Getting Help on the Web
In addition to the built-in documentation and tutorials, there are several helpful sites online that cover Anime Studio.
Using the Smith Micro Web Site
The first place on the Web to look for Anime Studio help is the Smith Micro Web site. Smith Micro does a great job of supporting all of their products with tutorials, downloads, news, and an inspiring gallery. You can also sign up for a free Anime Studio newsletter that includes tips, tricks, tutorials, and promotional offers.
The Help menu also includes an option to access online tutorials. Choosing this menu command opens your Web browser to the http://my.smithmicro.com/ tutorials address. These tutorials are hosted at the Smith Micro Web site and appear side by side with other Smith Micro software products, including Poser, Manga Studio, and Groboto.
The tutorials found here include a random sampling created by various users and new tutorials are added all the time. Check back often to see the new topics.
Checking for Updates
The Help menu also includes an option to Check for Updates. This menu command opens a Web page on the Smith Micro site where any updates to the program are posted. It also offers links for upgrading Anime Studio Debut to the Pro version and upgrading previous versions of the software to version 6. This Web site also offers a link to download the Papagayo software for lip syncing. You can learn more about this free program and lip syncing in Chapter 20, “Using Lip Sync.”
Accessing the Anime Studio Forum
A valuable source of news, tips, and tricks is found on the Anime Studio forum located at www.lostmarble.com/forum/, as shown in Figure 5.3. This forum is quite active, with many gurus offering suggestions and happily sharing their experience with users both new and old.
Figure 5.3. The Anime Studio forum is available at www.lostmarble.com/forum/.
Note
Before it was acquired by Smith Micro, Anime Studio was known as a product called Moho, which may come up on some of the older forum posts. Also of note is the Lost Marble Web site, which was founded by the original developers of Moho.
The Anime Studio forum includes several different categories such as a FAQ, a section to post and view artwork completed with Anime Studio, a Tips and Techniques section, a Scripting section, and a section called How Do I … ? that displays posts on accomplishing specific tasks.
Forum posts can be viewed by anyone, but to participate in the posting process, you’ll need to register on the forum site using the Profile link.
Tip
Huge kudos for the success of the forum go to the excellent moderators. These experienced users are quick to provide answers and to share their knowledge and tricks. In particular, look for heyvern, myles, and genete.