Rodney

I'm glad you found your way here to the forums. We've got some work to do to get it done but we'd love to see every A:M User here in the forum. If you've got the software... use the forum! One A:M user down... millions to go. And... for those just starting out... if you haven't already, you definitely want to work through the exercises in TaoA:M.

Its been awhile since I've been able to look in on 'Just a Wooden Sword'. LOOKING GOOD! Watching these short clips is tough as it doesn't give us the bigger view. As it stands alone though I really like this one. You've expertly drawn our attention back and forth from the dragon's face to the egg (nice roll!). Its a painful... yet I get the feeling by the wobble of the egg... a promising moment? Nicely done. Now I'm off to track down some of your other recent shots! Edit: In looking again... there does seem to be a little room for improvement in the timing. The dragon's facial animation and the rolling of the egg start at the same moment. If you are able perhaps the egg roll could be delayed just a moment? This would allow all attention to remain on the dragon's face for a moment longer which I think is important. When the egg rolls our attention definitely goes with it.

An additional note for those new to modeling with patches. Watch out for 'internal patches'. Internal patches are areas that become valid patches due to the surrounding geometry allowing valid but unplanned patches to form. This usually will occur as we try to keep our patch counts low. An example would be a cylinder or tube with four cross sections. As the tube extends in length internal patches will form. One way to keep internal patches from forming is to keep your cross sections at 5 or above. For the simplist geometry I like 5 cross sections as its easy to cap with a manual 5 point patch. Six and Eight cross sections is more likely the norm. A tell tale sign of internal patches is odd artifacting on the surface over where the internal patches are formed. Bottom line: Avoid internal patches.

Hey Eric, It looks like you missed Will's last couple of posts: Link to your previous discussion on 3D milled models Very cool skull William!

Impressive Gene! With you moving into texturing and lighting you`ll soon be the next best thing to unstoppable. Keep up the great work.

Beautiful work. Beautiful render.

Very nice Robert. Well done. That 2D thing is really starting to work for you!

I like the rim-lit one. It has a nice sense of depth to it. The toon would work well if you are looking for a more 2D look.

Very cool Paul. You're projects are always surprising. They keep me guessing.

I searched for the most appropriate word for some time. I was going to use 'mezmerized'. Captivated works better. Seriously... I was freaking captivated. Couldn't stop looking at him. That may be why I missed the squirrel's demise.

I like it. The tree singing was captivating. (the pacing really relaxed me) What happened to the squirrel? While you are sure to get more of a reaction to the bear intentionally squashing the butterfly it might work even better if the first one gets squashed by accident. The bear relaxing to the signing...leaning against the tree... oops. Morale: By accident we often develop a taste for things we otherwise might never consider. Anyway... nicely done!!!

Well done!

Wow, that's come a long way! Reminds me of some of those paintings I wanted to step into as a kid they felt so real. I really like the composition.

Looking forward to it David!

Wow. I'm impressed by your patience. There is some serious detail there. Looking great Eric!

I'm not trying to get in the habit of calling everyone out on their birthday here in the forum (that'd be a neverending job!) but... I had no idea Fuchur was such a young guy. Happy Birthday Fuchur!

This is one superbly entertaining music video. I hope you collect all the assets for these productions and store them in a safe place. As you obtain a mastery of lighting I have a feeling you'll want to revisit this one. As others have suggested getting the spotlight on the important element of the scene will accentuate the storytelling and take it to the next level. It'd pop the main characters out and blend the backgrounds in. The imagery is showing dark and important details are blending in with the background on my screen. (I completely missed the logo)* As much as I like the cartoon conductor I'd really love to see a version of this with live action elements of Myron doing the intricate finger work. This live action element would contrast nicely with the animated animals and really bring all the characters' personalities out. Of course this is all very easy to say while watching from the sidelines. I'm very jealous of your talents! *Side Note: In the book 'Timing for Animation' John Halas/Harold Whitaker suggest using approx 16 frames for each word in a title card to account for viewer 'reading time'. Similarly, if an object is there for less frame time, which includes being viewed in proper lighting, it may be missed and not read in time. Unlike mediums like comic books, with film you may only get that one time. Reading time must be planned into each scene. It must be intentionally designed. When there aren't enough frames available to allow for proper reading of the important details and story element the use of Anticipation can be used to attract the viewer's attention to where it needs to be at the proper time. Of course Easter Egg details (those that people love to find on repeated and more thorough viewings of a film) can have a lesser emphasis applied.

I just now got a chance to see this. I'm thoroughly impressed. Outstanding work everyone! Great job editing all the entries together Matt. Very entertaining.

You've still got the skillz! Impressive work.

Nice one Robert! I was especially pleased to see the inclusion of your 'stretch to ground' frame accenting contact with the ground. Thats such an important frame as it allows the moment of contact to properly read during animation.

Amazing. Beautiful work Stian.

Really wonderful work Al!

I'm no where near my computer right now but... On the drop down menu there is an option to convert you image to Red/Green/Blue (RGB). Another option is CYMK where Magenta is the equivalent of Red. You copy this image via Edit/Copy and paste this in as a new Layer. Keep asking questions and my memory may return.

I don't think this is the tutorial you are looking for but they are at least on topic. Several Links in the A:M Forum to Photoshop Tutorials A whole lot of topics about Photoshop

Hey Rav, Having bought the CD at least that gives you something to return to. I keep thinking I'll buy the CD again but the subscription has worked so well for me I haven't had to. A websubscription is the price of a few trips to the movies over the span of a year... a dozen trips to McDonalds... the price of a video game or two. Insanely cheap for the features it delivers to you. If I was rich I'd buy a copy for you... but I'm not... so its all on you.