Most Procreate users create 2D animations. With the Procreate 5.2 upgrade, you can now not only paint over 3D objects but also directly animate them on your iPad. Then, it is simple to export these animated objects as animated photos and video files. The majority of iPads, including the M1 iPad Pro and the upcoming iPad mini 6, support the 3D painting and animation functionality. So let’s get started and discover how to animate 3D objects in Procreate for 3D fans and artists who are eager to learn how to use this function.
Animate 3D Objects in Procreate (2021)
Procreate’s ability to animate 3D objects isn’t as strong as that of other well-liked 3D modelling CAD applications or gaming engines. Procreate is still primarily an artistic tool even though it has 3D capabilities. As a result, you should only anticipate a few simple animations from it.
What are the Animation Effects for 3D Objects in Procreate
When exporting 3D objects in Procreate, the animation options are available. These are just present for aesthetic reasons and currently serve no useful purpose. Before learning how to export and animate 3D models, let’s quickly review the default parameters.
Animated Rotate
This effect causes the 3D object to rotate around a specific point, as the name says. The object’s distance from the camera changes as a result of the rotation, working similarly to a zoom effect. In Procreate, you may put several light sources and watch how their light bounces off the 3D object as it rotates. You can present your models from various angles by rotating them.
Animated Swing
This effect functions similarly to Animated Rotate. However, when the object is closer to the camera, it rotates 180 degrees before swinging back to its original location rather than rotating 360 degrees. Additionally, it has extra zoom and lighting effects that may be used to give your 3D model more depth.
These options might seem a little constrained for now, but future Procreate upgrades should provide more animation effects. Custom speeds are available for both of these animation options (or ease). Before exporting a 3D model, you can also change the zoom level and duration of the animation. Beyond these fundamental choices, each exporting format has a few unique advantages. They will be the subject of the following section.
Animated Export Options for 3D Models in Procreate
Procreate offers a variety of animated exporting options. Although the internal settings in each of these options can differ somewhat, the results in each option stay the same. Start using Procreate to animate 3D objects.
1. Begin by tapping on the 3D model you wish to animate from the Procreate homescreen to launch it. We’ll utilise the 3D Skateboard from Procreate’s collection of sample 3D models for this lesson.
2. After that, click the Actions button, which is indicated by a wrench icon in the top left corner of the screen. Tap the Share button once the Actions menu has appeared.
3. In addition to the regular USDZ, OBJ, and Procreate possibilities, you will also have several animated options available as sharable file extensions. Any preferred animated format can be selected by tapping on it to load relevant settings. Before you choose, let’s go over each of these animated possibilities.
Animated GIF
The most user-friendly animated format is definitely GIF. These are typically smaller and of worse quality than other animated file types because they do not support audio.
GIFs are offered by Procreate in two resolutions. The GIPS is produced by the Max Resolution in 720p resolution, which is large in file size. The Web Ready option, meanwhile, maximises the quality while condensing the size of the total file. You can enable/disable Dithering using this format’s unique settings. It is a type of noise that is given to photographs to lessen distortion, especially at bigger scales. Although you can allow per-frame colour palette to export more realistic colours, the animated GIF hardly notices this.
Animated PNG
Theoretically, animated PNG files are comparable to GIFs. These, however, have superior colours, a greater degree of transparency, and better overall image quality. You can export 3D models from Procreate in Web Ready and Max Resolution. You might want to rethink your decision if you intend to post your 3D model online.
Although animated PNG appears promising in theory, few platforms actually support it. When exported using Procreate, for instance, even the iPad’s Photos app displays it as a static PNG. GIF is still your best bet if you require a low-quality file that can be shared easily. You can always stick with an MP4 file for better quality.
Animated MP4
The most well-liked and trustworthy choice among consumers is MP4. Procreate simply provides choices to choose the MP4 file’s resolution in addition to animation effects. An MP4 can be exported with a resolution of up to 4K. The ideal option is square if you intend to post your work on social media sites like Facebook or Instagram. The dynamic 3D item will immediately come into focus. It will be trimmed to remove most of the white space in the frame.
Animated HEVC
Procreate’s ultimate export choice for animated 3D objects is HEVC. It is a somewhat obscure file format. When utilising HEVC, you can anticipate the same quality and resolution as MP4. It just offers a transparent background as an additional option. Similar to a transparent PNG, the HEVC file will operate like any other video file and may be easily placed over various backdrops. Procreate only supports HEVC at a maximum resolution of 4K.
How to Export Animated 3D Objects in Procreate on iPad
You only need to save the file after selecting the desired format and performing the necessary changes.
1. Tap the Export button in the top right corner of the export screen to save your animated 3D file.
2. When loading is complete, Procreate will launch the share sheet and prompt you to interact with the file. The exported file can be shared via Airdrop, the Mail app, or a well-known messaging service like WhatsApp, Telegram, or another. Yes, you can easily use WhatsApp on an iPad, and your website has a thorough guide for doing so. To locally save the animated 3D model on your iPad, select either the Save to Files or Add to Photos option.
3. Tap the Store to Files option and select the proper location on your smartphone to save 3D files locally. Next, click or tap the Save button in the pop-up window’s upper right corner. Your 3D models can even be saved to iCloud or other installed cloud storage applications.
Easily Animate 3D Objects in Procreate in a Few Steps
Currently, Procreate’s restricted features make it simple to animat 3D objects. In the future, we anticipate the app to provide more intricate and varied possibilities. The available options should be more than sufficient for individuals who intend to demonstrate their work and how the 3D models will seem. If so, you may always record the iPad screen while moving the 3D object by hand in Procreate. Many users even decide to directly print their work from their iPads in order to give their clients a real copy of it. You can pick the option that best fits your requirements. Please post your question in the comments section below if you run into any difficulties. We will assist you.