Rodney

Jay, You are correct in thinking we should head to the source. 'Tin Woodman of Oz' gives the entire picture of the history of the Loons and Loonville as far as I can see. Its quite possible that later books (after Baum) visited the Loons again. Authenticity aside (which I agree we should be careful with) a lot is open to the imagination. My entire focus withink TWO is on the Loons right now (for both the movie and the game) so I'll see what I can dig up. The convenient thing about the Loons as depicted in TWO is that we don't really get a thorough glimpse at them. That leaves a lot of Loonville and the surrounding forest open to interpretation. Rodney For reference, here is the sequence launching into our heroes into Loonville via the TWO script:

I believe that is in the old text; 'Yet Another Book of Loons'. Or was it 'Loons for Dummies'? I forget. Nope. It was 'The Big Book of Loon', Chapter 17, Paragraph 39: "And a BullLoonDog shall lead them."

Thanks Jay! As I've seen your work in TAoA:M that's an opportunity I highly recommend. We are about to begin our journey to Loonville everyone. My goal is to post the Loon models w/ links to inspirational sketches, animatics and related resources TODAY! Join our 'Adventure to Loonville'. Traveling together is a whole lot more fun than wandering the roads of Oz alone.

I haven't taken the time to see how much work it would take (or the real benefits to be derived from) creating a v13 model stripper utility to produce a v12 model from the v13 format. The way I would approach it would be to strip v13 specific information from the file leaving only v12 data. Hardly a solution or workaround either. As the important data is sure to get stripped I'm not sure its worth the effort in programming to anyone with more interest/insight than me. As I haven't even looked at the differences yet I cannot even begin to say what the process would take. See above for my emphasis on where I think most users from v8.5 to v12 would get the most out of the opportunity; working with others to design Loons and props for their activities. Everyone can be involved but how you are involved will vary. Rodney

Go Ross! I realize the style of your penguins is with long beaks but he kind of looks like a kiwi bird. The color is unmistakable though. Make sure you think a little bit about how he'll walk as short stubby feet are quite hard to animate. You may want to give him at least little legs. Keep it up!

Most definitely! Hope to get the posts put together late tonight to get this party started. Hope everyone has been sketching their ideas! My test of 3D Painter just happened to be on a Loon and I loved it. (Both the Loon and 3D Painter... not necessarily in that order)

I love it too! Just wish I would have thought of that myself. As it is its one of those very happy mistakes. Thanks for identifying it Teresa!

Thanks for the interest guys and Teresa! We'll be releasing the models soon. If you have access to SVN and v13 you can already grab them and start working. Meanwhile... I've officially gone Loony. I've been thinking a lot about the Loons and a few of the ideas just won't go away. I'll be sharing some of those ideas here in the forum. Ultimately its the Art/Animation Directors choice where the story goes. This first input concerns just who might have put up that sign at the crossroads. The first thing that really planted itself into my mind is that this probably wouldn't be only one sign. SOMEONE really don't want you to go visit the Loons. So the concept of multiple signs presented itself. I spoke with Robert Holmein about it but no decision was made. One thing for sure... multiple signs would convey the Loony nature of what is about to happen. It gets worse... loony even. Who placed those signs? Talking to Teresa via Skype it suddenly became clear who *might* have placed the signs. We know it could have been the Winkies... or other citizen of Oz. But there is one group of people that want you to stay away more than any other... thats right... the LOONS! Getting Loonier... What then would the Loons write upon their multiple signs? Loony saying and warnings.... right! Our heroes haven't even got to Loonville and already things are getting strange. If you see where could be going... it does. This group of signs (modeled in A:M and composited in CorelDraw) demonstrate the proof of concept for the Loon's warning at the Crossroads. This should probably be added to Robert Holmein's topic related to the scene. The signs form a Loony Poem (of sorts) that convey the message to our heroes that they should go away. Luckly enough our adventurers curiosity gets the best of them and we get to visit Loonville after all. The multiple signs created by the Loons does add another possible story element to the Loons... one of color and creativity. If the Loon's painted those signs as they paint the tattoos on their bodies we've just discovered a little bit more about the Loon's. Perhaps they are an warrior artist colony??? Sounds Loony too me. At any rate. Here are a few signs (the first verse actually) from the Loon's Sign Poem. The poem in its Loony entirety might go something like this: - Keep out! Stay out of Loonville! - HereThere is no place to be - Beware! Run away! Be elsewhere! - Leave! Throw away the key! - Go Away! Don't go! Loonville! - Best you up and Leave! - Don't like your kind in Loonville! - Final chance to leave! - Turn around! Do not Pass! U Turn! - Wouldn't go that way if you were me - Run away! Get away from Loonville! - "Loonville Population 3". A small sign (unnoticed by everyone might even read) - No Tresspassing! signed King BaLoon *3 a reference to how many Loons *currently* live in Loonville. Hoping to do something about that.

Documentation and learning with Animation:Master in Spanish. http://cole3d.net Es mui gigante! (Link courtesty of Shazam3D in Useful Links)

While waiting for the Spanish translators to arrive.... I've got: "Howdy Friends!" "Installing via the A:M CD with Windows XP here..." maybe... "Need some help but I can't speak English"??? Am I close?

Try the Page Up and Page Down keys on your keyboard. They toggle the realtime resolution in A:M. It doesn't effect your model... just the way you view it. Lower resolution can help you animate faster etc. Rodney

Thanks! Teresa Nord is involved in this project too. She taking charge of forum posting and general management of the Loons.* Its almost time to start populating Loonville! *As time allows. I know she'll be busy in school soon.

There is so much world for him to explore. Hope in time you'll tell a few of his tales.

