heyvern

Those bricks look great! You're getting the hang of it I think. I think the bump looks good as it is. And the lighting is very dramatic. .. not sure what is in your head of course, but consider how close and how the wall will be seen in the animation. You may not need to tweak this as much as you think. Vernon "!" Zehr

Dude! Cool! I definitely need to play with this technique for Happy Bear and the enchanted forest! That hill looks just like the spot where I built his house... sorry... they had to cut down the tree. Oh my how I wish there were more hours in a day... 27 just isn't enough anymore. Vernon "!" Zehr

Is the image tiled? Have you edited it in photoshop or image editor so that it is a seamless tillable image? That is the only way it will tile without a seam if it isn't large enough to cover the whole surface that you are decaling. Vernon "!" Zehr

I like it... I like the bounce in his step. I like to use my first impression. If nothing jumps out the first time I see it... and I get a chuckle... I think it works. I think a dice... a dye... a die... would walk a tad stiffly... think about what they go through all day long! I would certainly walk a little stiff. Can you even imagine the chaffing!?!? He does turn on a dime though, slightly militaristic... sorry that's political. But it is a good start. And the abrupt turns are probably the path constraint... the turns seem to stick out... small thing. I did notice that the speculars are a bit pronounced in the beginning on the dots... but that is a tough call on a test render. p.s. Is he naked under those dots? I think I see some "snake eyes" Sorry, I don't get out much... and I am obsessed lately with euphemisms. Vernon "!" Zehr

Oh God! That... that is like that reoccurring nightmare I keep having ... Usually.. I am naked... with the shoes... and a hat... Vernon "!" Zehr

Nice fluid motion... However.. the "gravity" is just a bit off. The launch and landing would be faster... with a slowing down at the top of the arc of the jump. The bouncing ball tutorials and practice projects oft used by nearly every animation program is a good way to see how this should work. You need to adjust the timing of the jump so he doesn't seem to be defying gravity. It is more noticeable on the landing. Overall I think the motion could be just a touch faster. He seems to be jumping on the moon... well... not the moon... maybe mars.... And if you REALLY want to get ambitious... Go in and seriously exaggerate the poses before and after the jump. What I mean is to push the poses as he scrunches down before he leaps, maybe he could take a few steps before launching, and really "squish" him down when he hits. Really exaggerate it to make a statement. If this is just a test for motion and not the final camera position than just ignore me but... You may want to offset the camera angle. It could use more dramatic framing and composition. Straight on view like that is... well... it is boring.. and it feels "odd". It is hard to see the action because the sense of motion through space is lost when viewed straight on like that. I think you have a really good start though. Vernon "!" Zehr

Chris, This is all talk... there is no confirmation with words. We need to see it... we need to see the final render... with wire-frames... I am beginning to think my theory correct. My feeling is... if this is a real 3D image that you created with cool tricks and AM skill... you should be THRILLED at this type of attention. You should not be reluctant or defensive. Any one of us here would be falling over with happiness and pride to be accused of submitting a photo as an AM rendering. Anyone else here would gladly supply all and any evidence needed to persuade doubters. There is no reason to feel threatened or accused... just prove us wrong. You can do so easily. I will keep an eye on this thread but will not post anything further until there is... 1) Final render of original image... as large as the original for comparison. 2) Wireframe screen shot of said image, from the choreography for comparison. Keep this up and I won't even apologize if I am wrong. This is just mean now. If it is a real AM render... you are just dragging this out for some odd reason that I don't understand. Show us the proof. Haven't seen diddly squat so far. Have not seen one single thing that has change anything since the first viewing of that image. This is not a unreasonable request. You have been justly challenged. Prove your skills beyond the shadow of a doubt. Vernon "!" Zehr

Humble pie? uh... not yet... still not convinced... If I am going to run naked through my neighborhood... I need to be sure... Chris, Try and see it from my (our?) side... this image is so incredibly fantastically... perfect... there is not one single tiny spot... not one spot... not one single spot... ...that gives any clue that it is anything other than a photograph. there is not one thing that is "out of place"... there isn't even the tiniest smallest part of the image that gives away that it is 3D... It is utterly, perfectly photographic... and... because it is absolutely perfect 100%, fooling us perfectly... some of us find it hard to accept... to be honest... it is miraculous... I have seen incredible 3D artists with years and years and years of experience... not be able to create this kind of realism... I have literally NEVER seen anything this close to reality done with 3D... there is ALWAYS some small detail that gives away the true nature... even the best 3D has some minor tell tale signs of artificiality. This image is PERFECT realism... PERFECT. And unfortunately the additional screen shots and render don't indicate how this was achieved, nor dispel the doubts. In fact... in some ways.. it raises more doubts. Still hoping for more. Vernon "Hope I am wrong" Zehr

Not hassle Chris... not really... A lot of people are just... skeptical... the quality of the image is so incredibly photographic that we are having a hard time accepting it. When you see something like that... it is hard not to want to see more detail to prove to the cynics that it is truly 3D. It truly is so perfect in its realism... it defies all of our expectations and experience in 3D rendering. Trust me... if I am wrong... I will feel horrible and stupid. All we need is a render with a wire frame... a closer detailed render... something that leaves no doubts. So far what you have shown has only added more doubts to authenticity... not removed them. If someone claims to have discovered cold fusion... his peers will expect him to prove it... not just take his word for it. Vernon "!" Zehr

