martin

It seems like there's a couple more niggly bugs then we're good to go. As soon as those are out, Mark has the okay to rig all of the "finished" characters.

Hey David; How's everything going? Are you communicating directly with Mark Skodacek (mtpeak2)? I think we have half a dozen TWO models approved and ready to go. Martin Hash

Stian, I am so glad you're an A:M customer.

You are so cool, David. Congratulations on that release. Squetch lives!

Well? How are "we" doing? Did you "release," David? Is Squetch ready for prime time?

That's a great image! I'll try to find out tomorrow why it didn't get included?

That's a great image! I'll try to find out tomorrow why it didn't get included?

David; I've got you down for a "final" release of the Squetch rig on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, Jim Talbot is doing a "final" release on SCARECROW'S modeling. After which, Mark Skodacek is putting your "final" rig into Jim's "final" model for the Animation Directors to put through the "final" paces starting Friday, November 4th. Is this going to work for you?

Looks pretty good, Mike.

That's certainly "Sick & Twisted" material. I think you should submit only 5 minutes or so to their film festival though. I bet it gets in.

The intention is to eventually replace the Hash2001 rig with Squetch. So, we'll want the "Show Some Backbone" exercise in TaoA:M to work similarly. After Mark S. has put it in a few models, he'll be better able to explain how to do it.

Hash will be adopting a new rig for TWO, and eventually for TaoA:M. The name of the new rig is "Squetch" for squash and stretch. Squetch's primary author is David Simmons, with assistance from Mike Fitzgerald (COGS, FK/IK switch), David Rogers (heel/toe lift, control placement), and Mark Skodacek (rigger extraordinaire). Squetch's features include: 1) Stretch and squash using expressions. 2) Smooth joint movement using COGS, CP weighting, and Smart Skin. 3) Automatic FK/IK switch "force keyframe." 4) Heel/toe lift. 5) Hand/finger controls. 6) Face/mouth controls. The Squetch rig will go into Beta on Monday, October 24th.

20 minutes to open that? I think your opening that in a Model window, which would do a poly to spline conversion (and take 20 minutes), instead of opening it in a Choreography window as Prop, which would treat it just like a poly model (and be fast). If you thought you were forced to open it in a Model window because you needed to add the wheels separate, then what you should do is create a rig that consists of "chasis," "tire1," "tire2,"... then constraint the Props to the appropriate Bones. If you are opening this as a Prop, and it takes 20 minutes, then file an Error Report, son. Interesting experimentation.

That is so cool.

Wow! Jose. The movement was so different from what we're used to seeing: it's uniqueness was fascinating. The story was clear. The sound fit. The modeling and design were very good. You should be very proud of this piece. I look forward to your next effort, (BTW, are you going to volunteer to animate on "The Tin Woodman of Oz"?).

David, time for you to sign up to put your rig into one of the "Tin Woodman of Oz" characters. Because of the organic nature of your rig, you should pick something that exemplifies its strengths.

Hey Paul; If you get sued, I'll defend you pro bono, (assuming I pass the bar). Dr. Martin Hash

It's great. Very professional.

There's gamesmanship in low-spline models that truly fascinate me. It's engineering and art - the best kind of combination.

Keep going on those animation exercises. I won't give you any criticism but I will ask you if you see anything wrong with the action? I don't think you should go back and change it, but I do think that if you examine the shot you'll know what to do to make the next one better. Both motion blurs are fine. I couldn't even tell which was which until I paused on a blurry shot. Even then, your mom couldn't tell the difference. I think multipass should be saved for jittered lights and stills. Again, thanks for posting. I watch all of your efforts. It's encouraging to see your constant improvement. We need animators on "Tin Woodman of Oz."

Hash wants to change the images in TaoA:M to only those that include data, so that anyone can examine the project and find out how to get great renders. I know you've been kind enough to donate to the "Extras" CD before; perhaps you would allow the data for this image to be included with V13?

Did you know we showed this at the Hash party at SIGGRAPH? One of the few films to make the cut, (we only showed 30 minutes worth of stuff this year so that we could have more drinking time).

Multipass is SLOWER than the ABuffer.

I finally looked at this thread. Are you Shawn Arms or Carsten Bradley? I also see your posts over on CGTalk. I have some advice. The project you have ahead of you is challenging. Christina "Smudge" Hanson has a similarly aggressive project. So does Gary (gazzamataz) Abrehart, and Noah Brewer. This is big stuff. You guys need to feed off of each other's energy. I don't mean work on each other's projects - I mean to mutually support and compete in getting your shots done. Critique each other's work, etc. I'm saying this from experience. When you're working on a project by yourself, especially one where you are constantly questioning your own abilities and goals, you need a support mechanism, or you will become demoralized. The A:M community can help egg you on, but I doubt you will get much usable support. This is your baby, and your baby alone. You have shown impressive commitment so far. Don't look back. Keep your head down. Get kudos where you can. Believe in what you're doing. Sincerely, Martin Hash

Elm, from SoulCage, is currently touring the West coast of the U.S., and he stopped by the Hash office! We took him on a tour of the Columbia Gorge then out for local beer before he headed on. What a cool guy. What makes this so amazing is that we didn't know he was coming, and when he walked upstairs unannounced and said "Hi," we were all watching this commercial on the forum for the 1st time!