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Suggestions for frame count and project settings
Hello again! So excited for all the improvements an development this software's had everytime I start up a new project in it 😀
A couple years back I'd suggested having an option to easily change the frame count for the x-sheet in a project past the initial set up. Rather than manually dragging more frames out. (For example I set up my file to have 500 frames, but I need 200 more on the timeline, it'd be nice to go into project settings and tweak the total frame count by typing a new number)
Is this a feature that'll be included in the final release, or something already available now and I missed it? 😛
It'd also be nice if importing an audio file or video file reference, if there was an option to have the project automatically match the length of the audio/video itself!
I did also notice that there's a substantial lag in my current animation project if it's longer than 100-200 frames? I have a 20 second clip of audio I wanted to play around with, but I'll have to chop the project into two or three pieces for the program to run smoother. So it'd also be nice if I was able to allocate the amount of ram I'd like the program to use from the project settings, if this would be able to help mitigate the issue!
Hi Piranhartist!
Thanks for your kind words! I do remember we talked about this number of frames issue, but I can't remember if the initial number of frames feature came from our discussions or not - it could easily have been. Thanks to you. It's a shame we had to abandon the old forum due to an insane amount of spam pouring in every day - if I hadn't had to delete it all, we could have picked up our thread from the old chat. 🙂
Anyway, there's no direct way to add a number of frames after the initial number has been created. But a very quick and easy way to add 200 ekstra as you are asking about specifically, would be to simply select 200 of your initial 500 drawings (click drawing 301 in the X-sheet, then shift-click drawing 500 - resulting in 200 drawings now selected). Do a copy and paste at your last frame. If they are all clones, you can turn them all original by hitting O (while still selected) - if you need them to be blanks. If they had actual drawings in them, you can clear them all by hitting * (while still selected). I hope this helps you in your situation.
About the imported sound: We did actually implement an indicator that shows if your imported sound is longer than your animation. Though I know it is not an automatic expansion to fit the audio as you are suggesting, it at least might help a bit. 🙂 Doing the above copy/paste of drawings can be a quick way to expand your animation to the length of the audio track (or reference video).
The lag you are experiencing when you have a 20 second clip imported sounds weird. This shouldn't be a problem at all. I would love to investigate this further - it might be caused by some kind of bug. Would you mind emailing me your ap file? If it is too large to be emailed please send me a link to it (or use wetransfer.com to send it). My email address is the one you got your activation key from (avoiding writing it here, to keep it secret from spambots. Yeah, I really don't like all that spam! :D). Hopefully we can pinpoint what the problem is and help you with a solution or if it is caused by a bug, we can get it fixed. Thanks a lot for helping out!
Best,
Niels
I was wondering about the old forum! Definitely a shame with the spam, though that shows how much traction the software's been getting I hope haha!
That's good to know for the copy paste trick with frames! I didn't see the indicator for audio longer than the animation frames though, where is that located at?
As far as the lag issue, I did a completely fresh file to test and have the same issue even without audio included. So you should be able to recreate it with these settings:
Resolution: 720p HD (16:9) preset - 1280 x 720
Frame Rate: Cinema preset - 24 FPS
Initial Number of Frames: 500
Even before import, I still have the same substantial lag with trying to make brush strokes or undo them on the canvas. If I reduce the frame count, the lag improves consistently, and if its below 200 frames it's completely fine!
Here's my PC specs as well if they help:
Processor AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core Processor 3.59 GHz
Installed RAM 32.0 GB (31.9 GB usable)
Storage 932 GB SSD WD Blue SN570 1TB, 932 GB HDD WDC WD10EZEX-22MFCA0
Graphics Card AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (6 GB)
System Type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Oh, that's great help! Thank you very much. You are using beta 2 (latest) right? That does point to a problem somewhere in AP beta2. But hopefully easily fixed. We'll dig into it. Thank you!
About the indicator showing a longer audio track. I know it is subtle 🙂 But that's on design. Here it is:
Hi again Piranhartist,
I tried to reproduce the lag here. I get some, but maybe not exactly the same as you. Not sure. I do get this: With 500 frames (they can be one blank original and the rest clones), when I draw a stroke it draws fine, following my pen perfectly - however, the very last segment of the line only appears after half a second or so after I lift my pen. This delay is shorter with fewer frames - as you also mentioned.
Is it the same you are experiencing (only the last segment of the stroke lagging)? Or is it more than that? Trying to pinpoint. 🙂
Thanks,
Niels
Quote from Niels on September 29, 2025, 9:36 amHi again Piranhartist,
I tried to reproduce the lag here. I get some, but maybe not exactly the same as you. Not sure. I do get this: With 500 frames (they can be one blank original and the rest clones), when I draw a stroke it draws fine, following my pen perfectly - however, the very last segment of the line only appears after half a second or so after I lift my pen. This delay is shorter with fewer frames - as you also mentioned.
Is it the same you are experiencing (only the last segment of the stroke lagging)? Or is it more than that? Trying to pinpoint.
Thanks,
Niels
That effect with the pen stroke sounds correct!
I tried to take a screenrecording of what happens for me which I've linked below, but here's also a bullet list of what I experience:
- Drawing one stroke appears as expected, but trying to sketch with multiple strokes in quick succession is where the issue occurs
- The last segment of the line stays visible on the end of the stroke, and I cannot draw another stroke until it disappears
- This delay from when the stroke is completed, to when I can draw a new one, gets longer with the frame count being higher
- The more strokes I try to draw, the longer the delay also has
- The same issue applies for trying to undo in rapid succession
- I have two other programs open in the background (firefox and microsoft teams), but the issue has happened for me even with all programs closed
Also yes this on v5.0 Beta 2 🙂
Very helpful! Thank you again! Also appreciate your recording! Thanks a lot.