Pivot Stickfigure Animator

Infobox Software
name = Pivot Stickfigure Animator



caption = The opening screen on Pivot 3.1 Beta in Windows XP
developer = "Peter Bone"
latest release version = 3.1 Beta
latest release date = December 6, 2005
operating system = Microsoft Windows
genre = Graphics software, Design tools
license = Freeware
website = [http://www.geocities.com/peter_bone_uk/pivot.html Pivot website]

Pivot Stickfigure Animator (usually shorted to Pivot) is a freeware program intended to build stick figure-based animations. It was programmed by Peter Bone. The principle is that of poseable stick figures, whose arms and legs can be rotated about pivots (joints). Users can set animation demensions and speed. The animations can be saved as GIFs [http://www.snapfiles.com/get/stickfigure.html SnapFiles.com] ] to be used on webpages [ [http://www.soft82.com/download/Windows/Pivot_Stickfigure_Animator Pivot Stickfigure Animator 2.2 FREE Download Pivot Stickfigure Animator - Create stick-figure animations quickly and easily and save - soft82.com ] ] or the native PIV format, which is editable in Pivot. Users may also create their own sticks, using a simple interface, and save them to the STK format.

Because of this joint system in Pivot, some effects can be difficult to create in Pivot despite being easy in other animation programs. On the other hand, the joint system ensures size-consistency. [ [http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,23344-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html PC World - PC World Downloads - Pivot Stickfigure Animator ] ]

The software has received 5 star ratings from "BlueSofts.com", "MaxxDownload.com", and "Fast-Download.com" and has received other awards from sites such as "Softpedia.com", "SnapFiles.com", and "Safe-Install.com". [ [http://www.geocities.com/peter_bone_uk/pivot.html Safe-Install.com] ]

Peter Bone can be contacted through his MSN Groups. It is unknown whether Peter will be making a finished version of Pivot 3.

Versions

;Pivot 1.0

The original version of Pivot Animator had several bugs, as with most first generation programs. Stick figures were limited to the default stickman.

;Pivot 2.2This version introduced the figure builder for user designed figures, fixed a few minor bugs, added buttons to bring a stick figure in front or behind other figures, and could automatically check to make sure the user does not lose unsaved projects.

;Pivot 2.24In this version, an installation file was created, ensuring that the program would be installed properly and that the appropriate file associations for animation and stick figure files would be set. Other additions include unique icons for Piv and Stk files, the ability to load JPEG backgrounds, and warnings when a user tries to overwrite an existing file.

;Pivot 2.25The "insert frame bug" was fixed with version 2.25, and the installer is now saved as .exe instead of .msi.

;Pivot 3.0 BetaIn the most recent beta version of version 3, there is an improved interface, and images can be integrated into the animation. It is now also possible for users to have multiple backgrounds. When a user saves a .piv file, the frame rate is saved with it. The main criticisms of Pivot 3 beta are that all sticks and animations cannot be opened in Pivot 2, that it contains several bugs, and that it causes animations to look choppy(un-smooth).

;Pivot 3.1 Final The final version will most likely include many new features such as an improved timeline editor, tweening, and AVI support.

Community

Pivot has also spawned many dedicated sites which make STK files available over the Internet. As well as sharing these free STK files, most of the sites include forums where you can post your animations and have them commented on.

A list of some of the sites include:

* [http://s7.zetaboards.com/Stickman_Legacy/index/ Stickman Legacy]
* [http://www.darkdemon.org/ Darkdemon.org]
* [http://www.Droidz.org/ Droidz.org]

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/peter_bone_uk/pivot.html Download "Pivot 2.2.5"]