Rodney

Perhaps there is still some confusion. Put another way: After A:M is started (booted from the CD) the CD can then be removed. Resources on the CD won't be accessible while not in the drive. Boxster mentioned tutorial DVDs so the assumption here is that the DVD drive is preferred to be free to accept DVDs. Most DVD tutorials can be copied to harddrive as well however. Most are .MOV format. With the size of most harddrives these days being more than enough to accommodate a collection of movies the tutorials should make the transition to harddrive nicely. Multiple Libraries is an entirely different issue that also can be addressed. To operate A:M after the CD is removed but still access data resources (Libraries) the files will either have to be installed (using an update installer check box option) or manually copied and referred to in A:M. Boxer didn't mention Libraries but its related info as once the A:M CD is removed the files on it will no longer be accessible. Libraries can be managed via TOOLS/OPTIONS Folder tab where A:M stores pointers to Library files. Multiple installations often lead to multiple instances of pointers to Libraries. These can safely be removed in TOOLS/OPTIONS via the Folders tab. In the end I think it easier just to leave the CD in drive. A lot less frustrating than the alternatives.

Don't forget that once started you can remove the A:M CD.

I can't launch A:M to verify. I don't think it's the toon shading... more likely the lines. Edit: What I'm thinking of is in 'Override Toon Lines'. You are right in that negative numbers aren't allowed. I'm either forgetting or this has been fixed? Integers less than 1 will yield the same results though. Try .2 for instance. Note also that certain resolutions will not show the lines. Attached is a very poor (failed) attempt at recreating the style. You can see the lines but not much else is similar. It looks like a gradient is involved there...

It looks to me like you set the Toon Bias to a negative number.

Perhaps someone should step in and broker a peace treaty here? Not me! I'm not getting in the between these two... but you know... someone...

That is just so so wrong Nancy. Outstanding production value for just a little fun... (this is just a little fun right?? right??) This be some super serious supersilious stuff! John will have his day... I can feel it.

Hey... Iron Man did defeat the Hulk at least once... Iron Man #131 or somewhere there abouts. He paid a price for that win as I recall. It fell to the 'New Ant Man'; Scott Lang, to free him from his suit. Oxygen... running out. No... more... air... You could probably cut a few splines out of there but he looks great as is. Looking forward to the fight!

It looks nice... I don't think you've actually outlined the method though so can't speak to that. If you plan on having the crowd animated (i.e. appear to be moving) that will probably lead you in a different direction. Just having the crowd areas as animated decals/patch images might do the trick. Then you could easily add bump maps too. Having the hair images always face the camera would ensure the 'actors' looked good in the stands. For viewing from the field and straight on I think using hair with one image per strand would be ideal but it would also bring your computer to a crawl. Just typing out loud and imagining the possibilities. The hair thing didn't work as I wanted on a similar project. I think my images were just too big. Keep it simple and it might. At any rate... beautiful stadium! For optimum simpicity I'd stay with decal/patch images. Is that what you are using?

I like it. Very nice. Are you creating this for any particular reason (other than the enjoyment of it)? Working on a project/animation for instance? Each post brings a new level of detail and quality and I'm curious how far you plan to push it.

Concerning Libraries: In v13 you can Right Click in the Modeling window and select [save Shortcut to Library].** This works for Actions too but Projects, Choreographies Materials etc. For resources that are saved out already: From Windows Explorer you can drag and drop files into the Library. You can also Right Click in the Library window and select [New] [Folder] or [shortcut]. **Note: When using this method A:M will prompt you to save the Model as an unembedded Model if you haven't already saved it.

For the people might I suggest doing what George Lucas did in Star Wars (Episode 1) except without the cotton swabs. Lots and lots of multicolored spheres... virtual swabbies. For close ups perhaps you could use actual characters or stand in images? Nice Stadium Jin!

