Mechadelphia

I'll be there if I'm not working that day. Right now my work schedule for that far out has not been posted yet. The sooner that everyone decides on the date the better my chances will be on my request for that day off being approved. I'll keep my eyes on this thread to see what the concensus is and then I'll let you know if I'll be there. Thanks for keeping the MAAM active Don & Co.

Hi John, It sounds like you smartskined the model's FK arm control structure. I suggest creating the smartskin on your model with the model's underlying geometry bones (not the FK or IK control bones). You may have to temporarily turn off some of your rig constraints in order for you to move the bones in the smartskin window. When you do it this way, the mesh will always deform the way that you set it to even when you constrain your arm geometry bones to your FK and IK control bones. Good luck.

Hi John, You could also invest in your own domain name instead of using Juno.com's It can make you seem more... "savy" and "professional" to potential clients (not that you are not savy and professional) You can obtain one for really good rates nowadays and many registrars will let you set up email accounts for your domain for free. If you register a name make sure that you register with an ICANN accredited registrar. Check it out and good luck.

Hi Zach, Wonderful Job!!! My wife and I just watched it again and we still keep laughing at it. Congratulations Zach! One comment: In some areas the subtitles are hard to read because the color of the text blends into the on-screen action. This is a common occurance (I even see this in theatrical movies). Adding a thin black outline around the text may help alleaviate that phenomenon. Great job all around! Thanks for posting it.

Hey Don, I tried having somthing around her waist and I doid not like how it looked at all. I will admit that I was feeling lazy when i tried it and did not put my heart into modeling that accesory so I may give an new version a try. Yes, she will have rank and other insignia and her sholder armor will be developed more (there is supposed to be another segment to it but thats not finished yet) A helmet is out of the question for this character (she does not have to look 100% combat ready) but I had not considered any alternate head gear. Hmmm... maybe I will do a few concept sketches and see if I like it. Thanks for your thoughts on that.

Thanks everyone for your comments. UNGLAUBLICHUSA: You'd like a butt wireframe? Ok. When I post an update i will post a picture where it shows a bit more. In the meantime, you should be able to use what I have already posted as a start. If you think that nudes are easy then you should find pants a little easier. Don: The catches are there to stay. I suppose I should have said costume additions. At this point most of the additions will show once i add the textures to the model. As far as the story goes, her role is a supporting one... she is not the main character. She is kind of like an unconventional soldier type who is assigned to protect "certain kinds of things or people". Her costume will become more rugged to reflect that but still retain the "lines" that reveal her figure. Her hair style will likely be decided on how far I want to take the hair systems in AM (it will be a practical style). I have not even touched them yet really so that is something I will save for last since I reall want to get that right. That refelction/ shadow (or whatever) thing certainly is or was a bug. I have not tried to replicate it lately and I have yet to try it since moving to ver 11.1 I will see if it's still there probably this weekend and if its still there i will send in a report. jon: Thanks. I'll certainly keep you posted

Hey Guys, Here are some of the wire frames that I did not have with me at the last meeting: "Protector" WIP Thanks for waiting.

W.I.P. I showed this model (actually pictures of this model) to the attendees of the most recent MAAM user group meeting in Philadelphia PA. I did not have the wire frames to show at the time so I have posted them here today. I have been trying to settle on the overall look of my project and I am leaning towards an toon-lined/ semi-realistic style. This is still a WIP. I have yet to complete a number of things with this model that I intend to complete. Such as: Costume changes. Adding hair to the model. Finishing the rigging and smart skinning of the model. Applying textures to the model. Any questions, comments, and/ or constructive critisism is welcome. Thanks to Middle Kid for posting his eyeball model on this forum awhile ago. I am using it in this model.

Don (and company), Thanks a lot for coordinating the MAAM meeting. My wife and I had a wonderful time! Count us in on the next meeting whenever you decide on having it. Vern and Zach, You two are great guys. You both displayed some fabulous projects and I wish you both good luck with completing them. It's certainly great inspiration for me to keep at it. I'll post the wireframes for my images that I showed you in the near future so that you can see what I was unable to show at the meeting. I suppose that I'll post them in the WIP forum rather than here in this thread. (I'll post a link to it here though.) Ok guys, take care and I'll see you later...

Hi Everyone! I got the time off from work that day so I will be there for sure! I'll see you all on the 11th at noon. Take care. Oh by the way... Is there room for us to bring a desktop computer with us?

Hey everyone! The 11th sounds good but I will need to know the time we will be starting before I can say for sure. Don, do you have a time in mind yet? Thanks

Hi Don, First and foremost: Thanks a bunch for organizing these meetings! Now that I'm back in the country I can finally attend! Sorry that I could not make the last one. After I landed I had some unexpected business that I need to take care of. I'll be there this time if I can get that time off from work. It would be great if you can decide on a date and time in the next few weeks that way I can give my job plenty of notice. As far as the locations you've listed, any one of them is good for me. Please keep us posted. Thanks again

Hi Amar, Nice work so far. Since you are looking for some criticism, I would like to give you a brand of criticism called constructive criticism. First off, I have attached a modified image (I hope) of two areas of your model that caught my attention. 1. The Head Mesh: Overall it looks fine. Since I don't know what kind of athstetics that you are aiming for I won't offer many comments in that area. I did spot a 3-point patch in the mesh near the front of the ear. The top portion of the attached image offers one possible way to solve that situation with 4-point patches and hooks it if you desire to remove it. Also it looks as if you need to flip the normals of one of a 5-point patch in the ear itself. I pointed to that in the image as well. 2. The "Bottom Heavy Area": Like you, I have no problem with "bottom heavy" areas and that is not a problem on this model. I would say that there may be a problem with the model being "bottom high" at this point in the modeling process. Here is what I mean: If you look critically at the view of your figure's butt in relation to the torso you may find that it is not quite flowing with the rest of the body's contours. The top of the woman's butt should flow into the small of her back and that transition should occur below her navel (maybe about 3/4 of the way up from her crotch... but of course you can use use your artistic license). Now you did mention that you are working in that waist to hip area now so maybe you that is something that you have already addressed. In the image I attached I have made a crude representation of a possible alteration you can try with that. 3. The Costume: Nice drawings by the way. They are all nice costumes. If I had to pick only one I would pick the third one (the one with the shorts). The shape of the figure in that drawing also seems to be more in line with the figure you are modeling. But if you have a script that you are working from the story could possibly help determine what kind of costume would work best for you. Well I hope that helps you out some Amar.

Hi Rich, I certainly am from Philadelphia (born and raised)! As for my forum name: I just happen to love the some of the various mecha designs seen in Japanese animation and I also find a lot to love about Philadelphia. Anyway... Unfortunately, I am not near Philly right now because I am out of the country at the moment. Coincidently, I am due back in mid-August. If I am in town when you all meet then count me in for sure. I've been waiting for an oppurtunity like this. I'll keep you posted though on whether or not I'll be able to attend as the meeting date draws closer. Thanks and I hope to see you all August (or whichever date is agreed on).