Rodney

I think I see what Will is saying... If the dialog was given by a character in an animation (words and pics in the background/foreground/whereva) it would make for some storytelling. Isn't that what animation is about? Telling stories? The content of the message... now that is another matter of course. Not all dialogue is created equal. The value of that would be for the viewer to decide.

You should post queries in a separate topic with a title that describes the problem you are facing. That'll get the best response. As it stands I'm not sure what you are experiencing. If you are trying to adjust the manipulator handles while in Bird's Eye view I'll recommend working on them from one of the cardinal directions; front, right, left, back, top or bottom. I think someone else posted a simliar problem recently. I can't recall if that was answered to their satisfaction. A screen captured image will help too. Rodney Edit: Somewhat related, naming the groups can help to store pivot points so it might help you with bias handles too... not sure though.

I agree. You've perfectly capture Vaughn Bode's style. I too have some of his comics. His unique and cartoony style really caught my eye as I was growing up collecting comics. The mature themes, while part of his works charm, I didn't care for much but the style... simply exquisite. OT Commentary: As far as Vaughn Bode's death all I can say is; what a colossal waste of a life and talent. Artists who live life on the edge all too often fall off. It's best to have a safety net to get you through the rough times. Vaughn Bode may have had one but it failed him if he did. Looking forward to seeing more of your project! Those characters should look great animated. Rodney

Glad to see a restart got it all going for you again. I'm one of those guys who keeps everything running all at the same time and never restarts anything. Well, eventually I do... When I start to notice odd behavior I don't always see the obvious solution and how I control a lot of my own destiny in the over all scheme of A:M stability. After restarting (or hearing from others like you) I am reminded again. Thanks for the reminder! Rodney

Sorry for the delay in answering. I'm not going to be able to help you out right now I'm afraid. Maybe in 3 months. I'll yield to others as I'm sure they'll be glad to help you out. I would encourage you to start a Work In Progress (WIP) and post stills and/or short animations from your project. It can be tough putting your work out in the open for everyone to comment and critique but the rewards can be more than worth the effort. ...and here's a useful tip. You can pick and choose from the tips you recieve and adjust to your own taste. Not all commentary and critiques are created equal but the vast majority are quite useful whether you incorporate them into your work or not. What a forum. Best, Rodney

You may have to be a bit more specific. I will guess: 1) You need to change from D3D to OpenGL in TOOLS/OPTIONS 2) You need to download updated video drivers from your graphics card manufacturer's site Let us know how things go, okay?

Yeah. You wrote that up there. ^^ There is also a problem with Shaggy's left hand on the 2004 CD. I think that has been fixed on both the 2005 and 2006 CDs. Hash Inc did post a 'Shaggy - Fixed hand Clench' on the Free Models site. The free models site has changed but the link should still be in the exercise area. The roll handle problem with Keekat is a problem but one that can be fixed pretty easily. We'll add the info to the exercise but we won't beat everyone over the head with it as Roll handles aren't really important to the exercise. Looking at the images posted in the forum the turn of the foot almost looks intentional. Keekat just has to be different... Thanks!

If you are talking about the Knight and his knee problem mission accomplished! I did overlook the Can Can and 'Eat My Dust' exercises but added the comment to the very first post and "It's a Pitch". Thanks! Any other troubleshooting tips/erratas please advise and I'll get them included. Rodney

I'm just happy... no... ecstatic... that the 'Create Icon' works again. I think Noel is responsible for that but at any rate kudos to the Hash Inc programming team. 'Little' conveniences like that really make my day.

Thanks guys... keep the ideas flowing. I'm taking notes.

Eric, With v13 the 'Create Icon' works again. The icon (preview image) is stored in the resource. For instance if you right click and 'Create Icon' on a model in the PWS it'll place the preview image in the model file. If you right click and 'Create Icon' on the Project shortcut in the PWS it'll create the preview image there. Similarly with other resources such as Actions, Choreographies and Materials. To get them to show in a library you'll need to do one of the following: - Right click in a modeling window and select "Add Shortcut to Library" - Right click in the Library window and select "Create Shortcut" then go and find the model - Drag and drop the resource from Windows into the Library window. If the preview image/icon has been assigned and the resource saved the image will show up with the resource in your Library. Hope that makes sense. My Right Clicking menu terminology will be a little off and I can't verify right now. Rodney Edit: For those without v13 you'll have to either render or screen capture your image to your hard drive. Then from the Info Properties of the model file Right Click and assign the image to the resource by locating and selecting the image. Note that read only files (such as resources on a CD) will refuse to accept the preview image. Just about any size image can be used but remember that detail will be lost as it is converted.

Useful Links now has a new home in the Tutorials Forum. Please feel free to link to tutorials and information of interest to Animation:Master users here.

