Creating engaging and visually appealing videos is crucial for capturing your audience's attention, and two fantastic tools that can help you achieve this are Toonly and Doodly. Toonly allows you to create vibrant and dynamic animations with ease, while Doodly is perfect for crafting charming and effective whiteboard animations. Each tool has its strengths, but when combined, they can produce even more impressive results.

By blending the dynamic backgrounds and characters from Toonly with the unique hand-drawn effects of Doodly, you can create videos that stand out and convey your message more effectively. This combination not only enhances the visual appeal of your content but also keeps your viewers engaged through varied and interesting animation styles.

In this article, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of creating an animated whiteboard background using Toonly and then seamlessly blending it with a Doodly video. Whether you're new to these tools or looking to refine your skills, our guide will provide you with the instructions you need to create polished and professional-looking videos.

Let's get started on your journey to mastering the art of video animation with Toonly and Doodly!

A. Choosing the Project Theme

Before you dive into the animation process, it's essential to have a clear theme for your project. This will guide your choices for backgrounds, characters, and objects. For this example, let's choose a theme that is both fun and visually engaging, such as "Fishing Adventure."

B. Naming Your Project

Once you have your theme, it's time to create a new project in Toonly. Open Toonly and click on "Create New Video." Next, give your project a name that reflects your theme. Naming your project helps keep your files organized and makes it easier to find later.

A. Selecting and Adding Backgrounds from Toonly

Toonly offers a variety of pre-installed backgrounds that can suit different themes. To start, click on the "Backgrounds'' menu in Toonly. Browse through the available options and select one that fits your "Fishing Adventure" theme. For instance, you might choose a scenic background like "Mountain Escape." Drag and drop your chosen background into your empty scene to set the stage for your animation.

B. Importing Custom Backgrounds

Sometimes, the pre-installed backgrounds might not perfectly match your vision. In such cases, you can import custom backgrounds. Websites like Freepik.com offer a wide range of royalty-free images. 

A. Adding Pre-installed Characters and Objects

To make your scene more lively, you can add characters and objects from Toonly's extensive library. Click on the "Characters" or "Objects" menu, browse through the options, and drag the ones you like into your scene.

B. Importing Custom Objects

If Toonly's library doesn't have the specific objects you need, you can import your own. For example, let’s add a custom wooden signboard and a fish.

A. Adjusting Movement Effects

By default, uploaded objects in Toonly have a bounce effect when they appear and disappear. For our sample video, we will change this effect. Instead of bouncing, we will make our objects appear and disappear instantly. To do this, select the wooden signboard from the timeline. Next, click the gear icon on the left side of the object, and change both the "in effect" and "out effect" to "Instant." This way, the signboard will no longer bounce in or out.

B. Duplicating Objects for Seamless Transitions

After that, we'll duplicate the wooden signboard to create a seamless transition effect. To do this, select the wooden signboard from the timeline. On your keyboard, press CTRL + C to copy the signboard and then CTRL + V to paste a duplicate of it. Once you've pasted the duplicate, position the second wooden signboard right after the first one on the timeline, ensuring there’s no gap between them. This helps create a continuous effect without any noticeable breaks. You can check for gaps by playing the scene to see if the transition is smooth and the signs appear consecutively as intended.

C. Setting Start and End Positions

Next, we need to set the start and end positions of the object within the scene. Click on the small diamond shape at the bottom left of the object on the timeline. This diamond represents a keyframe, marking the object's position at a specific point in time.

While the keyframe is selected, move the object to its starting position. For our sample video, we want the wooden signboard to start hidden, so we'll place it at the bottom of the scene. 

For the end position, select the other diamond icon located at the right edge of the wooden signboard object within the timeline. This diamond represents the keyframe for the end position of the object. Move the object to the middle of the screen, which will be its final position.

It’s important to note that we are only setting the start and end positions for the first wooden signboard. We will not be changing the start and end positions for the second wooden signboard, which is the duplicate. This way, the first signboard will animate from the bottom to the center of the scene, while the second signboard will remain static, ensuring a seamless transition between the two.

D. Animating Characters and Objects

Next, we need to import the trout or fish image. To do this, click on "Objects," then "Upload New Object," and select the fish image from your computer. Once the fish is uploaded, drag and drop it into the scene.

