ernesttx
-
Posts
258 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
3
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Posts posted by ernesttx
-
-
Hey, all, delving into texturing and I've created a Color texture. I'm wondering since I've created this texture, would it be possible to create a displacement texture using the UV that was created for the Color texture? I say this as when I created the Color texture, I did a test and run kind of method (flatten, apply Decal for Color, not save Action). So, I'm almost done with the character and started to wonder about other possible decal textures - displacement, bump, etc. I'm wondering if there is a way to utilize what I've already done or would I have to start all over again and just create more decal images (one for all I suppose because, how would I determine how many I would need - do I need reflection, bump, displacement, etc).
Thanks again.
-
mouseman, yes the broadcast can be recorded on ustream for later viewing. however, i think i read that it only stays up for a certain amount of time. what's nice about the vr-3 is that it has A/V out so that you can record onto another device. Or I guess I could download from ustream before they take it down and upload elsewhere.
-
Well, broadcasted for about 50 minutes, and from ustream's side it didn't have any glitches or interruptions. and during that time only 3 ads pop up (one at beginning, middle and towards end) so a good 20 -25 minutes in between ads.
It looked good in the channel window and even going to full screen it had just a bit of harshness too it. Now, mindful that my screen resolution for AM is 800x600 and the ustream window is probably 640x480 maybe 720x480, I'll have to check. Next time, I'll have to try my main screen at 1376x768 to view the browser that ustream is coming into.
First run I would have to say was not too bad. Even for conveying information. Now I would also be broadcasting audio for narration and explanations. Will definately be trying again.
-
If anyone was interested I am broadcasting now to see what the quality would be like. I have another browser open for me to see and it looks ok for demonstration purposes. It's at www.ustream.com and you can search for Animace TV.
-
That's what I was wondering about was the quality. Would it be sufficient to do training though live streaming? Or presenting information from computer through the internet.
-
Yeah, I wouldn't want to have access to all that. Maybe just a friendly "Hey, have you heard?" hehe
-
I'm not sure about that. I'm sure I'd have to touch base the AM Central on anything along those lines.
Ustream has a way to tie into facebook and there are iOS and Android apps as well. So, a good opportunity to build up an audience through those channels. -
True dat Gerry. But, I'm hoping that by showcasing AM's benefits of splines and ease of use and quickness in animating, that maybe more people will be interested in it. Thereby promoting its growth by examples. It's a chicken and egg ordeal in any given market; but, there's always build it and they will come philosphy hehe
I was thinking of doing a more 3D generalized show; but, then people will always have questions about their particular tool of choice and I am AM centrique at the moment.
I'm exploring ideas at the moment and seeing which path to go down. -
Thanks largento. I am curious about the audience as well, that's why I asked. I used to work for a company that did satelllite training to schools. The school or classroom would send in their request for a particular topic they wanted to learn about and our studios would facilitate a show around that topic and there was 2 way communication with the classroom; that, as they were watching the show, the kids could interact with the on-air talent and vice versa. I was one of the one-man TD in the control room that would work the switcher, remote control cameras, audio board and B-roll VCRs. It was pretty kewl.
So, now I gotz me a Roland VR-3 and it's pretty much the same one-man operation and I'm trying to see what kind of shows I would be able to produce and this one came to mind.
So, say there was a number of people wondering about how to do UV unwrap or such; so, I'd come up with the content I think would be needed for the broadcast later in the week and then people could tune in and interact via chat or maybe Skype with another computer connected.
Just trying to find out if there is an audience and come up with a show that would be entertaining and informative and see where it takes off. I have other show ideas as well. But, I thought this would be a good place to start.
-
So, I have another idea floating around my head and want to see if there is any interest, feedback, hecklers, etc.
What I'm thinking of doing is conducting a live streaming kind of training channel off something like ustream, or livestream or justin.tv. I figure it could be about 30 min or 1 hour (depending on the subject being presented). I'm thinking this will be able to provide my information than a regular tutorial or back and forth on the forum of more in depth questions; in that, as someone is watching, they will be able to text communicate with the presenter and ask questions. It could also be some topic from the forum that more people want to dive into and work out the particulars. Like a once a week AM forum broadcast, just an idea.
