Rodney

Hmm... I don't think so. Installing the Ensharpen codec has always worked. I'm wondering if there is a way we can update/convert the tutorials and share them with a new generation of A:M users. I'll check and see if I've got the same videos handy here.

Here is the color map also used as a displacement map (from 0 to 600+ percent). Minor artifacts seem to indicate a few trouble areas in the color decal image. displacedcloth.mov

As an example... Here is a substitute Displacment Map image (everything is mid gray) yielding no adverse effects.

From what I can tell, the problem is in your second image in the decal. Adjusting that will resolve the uniformity problem. At a guess I would suggest the image isn't a proper Normal Map. Changing the decal type from 'Normal' to 'Bump' 'Displacement' considerably lessens the adverse effect. Edit: Displacement can produce some pretty interesting cloth effects. The artifacts point back to problem areas in the image.

Unless I'm misunderstanding your specific criteria I'd say the key to CP alignment for you will be to use Scale. Try it with a simple test model until you get a good feel for it. Create your multiple CP splines. Select those you want to align. Whack the S key to engage the Scale Manipulator Rotate the manipulator as needed Scale Manually or via typing in the Scale into the onscreen Manipulator Properties dialogue box. (Hard to imagine all of this via text so will try to post a video tutorial later) Edit: David's more concisely worded suggestion should work well in the majority of cases.

Thanks Mark! Anyone interested in rigging their characters needs to download and walk through this PDF rigging instruction. There is a lot of great insight into the process to be found in this Step by Step tutorial. (As Mark mentioned it's in his first post... HERE.) Great insight into the placement of character bones!

I always enjoy your insider looks and previews Mark.

Can you 'Consolidate' and share an example project file with us?

That's really nice! You should get bored more often.

You guys make me feel old.

Go for it and good luck!

Sure did. Nice touches throughout too. Santa been nice to someone this year.

Another classic for sure. Start planning for the sequel next year!

Walt Disney would be proud. Nice work Will!

I'm getting a server error (probably something broken on my end) I'll keep trying.

The current dictionary file is dated Nov 6 2001. This however doesn't mean others haven't updated it. I seem to recall several updates in other languages and Marshall Hash reportedly was updating one years ago.* *Edit: Found a reference to Marshall updating the dictionary.dic file for the TWO movie. I'm not sure if the update was ever finished/finalized though.

Sweet. You make complex things look simple. Color me intrigued!

Impressive detail Rodger. You haven't lost your touch!

Thats not a simple question. That's a request for others to work with/for you. There are a lot of activities in the world for Thom to do. Can you be a little more specific in what you are looking for your character/Thom to do? Perhaps better yet, if you post a model others may be intrigued enough to design poses and actions just for you.

Not true. There are some (basic) plugins that we can run from the file menu. As far as I know the only Wizard we can access from the File menu is 'Treez'. But... you can set a Shortcut key to Simcloth and Newton Simulation! There are a few here in the forum that might want to set a shortcut key combo for "ResetSettings".

There doesn't appear to be any way to create shortcut keys for any plugin that can't be run from the File Menu. (This leaves out wizards such as Font and AI but apparently includes the Treez Wizard. (interesting) Only the Plugins that you can find in the File menu appear to have the shortcut option. Thats why we see the option to assign a shortcut is for File:Plugins... But to provide an example of an appropriate view for wizards: You will only see the Fonts wizard as an option while in a Modeling window. In this case appropriate view/context sensitive means the same thing. If you are not looking for the plugin while in the correct context A:M will not show it to you.

Plugins are context sensitive so... Their options will only appear when you are in the appropriate view. For instance, we won't see a modeling wizard/plugin in an Action window. Now having said that... I don't remember seeing the Shortcut options for Plugins before. Assuming they work... TOO COOL!* (And a set of some of the most common file menu plugins do!)

Bravo!

Superbly fun! Love it.

Your renders are so beautiful they tend to make your modeling look effortless and easy. Then when I sit down to model something myself I always say... "How DOES he do that!" Keep it up Stian!