Rodney

Alright #2497 you are in! Of course it does. Finding it has been rather problematic for the majority of users though.

That requirement was *somewhat waved... I just didn't see a good way to explain the change. Benefit of doubt goes to the community resident. The requirement was originally posted so the winner would be someone active in the community and not someone who just posted once to win an upgrade. The principle remains the same... "It's your community... be a part of it."

Participation in the forum is fun and rewarding even without a free upgrade. Glad to see you #2534!

Looks like you nailed it. For this exercise I usually suggest the camera be offset just a little. It's hard to 'read' the action coming from a straight on angle. Here are some examples (from long ago) that show how other people dealt with the silohuetting of the actor to get the action to read better. Ball Pitch and Bat Swing (Animation Contest Examples) Example only. Not trying to suggest you turn your test into a movie here. I definitely like the toon look.

Thanks Curtis! Tic Tic Tic! As a reminder, the only way I can tell if you are interested in the free upgrade is if you post in this topic area/discussion. It is possible that some have read and believe they are eligible and yet they are not. On 31 Dec 04 at a time to be determined the names and forum user numbers will be smashed together from this discussion and from those that have posted in the Art of Animation:Master discussion. One name/number will emerge. This is my way of encouraging people to participate in the forum and a way to say thanks for those that have supported my efforts in the New Users Forum this past year. Its also my way of saying thanks for putting up with me! Thanks to everyone... you are all winners but only one can win the upgrade. The time is coming and now is that someone shall win the upgrade!

Your character makes me smile. Nice walk... maybe add a smile or some interest to his face... I know it's just a generic walk cycle but... You might try a determined look. Where is he walking? What does he have on his mind? Is he concentrating on where he's going? What does he think about the person he's going to meet when he gets there? Assuming these are even valid questions... Answers to those question will help determine what subtlety you add into the walk. I like the eye blinks! Best, Rodney

Whenever it does come out... it sure looks like a story that has a heart. I'll be glad to wait for such a thing.

Lom, Looks good to me. Two things I'd recommend. You may not need that many splines to get the same model. (An artistic choice and I don't think in your case it would interfere with animation either way). Example: At the head and radiating out from the eye I think you could easily cut the splines in half. The grasshoppers I remember examining when I was a kid weren't as short as the one you made. I'm sure there are all kinds and sizes though. After you go final on this one perhaps you can make a variation that is longer. (I'm talking in the back section. I like him. Do you have plans to swarm him in an animation or is this for a still image?

It is. The next CD though (also keyed to v12) will go out sometime in early 2005. There will always be a 'next' CD.

Now that was fun! Beautiful animation. I was just bemoaning my fate sitting inside on a cold winter night... dreading the cold. Seeing your short was perfect thing to counter the cold weather blowing outside. Now I feel all toasty warm. Thanks!

I definitely agree with the idea that kids growing up in a creative environment such as this is a great thing... fun too I imagine.

Very Nice Philip! Thanks for the goldfish model too! Do I understand you to say you are donating it for placement on the next A:M CD?

The whole javascript element of the project is facinating to me too. Really neat stuff going on there that I don't understand a thing about. But I sure can appreciate it!

Drat... and here I am sitting behind a cursed firewall. Love what you've been showing thus far!

I definitely think he'd look better with legs of the same variety as his arms... BUT!!! If it fits the story... it probably wouldn't take much to win me over. I've had a similar problem with a few characters that I just couldn't get the right look for for the legs... usually it's because I've tried to make them too short. If you do eventually decide to add the legs back in I think the shots you are posting will definitely help to get a proper placement for them. My mind latches onto legs that are somewhat bowed (arc'd) due to the weight of the character. In any case... you've got a winning character and design there. Great Job!

The Anzovin team is definitely teaching us some important lessons here. From the quality of the production to the unique look, "Duel" grabs your attention and gets you hooked and wanting to see more. It also has the feeling that we are looking at something familiar and yet really cutting edge. It has elements of gameplay, and saturday morning classic cartoons. It has scope and detail, and yet it is presented in such a simple way that it seems to redefine the word "eyecandy". ...and we haven't even seen the film yet! Looking at the images and animation presented here and in the previous posts hint at a masterpiece in the making. Keep it up guys (and gals). Bravo!

Impressive Brandon. Very Nice!

Awesome! Looks like a winner to me. 3D animation needs a good swashbuckling movie and the 2D look really adds a new dimension (well... subtracts actually...)! Really looking forward to seeing more of these guys and their adventures.

Wow... that sounds fantastic. ...and I'm scheduled to be off on the 28th too! Keep reminding us because this sounds like something not to be missed. That's a very interesting project you are working . -Rodney

Nice Rick! You are an inspiration to filmmakers.

I like the neck area on the old one but otherwise I'd say you have made some great improvements.

Some nice improvements there! Forgive the side-by-side here but it's easier to see the work you've put into it.

Bravo! Encore! Even better than before! Most impressive. (Now where is my clapping emoticon?)

It your model (coming along quite nicely I might add) so feel free to reject the following suggestions. I'd consider leveling out the stock. The person (or thing?) firing the weapon should be considered but keep in mind they have to hold the thing up and actually look through the sight. If the sight is some cool laser thingy... that might not apply as much. The ejection port could easily be adjusted to add more detail too just by adding a portion of another cylinder (see attached pic). I agree nice grip texture! A pretty nice first model I think.

Some very interesting characters Andy! Nice variety. Do you also have plans to do custom orders? If someone provides drawings/sketches and you create models based on their descriptions... I know it would be time consuming but that *could* be a useful service.