Rodney

For a nice break from the technicalities of animating a good maxim arises... "When in doubt, read." There is an enormous amount of reading resources both classical and contemporary on the net. But for a short break... it may be best not to read 'War and Peace' in one sitting! Much more appropriate to read a few of Aesop's Fables, or one or two of... The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen

To start out I want to point you to a site that shows a little of what goes into the preproduction of an animated series. Klasky Csupo Animation Lessons Some things to look for include: - How do basic shapes aid in the effectiveness of character animation? - What considerations are there for creating a character in correct porportion? - What is a turnaround? - What techniques can assist with the flow in a characters movement? - What 2D On Model/Off Model pitfalls are present in 3D animation? - What considerations must be taken for Storyboarding? For Lipsync? - How can backgrounds be used to best effect? - How do coloring and props fit into your plan? Finally, How can you apply what you've learned to your effort in Animation:Master?

This discussion is designed to serve two purposes. First, to highlight some excellent resources, and second to point everyone to related 'breathing spaces'. Breathing Space is the term I use for when you have been working at a project for a long time without taking a good break. Ideally, that breathing space should be as far as possible from the task that you are trying to take a break away from. However, it isn't so far away that you stop working on the project. If you wander too far away... that's a vacation! For more than a few people that means the end of the show. Move just far enough away to get a refreshed perspective on the task at hand. Take a breather... then head on back to work. Note: This discussion is designed to add to New Users storehouse of knowledge and prepare them for success. Additions to this discussion should have at least some connection to the subject of animation however far that connection might be. When posting, if the connection doesn't seem obvious please state how it applies. Thanks! http://www.sambuntrock.com/guy_like_me7_web.mov

Joining in a few days late here. Doesn't look like I can add much more than a vote of confidence in you growing abilitiies in A:M. As has been pointed out, there are things you can get away with for still renders that you can't for animations. If you can get ahold of someones model that has been set up well for animtion, pick that apart, and study you'll solve any problem you are looking at in your current mesh. I understand you are using this one mainly for the learning of it. That is what makes it such an awesome attempt. Much much better than where I'm at on humanoid types. Very nice work! Keep at it and you'll find the right ecomomy of splines. Best, Rodney

Looks like Eeyore to me! My brain may be a bit too tired to extract the specific areas you are wanting critiques on so please forgive the areas I miss... The Bow/Ribbon you should be able to model starting with a side view. Imagine a figure 8 drawn from side view. Extrude a few times to add depth and alter to taste... somewhere in the forum and on the Hash side there are examples of Ribbons and Bows. I think you might be able to just model the nostrils into Eeyore's nose. I'd have to look at a pic of Eeyore but I imagine two basically flat torus models would do the deed. ... that's all my brain can process for now.... Rodney

What!!! Why you lucky dog you! Please be sure to keep us posted on your progress. You are already uber-talented so we expect to hear great things from you. Take care and best of luck at CalArts, Rodney

Count me as a fan too! I like the look. Sure wish they had fun 3D characters like that to guide me through math when I was kneehigh to a grasshopper. Like others, I'd like to hear more about your project! Best, Rodney

Very interesting and utterly original! I'm not sure whether to keep watching or what. I fear I know what is going to be shown next.... As far as episode one goes... you may want to contact Ken Baer and have him exchange your current one on A:M Films. The one on A:M films doesn't have the background/fog elements. The backgrounds really adds a nice touch.

Keep it up Doug. Looking very nice thus far! Glad to see you've picked your project back up too.