Watch out! Bull in a china shop! I think the fencing mask is a photo. I have studied it... with a magnifying glass... scrutinized it closely... I need more info to prove otherwise. I wouldn't swear in a court of law to this conclusion... but... without additional evidence it is all I have. Please Chris... prove me wrong! I want to believe everyone is honest and trustworthy! Please prove that I am wrong! So far nothing shown has done this. If this is a rendered image created in AM you should be swelling up with pride at this unfounded accusation by a doubting Thomas not capable of this kind of realism... after years of trying. I would bow at your feet and kiss them begging your forgiveness if I am wrong. I will even run naked through my neighborhood as punishment... and provide photo evidence (pixelated). I just need to know... for sure... I am generally a nice guy. I hope no one gets too angry at my honesty here. p.s. I take back the naked running thing... with my luck I would have to do it. I could stand in front of my open living room window in just my underwear.... I've done that before... but only at night. Vernon "!" Zehr

I just finished listening to the animator commentary on the Incredibles DVD. There is the scene in the movie where the mother and two children are underwater. The commentators mention how the animator for that particular scene really nailed the fluid body movement of Violet swimming... they even said to step frame the sequence to see the poses. One thing they mentioned is that the animator "broke" the rig... meaning... he bent elbows and knees backwards to create a more fluid look... it is amazing and even though these items are bent beyond what is physically possible it works and doesn't look strange. It is subtle but effective. In your ballet animation... you may want to consider even more extreme "fluidity" of the limbs in that respect... if Pixar does it... it's okay. I suppose if it is done subtly it would add to the dance like feel. Ballet is so fluid and floaty. Just some observations. Vernon "!" Zehr

Would it be possible to see the original render from the ad? I mean the render before the ad was printed rather than a scan of the print ad? the scan is a little washed out and I would love to see the detail a little sharper. Maybe you could show a really close detail of it. If you rendered for print res that sucker would be pretty big. I don't mean to sound... skeptical... we are all in shock over this incredible image... take it as a compliment that we need to see more! Vernon "!" Zehr

I can make it! I won't be going to the hash bash... very sad.. damn... actually kind of pissed... but what can you do? Unfortunately I really don't have anything new cooking in AM lately... I have been absolutely swamped with the real world. I find it hard to get excited about my side projects when I am consumed by deadline panic... it sort of... puts a damper on my enthusiasm. I can at least bring my nearly completed David Bowman model I had planned to enter in last months image contest... I find he looks better since I added the eyebrows. The weird thing is... by the time this gathering arrives... the deadlines I am currently involved with will be past... so strange... I will either be a hero... or... the villain... Vernon "!" Zehr

Okay! No royalties... but some day... you absolutely must do a little tutorial on how you did that mask. I swear I thought it had to be a photo... It isn't just the modeling... it is the lighting! And the details! How the heck you got those random looking wrinkles on the edges of that mask... I mean... dang! they look accidental! You need to share your brain with us... or... just let me borrow it for a few days... I promise to wash it and get it back to you relatively unharmed. Any chance to see some renders from different angles? Vernon "!" Zehr

I would love to see a wire frame of that mask! That is... unbelievably amazing realism! Vernon "!" Zehr

I bet you could get some emotion out of this little guy... Have you ever seen those commercials with the dancing cans of soda in the store fridge? They are cans... of soda... so much emotion and feeling in them... This guy actually has potential already... with those mismatched eyes... the whiskers... a lot more to work with than you think. I really like him... he would be a blast to work with. Vernon "!" Zehr

I give this... two thumbs up! What I find very funny... or interesting... is that... for a moment at the end... he almost gives the impression... of a guy in a big brain suit... I could almost imagine someone in there... saying, "Hey? Where is everybody? I can't see anything in here! Hellooo?" Vernon "Sponge Bob Brain Pants!" Zehr

Yes, you can definitely see that it is a "male" brain... Yes "he" needs to wear pants... or... include more of the spinal cord and make it a tail... that could get very creepy though... Or just eliminate the brain stem... no one would really miss it... I don't even use mine much... I don't think... -Vern

Try playing around with the duplicator wizard. If it can make springs.... it should be able to make screws. Vernon "!" Zehr

Either of those times fine by me! Look forward to it. Vernon "!" Zehr

I had that problem once... ... doctor gave me some antibiotics and it cleared up... was painful for a while though... Vernon "OUCH! Bees?" Zehr

When he first grabs the object then starts to "pull"... there would be some indication of resistance. His arms would extend as he pulls with his body before the object starts to lift. I think then there would be some indication of the weight of the object being transfered to his back and legs as the object gets lifted by his arms and settles back... maybe he staggers back some more and his knees "buckle" a little in reaction to the weight. He appears to throw the object at the end. If this is the case, I think he would stagger backwards more in response to the force of the release. Over all, it lacks a sense of weight. But it is a good start. Vernon "!" Zehr

Same here dude! I don't even have any thing to show in progress! well nothing I feel comfortable showing. oh well... maybe next month.... Vernon "!" Zehr

I am guessing since perl is installed as a part of Panther on OSX this should work the same? ...hmm... maybe I should "relearn" perl... I use to know a little of it... Vernon "!" Zehr

Fantastic job but... Good grief! I had to watch it 3 times before I noticed.... The people in the crowd are 3D!??! I just assumed it was archived historical footage... man! You guys really go the distance! Vernon "The hills...are alive! AAAHHHHGG!" Zehr (I am terribly sorry. That is the only Austrian reference I know of besides Arnold and Sigmund, and I already did an Arnold reference this week)