Position the fish in the middle of the two wooden signboards on the timeline. This placement will ensure that the fish appears between the two signboards during the animation, creating a cohesive visual effect. Make sure the fish is properly aligned and sized to fit well within the scene.

Just like with the wooden signboard, we need to set the start and end positions for the fish in our scene. We want the fish to appear as if it’s swimming and jumping, so we'll start by setting the beginning frame with the fish positioned to look like it's jumping up from the edge of the screen.

To do this, select the fish’s start scene icon from the timeline. Next, tilt the fish upwards. You can achieve this by hovering your cursor over any of the four small squares surrounding the fish until you see a curved double-sided arrow. Click and drag the cursor to tilt the fish until you are happy with its position. This will make it look like the fish is jumping up from the edge of the screen.

Next, we need to set the end frame for the fish. To do this, click on the other diamond icon on the timeline, which represents the end keyframe. Move the fish to its final position in the scene. For a natural effect, place the fish where you want it to end up after its jumping motion.

Additionally, make sure the fish is positioned behind the wooden signboard. You can do this by clicking the layer icon, which looks like overlapping squares, and moving the fish layer below the wooden signboard layer. This ensures that the fish appears to jump behind the signboard, creating a more realistic and visually appealing animation.

Now that we have set the start and end positions for the fish, the next step is to ensure its movement is set to counterclockwise. To do this, select the fish from the timeline and click the gear icon to open the Object settings. In the settings, set the rotation dropdown menu to "Counterclockwise."

We will keep the "In Effect" and "Out Effect" as "Bounce" to give the fish a lively appearance as it moves. This will make the fish animation look dynamic and engaging, enhancing the overall effect of the scene.

You can adjust the length or duration of the animation for each of your objects by dragging or extending them within the timeline.

To preview the animation, click the play button.

When you are satisfied with the outcome, you can export it. To do that, click the export icon located just above the edge of your scene on the left side. Choose your file destination and set the resolution to your preferred option.

For this sample video, we set the resolution to 1080p. Keep the quality at the default value of 100% and select MP4 as the format.

Once the dropdown options are set, click Export.

Now that we have created our Toonly video, it's time to move on to creating our Doodly video. This section will guide you through the steps needed to set up your Doodly project, animate your elements, and prepare the video for merging with your Toonly animation.

Let's get started!

A. Creating a New Video Project

Start by opening Doodly and creating a new video project.

To do that, click on "Create New Video," and then choose the resolution that matches your Toonly export, which we set to 1080p for high quality.

Click "Create" to start your new project.

A. Capturing the Final Frame from Toonly

To maintain a consistent look between the Toonly and Doodly videos, use the last frame of your Toonly animation as the background for your Doodly video.

Play the exported Toonly video and pause it on the last frame. Take a screenshot of this frame and save it to your computer.

B. Importing the Screenshot into Doodly

In Doodly, click on "Video Settings," then select "Custom" under the Background Style section.

Choose "Custom Image" and click "Browse File" to locate and upload the screenshot you took from the Toonly video.

Adjust the image size by stretching the edges to fit the entire screen. Hit "Apply" to save your changes.

Now, we want to make sure the background is full size.

To do this, adjust and stretch the edges of the screenshot to cover the entire screen.

Once you’ve made these adjustments, click "Apply" to save the changes. This ensures the background fits perfectly in your Doodly video.

Now that we have uploaded and set the background for your Doodly video, it's time to add and animate the objects that will bring your scene to life. By incorporating texts, characters, and props, you can create a dynamic and engaging animation that complements the background seamlessly. Follow these steps to ensure your objects are perfectly integrated into your Doodly video.

A. Adding Texts

Start by adding text to your Doodly video. Click on the "Text" tab, type in your desired text, and position it on the screen.

Customize the font, size, and color to match your theme and enhance readability.

B. Adding the Fish from the Toonly Video

Next, add the fish image that you used in the Toonly video. We used two images from Freepik: one with just the outline and one in full color.

1.) Import the Fish Images

Import both the outlined and colored images of the fish. Click on the "Props" tab, then "Upload New Prop," and select the images from your computer.

2.) Align the Images

Place the colored fish image on top of the outline image, making sure they are perfectly aligned.

3.) Set the Reveal Mode to Fade

To make the colored fish image fade in instead of being drawn, click on the pencil icon that appears after you select the object. This opens the Edit asset screen.

Set the reveal mode to "FADE." Don’t forget to hit "Save and Return."

