MJL

First of all, a very BIG 'Thank You' to all who responded, I've tracked photo-shop on e-bay a bit, and even there it's a bit out of my budget for now. I've decided to bite the bullet and scale the learning curve that sits in front of the Corel software that I already have. Once I do so, I will understand the underlying concepts of image manipulation to at least some degree. (At least enough to bug you guys with stupid questions.) Myron

Hey, Biden's got my vote, his hair plugs are looking natural now, aren't they?

Newbie Question: Why is it significant that people blink their eyes when they shift?

Profound and moving. A tale of sad truth, well told. Thank You

Big Thanks to everyone who replied. The rationale for getting a version of PS is so that I could follow step by step instructions offered in various tutorials. I already haveCoresDraw Suite X3 but I can't find a PhotoShop to Corel translation book. It appears to me that most of the good folks here on the forum have some kind of background or experience with graphics software. The jargon & terminology passing back and forth have no meaning to me, that's all. I'm watching e-bay on a couple of versions. Maybe I'll get lucky. Thanks again, everyone. Myron

Reminds me of my 7th grade science teacher

Nancy, Is that PS Elements 6?

So many tutorials and so much advice throughout the forum involves the use of photoshop. I was thinking about trying to pick up a used copy of the software on e-bay. I probably wouldn't need the whole CS3 suite, so I was wondering; what would be the least elaborate version of photoshop would I need to do the stuff for layering, texturing, IBL,etc. My experience at image manipulation & CG stuff is less than minimal. I already have Corel, but the learning curve on it seems, to me at least, steep. The learning curve in PS is probably steep as well but I think I could follow the step by step instructions that people give in their posts. I would rather spend the learning curve time that I have on A:M. Input and opinions please. Thank You

mtpeak2, I can only speak for myself, but please continue. I've been following the thread but haven't posted before this because I'm such a newbie. Rigging is a major mystery to me and just reading this thread has given me a better picture of the process and what is involved, even though most of it is over my head at this point. My experience with the 2001 rig when working through TaoA:M was frustrating and slowed down my momentum considerably. I'm sure that many, many, future newbies, who won't even know what you've done, or that they should thank you, will benefit from you efforts. It is not just the community that gains from your investment of time and trouble, but A:M as well. We're not a tough crowd, just mostly a quiet one. Thanks, and please continue. What exactly is an installation rig, anyway? Myron

What are the Greek words for Superb, and Excellence? Fantastic Model!

Caroline, this is pure Gold. Concise & Precise. Thank You

Newbie question, Homelice. It appears that creatures on the head are separate models. If they are: 1. How are they "attatched"? 2. Are they modeled separately and then imported in? 3. Do. . . Ah, that's enough for now Thanks, Myron

The word Virtuoso comes to mind.

cpw08, As Eric2575 said in his disclaimer, his posting was a joke, (and rich in humor content, I might add) and a bunch of us have jumped on the bandwagon, because humor in our little digital world is more fun than all the stuff going on "out there". I risk speaking out of turn for Eric, but I'm fairly certain it was not meant to be at your expense. I have found the people involved with this forum to be kind, helpful, and extremely generous with their knowledge and insight. Work the exercises in ToaA:M. That is the best start. Learn to use the forum search. have a chocolate Chip cookie, I think there might be one left. Now about that bump map, does it have to be a mallet? I have a nice Ball Peen hammer . . . .

Thank You Caroline, But what do I change to what? (Next time Oatmeal) Myron

Heads you win, Tails I lose. I don't know what size shoes your wear, Rodney, but I'm sure that they're too big for me to fill. Here, have a cookie before they're gone. Thanks, Myron P.S. Rodney, Where and how do I turn the Alpha Channel on for rendering?

Robcat and Caroline, You are correct. I have not completely finished ToaA:M. Although not posted, I have gone through ToaA:M thru Ex 15. Glancing through the remaining exercises it appeared that they covered the some of the more advanced features of A:M. I'll go back and finish those and post them this weekend. But I'm not sure how they will affect my questions on surfaces. Exercises 10 & 11 touched on Decals and rotoscopes using specific pre-form parts, but from what I've read in the forum it is possible to manufacture layered and "textured" decal "images" for surfaces giving more depth and realism to objects and models.(S O Cauldron, Eric Camden's Tank & Mohawk Mini-Mart). Exercise 14 touched on Marble-ing but I'm willing to bet the rest of the Chocolate Chip Cookies (Have another, by the way) that it barely scratches the surface of what can be done with Materials with A:M. This new series of forums that have been started are incredibly great, and will be extremely illuminating in their various areas. I guess what I was referring to in my post was stuff that people have already learned from using image enhancing, graphic design, or perhaps web design software might already have been familiar with prior to coming to A:M. When I first started with A:M a couple of months ago I didn't even know what I didn't know. I'm starting to learn what questiions to ask and that IS a start. Earlier this week I started going back through ToaA:M and posted Ex 1.(RE-Hash). Rob, thanks for your specific answers. Just knowing that Layer has a different definition in Photoshop than it has in A:M clears up a lot of flak. and as usual your other specific responses pierce to the point. Caroline, Thank you alway for you encouragement and suggestions. Be sure that your suggested reading will be devoured anonce. Thanks again for your your responses. Have some more cookies. Myron

