Rodney

In any endeavor we seek feedback. We look at things from a variety of angles. We poke and prod at ideas. We test new theories. We plan for success. We hope for feedback. And when we get no feedback... that's feedback! Discovery is at the heart of the learning process. Feedback helps us discover what works. As an artist, animator or storyteller recognize how feedback is essential to success. Look for opportities to provide feedback and encourage others in their endeavors. You'll be glad you did. Best, Rodney

Everything you've posted are very impressive examples of your work. You may consider some of them pretty simple but the degree to which you've melded the effects work with live action etc... impressive. Intriguing.

Sorry! I wish I had better news for you and your toot but we've got the rest of 3.5 gigabytes to go! Oooo.... Look! Orangutan!

It is indeed a thrill to see Jim Talbot represented. He's been contributing resources to the A:M Community since long before the Extra CD/DVD. Similar to his Leopard Queen is another award winning project: Jungle Queen There are a lot a reasons to study the work of Jim Talbot! Taking a close look at his outstanding decal work is a must.

My critique in one word and an emoticon: Fun!

His pappa was an aircraft wheel but he doesn't talk much about him. Um... short answer 'Yes'. Correct answer 'No'. I've got one but the Extra DVD doesn't. (Long story) Thats part of the reason we are exploring here. There are some great things that have been added to the Extra DVD that I'm only now discovering. Just pick one item on the DVD you think is cool and pass it on.

Hash Inc is currently distributing the Extra DVD with 2007 upgrades. With over 3.5 Gigabytes of A:M resources there is a whole lot to see. I finally started looking through the content and was surprised to see my robot sentry! (eeek!) The sentry has the distinction of being one of the first models I created in A:M and as such is sure not much to look at. He's an almost entirely lathed character that harkens back to the time before I felt comfortable with extrusion. Now lathing... that I thought I understood. Still, I must admit it gave me a thrill to see that old model there on the Extra DVD. He's a bit embarrasing to look at but I'm proud of him. What fun times those were. As you explore the DVD please feel free to post questions or commentary here for all to see. As for my sentry... I'd like to use him as the star of a tutorial demonstrating lathing techniques. Maybe... "The 5 minute robot sentry"? What have you seen on the Extra DVD?

very cool John.

For reasons that should become very evident to upgrading A:M users soon... the first raffle of 2007 is being pushed back to 15 February. Those that enter in one raffle... are automatically entered in all. My apologies for adjusting the date but I have a very good reason. The main intent is to allow max participation and meet the goals I set forth in my first post.

Sure are. Some may have some restrictions (don't make millions of $) but all can be used in shorts and demo reels. Its usually best to credit the author of course. Patently false. No software is perfect but if I could find one... just one... of these sources I'd love to have a crack at them. I've had no takers yet and no one seems willing to provide their sources. You can use A:M forever and pass it on to your grandkids. In order for your grandkids to have the best A:M possible in the year 2070 its recommended you upgrade regularly. (Once you make those millions that'll be easy.) If you even like Maya... you will absolutely love A:M!

Steve, With your upgrade you'll get the latest A:M and the Extra DVD. There is over 3.5 Gigabytes of tutorials, project files and related A:M resources for you to explore. Definitely what you've been looking for in additional resources! Now you're talking. I'll be looking for that!

When I saw your forum name at the top of the topic I assumed you were just welcoming someone... you definitely aren't a new user. Glad to see you back after your hiatus. From time to time we all need those. I'm sure you'll be settled back in and off and running with A:M in no time. Thanks for dropping in for the reintroduction!

Nice job Chris. Congratulations for getting your ad placed! A:M really excels at these photo montages through decals, patch images etc. doesn't it? Thats an interesting choice for stars. (Not a critique... just observation. Works well for me.) Rodney

There are no words. Thats obviously why you put the effort into the images and those images speak for themselves.

Elliot is trying to rig the contest!!! Alright. You are all in. But if Elliot wins... it ain't my fault. Its looking like oh... about... 15* days. *tick*tick*tick* *Edited to reduce confusion.

Al and Skrilla. You are in with only a few days remaining! Good on ya. Skrilla, I know you are going to be happy when you give v13 a try... and v14 is waiting for you in the wings. There have been so many enhancements to A:M in the past 5 years its hard to begin to list them. 'Stitching' alone is going to be worth the upgrade for you. Great to see you here in the forum.

Do NOT watch that for a couple hours! (I think therefore I'm hypnotized)

(The obligatory in-A:M solution) You could always just combine your animations together in A:M. There are several ways you can do this: Camera Rotoscopes Choreography Layers Patch Images (with or without decals) Compositor The easiest would probably be through camera rotoscopes. The most flexible would be with patch images and decals. Of course MOV format is a native format for A:M but I would suggest editing using TGA sequential images. You could create a Chor setup for each major sequence of your movie and one Master Chor to collect them all. There are a host of transitional effects you can create right inside A:M too.

Nice Robin! and I'm not just talking about the addition of sound. You've got some nice facial animation going. Fix the white/eye protruding artifact above the eye... give him a gun (or other inspired prop) and that's just about perfect.

Very cool John. Its been too long since we've got a taste of Kapsules. I hope you continue finding time to devote to this project. (Still a really big fan!)

Hey!!! Don't leave us hanging. We wanna see.

Here's a thumbnail comparison to bring all my suggestions together. For what its worth I like yours better!

I still had my photoshop'd image so submit this as one possible solution toward clarifying that he just dropped the sword. Note the suggested change to the eyes to accentuate what he's got his mind on.

I'm so misunderstood! LOL I don't want to overstate the obvious but... here goes... (exploring because you are letting me) Its easy to imagine why the sword is there. That he has tossed it aside is really the only reason I can imagine it would be there. Would any other reason spring to mind? Bear with me here... apparently I wasn't clear or precise enough in my earlier wording. My point is that it isn't clear *why* he would do this. If we knew more about this character we might now that he does this everytime he gets into trouble. (If he did that he'd end up buying a whole lot of swords!) As one in a series of images it'd work within that context but we don't have those other images to refer to. Some facial animation or throwing gesture might help sell it. In animation we (yes... even Caroline's family! LOL) must strive for clarity. Am I reading too much into this thrown away sword business? Anyone else see ways to futher clarify? Dirtying or breaking the sword might be one way to send that message but somehow that too doesn't quite satisfy... Let me just ask the question then. Why DID he throw away his shiny new sword??? (I'm seriously interested in your character and his backstory so I'm hoping you'll elaborate a bit there too)