Displays the location and explains the settings for erase mode in the Doodly software. Shows picture examples of the different erase mode options with different canvas in Doodly.

Erase Mode

This document explains the function off Erase Mode, the various options and suggests proper usage techniques.

What is Erase Mode

When a character or prop asset is placed on the canvas and another character or prop asset is placed on top of it, Doodly will erase a portion of the bottom asset. The settings for Erase Mode are located in the Video Settings area above the Timelines marked as “Settings”.

Note: Erasing an asset creates an undesired identical erasure mark to the asset about to be revealed. An artist would not erase something in an exact outline which appears unrealistic and may cause an non-credible situation with a viewer losing that WOW and realism factor.

Erase Mode Options

There are 4 options to Erase Mode.

  • Smart Mode: This tells Doodly to choose whatever method it deems to be the best option for erasing.
  • With Finger: Selecting this method will only use the forefinger to erase the bottom asset.
  • With Erase: Setting Erase Mode to this option will make it so Doodly only uses the Chalkboard Eraser.
  • None: Doodly will not erase the asset below it but will reveal the other asset directly on top of it.

Selecting an Option

  • Smart Erase: SoloBoss suggests to not use this unless precision in the doodle is not a concern.
  • Finger works well when on a whiteboard.
  • Eraser looks nice with either the black or green chalkboard.
  • None can be used in any situation.

Note: When using a non-rainbow addon version of Doodly, using the None option will draw on top of another asset but will not color anything into the asset and any outlines that were showing through from the bottom asset will suddenly disappear in a typically undesired manner. With the rainbow addon, choosing none works beautifully because the rainbow paths color directly over the outlines from the bottom asset.

Proper Use

  • Doodles that only use the non-rainbow addon with no imported images work really well with the erase mode enabled.
  • Chalkboard canvas doodles look really nice with the erasing.

Improper Use

  • Whiteboard with rainbow addon enabled and/or lots of imported images.
  • Custom canvas with imported images

Personal Preference

  • Glass Board canvas

Note: The glass board canvas without erasing reveals unrealistically because it gives the appearance of drawing in front of another asset when the reveal arms is behind that asset.

There are times that Doodly will ignore the None Smart Erase setting when using the Glass Board canvas. If this happens, switch to another canvas and then back to Glass Board.

Individual Scene Control

Erase Mode can only be controlled for the entire project and not individual scenes that are part of the same project. If granular scene control for erasing is desired then it is suggested to make that particular scene a separate project and in the original project put the same amount of time in as a blank scene and then combine the two using video editor software after the rendering process is completed. Ensure to be organized enough to know rendered projects fit into which blank spots if there are more than one.