Neeblesquibb

Hello all. My two questions are... 1) How do we model/animate a natural moving/looking/behaving METAL CHAIN? Complete with links, and all.... what's the best way? or short cuts? tips? tricks? actual pre-made model someone might have to wanna give? And... 2) How many passes are suggested for a BROADCAST QUALITY slightly-more-than-good end product (maybe just under great, but above pretty good). Okay, maybe three questions.... 3) Anything I should know about final format for editing in Final Cut Pro HD (on the Mac), with the desire for an HD or WIDESCREEN compatibility? Many thanks in advance for your help. -Jim

Do you feel like trying another program to accomplish this? Take a look at wondertouch.com, and check out Particle Illusion. You may be amazed. I use it constantly.

Cool! That's three positives! Thanks guys. Keep an eye out for more footage... Again, thanks for the compliments. -Jim

Okay, well... the particles (flame from the exhaust and explosion) were done with Wondertouch's ParticleIllusio, and the starfield was a particle generaed by Apple's Motion Everything was layered with alpha channels, and I plan on taking out the starfield one day, and for future shots, by removing an alpha layer and animating it all with a star sphere in A:M, then overlaying the Wondertouch particles. I think the rocket itself could use slightly better lighting, but all in all, I'm pretty proud of my first official posted animation.

Maybe it's just me.... I don't think that's a very good entry.

It was a test of a "guided projectile" (supposed to be made of stone, but you could not tell from that angle)... It will look alot better when I am able to perform the sequence in a starfield in A:M, and not ALPHA channeled against those starfields from Motion. Any suggestions for the animation? Movement? Angles etc?

Whoa... sorry!... It wasn't my intention to force you to download another plug-in... It was in QT, but the file was too large (34mb).... that's why I asked for a lesson in compression.

Before I talk about this, let's see if anyone can see it... I used a Divxavi compression. If it doesn't work, perhaps someone can help me make a file that will? NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE I HAVE CHANGED THE ATTACHMENT TO SORENSON3, SO NOW MAYBE IT WILL WORK! RockBlast2.mov

Where are you located? And..... what movie is that line from? "he can't hear you, he's wearing sunglasses"..... -Jim

Geez... I'm sorry that I creeped you out by telling you that I've been monitoring your posts... I guess I shouldn't tell you that I was watching you sleep the other night. You looked so peaceful, I didn't want to wake you.... I was afraid my moustache might have been tickling your feet, though. (okay... that even creeped me out.... just for the record, I don't even have a moustache) -Jim

Hey... I have the same eyeglass case as you. Nice work... I've been watching your posts... you've been progressing very quickly. -jim

Are you planning on rendering them in 3D, or as they are now in 2D? -Jim

Thanks for your reply..... I know I'm not offering much, but I have a very limited budget, and I am doing the best I can. I was hoping I might find a sympathetic professional who's been where I am, or even better an extremelt talented newcomer who would appreciate an opportunity like this. By the way, there will be animation coming soon to do... why not send me a sample of your work. I am trying my best to get as much as I can accomplished on my own, but the work is piling up quick. Aren't independent productions great? -Jim

.... and here's another photo, this time we've added the cockpit and landing feet..... and we've begun adding the "satellite" dish for the front of the saucer (under the chin).

Okay............. how about SUGGESTIONS to other websites or Forums where I can find people willing to involve themselves in a start up project?