Storyboarder: free storyboard creation software!

[Lex W]

Figured I'd share- originally found out about it in this tweet: https://twitter.com/Reuno/status/905397841593585664

Here's the website for the software: https://wonderunit.com/storyboarder/index.html

[Rodney]

Very interesting.

Checking it out now.

Because this is opensource software and the folks behind it are interested in assistance it would be great to see an option for Storyboarder to use OpenToonz instead of Photoshop (which is their option for more detailed line and paint work).  Their github page is here:  https://github.com/wonderunit/storyboarder

Added:  Storyboarder accepts fountain scripts (as well as regular text) as input.

More can be discovered about that format here: https://fountain.io/

Thanks for the link!

[Rodney]

There are a few very innovative (some might say annoying?) options in Storyboarder.

They can be turned on/off in Preferences of course but I find them interesting.

One is that audio (melodies and sound fx) can be applied to brush strokes.

Another is the commentary/banter... to include informing you of how much pencil mileage you've used.

The creators of this are obviously artists.  ;)

Here's a random duck to celebrate 5.0 line miles.

The script (on the left) is the example 'Big Fish' script from fountain.io.

Added:  Another thing I forgot to mention is that Storyboarder is pressing into the use of QRcodes which is something I've been exploring and even tested in the last few days (by adding a QR code image as a level in OpenToonz).  Modern technology.  That's the kind of stuff worth leaning into these days.

[konero]

Hmm...

The AV at work flags this as malware, specifically the download address is blacklisted. I thought it was just their overkill setup, but at home my own AV blocked it too.

Maybe someone can upload it to VirusTotal?

[J.P. Turcotte]

The installer is absolutely clean: https://www.virustotal.com/#/file/3e2957bef2c2c4fa66c4e32b11984c537fde6d8333bf164900d97bf1b101a8b1/detection. On another note, Orphanlast too brought up on Discord that an Export to OpenToonz Scene function would be neat. If it could preserve the timings and notes to generate a complete x-sheet, it could be a stellar addition. Maybe Rodney and Orphanlast could champion the cause. What do the developers think?

[TurtleTooth]

I just created a portable Windows version with a few enhancements and removed the profanity, watermark and Google tracking.

https://gum.co/ZCBzQ

[Jane Eyre]

That sounds great! I wish there was a portable Mac version without profanity...

[Rodney]

That's great news.

Leave it to you to resolve important things like this.

Importantly (besides the removal of profanity, etc.) that an application designed to be used to quickly sketch out stories can be even quicker as a portable program.

Nice.

... "...with a few enhancements..."

Okay, now that has me curious.  :)

Thanks Jeremy!

[TurtleTooth]

I'll see what I can do.  It may be easier to do a mac version since this build is a lot easier than OpenToonz.

[TurtleTooth]

It looks like the creator is trying to change the software license retroactively to prevent me from making my changes:

https://twitter.com/charlesforman/status/909863346127671296

He really, really wants his software to be offensive.

[Rodney]

The language almost caused me to move on immediately but I was pleasantly surprised the program itself did not use as the profanity found on the website.

That's sad that an issue to him and an indication that it may be best to leave him to his own devices.

In other words, he may be legally wrong but his wishes as the creator of the program should be considered... and respected.

This is very unfortunate as the program has very solid potential.

When seeing the rather unique approach to the application I immediately recognized the author considers himself an artist first and a programmer of software secondly.

As such his 'art' will be the most important aspect of his creativity.

I hope Charles reconsiders but I'm not overly optimistic.

Edit:  I don't think Charles should be given up on.  He's entitled to make a few mistakes on his way to success.  ;)

So, bear with him and I think he'll come around especially if others convince him of the usefulness of Storyboarder for education purposes and such where (as Jane Eyre suggests) the colorful language will prove to be detrimental and work against having it rise to full potential.

[Jane Eyre]

That's really too bad. The profanity makes the program completely unusable in an educational setting.

[TurtleTooth]

Rodney -

I actually disagree with you that his wishes should be considered . . (which makes me sound like a jerk), but that is why Open Source licenses exist - so people can do with the software what they wish.  I have no intention of working with him on this, as he has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to insult his user base and berate those who disagree with him, but I have every intention of maintaining my version of the software - as that is what the original license allows me to do.  

This may sound harsh and stubborn on my part, but it is really great software that has great benefit for schools and so I plan on using the software as the original license permits.

[J.P. Turcotte]

You might want to explain to him why you are doing this, i.e. for use in a school setting. I found people more receptive to proper arguments, even if they have to be rephrased and repeated many times over, than often justified frustrated replies. Other than that, attaboy! I already dream of the day this can be integrated with OpenToonz. Keep up the good work!

[TurtleTooth]

I have explained the use to him, and I'm not the only teacher who has done so.  He posted this on his twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesforman/status/905983584263135233  

@JP As far as integrating it into OT, I don't think that is necessary ( and actually rather impossible ) OT uses C++, Storyboarder is an Electron app (javascript and node.js).  I have modified the images names that are output in Storyboarder so that the image sequences can be imported into OpenToonz.

