Rodney

Slipin, Well... 1 out of 2 hopefully will count. Tech Talk #6 "Font Wizard" - Ken Baer 38 Megabytes There are also some good write-ups here in the forum on Font Wizard usage. Here is one: Font and AI Wizard discussion Concerning planet/earth creation... one of the best way to create one would be to locate one that is made already and dissect it. I believe there should be several earths on the A:M CD. If not we can find you one as most of the planets should be represented on the upcoming Extra CD.

Looking good thus far John! No suggestions or critiques... just moral support.

Zev, I like the improvements you've made with the possible exception of the red background. Red is fine but to have the whole background red seems a bit stark. The blue Brainmuffin suggested or a combination of bluish/purple colors might look really nice. Of course a lot might depend on your background in the room this will be projected in as well as how you want those viewing the screen to react. Red would seem to set the tone for some serious critiquing. If that is what you are after... Red might work. Here is a suggestion. Render the image out to TGA format *without* the background and try it against several different color schemes. Then later if you determine you want to change it again all you need to do is change the background. -Rodney

Tracje, Thanks for the Thanks! You mean... like here? Software Tutorials Index

JohnL3d is embarking on some tests of v12 cloth simulation. Perhaps we can adapt his studies and put them in a tutorial. That would be nice. Expressions more than perhaps any part of A:M may be a really good candidate for printable tutorials (i.e. PDF format). If you haven't watched Hash Inc's Tech Talk on expressions... Hash Inc Tech Talks ...and... Expressions in Hash Animation Master by Sotiris Gougousis That's an oldy but a goody!

Thanks guys! Feedback is always an important part of the tutorial making process. If you find any particular tutorial useful or find mistakes or areas for improvement all such things can be used to update and improve future tutorials. ...and an extra special thank you to those that take the time to create a tutorial. We know your time is valuable and we appreciate your efforts. Thanks again.

I played around with the toon line but never got it the way I like... more experimenting needed... I must say though... the toon look on Mike is rather good! The following two images are from the last frame of the Choreography. A:M Old Film, blur etc used with just a little touch up in photopaint to get rid of some little blue specks...

Hey! Thanks much. I've put off modeling Mike for years now... and well... now I may not really need to thanks to you. I have a soft spot for the old guy and in particular the old comic strips. I've always thought that using scenes from the old comics would be great animation practice. I still do. Thanks again. -Rodney

Finally! A role worthy of Thom. Looking forward to where you might be taking this. Keep on testing!

So... a request for modeling tutorials. Check. I've added KenH's latest to the growing number listed in the pinned index: Software Tutorials ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Modeling ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Working with Splines *New* Named Groups Avoid Creases in Modeling Advanced Lathing Methodologies

Stian, I want one of those! It's been facinating watching you put this ROV together. Seeing a project come together in this fashion is exactly what we as A:M Users could hope for in a WIP. Thanks!

Bump... because Hair in Animation:Master is cool.

Your subtle improvements are making a difference. This is frustrating in a way actually, because you keep refining what I thought were really fine shots already. I guess I need to hone my critical eye for the details. As always... looking forward you your next post!

David, You definitely have my interest. I've downloaded all your files from your WIP and keep hoping to find time to thoroughly check them out. Your tutorial will be most welcome.

Jost, First, let me say, your animations are entertaining. You really have style and a great sense of timing. You say you worked for it... but you make it look easy. Concerning paths... gah! Just when I think I've got them figured out I realize I don't. Just tonight I was wishing there was some way Constraining to a path would recognize CPs. Then maybe you could specify a speed based on the density of CPs along the path... slow for spline areas with lots of CPs and fast for those with fewer. To attempt to answer your question though. You should be able to select one or the other end of a path that is open. You can use Ease to take you to either end. Rodney Technical Reference information on Paths:Path Description etc. Path Constraints (Tutorial of sorts) Path Constraint Properties

You are on your way to great things Ross. Keep on experimenting. As you said... that's the fun part.

Rodger, That's sure to add a great deal to the detail of models. Very nice effect and inspiration. Thanks!

I thought it might be fun to explore some of the hidden features of A:M. There is certainly a lot to explore. Here is a new look at a feature you might find interesting: Custom Keyboard Shortcuts. Most people know that you can assign shortcuts to functions to help with workflow. But did you know that you can create a list of Shortcut Keys including your custom set keys? Did you know you can do it with the click of one button in Animation:Master? You can. Steps to produce your own Shortcut Key List: Go to TOOLS/CUSTOMIZE on the menu Navigate to the KEYBOARD Tab Find and Press the EXPORT Button The Keyboard Shortcut List will be generated in HTML format. ShortcutKeysList.zip

John, You never cease to amaze. We've got to get you to make a short film/movie one of these days. I have a feeling it would be an Special Effects extravaganza.

Well... here we are in the new spacious living quarters of the Software Tutorials Forum. Anyone have any specific requests for tutorials? Anyone care to take on a challenge and help build the tutorials of the future? Example: I've long wanted to make a tutorial about putting three segments of animation together into one inside A:M. "Splicing in A:M" on the basic side, or "Film Editing" as a more complex set of instructions I guess you could call it. There are several ways to approach this but I think perhaps that I don't know the best way. -Rodney

Doug, If you are going for 'dazed and confused' the white pupils work fine. If not you I think you'll need more definition even if it's a subtle color in a darker shade. Light (and especially white) pupils tend to suggest blindness, confusion or loss of perception. This can be played well in certain characters of course. As far as construction of the eyes and the removal of the pointy pupils, I'd say... "Right On. You've got it!" If you plan on having him blink you'll want to consider eyelids of course.

Jost, I'm liking your model... simple and effective. At first glance I like the walk cycle. Very nice. I agree that the knees should bend just slightly. As she is walking just now the stiffness 'feels' painful. Not sure why I say this... try walking that way and I guess it would be. The thing I'd suggest to really sell the walk would be to have the left and right feet actually cross over in front of each other at the extremes of the walk cycle. It works as is... but might be even better and help you bend those knees to have the legs actually cross over, shifting her weight back and forth just a little bit more. A+ for demonstration too!

I'd guess most walking sticks/night sticks might not have wood grain but that would certainly sell what it is made out of quickly to the viewer. I'd guess they aren't tapered much either but I think that a little taper might be good.

Here's my take Doug: 1) How does this character's personality read? Have to be honest... I'm not reading much. As Robert mentioned the mouth is where he seems to be getting his personality from... usually (and especially with a character without arms and legs) it'll be the eyes. 2) What is this character? I'm a little raindrop. Yup. Yup. 3) I'm wondering how this simple environment plays? The simplicity plays well. It's an interesting... sewn silk pillow effect. 4) I need to fix his pointy pupils, I know. I'd suggest changing his pupils and making them black. This would solve the issue of #1 above. Since none of your colors are really solid a dark grey surrounded by blue might work well. Please post more.

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