Animation Automation

akn_39 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2018 5:37 pm **(#1)**

GIMP Version: 2.10.2
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

Hello Everyone: I have used GIMP for a couple of years now, but I have limited experience creating animations. The effect I am wanting to create is a spinning newspaper headline, as used in vintage movies, and I have managed to do this and export the file as a GIF. This is OK for a one-time effort, but I have the requirement to repeat the effect with different headlines, and I am looking for a way automate the process. Basically each layer/frame is the same image, just scaled up or down, and rotated. So rather than manually manipulate the image over and over, I am hoping there is a more efficient way - a plugin or filter that takes the initial image and modifies it according to specified parameters, and generates the GIF. So, my questions are:

- Is there an existing plugin or script that does something like this i.e. automates the GIF generation from the base image?
- I have a programming background - is it reasonable for me to write a script to do this?
- I am familiar enough with GIMP that I would like to use it for this, but is GIMP the best software for this purpose?

Any suggestions?

Thanks. . .

Tony N.

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2018 6:23 pm **(#2)**

akn_39 wrote:

GIMP Version: 2.10.2
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

Hello Everyone: I have used GIMP for a couple of years now, but I have limited experience creating animations. The effect I am wanting to create is a spinning newspaper headline, as used in vintage movies, and I have managed to do this and export the file as a GIF. This is OK for a one-time effort, but I have the requirement to repeat the effect with different headlines, and I am looking for a way automate the process. Basically each layer/frame is the same image, just scaled up or down, and rotated. So rather than manually manipulate the image over and over, I am hoping there is a more efficient way - a plugin or filter that takes the initial image and modifies it according to specified parameters, and generates the GIF. So, my questions are:

- Is there an existing plugin or script that does something like this i.e. automates the GIF generation from the base image?
- I have a programming background - is it reasonable for me to write a script to do this?
- I am familiar enough with GIMP that I would like to use it for this, but is GIMP the best software for this purpose?

Any suggestions?

Thanks. . .

Tony N.

There is currently no script or plugin,
that I'm aware of.
Which will assist you in making these specific animations.

It seems that a script/plugin would need to be created.
Using the exact parameters needed,
to achieve the desired outcome.

You would need to outline all the steps that are required.
For anyone who is proficient at creating scripts and plugins.
To use as a guide, in creating the script.

In other words.
You would need to have a custom script or plugin.

If you post a request,
along with the exact required steps that are needed.
To our Gimp Scripts and Plugins topic.
Perhaps one of our resident scripter/coders will pick it up and run with it.

Tas_mania · **Joined:** Nov 04, 2015 **Posts:** 1477

I think a horizontally rotating newspaper headline is a nice video effect. I can rotate anything using the MathMap plugin but sadly it's not available for Windows.
I know there are others here who can rotate things with other scripts or plugins. Filters > Map to Object using sphere can do this as well.

trandoductin · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2018 7:08 pm **(#4)**

Just finished writing this script (should get you started on the right path): https://www.gimplearn.net/viewtopic.php ... f=3&t=1661

akn_39 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2018 9:00 pm **(#5)**

Thanks to everyone who responded - your comments are helpful and encouraging. My thought at the moment is to spend some time getting to know scripting.

Regards. . .

Tony N.

Pat625 · **Joined:** May 12, 2015 **Posts:** 4693

Tin, that is really neat! Any way to make it start very small, get large as spins, and stop for a second?

trandoductin · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2018 11:02 pm **(#7)**

Pat,
Please see this response here: https://www.gimplearn.net/viewtopic.php ... 525#p19525

which produces a result like this:

Pat625 · **Joined:** May 12, 2015 **Posts:** 4693

Very nice! Thank you very much, Tin.

Ella · **Joined:** May 17, 2014 **Posts:** 1571

Thank you for the script, Tim.

Again I had problems to post here, until now

MareroQ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 09, 2018 1:39 pm **(#10)**

Hi Tin.
Thanks for another interesting plugin.
In another thread:

Question about Run Code on "Visible" ("now not only") Layers Script for GIMP - do you plan a version for groups of layers

Run code:
https://www.gimplearn.net/viewtopic.php/GIMP-Python-Fu-Scripts-Plug-ins/Run-Code-on-Visible-Layers-Script-for-GIMP?f=3&t=1027
Remove Alpha on all layers
http://gimpchat.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=16743&sid=49bc8bcca5991ab1c3067ae280e5cbdf#p230356

Hi Tas_mania
What MathMap plugins do you write that do not work for Windows?
A small attempt in Windows Vista 32 bit, GimpEval 2.10.5 compiled by Samj - but removed (a great shame for users of old laptops 32 bit) and replaced by the official version 2.10.4 (which requires a minimum of Window7).

trandoductin · **Posted:** Thu Aug 09, 2018 7:27 pm **(#11)**

MareroQ,
Please see version 4 of script just added to support layergroups (Just make sure you run it on an active layer that doesn't have any children to avoid "can't pickle" error).

MareroQ · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2018 12:20 am **(#12)**

Thank You very much for the new version for groups of layers.
According to me - now it will be the most-used plugin.

trandoductin · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:32 am **(#13)**

I don't know a most used plug-in.
But maybe have a page where prewritten one-liners or multiline compressed-on-one-liners of code can be shared.
So far I just write a script description of what looks like a script and then give the one-liner like this one: https://www.gimplearn.net/viewtopic.php ... f=3&t=1663