Christina, I'm a little behind in answering the mail (email and here in the forum) Glad to hear San Diego went so well! While I'd like to say that upgrading won't effect your project it almost always will. The question becomes whether or not the changes are significant enough to hold you back. Personally, I think you will want to upgrade to v12 the day it becomes available... from what I understand it will be THAT good! I also think that you'll want to start a new project/sequence at that time. You can always use the older version right along with the newer! It takes more time to isolate any differences but can be done. Concerning v11, the main reason it would appear for you to upgrade would be to get familiar with the newer tools that have come on line. When in doubt an email to support@hash.com might be in order. They would be able to give specifics on render changes (if any). If there are specific areas of concern perhaps posting them to the main forum with a link to any pics here in your WIP. Just a few words from the peanut gallery! Rodney

Whoa Pat! I've missed your last few updates and you've really updated her!!! Very Very nice! The only possible critique I can come up with is that the hand(s) look to big in your last pic.... for some reason it looks entirely too big... But that is a 'small' quibble. Very good work! Rodney *Ooops.. I see Jim beat me to the big hand assessment. I feel smarter now thanks to Jim though.

Raf, Nice work thus far. I too had an initial reaction of negativity... it just doesn't look like what we are used to seeing. That is what can make it work. Your emphasis on animation and a suitable style will go a long way. I've long been looking for the right toon settings for 2D looking work and must admit I hadn't really considered dropping the line... If the animation were to need that traditional animation touch it would be a lot easier to add it over what you've produced. It's starting to grow on me! Rodney

Looking really good from that first view! I'd like to see and know more about your project. There are a lot of comic fans in the A:M Community I'm sure they'll pop in to comment as well. While waiting if you can post from a few angles and maybe add a spline shot that will help them give you better feedback. I sure am interested in seeing what you have planned for him! Rodney

I agree with Rich! Very dreamy. Your work has a very painterly quality to it that doesn't easily reveal it's CG origin. If you were to place your renders next to the work of PIXARs people would easily pick PIXARs as CG created. I'm not so sure you would always get the same response to your work. I think a lot of people would pick your work as painted versus CG. Now the only thing that remains in your besting of those masters of the craft (PIXAR) is the animating! I'm really looking forward to the results of your animatics! Rodney

Very Nice Eos! He IS just begging to be textured and animated. You've got some excellent character there already in such a simple design. Bravo!

Jim, Working my way through the forum and realized I hadn't seen your post. Sounds like trouble is in store for Legodude! Questions concerning the fan motion... Did you use an expression for the rotation? Any tips on how you did the effect?

Rodger, Very nice! That'll certainly make a nice addition to your truck model. Your patience is legendary and your talent obvious. All my characters want to live in your world! Looking forward to seeing more. Rodney

Sorry I wasn't too clear. The rain 'drops' themselves I didn't have any problem with falling in a straight (more or less) line. On a flat glass window that seems to be pretty accurate. Looks like I've made you adjust something that didn't need adjusting! The 'lines' I referred to are the 'waves' that move down horizontally. It looks like there are two of the waves moving down during your animation. The effect isn't bad but somehow seems out of place. I'm tempted to set up a real world simulation of rain on a window just to understand what I'm seeing myself! Maybe I'll have to take a shower one of these days... sure hope it doesn't resort to that! Apologies again for prompting an uneccessary change. Unless the water has something to move around falling straight(er) looks better. Best, Rodney

Came through on my end. Very nice! It seems to run in a bit too much of a line but that doesn't stop it from looking really good. The effect looks like water working it's way down a window! I'm trying to think of something that would remove the line that I'm talking about and replace it with a more suble effect. The only thing that springs to my mind is maybe to increase the angle but I'm not sure... Good Job!

Very nice! I'd like to see it with a post effect added such as blur too. Look forward to hearing more of your techniques and findings.

Bravo! Encore! Encore! I see you've even adjusted the lighting. Jolly good show and superb detail throughout! Rodney

Nerrazi! Don't know what you are talking about. That looks like a great trooper. Looking at all those models again makes me want to do a Star Wars fan film. It's long been a dream of mine to do massive armies of stormtroopers. No story really... just massive armies of stormtroopers!

Wow that was quick... checking it out now!

Very nice effect! That sure seems like an effect everyone should store away for a rainy day. One never knows when such an effect may be needed. Even though it's not fully clear to me how you've accomplished the effect I can't help but think this discussion is headed for the Useful Threads area. Looks like I need to find Brandon's plasma ball post. More info please!

Nice! That texture really making him come alive! Keep it up!