Digital Rotoscoping using Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro

Rotoscoping is an animation technique in which designers can trace the outline of an object or character's movements through previously recorded video or file. This is an interesting approach to studying the natural timing and movement for new motion projects. It also provides an opportunity to experiment with new methods, leaving behind any preconceived notions that animation requires technical drawing skills.

The steps below outline a digital application of rotoscoping using Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro.

Step 1—Exporting the original footage as Image Sequence

  1. Create two new folders: “Image Sequence Files” and “Rotoscope Files”
  2. In Premiere, import the video sequence you want to animate
  3. Define the in/out points in the video timeline.
  4. To export as still images File > Export > Media
  5. Under Export Settings select Format > JPEG. Select output folder “Image Sequence Files.”
  6. Leave default preset set to JPEG Sequence and tis will match source video’s image size.
  7. Under Video > Export as Sequence > Frame Rate. Can be adjusted to export the number of individual images (higher frame rate, smoother animation vs. lower frame rate, less images to trace). Leaving it set to match source will give a choice of images to use, but you can experiment as every image is not needed to animate your sequence (lowest 10 fps).
  8. EXPORT will render the sequence. ­The footage should now be exported into a sequence of jpeg files and located in the “Image Sequence Files” folder

Step 2—Working with the images in Photoshop

  1. Open the first jpg of the image sequence in Photoshop.
  2. Open the ACTIONS Palette: Window > Actions
  3. In the Actions palette, select NEW SET, then NEW ACTION. Name the NEW ACTION and then press the record button at the bottom of the palette. From now on until you press the stop button, Photoshop will record whatever you do to the file. Suggested Actions:
    1. Adjust the image size: Image>Image size. A window, IMAGE SIZE will open. Change the resolution to 200 dpi and adjust the dimensions to no more than 10” wide. Photoshop will reduce the height proportionally. Click OK.
    2. Adjust contrast: Open up the curves window Image>Adjustments>Curves Adjust the Curves so that the image has enough contrast for you to trace over. You can also try other adjustments, filters and settings. Posterize is one that works, (Image> Adjustment > Posterize, and then set values).
    3. Save your image to the “Rotoscope Files” folder. File>Save As Close the file.
    4. Stop recording.

Step 3—Automating, batch processing

Automating and batch processing tells Photoshop to perform the same actions you did to the first image to all the other images.

  1. File>Automate>Batch. A window called BATCH will open. Under PLAY, select the SET and ACTION that you worked on in Step 2
  2. Under SOURCE, select your “Image Sequence Files” folder. Under DESTINATION, select your “Rotoscope Files” folder. Press OK. Photoshop should apply everything to all the files in your source folder and place them in your destination folder. Go walk the dog. When you come back this work is done for you.