wedgeeguy

Hello ... I would like to announce a new game that I created called "Izzy the Busy Squirrel". It is a simple puzzle-strategy-memory game. All of the models and animations were created with Animation:Master and then exported with the AMXtex plug-in exporter created by Chris Roy (plus some other converters as well) ... If anyone is interested, I do have a demo version of the game you can download from my website as well as a video tutorial of how to play. Please visit ---> http://www.pencilwedgees.com and select the "GAME" link to find out more. Please note that if you are running Vista or 7 that you MAY need to also install DirectX 9.0c ... I do have some trouble shooting tips as well listed on my website. If anyone has any questions or problems with anything, I would be happy to try and help ... Big thanks to Animation:Master and Chris Roy for at least making one aspect of creating this a little bit easier ... Thank you, Bruce Monahan

Lovely job Nancy! Like I mentioned before, animation is hard enough without also having to choreograph the dance steps. From what you mentioned about the contest, I too think something sounds a little "shady" on their part. If it's any consolation, I never heard of "The Cataracs" but I HAVE heard of Nancy Gormezano ...

I'm not sure why I haven't been following this thread lately but it is just plain FANTASTIC! Love the look, the dancing, and the music ... Great job Nancy! p.s. I think we may need to nickname you "Iron Toes" seeing the earlier photos of you.

That's odd! I got the same Firefox update installed but don't have any problems ... Must be Gremlins!

Thanks Robert ... I was well worth the wait. There are a lot of creative minds here in the forum ...

Now you need to create a "Pull" animation and get 60,000 more views ... Nice job Robert!

Wow! Really nice stuff there Sabino!

Happy Birthday Jason!

Hi Holmes ... I would agree that your animation ability from "Oz 1" to "Oz 2" is very noticeably improved. I also agree, if possible, to create some animations that don't involve any of the Oz characters. Perhaps something simple that just shows that you have an understanding of the basics ... the model(s) wouldn't have to be anything too fancy I don't think. Just something that demonstrates you have an understanding of weight and timing. As far as sound and music, again good advice about having a constant soundtrack with some fading in and out of the original score/sound effects ... depending on the scene (if it has dialog or not) If I was going to pick some things from what you have already shown in the original reel, this is what I would keep ... 000-379 Tinman and the girl ... Perhaps cut right after he places the heart inside her and then cut after he rests his hand on her chest. Any longer it kinda looks like he is copping a feel. 780-850 Tinman with accordion player ... The timing of the sound is off so maybe that could be corrected as well? 2009-2180 The witch comes through the door and says "I'll turn you into vultures and I'll squish ya" ... That's a pretty funny visual. Definitely keep the original sound for that one because Nancy did a really nice job! Perhaps put that somewhere towards the front. I believe that one would grab their attention and hold it. 2419-2802 Scarecrow crossing bridge ... The hands and feet slide a bit on this one so it might be better to place this one more towards the middle or end of the reel. I would stop it right before the Scarecrow drops. Visually it is also a good scene. 3272-3700 Captain Bill ... Pretty good animation here. I would just cut the scene shorter where he goes to first light his pipe. Holmes are you left handed? Just curious ... 6424 - 7130 Scarecrow with Wartman (sorry I don't know his name) ... Just some good facial acting acting going on here. I wouldn't sell yourself short on the other movies you helped with. There might be some short sequences that you can pull from. I'm also pretty sure that you can get permission to use them as well. Also check out Animation Mentor's website to see what type of animations they are placing on their reels. I'm sure that they were prepped really well on what the reviewers are looking for. Disclaimer: Take these few tips with a grain of salt since I haven't actually created a demo reel myself and I may be talking out of my butt here. Best of luck Holmes with whatever you come up with. You definitely have the talent to showcase a nice demo reel ...

Happy Birthday Holmes! Just remember that age is nothing but a number ... just be thankful that this number still only has two digits ...

Congratulations David! That's pretty good for only having the software for 4 months ... You are a fast learner! Nice job! Bruce p.s. Strange in that I also get the same reaction from people when I enter a room ...

Hi ... Just wondering ... Thanks!

Hi Robert ... Sorry but I won't be able to record a commentary on my own animation (the guy in his undies dancing with the umbrella). For some reason my computer won't record audio with a mic attached (unfortunately the sound card is integrated into the motherboard). Just wanted to let you know in case you were waiting for everyone to complete that part of it. Sorry about the delay in responding. Thanks Robert ... Bruce

Meee-Owwww! That is a fun character! I think you guys need to now do the Wizard of Oz in 3d ... You already have a start on the cowardly lion.

Thanks William ... Again it really looks good!

That looks really good! You have some very nice characters that any kid will enjoy watching. How much of the DVD was created in 3d? Bruce

That is good Robert! How did you get the rope tube shape not to collapse upon itself?

Robert ... Not sure if this is what you are talking about but in earlier version of A:M, you couldn't do something like this ... Pose ON Bone_1 Orient Like Bone_2 100% Bone_2 Orient Like Bone_1 0% Pose OFF Bone_1 Orient Like Bone_2 0% Bone_2 Orient Like Bone_1 100% That would throw a circularity error ... But in version 13 and above it doesn't throw an error anymore. I use this all the time in my rigs when switching from FK to IK to keep the bones rotation and translation associated with each other.

Yep ... Although not EVERY model might load correctly. Basic modeling and bones SHOULD load no problem. Not sure if you used weighting in the newer versions how that might work. You will be prompted about the model being created in a another version and may not load correctly ... just click "Ok" to continue loading it. Between version 12 and 13 is where you will have problems. They changed the format that the model is stored as into the XML format. I did have the subscription version 15d at one time and I believe it did work properly from there. The only other thing I suggest is to make sure the modeling window is visible with the character before exporting. The same goes for the action window if you assign any animation to the X model.

Thanks Robert!

Hmmm? Looks like you are using version 15? It did export correctly from version 13. I loaded it into Dark Basic and everything seems to look okay ... other then you will have to turn on back facing polygons or flip the normals on some of the model so that they are facing out. I have uploaded the exported version to see if it will also work for you. Sorry I can't be more help when it comes to version 15 ... Bean.zip I had to place the file into a ZIP file because the forum won't allow me to upload an ".X" file.

I'm uploading a little animation showing how to do it. I'm using version 13 on Windows but I would think the steps would be the same for the newer versions. Here is the link: http://www.pencilwedgees.com/Animated_Decals.html Flash encoded (FLV) about 7.5 Mb. Hope this helps!

Can you tell us a little bit more about the project? ... Or is it one of those "hush-hush" kind of deals?

Wow! Nancy that is a feast for the eyes! Beautiful job! My undies would be proud!