I may get a little long winded, so please feel free to move on to a more interesting post. I was a child in the 50's, watching Lassie and the Beaver in first run in black and white. My dad had one of the very first remote controls: Me. In Junior High in the early 60's I explored Time and Space with Heinlein, Asimov, and Van Vogt. I went to my first concert in 1965. The Beatles played the Memorial Coliseum here in Portland Oregon. In the late 60's I explored Time and Space in a different manner, and from the few high points I remember, I had a pretty good time. Pong became a sensation and "Asteriods" became astronimical entertainment at a quarter a pop. When the digital revolution happened however, for some reason, I found myself in the resistance movement. I became a professional musician and enveloped myself in a cocoon of bars and guitars. I clung to my Vinyl, then my cassettes, tenaciously, scowling at the forced march toward the dreaded, impending 'Compact Disc'. When I stuck my head up for air a few decades later, I discovered that the Technological Tsunami was circling the gobe for the umpteenth generational time, and the world I once knew no longer existed. I capitulated. I converted. What I once resisted, I now embraced. I now teach guitar at a local music store, and play weekend gigs. In my business, my computer and my cel phone are used as much or more than my musical gear. You are most likely saying to your collected selves, "Fine. Ok. But why has he called us all here and why is he wasting our time like this?". Read on McDuff. I believe that I may be the quintessential "Newbie". Animation in the manipulation of Imagery. Computer animation is the 3 Dimensional manipulation of digital imagery. But you must make the images before you can manipulate them. (For you hair splitters, we can strain at gnats and swallow camels in another thread.) Anyway, I figure that if we can get a Troglodyte like me up to speed, then the Miracle of Modernization could probably be bestowed upon just about anyone. I have worked many years as a carpenter (Day Job) and have (had?) the knowledge and skill to build a house from foundation to Formica, to Furniture. I know about tools. In the hands of a craftsman they produce art. In the hands of an Artist they produce Inspiration. Searching these forums I have seen superb examples of both. Software is a tool. A:M and it's possibilities have set my creative juices flowing more than anything since Susan Johnson in my Freshman year. (once again, another post). I have gathered from my forum reading that it is Martins intention to make A:M a comprehensive software, and as near as I can tell he is coming pretty darn close. (Sincere Thank You, Grand Poobah, for your vision and hard work. Humble Bow). I say pretty darn close because I have noticed from some posts that some of you use Photoshop for imagery refinement. Some use other programs like Corel and Gimp. I understand that these are programs used for the manipulation of digital imagery. I see some of the images (like the winner of this months contest, or any of Nancy's work) and I stand in absolute awe. I see some of the modeling posted (like the AT-AT WIP, or Vern's photo of Arnold at the Library ) and I am stunned. You folks have already forgotten more than I've learned yet. I tried to follow the wonderful and simple layering tutorial by Darrin Mossor but my lack of understanding of Alpha Layers (Channels?) sent me into a tailspin. Layer, combine?, Composite? My frustration stems from my own ignorance. I'm fairly certain that the information already exists somehwere in the forum. I've done searches but there is just so MUCH to search through. I thought that maybe, if I am having these frustrations and troubles, then perhaps I'm not alone. It is also an almost certainity that there will be others coming along after me that might benefit from my struggles and your kind help. I thought that I would try this approach, Here we go: Alpha Channels (Layers?) are they combined with an image or added as a separate image Decals (Layered ?) - Textures (Layered ?)- Materials (layered?) Do you have to render first to see them? Back drop? - Sky Dome? - Image? Thank You All in advance for Your Time, Your Help, and Your Understanding. You each get a chocolate chip cookie. I'm going to post this, and then I have to go get a new monitor. I can't get the green, pink, and yellow highlighter off of my screen . . . Myron

Are these oil based or latex magic markers?

PaulX, I don't know if it's related or not, but the initial problem with the 2001 rig sounds like a problem that I had with it last month. Check out this thread and see if it helps any. http://www.hash.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=32379

Thanks Rodney, Thanks Caroline, Such a concentrated wealth!! I got hooked (no Control Point) on A:M right around the time the A.R.M. site got hacked (cracked?) & went down. Wonder if & when it's going to be back up? I've been lurking and searching the Forum for just this kind of stuff. I'm reading through the Tech Manual now & will be re-doing Toa:M soon. Thanks Amundo to Martin for his vision & hard work as well as his kindnesses. And while I'm at it: Thank you "forum people" you are entertaining as well as informative. Some good thinkers & tinkers on this planet. (you too, Vern, whatever planet you're from ) Thanks All, "See" you soon, Myron

Thanks Guys. If you ever find it in your stack, Rusty, let me know. Thanks, Myron

It is my understanding that when TSM2 was available as a product from Anzovin Studios, it was bundled with some other information. Tutorials, I believe. Now that they have cut the cord for A:M support and made TSM2 freeware, where could a newbie download the tutorial bundle? Myron

I'm trying to find some one in this area that might want to meet for coffee (or whatever bribery may be neccessary) and conversation about A:M.

Thanks You Guys, I'll digest this and return with more questions Myron