Sketchbook Pro 9.3 introduced new updates to Flipbook that expanded the capabilities for keyframe animation.

For long-time users of Flipbook, this post summaries the key changes in features and workflow. 

Flipbook Layers

Prior to this update, Flipbook had a constrained Layer Editor that only allowed three layers – Foreground, Midground, and Background.

In Sketchbook Pro 9.3, Flipbook now uses the common Layer Editor, providing access to all layer features and supporting up to 20 layers or groups per keyframe.

• Title bar
  • Displays the current keyframe 
  • Displays count of layers/groups
• Layer header
  • Access to all layer and grouping features
• Layer controls - reordering, opacity and features

The Midground concept is deprecated as you now have the ability to create more layers.

The Background has moved and is now accessed in the Timeline, underneath the keyframes. 

When the background is selected, the Layer Editor switches to edit your background layers. You can have up to 20 layers/groups as well as set the Background Color.

Working on Flipbook files created in older versions of Sketchbook Pro

When you import .skba created in a previous version of Sketchbook Pro, the foreground and midground will layers will be assigned to the foreground layer stack and the background will be assigned to the background layer stack.

Flipbook Frame Size

Flipbook support a maximum frame size of 3840 pixels in width and 3508 pixels in height. 

When creating a New Empty Flipbook, the Preset list now includes:

• 4K (3840x2160)
• 2K (2560x1440)
• Letter aspect ratio (1700x2000)
• A4 aspect ratio (1654x2339)

Larger canvas sizes and using multiple layers will increase memory usage and file sizes when saving.

Tinting Ghost Keyframes

You can now apply preset color tints to previous and next onion skinning.

Tap on the marking menu to toggle between 7 colors to visualize motion across keyframes.