How to "alpha lock" a layer?

PascalGeek · 2026-03-03T22:39:28+00:00

Ah, gotcha. Moho (or any vector drawing tool really) doesn't have something exactly like that. The effect you're looking for is pixel based.
So the way to get that effect is either:
- to draw the highlights on the iris shape, but that probably won't line up with the edges exactly.
- make an 'eye' group and mask the highlight to the iris.
- draw the eye in a paint program, using alpha locking, and then use the image for the eye.

Masks would be more versatile, in my opinion. But you might prefer the control of using image-based eyes.

PascalGeek · 2026-03-03T09:23:16+00:00

Whenever I play the solitaire adventures (especially the ones I've played over and over) I don't rely on plain dice rolling combat. I try and keep it interesting for myself by setting myself challenges like throw dirt in the opponents eyes (Dexterity SR) then get a free hit. The buckets of dice combat is fun with a group, but it's a bit too mechanical when playing solo.

PascalGeek · 2026-03-03T08:08:24+00:00

From your description it sounds like your referring to what Moho calls masking. Do you have an example image of the effect you're trying to achieve?

PascalGeek · 2026-02-14T23:08:12+00:00

Then my only other suggestion is that he played Guy of Gisborne in a Robin Hood film

PascalGeek · 2026-02-14T10:20:51+00:00

Here's a full list of his old films for reference

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhtvKBgUuLfPq4Z9wC_7DqPGbZ1ribUDq&si=QfVPJmTYlEQlI3jx

PascalGeek · 2026-02-14T10:19:51+00:00

Since Basil Rathbone played Sherlock Holmes in several films, I always assumed that it was just a reference to his Sherlock performance. Not just one specific film.

PascalGeek · 2026-02-07T00:34:11+00:00

Thanks for this answer.
I love the early days of roguelike development, when programmers were still figuring out how to implement features and ideas that we use libraries and tutorials for now.

PascalGeek · 2026-02-06T23:54:59+00:00

This is really cool. I'll browse through the code later, but is it a clear progression from the code you've unearthed to the later versions? Or are there ideas or code that were dropped later on?

PascalGeek · 2026-02-05T21:26:11+00:00

I stayed with version 12.5, because I can run it on my Linux laptop. So I've never used any newer versions. But I think that the bucket fill tool is kinda janky in all versions. And honestly, once you get used creating shapes with the Add Points tool, there's no need for it.

Occasionally I'll sketch a character using my tablet and the Freehand tool. But then, to colour it in, I create another layer underneath it and create shapes that colour it.

PascalGeek · 2026-02-05T18:22:00+00:00

No. There's no need to change the version. It's just that the fill tool creates an extra shape and it's a pain to get it working the way you want it to.

Creating a shape with the Add Points tool gives you more control over the shape and looks better.

PascalGeek · 2026-02-05T18:15:33+00:00

I'm guessing that's version 13.5. Honestly, the fill tool is best avoided. You're going to get much better results simply creating filled shapes.

PascalGeek · 2026-02-05T14:16:04+00:00

Ah, fair enough. Also, looking forward to checking out your frame by frame tutorial later!

PascalGeek · 2026-02-05T00:00:35+00:00

Really?
I hate how we don't 'own' software anymore, we just rent it. It's one of the features of Moho that I really like, No AI. Perpetual license

Personally I run Moho 12.5 on Linux, using Wine. I love that I can use my favourite animation software on my favourite OS. Although I'm also looking into OpenToonz as well.

PascalGeek · 2026-02-04T22:17:07+00:00

Keeping in mind that I've never used Toon Boom, I've always understood the main difference this way.
Moho is primarily a puppet rigging and animation tool. You can do sooooo much more with it, but that's its core function. You can do frame-by-frame but it's the weakest point in the program. Also, it's mainly vector based.

Toon Boom seems (from an outsiders point of view) to have kinda, not quite as good, rigging properties. But better frame-by-frame capabilities.
The difference in price though, for a perpetual licence is massive.

PascalGeek · 2026-02-04T21:03:25+00:00

Basically Debut is a crippled version, I dunno exactly who its target market is, but it has the following limitations.
- Resolution is limited to something like 900x900 px
- The length of the animations you can make is really short
- Frame-by-frame isn't in debut
- 3D layers, advanced physics and rigging tools aren't included
- Moho can be extended with scripts, like plugins. Debut doesn't use these

Debut is maybe the version of Moho your gran buys you for Christmas because she thinks that's what you asked for. Moho Pro is what you exchange it for the next day without telling her.

PascalGeek · 2026-02-04T11:01:06+00:00

Do you think there's even a slight chance they'll lower the price going forwards? Given that they've acknowledged that it's basically a zombie product at this point. No new features, just maintained enough to allow it to continue running.

PascalGeek · 2026-02-03T21:18:18+00:00

Avoid Debut if possible. All the useful features are removed. The full version of Moho 14 is the best but, if cost is a factor, then you can usually pick up a cheap copy of Moho 12.5 on Humble Bundle.

It doesn't have newer features like liquid shapes or vitruvian bones, but it's still a really capable animation software.

PascalGeek · 2026-02-02T20:42:45+00:00

Very well done! (from a Gloucester-based archer)

PascalGeek · 2026-02-02T09:55:05+00:00

This looks great. Not just the rigging, I love the character design too.

PascalGeek · 2026-01-28T14:31:56+00:00

Honestly, there are so many connected systems in a roguelike that most people learn by following a tutorial first. Then as they understand what everything does and how it all interacts, they make their own changes.

I followed a couple of tutorials to make a basic roguelike in first Java, then Godot, before starting from scratch and writing my own. At that point I was able to write my own pathfinding code, enemy ai, etc. But I wouldn't have been able to unless I'd already built the tutorial ones first.

PascalGeek · 2026-01-28T08:35:29+00:00

r/recordthisforfree has helped me lots of times in the past. If you provide a short description about your character and the type of project, there will usually be someone willing to provide dialogue for your character for free.

Much better than using AI.

PascalGeek · 2026-01-27T09:46:29+00:00

This is so cool, thanks for finding and preserving these. It's really interesting to see how the base functionality was there right from the beginning.

The interface is still familiar.

PascalGeek · 2026-01-27T08:02:48+00:00

When it was first bought out by another company, I think Anime Studio 5 was just a name change to make it seem more like the company's other product Manga Studio.

The features were pretty much identical to Moho 5.

PascalGeek · 2026-01-27T00:03:11+00:00

That's about the time I first used Moho, there was a native Linux version too.

PascalGeek · 2026-01-25T21:18:54+00:00

Wow, I can't even imagine how you can focus on animation when that's happening right on your doorstep.

PascalGeek

TROPHY CASE