag and automatically trigger natural body actions using motion-tracked head rotations.
• Motion Pilot: Control character walks or runs with cursor movements, offering options to adjust movement range, tempo, amplitude, and direction for fluid motion.
• Camera Switcher: Take control like a director with hotkey camera switching or automatic target tracking to keep fast-paced action in view.
• Livestream Focused: Optimised for live streaming, the dedicated window mode for OBS and Twitch integrates with hotkey mapping for Stream Deck, Loupedeck, and other trigger devices.
• Portable Data: Enjoy the flexibility to export and import trigger settings and asset files between computers, ensuring smooth transitions across different setups.

Engaging realtime camerawork

The Camera Control Panel is where visuals and storytelling are interwoven through a range of cinematographic tools. Directors can save their favourite shots, perform live previews, and set up camera cuts and triggers for Puppet Stage, achieving lifelike results that rival professional techniques.

The latest release introduces advanced camera control features designed to give creators more precision and flexibility in their animations and live streams:

• Custom Camera List: Store camera angles, lens settings, and tracking targets within the camera control panel. Capture thumbnail images and assign hotkeys for quick retrieval of specific camera setups.
• Live Preview: Seamlessly toggle between camera cuts during playback to direct the narrative in real-time, ensuring creative control as scenes unfold.
• Switch Keys: Easily store and recall camera cuts using a streamlined hotkey setup. Once applied, these camera keys are organised within the Camera Switch Track for full keyframe adjustments in the timeline editor.
• Camera Tracking & Toggle: Select a target for camera tracking to keep the focus on the action, with the ability to switch between tracking and roaming shots at any time. Fine-tune rough takes by adjusting camera keyframes in the timeline editor.
• Mimicking Real Camerawork: Emulate real-world camera movements – track fast-paced sequences, zoom in on close-up dialogue, or use dolly zooms for dramatic effects. All camera actions can be created and managed effortlessly through the Camera Control Panel.

Camera cuts can be easily stored and recalled from a hotkey setup. Once applied, the camera keys are organised within the Camera Switch Track.

Puppet stage content packs

To showcase the full potential of live puppet controls, two invaluable expansion packs have been created to help users quickly experience the power of Puppet Stage. These packs allow you to reuse pre-designed characters, animation trigger settings, and easily swap in your own characters, props, and animation assets, making it effortless to create your own dynamic live show.

Cartoon Puppet

This universal virtual host template, Cartoon Puppet, features three sets of distinctive animation performances for live show or interactive presentation. Choose from the Chill, Sweet, or Dramatic animation genre to fit your character styles. Additional amoeba animation templates can turn simple images or vector graphics into engaging actors.

Anime Puppet

This illustrious Anime Puppet pack showcases the dynamic details and versatility of CTA anime characters. A must-have for fans of manga and anime culture, Anime Puppet allows you to instantly bring characters to life in a live show or dive into advanced techniques like smooth expressions and hand-keyed sprite sequences. Plus, you will uncover design secrets with the bonus 360-degree robo-pet 'Digi Paws' included in the pack.

Livestream power bundle

Don't miss the virtual host bundle kit in both Japanese anime and American cartoon styles, featuring trigger performances for live shows or interactive presentations.