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?

I should also add, there will be more work to come. There is already a new ship in development that will need a professional touch.

Well, this is my first official project, but my proposal did get financial backing, and I'm in a good position for one, maybe two, grants, so...... someone sees potential. I have worked in video for years. This is my first involvement with animation, however. This project does not have a large percentage of animation.... maybe 5% is animated. Right now, I am wearing several hats, but as the project continues, I am finding other more talented and seasoned people to do the dirty work for me. I have created this project, and will remain as producer and director for now. By the way, here's a basic image of the saucer... it's quite simple, actually. It's based on my original sketches, so it looks like I want, and the legs are boned and work how I want them to. Whoever takes the job might want to tweak my work, however, make things go a little smoother. I'll be adding a few things here and there, mainly, a cockpit that sinks into the front section, but not much more. The model is almost ready for someone to take over a finalize it for me. I'm not being lazy here, just looking for a more professional touch than I could give it at this point. I've sampled some animations and think I can handle it. If I learn that i am wrong, I'll be back here lookiong for another helper, but for now, I need someone to spruce this thing up, and make a few decals and such..... maybe create the three major poses this thing has. I am serious about paying... so, if there is a talented person out there who just kind of fiddles with this program, here is an opportunity to make a few dollars in the process, and get your name in a production, even if it is merely a pilot at this point.

Thought I would keep my request fresh by adding another string.... How about some suggestions to get more responses to my offer? Try to avoid saying "offer more money"... thanks. -Jim

That was EXACTLY the look I was going for..... a little bit of Retro Future, like the zeppelins out of Flash Gordon. However, I have since forgone this design for a simpler UFO style.... more appealing to children, and more recognizable as a spaceship. However, i'll save this model, complete it over time, and use it at a later date.

Hey all..... Although I am quite a fast learner, and if I had the time I would attempt it myself, I am looking for someone to volunteer there talent in decaling and modeling to assist me with my upcoming project. The project is not completely animation based, however, there are some animated segments that I am using A;M for. I have created a UFO ship that I am very proud of (unfortunately, right now, I cannot access it, and the guys at Hash are doing a great job in helping me out, otherwise I would post a photo, but alas, I cannot)... and I am looking for someone to "dirty it up", and make some minor modifications that they think it might need. I am not looking for true photo realism, in fact, somewhere in between reality and cartoon.... but it needs weathering and some creative touches which I do not have the time nor skill for at this juncture. Also, it needs some sort of propulsion effect, of which I have an idea of how it should look, but do not know how to achieve. I will pay you for your work, although it may not be much (a few hundred dollars, at the most, depending on how good it comes out, of course) and you will get your name in the credits as well as a copy of the final product on DVD for your portfolio if you should have one. Interested parties should send me some demo work, and a brief description of how long you guestimate it took for you to achieve your demos..... also, tell me your locale... I am in New York, on Long Island.... people who live nearby would be advantageous, but not entirely necessary. Although it is not definite, talented parties who get involved at this point might find work within this project as animators and such...... just a thought. Without divulging too much info, I will say that this project is going to be alot of fun... and a very innovative form of entertainment. Contact me here, or at my e-mail RAGNAROCKVIDEO@yahoo.com thanks for your interest and time. -Jim

NO WAIT... I GOT IT!!! Hey, thanks! So that's it, huh.... it's that simple? Just have two bones not connected? So when Im animating, the lower platter will stay with the rest of the ship until I move it.... Alrighty then. Thanks again.

Yeah... I tried that demo/project. Either it's non-compatible with Mac, or my computer is just being fussy. It won't load or download properly for me.

Any clues on how to bone a piston? Meaning, I've got a "saucer", and I want the bottom portion to be connected to a central piston, that comes down in one direction only.....

Okay..... after much deliberation and many crashes (coincidentally, can anyone tell me why I am experiencing SO MANY crashes????) Nearly every ten minutes the thing craps out on me! Anyway... here's the photo. Try not to be so impatient with me for taking so long when you critique..... I need to finish the cockpit, and a few other things, but so far here is my first model.

Awwww, C'mon!!! What am I doing wrong????? It's simple enough! Just attach the file and BLAM, right? Why is it not working? All it is is a still... it's not even a movie! Any ideas on what I am doing wrong?