GizmoMkI

Was wandering around here last night and saw this section. Then just now tonight I read an article that includes a video that composites just about every shot of the courtyard in the Hitchcock film. Might be useful in getting ideas for some animations. http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2012/0...sic_video_.html Within the article is another link to the editor's website, which includes a few frame blowups. Apologies if you've already seen this.

Wow. I had just written a reply and then checked my emails and there was already an answer with a number to use. And now it's working again. For any new people wondering about the service, these guys have never disappointed me. So here's a big THANKS! to all the staff at Hash, since the reply wasn't personally signed.

I've already sent emails to sales and support departments regarding this and asking for assistance, so I hope I did the right thing. I had to reinstall Windows through a partial system recovery that enabled me to keep my original installation directories, plus all the models and related files I've since created with the software. Unfortunately, although I have my original installation CD (version 13 with the Yeti), and I have the only book that shipped with the product at that time (TAoAM), I haven't been able to locate the serial number anywhere, which presumably was on a small card or piece of paper I've since lost after 4 years. I'm hoping that I at least remembered to register the product back then, and that they'll be able to help me out, since I can't afford a new version at this time and I want to access my old files. Was I right to contact the departments mentioned above and hoping they have the serial number? Or am I just S.O.L. ? (Yes, I know I'm SOL because I didn't buy Mac, thank you. )

Man, that was some nice fingerwork on the guitar.

Looks real good, and great to see some works I hadn't downloaded. If it's not too much trouble, could you please change my credit from GizmoMkI to Heller Couch? I've taken to using that as an onscreen credit in other works since it's sort of my real name.

Thanks, I just wish I'd gone for the idea sooner as I see dozens of things I could have improved in it.

Better late than never I suppose. Attempts at using character figures were less than successful due to my over-ambition and much to my disappointment over lack of skills. I used the Baseball model provided, Nick Porcino's classic USS Enterprise, and Star Spheres by Carmine Rizzolo. A background starfield was created in Paint Shop Pro using Flaming Pear Studio's Glitterado plugin, then two instances of the Star Spheres were put in for the traditional Original Star Trek warp speed effect. One single light source using Sun type light. Look closely and you can see the Ball enter left, though it's easily mistaken for a star. Running time is just under 6 seconds. ptb2009_gizmomki.mov

I've got one coming, going through final render now and over an hour to go on it. My original plan didn't work out too well since I'm not good at character animation, so had to come up with a different idea. Not sure how big the final file is going to be-- the test without multipass or motion blur was under 4 meg for a 6 second clip, hopefully the final will be under 10.

That's really good. Even though there doesn't seem to be a lot of facial animation, that look she gives him is devastating. Here's an idea you might try using the same set: Perhaps Sir Nigel has to fish a wayward melon ball out of Lady Goodbody's decolletage using two spoons.

I swear that early one looks like George W. Bush. Must be the ears.

I don't see it either. And I thought it was because it was 2 a.m. and my brain wasn't working right. Or one of those two options.

Sorry, got sidetracked with trying to come up with an idea for the PTB gag, plus getting a cat from humane society this past week, I need to get back on my robot. And right now I can't find the Pass the Ball forum.

Looking good. I've always liked custom designs that are variations on the theme, and could theoretically be a new class.

Ok, I'll try that. I have one version of him in a TSM2 rig, but maybe I didn't follow the steps closely enough. I'll try from scratch again. Thanks.

This is Gus Gizmo, known in his universe as a Gizmo Mk I series robot (and origin of my username). I originally built him around October 2000, after having AM about 2 months, and had no idea what I was doing when I built him. He's had a few minor upgrades to his mesh since then, but I was never satisfied with the original skeleton I built for him. It was just simple bones linked together and very difficult to control since the bones were just standard daisy chain format and had no interaction in terms of maintaining balance, etc. I'd like to set him up with one of the later rigs for ease of control. I made an attempt at fitting him with the TSM2 rig, but that was a disaster as I had bones I couldn't figure out what to do with or get rid of since they didn't seem to fit the body's natural "joints". I'm wanting a rig that's not too difficult to install, but gives me the ability to have him move as a more dynamic character, like I've seen with TSM2 and Squetch characters. I'd like to use him for my Pass The Ball entry, if anyone can recommend a rig that might work for him... preferably with a tutorial available. Thanks for any suggestions. Heller.

Congrats, that was great.

Super. Unfortunately I'm still trying to come up with an idea that's not outside my limited abilities.

Put a big dimple in his chin, and he'd look like Kirk Douglas.

Good start. All my attempts have been crapola. Nick Porcino has a version available, along with documentation and research information when he built his model. It's available here: http://www.geocities.com/n_porcino/ (go to Gallery, then USS Enterprise - some of the older links appear to go nowhere so navigation can be confusing) His version includes a separate bridge set, and if you examine the ship model it looks like he did some preliminary work for a hangar deck but never completely detailed it out.

Looking good, Rodney. With Star Wars mentioned in a couple of threads recently, I looked through some old files I'd downloaded and found a Deathstar project. I don't remember what site I got this from, though I believe it's no longer around. The model is credited to Matt Pfingsten, I downloaded it in 2003. Maybe someone can use this for their "ball". deathstar.zip

I'm in. My animating skills leave something to be desired, and this will help me work on them.

Very nice. Is she going to do The Debra Winger On The Mechanical Bull Scene from Urban Cowboy? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED3vfB_c4VU

Howdy and welcome, Ben28! Not sure about a fish tutorial, but some of the more knowledgeable ones around here might be able to help you on that. Regarding documentation, be sure to read this thread: http://www.hash.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=27379 You'll find some introductions from the real masters here, and the second post gives you links to downloadable versions (in .pdf form) of "The Art of Animation: Master" manual (filled with tutorials), as well as the more technical reference manual. There are also samples and videos of the exercises available. You'll also learn a lot just reading these forums. That's a great looking fish!

You're a sick man, Vern. The world needs more like you.

Ok, I might be able to try it out then. I had pushed some control points around when giving some of the characters different features and changing the costumes, and although in at least one case I made a new wig, none of the control points or assignments around the mouth were changed. Thanks.