As I'm putting certificates together for those that completed The Art of Animation:Master in 2005 I'm reminded of a few of the obstacles that animators have run up against while working through the manual here in the New Users Forum. I can see a few things to help streamline the process of administration/certification on my end too. Everyone's ideas are solicited in an effort to keep TAoA:M fun and educational. If you've completed the exercises online in the forum I'd especially like to hear from you. Some of the things I'm hoping to implement this year include: Collect all the exercises into one user friendly interface on a webpage to launch off from. Publish information on common pitfalls/troubleshooting/tips (example: webspace storage, codecs, file compression) Standardize naming conventions for exercise images/animations submitted . (example: Ex1 MyName OtherInformation.jpg) Standardize/recommend file formats for each exercise. (Generally JPG, MOV and AVI are preferred) Integrate Exercises 11.5 and 20 fully into the online course. Provide supplemental links supporting lessons learned with each exercise. What say you all. How can we make completing TAoA:M online even better? Thanks! Rodney

Welcome to the New Users forum! The idea behind this forum is to provide help and support for users who are new to Animation:Master and are going through the Art of Animation:Master tutorials. We encourage you to post your Works-In-Progress (WIP) from these tutorials to this forum. You will learn a lot from the feedback you get. As moderator of the New Users forum I'm here for you. You could say I come with the box. I'll be here to answer basic A:M questions but the entire community of A:M users is here for you too. They'll guide and encourage you as you explore the world of animation as only they can. New users are welcome to post to any of the forums, but this is the place to ask basic questions and work through The Art of Animation:Master. Everyone here started out as a beginner, so don't be shy. You will soon see how amazing the A:M community is. There are a lot of great things ahead in 2006. For instance, did you know: You can get a certificate after completing the exercises in The Art of Animation:Master. You can demonstrate the principles of animation in the A:M forum's Animation Bootcamp. You can study and explore all the tools Animation:Master provides to help you create the worlds of your imagination. ...and now you can even learn to model and animate while collaborating with others like you in a full movie production; Tin Woodsman of Oz! Being an aspiring animator has never looked so good. For those that have graduated the title of 'New User' you too are most welcome here. Your encouragement, experience and insight into Animation:Master are an essential ingredient. My thanks to you for your continuing support. Introduce yourself to the A:M Community and find out why purchasing Animation:Master was such a really great idea. Rodney

Yikes. You really blazed through 'em. I thought I just saw you post Exercise 4! One certificate coming up.

That will indeed be perfect for the Extra CD.

Great to hear from you again Mike. Hope you get better soon. Don't be a stranger you hear! Rodney

Stian, Your composite has something I can't recall ever seeing in a CG/Still Photo composite; the car going behind an object (the other car) and viewed through its windows. Now THAT is a nice touch. Please explain the process you went through to seel that part of the shot to us! Now if only you could find a way to composite YOU driving the Il Tempo Gigante ... Great work in every respect. If you are looking for suggestions I'd say try a little blur on the final movie but thats just what I like to do to dilute my images that are too clean. I'm talking about the composite movie not the stills here. Bravo!

Thanks guys. Its not necessary but much appreciated. Now go on back to animating cool stuff.

Oh my goodness... The Library file format has changed. This would appear to be a most exellent thing. Hash Inc got even more 'splainin to do! ...and yes everyone's v12 libraries will work just fine in v13. Meawhile... To answer your question though if you have an empty text file in your library folder with the .lbr extension A:M will automatically 'see' it when you next start A:M. Just make sure you have the library selected in the active Library drop down or All Libraries selected. Once its there you can drag and drop your files into it. The preferred location for library files is generally: C:\Program Files\Hash Inc\v13\data\Libraries I think. I've adjusted my location for no apparent reason and probably should move them back. Hope that makes sense. As far as the Library name goes... If you place a textfile name Sprinkler.lbr in the appropriate library folder it will show as Sprinkler in A:M. Rodney

Oh oh... looks like there's gonna be some competition! Are you talking about the monthly image contest, the mini-movie contest... or both? Looking forward to seeing more of your work on display here in the forum. That IS a beautiful render. Rodney

Bravo! Now that is the kind of critique and quick modeling changes that mean something. Looks like you are having a lot of fun too. Is this guy a mortal enemy of your Shark guy? More images... and animation( ! ) Rodney

Hey Shelly! Welcome aboard. Maybe you can even combine some stopmo with your A:M work. Great to have you with us. Rodney

I want one! Looks great Ed.

Cool! Another Playmation alumni! Your first name wouldn't happen to be Mike would it? Edit: Just checked your profile and see that it is. Whooa. It really is great to have you back! You are more than just alumni you are part of A:M history. Hope you find all the time you need to work in A:M and more. Rodney