Making 2D animations is common for Procreate users. But with the Procreate 5.2 update, you can not only paint over 3D objects, but animate directly on your iPad. These animated objects can then be easily exported as animated images and video files. 3D painting and animation works on most iPads, including the M1 iPad Pro and the new iPad mini 6. For 3D enthusiasts or artists who are excited to learn to use this feature, let’s dive right in and figure out how to animate 3D. Objects in Procreate.
Animate 3D Objects in Procreate (2021)
Animating 3D objects in Procreate is not as powerful as other popular 3D modeling CAD tools or game engines. Even with its 3D capabilities, Procreate is still an artistic tool at its core. Therefore, you can only expect some basic animations from it and nothing beyond that.
What Are Animation Effects for 3D Objects in Procreate?
In Procreate, animation options are provided when exporting 3D objects. These are for demonstration purposes only and have no practical use for now. Before we learn how to animate and export 3D objects, let’s quickly learn about the default options.
Animated Rotate
As the name suggests, this effect makes the 3D object rotate around a specific point. rotation works like a zoom effect also by changing the distance of the object from the camera. If you place multiple light sources in Procreate, you can see their light reflect on the 3D object as it rotates. Rotation is a great way to present your models from all sides.
Movable Swing
In terms of functionality, this effect is similar to Animated Rotation. But here, instead of making a full 360-degree turn, the subject returns to its original position after a 180-degree movement when it is closer to the camera. It can also have additional zoom and lighting effects It helps you add depth to your 3D model.
For now, these options may seem somewhat limited, but we can expect more animation effects to be added in future Procreate updates. Both of these animated options can have special speed (or ease). You can also adjust the zoom level and duration of the animation before exporting a 3D object. Apart from these basic options, each export format offers some special features. We’ll focus on them in the next section.
Animated Export Options for 3D Models in Procreate
There are multiple animated export options in Procreate. The effects in each of these options remain the same, but the internal settings may vary slightly. Let’s start animating 3D objects in Procreate.
1. Start by opening the 3D model you want to animate by tapping . on from the Procreate home screen. For this tutorial we will use the 3D Skateboard, which is part of the sample 3D models provided by Procreate.
2. Next, tap “Movements“ button marked with wrench icon in the upper left corner of the screen. When the Actions menu opens, tap on it. “Share” button.
3. Finally, you’ll get a variety of shareable file extensions, including the standard Procreate, USDZ, and OBJ options, as well as some animation options. You can do tap any of the animated formats you want to install the relevant options. Let’s go over each of these animated options before you make up your mind.
GIF Animation
GIFs are probably the simplest forms of animation to use. These do not support audio, so they are generally lighter and of lower quality than other animated file formats.
Procreate offers GIFs in two resolutions – “Max. Resolution” offers GIPS at 720p resolution, which is heavy in size. Meanwhile, the “Web Ready” option optimizes the quality and reduces the overall file size. Among the custom options, this format allows you to turn on/off the Flickering feature. It is a form of noise applied to images to reduce their distortion even at larger scales. You can also let the per-frame color palette export more accurate colors, but this is hardly noticeable in an animated GIF.
Animated PNG
In theory, animated PNGs are similar to GIF files. However, these have better colors, some transparency, and overall higher image quality. Procreate lets you export 3D models in “Max. Resolution” and “Web Ready” resolution. However, if you plan to share your 3D model online, you may want to reconsider your choice.
Animated PNG sounds good in theory, but is not supported by most platforms. For example, even the iPad’s Photos app shows it as a static PNG when exported from Procreate. If you need a low quality file for easy sharing, GIF is still the way to go. You can always stick to an MP4 file for higher quality.
Animated MP4
The most popular and reliable option among users is MP4. Procreate is only available for animation effects. Choose the resolution of the MP4 file. You can export an MP4 up to 4K resolution. If you plan to upload your work to social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram, choosing “square” is a better choice. It will automatically bring the animated 3D object into focus. Most of the free space in the frame will be cropped.
animated HEVC
The last export option offered by Procreate for animated 3D objects is HEVC. This is a relatively less known file format. You can expect the same quality and resolution as MP4 when using HEVC. The only additional option it provides is a transparent background. A HEVC file works like any other video file, and you can easily overlay it over different backgrounds, just like a transparent PNG. The maximum resolution for HEVC from Procreate is 4K.
Exporting Animated 3D Objects in Procreate on iPad
After choosing the format you want and making the adjustments, you only have to save the file.
1. Tap ““ to save your animated 3D file.Export” button in the upper right corner of the export screen.
2. When the upload is finished, Procreate will open the share page and ask you to act on the file. You can share the exported file via Airdrop, Mail app or any popular messaging app like WhatsApp, Telegram or others. Yes, you can use WhatsApp on iPad with ease and we have a detailed guide for that on your website. Moreover “Save to Files” or “Add to PhotosOption to save the animated 3D model locally to your iPad.
3. Tap “Save to Files” option and choose a suitable location on your device to save 3D files locally. Next, “SavePress the ” button in the upper right corner of the window that opens. You can even save your 3D models to iCloud or other installed cloud storage apps.
Easily Animate 3D Objects in Procreate in Few Steps
Due to the limited options, it’s easy to animate 3D objects in Procreate for now. We expect the app to add more complex and varied options in the future. For those who plan to present their work and how 3D models will look, the options available should be more than enough. Otherwise, you can always record your iPad screen while manually moving the 3D object in Procreate. Many users even choose to print their work directly from their iPad to offer their customers a hard copy. You can choose the option that suits your needs. If you feel stuck at any point, please leave your query in the comments below and we will assist you.
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