Muff

Aside from tutorials out there on this topic, I would suggest loading an already made AM model that depicts what you want and use wire/shaded wire mode to render out camera setup shots (pics) of these areas to see how others actually created their spline placements (side view/front view/top view). ANd use these as rotoscopes for learning spline layouts.

2 cents here: I have to say that holding the "4" to move a cp along a spline is definately one of my most used keys for controlling cp movement. ALso using the arrow keys to nudge cps in any direction is also very useful.

As an owner of LW8.5/Poser6, I can say that AM is definately the easiest way to jump into animation. Like mentioned, animation is an "artform", that generically isnt program specific. So, if its an interest in wanting to learn animation, then for a person to see whether they can grasp the concepts of animation (through patience), AM is without a doubt the cheapest and (my opinion) easiest path to walk on to test any interest in pursuing the involvment into learning. It has a simple, uncluttered interface for anyone wanting to learn the ropes. And as always, the price is what grabs peoples attention. But in no way does the low price reflect on the power of AM overall. AM is a competitor to other more expensive programs when it comes to animation. But to me, AM was always the FUN program to tinker with in any aspect of learning. It loads quickly, everything is in one environment and its interface provides a quick and fast paced method for testing/fixing/changing anything that comes to mind. The controls to manipulate cameras/lights/body parts/viewports and custom hotkeys make navigating AM sooo simple. But AM is like others, a program. You have to give the time to get anything from it.

If your leaning towards modern FPS games and the like, I personally dont know of any certified importers/exporters which will convert AM models into the commonly used formats (polygon) that todays games run off of (e.g. LWO/MAX/3DS). There are 3rd party exporters for AM, but its not an ideal conversion option? So, Im not inclined to say that there is compatability with what game makers use (programs) to create current games, related to exporting/importing? This is touching on the modelling side. BUT, as far as cut scenes/animations/cinematics; AM can definately compete with any Big Name program for this purpose.

Funny response Dhar! Nice wip. Must be hours in a sitting position and eyes straining on the monitor to do all that.

Actions to me are a tool for timesaving movements. Cyclical/repetative etc. Like, why re-animate a walk when one is already done if an action file is saved for a walk cycle? Actions are just a tool for saving time with movements already created. You can "adjust" things in the timeline if needed to do certain other things from within an action already placed, to vary movements from already existing keyframe points in an action file that still would ultimately show up on the timeline in the Chor. Now this is all my hearsay thinking. Im not an expert animator. You can do everything in an action (it could be a whole scene that is individually scripted movements on something). Or you can do it all in the choreography. Ultimately, you can change any movement in time on the timeline in Chor. mixing up actions and any on-the-fly adjustments in real time, going the Chor route of animating. Of course, actions are already animated; so adjusting things in the Chor. would require modifying or deleting/replacing already existing keyframe points to suit any added movements, to the placed "action file" in a Chor? OF course there are the options in Chor. to "replace/add/blend actions" should a sequence of them be used together on the timeline. For timing purposes, I prefer CHor. so that I can play to the Cam, and judge distances and placement of movement to time. This is all just a quick thought, not intended to be exact dialogue into animation.

My opinion... Since these items were created by A:M'rs on these forums, I would probably approach (e-mail) whoever to find out if what you intend to do is acceptable (out of respect for the donater) for whatever use you intend to pursue? That is, if its commercial or anything like that? I imagine HASH retains any rights (if there is any implied) to whats contributed. As far as modifying for $$, thats almost a gray area of what modify means? There may not be any stipulation, but it sure would P.O someone to see their work trying to be sold by someone else. But also, Im sure it would be an honor to see someones work, being put to use for cool purposes in a production. But ultimately I think these items donated are, at the core, for learning how someone else did something.

My 2 cents = either 1) upgrades on both Mem and card or 2) new laptop? And...64 meg card sounds rough! 512 Ram is definately bare minimum. But I would lean more towards the card when it comes to crunching numbers (not to mention processor for that extra ummmphhh...), whatever you may have? So it pretty much all sums up to new laptop or a timely upgrade.

I use NVidia 6800 512mb. Never had a problem even with my older card NVidia Ti4200. Always worked just fine. It is true with the point made about "black points" though. That can be somewhat annoying at times, but nothing at all major.

Thats definately looking cool...

Yes, I have heard about the TWO project and saw the overview plans and storyboard. Ive really got see some good work being done. But I dont know specifically how some of the plans should come through for what they want/need simply by rough sketches? Im more mechanical than creative when I model. So without more specifics in detail plans, I dont think Ill be much help in any "creative" way for what I can "imagine" a scene should be, or even look like?

Share the Models Revolution! .... Well, o.k.,..... how about at least thinking about it? No? Oh well, at least I raised my fist in support...

O.K. I put the model back up for download. No changes made, just putting it back up since my anger of certain criteria has passed. So here it is again, should anyone be interested. Have ANY COMMENTS or criteria on this model, or its related use (ReadMe) feel FREE TO EXPRESS IT. This model is available for use in any "Commercial" environment, ONLY for NON-PROFIT use though. MMZ_TimeLord has a better description overview and how-to explaination in his reply below. [attachmentid=21014] HHouseFull.zip

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Sorry for ALL the Topics on this model. Im not a forum expert! But OK I got it. Ill keep all future "updates" of this model on THIS thread alone. [Forget the other 3 threads....] (I posted a notice on the other 3 threads to refer to this one)And Ill follow in similiar manner for any future model postings - to single threads. ******************************************************************* See the model download thread, with MMZ_TimeLords render.

Heres another update: [attachmentid=20325] Got most of the back of the house done. **SEE the Haunted House MAIN TOPIC THREAD***

Heres an Update. [attachmentid=20297][attachmentid=20298] Added Windows, steps, trim. ***SEE the Haunted House MAIN TOPIC THREAD***

[attachmentid=20281] Heres the reference photo.

NICE! Those are impressive renders! Not to mention the Planets. Nice texturing! But I Love those Renders.

[attachmentid=20268] Not much to say about this one. Another building. Dont know if the DVD project is still Open for models?

1) Would your graphics card be the issue with the multiple pre-render instances? 2) You could greenscreen your renders, I tried it already - pick your key color to use in the properties. But definately ALPHA channel is the way to go using the appropriate File type render -PNG/Targa

[attachmentid=20266] Heres a Haunted house in progress, which Im referecing from a photo. Not Duplicating! Made pretty good progress for about 6 hours of work today. Its a bugger! ***SEE the Haunted House MAIN TOPIC THREAD***

[attachmentid=17882][attachmentid=17883] Made use of my "Columns" that I had previously posted to make this 'gathering Pagota', or whatever it could be. NOTE: IVE updated my "cockpit" post which includes a 'better' and longer concept of flight. -But not a whole lot longer due to file size and posting.

No Game intended for this. Just always thought Dogfighting from the Pilots perspective, was always cool to watch; whether it be like TopGun or even StarWars? I have NO IDEA what Im gunna do with any of this yet? So far its all experimental? Still work to do on model. But in hindsight, a dogfight with missiles and canyons; or maybe a landing on a carrier deck (that might be something to build next). This is all just goofing around with no real concept or pre-established goal..... If anyone feels like they might wanna make something happen from this model using this concept, let me know? I have Vue5 from which too make canyon fly throughs. Layer this model with Vue background.... Who Knows?