4.) Turn Off Erase Mode

Go to the Video Settings and turn off the Erase Mode to ensure a smooth animation without erasing effects.

C. Adjusting Timing and Duration

Now, set the timing for each object in your scene by adjusting the delay and duration of their animations. Drag the edges of the objects in the timeline to fine-tune when they appear and disappear, ensuring a smooth flow in your animation.

D. Changing the Hand Style

To give your video a more personalized touch, change the hand style to a cartoon hand.

Click on Video Settings, select your preferred hand style from the Hand Style menu, and hit "Apply."

For this example, we will use a right-handed 2D cartoon hand.

E. Adding the Second Scene

Let’s proceed with adding the second scene:

1.) Add Text and a Character 

2.) Add Additional Scenes

F. Exporting the Video

Once you have completed your scenes and are satisfied with the animation, it’s time to export the video.

To export, click on the Export button, choose the resolution and format (e.g., 1080p and MP4), and select a destination folder on your computer.

Once done, click Export to save your final video.

Now that you have created your videos in both Toonly and Doodly, the final step is to merge them into a single, cohesive video. This process involves using a third-party video editing tool to combine the two animations seamlessly. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth transition between your Toonly and Doodly videos, creating a polished and professional final product.

Here are the steps:

A. Recommended Tools

To combine your Toonly and Doodly videos, you’ll need a video editing tool. Some popular options include Clipchamp, Camtasia, Wondershare and a lot more. For this example, we’ll use Windows Clipchamp, which is user-friendly and efficient for basic video editing tasks.

B. Importing Toonly and Doodly Videos

Open Clipchamp and start a new project. Click on "Import Media" and select the exported Toonly and Doodly videos from your computer. Import both videos into your project library. This will allow you to easily access and edit them within the timeline.

A. Placing Toonly Video First, Followed by Doodly Video

Drag the Toonly video from the media library onto the timeline. This will be the first part of your final video. Next, drag the Doodly video onto the timeline, placing it right after the Toonly video. Ensure there is no gap between the two clips for a seamless transition.

B. Adding Transitions for Smooth Blending

To create a smooth transition between the Toonly and Doodly videos, add a transition effect. Click on the Transitions menu in Clipchamp. Choose a transition that suits your style, such as Crossfade. Drag and drop the transition effect between the two video clips on the timeline. This will blend the end of the Toonly video with the start of the Doodly video smoothly.

A. Previewing the Merged Video

Before finalizing your project, preview the merged video to ensure everything looks as expected. Click on the play button to watch the video from start to finish. Pay attention to the transition between the Toonly and Doodly segments. Make any necessary adjustments to timing, effects, or positioning to perfect the blend.

B. Making Final Edits

If you notice any issues or areas for improvement during the preview, make the necessary edits. You can trim parts of the video, adjust the timing of the transition, or add additional effects to enhance the overall quality. Clipchamp allows you to fine-tune these details easily.

C. Exporting the Final Video

Once you are satisfied with the merged video, it's time to export the final product. Click on the Export button in Clipchamp. Choose your desired resolution (1080p for high quality) and export format (MP4 for compatibility). Select a destination folder on your computer and start the export process. Depending on the length and complexity of your video, this may take a few minutes.

D. Saving and Sharing Your Video

After the export is complete, you will have a high-quality video file that seamlessly blends animations from Toonly and Doodly. Save the file to your computer and share it as needed. You can upload it to your preferred video sharing platform, include it in presentations, or use it in marketing campaigns to showcase your creative content.

Creating engaging and visually appealing videos can be a game-changer for your content, and using Toonly and Doodly together offers a unique way to achieve this. By combining the dynamic animations from Toonly with the hand-drawn charm of Doodly, you can produce videos that captivate your audience and convey your message effectively.

In this guide, we walked you through each step of the process, from setting up your projects in Toonly and Doodly to merging the final videos using a video editor. By following these detailed instructions, you can create seamless transitions between the two animation styles, enhancing the overall quality of your videos.

Remember, the key to a successful video is not just the tools you use, but how creatively you combine them. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different themes, backgrounds, and objects. Adjust the animations and transitions to suit your style and keep your viewers engaged.

We hope this guide has provided you with the knowledge and confidence to start creating your own blended animations. Whether you’re making educational content, marketing videos, or just having fun, the possibilities are endless with Toonly and Doodly. Happy animating!