Imitating a Scanner Darkly

Recently, I've watched a trailer and read about “A Scanner Darkly,” a vector based movie entirely created in “a licensed software program not available to consumers.” I am surprised that this licensed software doesn’t even have a name (read an interview with Sterling Allen). On Friday, I’ve discussed with my students the “Imitating a Scanner Darkly” tutorial.

Director Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly impressed audiences this summer with a stunning 2D animation style that mixes heavy blacks lines with shapes of solid color to represent a realistic image. After filming the movie live action, we used proprietary vector software to animate directly over live footage, preserving the likeness and performances of the actors - a process called "Interpolated Rotoscoping." This tutorial will show you how I was able to recreate a similar effect using tools in Adobe Illustrator. Using Illustrator's pencil tool and shapes of solid color, you can imitate the graphic novel styling of A Scanner Darkly.

My students mainly use the Pen or Brush tools and a mouse to draw in Illustrator while a “Scanner Darkly’s” technique requires the Pencil tool (I use the Pencil tool only for minor corrections). To use the illustrator tools efficiently, students should have tablets, and I hope to buy Wacom tablets for my class next year. I draw on a tablet Intuos3.
However, I would like to switch to the Cintiq 21UX with a 21" display, adjustable stand, and grip pen for use directly on the screen.
I am sure tablet PCs will become more affordable, and students will be writing, drawing, and animating directly on the screens of their laptops in the near future. This is a HP tablet PC.

Today, I’ve redesigned my index page on cybernaut.com.



I've uploaded to TeacherTube my students’ self-portrait projects.

images: http://www.wacom.com/
http://www.hp.com/sbso/buyguides/pg_tablet_pcs.html

The Principle of Alignment

According to Robin Williams' “The Non-Designer’s Design Book,” the principle of proximity states that you group related items together. When creating a flyer, a brochure, or a newsletter, try to form a list into visual groups. Add some contrast to the headlines, use extra margins, underline the relationships, and emphasize important information.

The next principle of design is alignment. "The principle of alignment states that nothing should be placed on the page arbitrarily. Every item should have a visual connection with something else on the page... Even when aligned elements are physically separated from each other, there is an invisible line that connects them, both in your eye and in your mind."

My students often use a centered alignment for the posters, and it works great.

However, when you look at 15-20 different posters with the centered alignment, it gets boring. According to Williams, “a centered alignment creates a more formal look, a more sedate look, a more ordinary and oftentimes downright dull look.” She suggests using “a strong flush right or left alignment with good use of proximity.”

This business card has a centered alignment.
The strong flush-right gives the card the "hard" edge. "The strength of this edge is what gives strength to the layout."
My students use Illustrator guides to align objects.

Illustrator has also the Align window.


An alignment choice for posters often depends on the visual elements. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, a true genius of the posters, used what I would call a creative alignment.

I agree with Williams “that most designs that have a sophisticated look are not centered.” Based on my observation, the students’ projects with the creative alignment have a refined look.

Pi Posters in Adobe Illustrator

On March 14, our Math Department celebrated Pi Day. My 8th grade Digital Design class students created posters in Adobe Illustrator.

Watch a video with my students' posters on the TeacherTube.

You can view my students' best projects at http://www.cybernaut.com/projects/pi/pi.html

Quick Tip -- the Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator

I would like to show you how to create a Pi symbol in Illustrator.

Select the Pen Tool.

Set the Fill color and the Stroke color to None.

Click the Pen Tool twice to create a straight line.

To create a curved line, click and drag the Pen Tool.

An outline of Pi is ready.

Now, fill the outline with a radial gradient. I am finishing a video tutorial and will post it soon.