[Rodney]

Jeremy, I hear you.

I completely understand your perspective... agree with it even.

I'm in the awkward position of presenting a defense for someone who I actually oppose in this instance so take all of this for what it is worth from me.

It is difficult (at best) to reason logically with an artist.  Especially one that is striving to stay true to themselves.

Add to this the fact that 'genius'**...which is something it surely takes to create any good software... will acerbate the problem.

The question then might be "Does Charles possess a creative mind that can be reasoned with?"

Time will tell.

For my part, I always look for the long term solutions that satisfy all parties... always difficult... and one important aspect of that is not to make impulse decisions that will make conflict resolution even more difficult.  ;)

There are a number of potential outcomes to this... some good... some bad... some tragically terrible.

I do think that winning Charles over of his own accord (i.e. the scenario where he convinces himself of the greater good) will benefit everyone.

For my part I prefer an outcome where, against the odds, all parties even turn out to be friends.

**Here I use the title 'genius' more in the sense of an 'origin-ator' than 'exceptionally smart person' as Charles is someone resourceful enough to take a basic idea and commit the resources necessary to produce a product of value.  In this case that product being software based on an Charles's understanding of how useful a product like Pixar's 'Pitch Doctor' would be to storytelling production if he (and others) had access to it. 

[J.P. Turcotte]

Yeah, never mind, it seems Mr Forman is an edgelord.

That is exactly what I was talking about when I said "integrated with OpenToonz." Thank you very much! Could a "View in OpenToonz" button be eventually added? I am blue-skying here, but if it could correctly populate an x-sheet with frames, timings, and notes, that would be extraordinarily useful.

[TurtleTooth]

Rodney- I understand your perspective and trying to get all sides to work together is generally my preferred solution too.  I am not big on conflict and try and find resolution when possible.  However, I have little to no interest in working with a person who has demonstrated the character he has shown or someone with the willingness to berate and insult people who are trying to provide valid feedback. (https://github.com/wonderunit/storyboarder/issues/644)

[Jane Eyre]

Yikes, I'm glad that our OpenToonz developers are more professional than that!

I'm glad you'll still be working on your version Jeremy. The software really could be great in the classroom.

[roberts...@gmail.com]

where can i make comments and remarks on the software? i want to give it a closer look. Just instaled it on my surface 3

[Rodney]

If you want to address the original software there are links for the github project and a general feedback link at the very bottom of their website:

I would say reproduceable bug reports should go to github and the remainder to feedback. 

https://wonderunit.com/storyboarder/index.html

If you are wanting to address @turtletooth's branch then I'd say you can send bug reports to his github site or... drop your feedback here.

[TurtleTooth]

Here is a link to a mac version that I built this week.  I haven't had much time to fully test it, but it seems to work.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rvl7fsjpboctp3s/StorySketch-0.12.1-mac.zip?dl=0

[Rodney]

This is old news but... the language change was made to Storyboarder.

The release notes let us know that wasn't a happy decision but the change was made never the less.

Turtletooth even gets a reluctant nod for inspiring the change.  :)

• Removed swears for the children – actually for the adults who teach children. Children already know these words. America provides the best high school education in the world. Too bad you have to go to college to get it.

There have been 33 releases of the software to date and the latest release contains some updates related to Krita and Clip Studio which I presume will also benefit OpenToonz users.

There have been some 123 commits since the last release (14 days ago) so it seems likely another release is pending soon.

https://github.com/wonderunit/storyboarder/releases

 

[Jane Eyre]

Rodney, thanks for the update. Yeah, it’s very silly that some of us educators want to model professional behavior to students - such an outdated concept :)

Also, thanks TurtleTooth for making the Mac build of your clean version (I meant to thank you much earlier). Beyond being more school appropriate then the original, I really appreciate that the sound effects are off by default.

[Dillon Wright]

Is this storyboarder app safe? And where do I download it?

[Rodney]

That's very kind of you to be concerned about the welfare of the program.

I checked on it and it seems happy, content and safe.

Should we contact the owners to let them know it's in danger.. let them know there might be stalkers or something?

<kidding!>

This is the link I recently used (for the WIndows download):

https://github.com/wonderunit/storyboarder/releases/download/v1.7.1/storyboarder-setup-1.7.1.exe

That link is from the latest releases page found here:

https://github.com/wonderunit/storyboarder/releases

If you want to go through the longer process and download via their website with the buttons and such, here's that link:

https://wonderunit.com/storyboarder/

The Storyboarder program uses scripts in .fountain or .fbx format.

Scrips are easy to find online but sometimes they aren't in that format.

So, if you needs some assistance and have a script you want to use let me know and I'll try to assist.

You don't have to have a script of course but it helps.

Also, for those that haven't downloaded in awhile, there was an update 15 days ago or so.

There have been enough improvements that it justifies a new download.