Bitey Castle - - watch things and learn stuff

My Software

My Hardware

BCA: Chapter 3

BiteyCastle Academy is now teaching Flash Graphics. The chapter is 55 pages, absolutely packed with illustrations and screenshots, with a few of my favourite tricks thrown in. I have provided a handful of working files so that you can follow along with the exercises even if you don't feel like drawing. The chapter covers most aspects of creating artwork in Flash, including importing, sketching rough and clean, timeline layers and working with colour. In the colour section you'll learn all about mixing your own colours, making tonal variations for light and dark, mixing gradients for depth and realism and saving your custom palettes.

Check out the ch3 Table of Contents, or drop me a line if you have any further questions.

Live animation help

If you have Skype credit, you can call me for a quick chat whenever you need help with Adobe Flash 8, CS3, CS4, ToonBoom Animate, ToonBoom Digital Pro or ToonBoom Storyboard. I may be able to help you with issues regarding audio, sync, file size and general timeline animation issues. Before you call, first check my office webcam to see if I'm there.

30 Shorts: Click a Number
People's Choice: FlashForward 2007

New Animation Software

Hot on the heels of the awesome Adobe Flash CS4 comes ToonBoom Animate. They're priced the same and both are fantastic apps. Which one's best for you will depend on what you want to do with them. If you're serious about animation for broadcast and online video, I highly recommend ToonBoom Animate, because as an animation program, it's simply unrivalled - except by its big brothers in the higher end of ToonBoom animation apps. Animate is a dedicated animation program that will help you deliver stunning quality results and, if you're not a professional 2D animator, you'll actually be learning the animation industry workflow and terminology as you go.

If, however you're into making Flash games or interactive movies, then Flash CS4 is the way to go, with features like IK, 3D(!!), overhauled motion model and tween paths (that make the old Motion Guide seem uh.. "cute").. it just happens to be the animator's most exciting release of Flash since.. well, ever.

I've written a quick review of both apps on the WoodenBlog.

I'm back in Khaz

The new expansion was released and I knew I couldn't keep away. I went to the midnight launch, brought it home and immediately played a good 3 hours. The new areas are just awesome, though I haven't fully explored them so nothing mind-blowing as yet. Except perhaps seeing a level 80 guy within 72 hrs of the release. There's 1.5 million XP between levels 70 and 71 alone, so this guy must have been playing without sleep for 3 days straight (if you know WoW gamers, that wouldn't surprise you). If you check my live webcam and see that I'm playing, drop in to Khaz'goroth (Horde side) and say hi. The name's ßitey (spelled Alt+0223 itey).

Link to Bitey Castle w banners & buttons