Dave, This'll just make you mad. Dragging quickly just places it better in the window for me. The first time Hero's head was sliced off by the top frame.* You are right though there is an issue on your end. Narrowing it down is the tough part. Make sure you are releasing the model in the middle of the Chor Window... not on the window/PWS Shortcut or anywhere else. Does it also make a 'Ding' sound as an error? Just trying to narrow the variables down... *Not really sliced off... just a figure of speech.

You might have to specify step by step what you are doing. The model drags and drops okay on my end. Try this to test a simple case. Create new Choreography Locate Hero model in the Library Drag Hero model into the Choreography window Hit Control Z just to make sure he didn't attach to something out of view I assume all other models are dropping into a Chor window fine?

I'd swear that you already did that but I went to find it and... t'weren't there. I'll add the link to the Squetch Rig Installation Tutorial posts.

A very valid approach. The only issue/word of caution would be to make sure the copy you purchase is valid. You might run it by Hash Inc to make sure. FWIW-This is just opinion... the official response can only come from Hash Inc. Their phone number can be found via www.hash.com

I expect there is something amiss with your setup. Not having enough memory can yield those realtime woes but that isn't your problem by the systems stats you've posted. The first thing I'd do is install v13d. Then you might start experinmenting, posting questions and testing to make sure you've got things optimized. In short... I'd trade you my system for yours as yours is a better one. What is of course odd is that I'm not experiencing the problems you are. I was seeing some strange stuff though with v13c so I moved on to v13d as soon as it was released. Rodney

Here's the secret. Shhhh.... Once you've got everything in place... I mean... done and very done... open up the Timeline. What you want to do is change the default interpolaton of the splines in the Timeline (for those areas you want sharp crisp actions (in this case mouth closing). Select the channel splines/keyframes you want to adjust, Right Click and change the interpolation to Hold, Zero Slope or whatever works best for your particular case. There should be some screen shots outlining the process in the "I've got a secret" exercise topic. It's hard to find on purpose... cause... Shhhh.... it's a secret. Keekat knows...and now you do too.

I recently ran across this discussion and wish I'd had it handy when others had questions about keyframing animation, especially concerning the notorious keyframes on frame 0. If you animate... and I know you do... you should find the discussion of use. Note: The topic is from 2003 and is archived. As such you cannot add new posts there. Animation Help (Keyframing etc) For those with no extra time to go speLINKing here's something to note and press on with. One tip from Noel Pickering in the discussion states:

Dave, Did you ever find a resolution to this problem?

Its amazing... but rarely amusing... when people post in all caps. all lower case is just weird but then we've got a lot of artists hanging out around here. That you take it all in stride and adjust tells us you are here for the duration. Glad to have you with us and that you are finding answers to your questions. Keep those questions coming.

It most certainly is. Raising the bar. Setting the standard. Charting the course. Leading the way. Establishing a new benchmark in quality presentation. The definition that fits would be: It's good. The model isn't refined enough yet to be considered a benchmark but your presentation certainly is! I have every reason to think you're whole project can hit that high standard too.

Steve, Seriously... your update (the real one not the 404 error) I'd call a benchmark here in the forum. Hope we can see more updates presented in such a way. Oh... and personally I like the hair.

There is an old link to information on rendering white scenes in Useful Links. Nowadays with Ambience Occlusion and the like there are perhaps other methods that will work just as well and maybe even produce better results. I haven't yet committed those new methods to memory so someone... HELP! Rendering those White Images (Grrr... Dang browser blockers are killing my linking abilities!)

Nice. He seriously did pick up that umbrella. The entire sequence (or is that shot) works so well. You obviously put some serious time into the planning of it. What is not seen (Ebon's disappearance in the second between when she is seen on the floor and when Monks body lets the camera (us) see where she was) is as great a touch of storytelling as any I've seen. You reveal more about the character of Ebon without even showing the character... sweet. Powerful stuff. Now I want to know more about those umbrellas.

Not to overlook your latest but I just saw the previous one: What a beautiful piece of machinery. Wonderful economy of spline. Nice render too. Did I miss your render settings? I'll look back through the posts. Found them: Now to get a copy of your scheme file.