You don't have to have v13 to contribute to TWO. Having v13 will just let you dig a lot deeper into the production. Due to differences in file format I suggest teaming up with someone with v13. "Well... whats the fun in that?" To me its obvious. You can help refine your Loons, make suggestions, create props and develop things for those Loons to be doing. Consider how they work... and play... and react to strangers! There's an old saying, "If there is a hand in the scene it needs to be doing something". Work with some else and give the citizens of Loonville something to do. Obviously some ideas and elements won't fit into TWO. But fun and practice has its own reward. If the Loon Intro scene calls for a tall skinny Loon my fat lumpy one probably won't make the cut. But FatLumpyLoon might be perfect for the shot of the Loon Mob encircling our heroes. Ultimately its the Art/Animation directors call on which direction each Loon will go. If they like a concept or need a particular Loony activity I'm sure they'll let us know. So... v11 Users will have to turn their weaknesses to strengths in this one. If there is adequate interest I'm sure we even can locate the town's elusive v12 Loon. (Sorry to get longwinded... stuff like this gets me excited!) Rodney

Lazz, As your image shows there is more than one interpretation of Wolvie's ear flaps. When I first saw yours I thought of Arthur Adams. As for me I'm partial to the John Byrne style. That doesn't really matter all that much though. Just keep modeling him! Edit: I think what's different isn't so much the size but that there is a squared off effect to them as some artists draw him. I'll post some pics (but just to illustrate what I'm talking about. Do your own thing). Both of the attached drawn by John Byrne. The front view one w/ orange and brown costume.

(Pinning this in the New Users Forum to keep it in view of those who might not otherwise see it) Interested in participating in a feature length movie? Now 'Tin Woodman of Oz' opens the door on that opportunity to everyone. Given one of three basic Loon characters you'll be able to tailor, tweak and ultimately create a brand new Loon to call your own. There will be three distinct phases in this project. You are welcome to participate in one, some or all of them. Modeling. The easy part has already been accomplished. Three basic Loon types have been modeled. Now all you need to do is modify, resize and reshape your Loon. Decaling. Loons all have interesting Loony tattoos to identify them to each other. Here you get the chance to make your Loon stand out in the crowd. Animating. Robert Holmein has storyboarded and roughed out the Loon sequences. If you've watched the storyboard you already know whats going to happen next. As an animator... you make it happen. If you think you are up to this Loony Challenge don't miss this opportunity! (A link to the Loonville topic will be posted here as soon as it becomes available.) Note: Modeling (Modifying) will be the initial focus.

Jin, As great as Cloth can be for you I'd leave it to the last. I'm sure you could master it earlier but would hate to see it slow you down. I'd suggest pressing ahead with other things and start some Cloth experiments on the side. As you find time... do other tests with different settings. Work some more... experiment and eve try to break things more. Keep focused on the work while you enjoy your experimentation. If you do that I'm convinced you'll soon find Cloth to be a 'no brainer'. It'll all be instict to you.

That's a great one!

You know... I'm a little shocked that this is the first time we've seen anyone attempt to recreate Wolverine in 3D. Seeing your image is definitely one of those 'Now why didn't *I* think of that??' moments. Wolverine's ear flaps are hard to do in 2D so getting them right in 3D is no small task I'm sure. Did the game character have some that were more pronounced? I guess it doesn't really matter all that much. I remember seeing him drawn that way before. The most important thing is that you are modeling Wolverine!!! Go Lazz!

Gotta learn to trust my instinct and lock threads like this down. It'll save everyone a lot of time and frustration. There are an infinite number of ways to do things wrong. As it is there are three ways that I can think of to do it right. 1) Use the CD in the CDRom Drive 2) Update to a dongle 3) Purchase Netrender (which comes with a dongle). Number 1 is self explanatory. For 2 and 3 you should contact Hash Inc directly. Martin you can always unlock this topic as you feel the need. Thanks for everyones input.

(I'm watching this topic with an eye to close it) I think everyone has covered the options pretty well. 'Bypassing' the CD's security system implies illegality so consider your options well.

Kaijin, The Materials Laboratory is just the thing for you. I didn't spot any information on reflective surfaces that jumped out at me but its not difficult to find. The online Technical Reference has good information too. (Its also on your A:M CD) For mirror surfaces what you'll need is to either adjust your surfaces setting's reflectivity settings or use a refective material. There should be several good ones in your Library (and CD too). I'm pretty sure there is one called 'Mirror' but that might be on the Extra CD. One of the most important things to remember is that a reflective surface MUST have something to reflect. You can add object to your scene to get this but one of the most effecives means is to use an Environment Map. Some of the reflective materials on the CD will already have that. Rodney Referenced Links: The Materials Laboratory Online Technical Reference (Recommend you use the very top link)

No ma'am. There is currently no video tutorial for Exercise 20. Here is the Hair Tech Talk which is quite informative and large. Someone suggested they might screen capture Exercise 20 while they were doing it to assist. I can't for the life of me remember who it was. If you have problems with any of the exercises just post your questions and I'll sure you'll recieve answers in no time. Edit: Robert saved me from having to track down the link to the Tech Talk. Thanks Robert!

'Just messing' around he says... Oh... here it is: I am seriously jealous of your talent Jin. Keep posting!

I just linked to here. In renderosity that's about all I can do. I'm sitting here wishing I was you right now. If I was you'd see me plastering this trailer all over the place. Seriously, you've done something really tremendous here. Your vision, your talent... you!* Please, take a bow! It's almost painful (for me) to think that people interested in this type of story, characters, quality animation, might not be seeing this. This is only from the perspective of a viewer. There is the creative side as well where there are legions who want to do that too. I'm enjoying this with you. Brair Rose is really a beaut. (You really need a press agent) *Briar Rose is also a direct reflection on the talented support behind you (i.e. John Keates!) As Yves might say... Bravo!