It would also allow for sequed topics or experimentation during the broadcast..sort of like, what if you changed "that" parameter, what happens, etc.
Subjects or topics could range from What is a spline and why do we use it? to Newton physics to Can I use UV wrap for Christmas presents?
I'm thinking of doing a test run, and would be interested in to see if anyone would like to tune in and provide feedback on picture quality, sound, glitches, etc.
This would be open to new people as well as seasoned professionals in a way to distro knowledge or learn from different techniques.
Interested in what others may think about this type of program.
-
oh yeah!
and more -
I know we have the explode rebuild plugin, but my usage hasn't been fruitful to create the kinds of effects that I'm wanting. Here is example of voronoi shattering and bullet to give you an idea:
Now, I'm not saying this couldn't be done. However, it would take alot of work to get the objects to shatter in this particular order. Perhaps the explode rebuild plugin could be rework to provide the kind of point cloud break up of the object or include voronoi patterns for the break pattern. I don't know.
I wouldn't mind digging into things. But, I'm not a C+ programmer. Perhaps if Python was included.
Just thoughts of the top of my head as I would like to utilize AM more for these purposes rather than having to go outside of AM and figure out 4 or 5 other pipeline workflows and figuring out how all the pieces can fit together.
-
Yes, Rob I agree that AM has may capable things to use.
I see that Newton physics has had version 2.33 out since April 2011. It has many updates such as shattering, etc. But, I'm not sure any dev has looked at updating in AM. Would be nice if it was revisited.
Bullets physics is here: http://bulletphysics.org/wordpress . Many of the same capabilities of Newton, but I think it goes further (hard body, soft body, collisions, etc)
I'll try to revisit fire sims in AM, but, from my earlier tests I'm just not getting the effects or scale that I'm wanting.
I'm wondering if we might want to start a fund or something to bring in additional developers to work on specific areas of improvement; ie, start a fund to find a developer that wanted to update Newton for instance.
-
Hey all, just bored at work and looking around at the 3D landscape and was wondering about AM and seeing all the new features being added to other programs. Now, this isn't a bash AM topic (far from it); but, I was wondering about certain features and possible roadmaps (if there are any) for future features.
I've been using AM since version 5 or 6, and feel that the character animation toolset of AM is splendid. I'm not wanting in that area. What would be nice is possibly some updates or feature enhancements in other areas; in particular, the effects areas.
Now don't get me wrong, sprites, blobbies, fluids, particles, et al are nice. But, I feel that there could be some improvements in those areas (ie, realistic fire, voxels, etc). I feel also, since Bullet physics is a big part of others, that if possible inclusion in AM would be nice or an update to Newton physics. In particluar, explosions, shattering, voronoi, etc would be nice.
Also, perhaps some more render passes could be incorporated, velocity pass, UV pass, etc.
I guess this is more a wish list than anything, but I love AM and want to use it for more than animating characters. I know the dev(s ?) are hard at work on v17, and wish them (him?) success; but, just wondering about the big picture.
-
Time away from the computer is pre-production time. Gather ideas, flesh them out, doodle or draw poses, enhance the script, record dialog, take pictures of things for reference, etc. There are many things that you can do as pre-production for a project that doesn't tie you to being at the computer all the time.
I usually leave a project for a couple of days, think about the overall project or specific things in the project. Is my character right? What if the character were a bigger or meaner character than a small, meek character? What does he sound like? What does he look like? What does a factory at night look like? What if instead of having the character walk into a store, he runs into a gas station? Lots to think about and do before the actual animating.
Then, when I do start animating, all the pre-production has been done, so I can concentrate (and usually) and spend less time time to complete a project.
But to the extreme, you can do what this guy did: http://www.cgchannel.com/2012/02/eye-candy-the-chase/
-
Hello everyone,
I caught the A:M bug around 1999, I think I had v5 or v6 and it has been my primary 3D animation program. Over the years, I've tried several other programs (Poser, Daz, Carrara, Cinema 4D, 3D Studio Max, Blender, Lightwave, Messiah) and everytime I keep coming back to A:M because of its ease of use and straight-forward approach to character animation.
I started (and slowly continuting) a web series using ony A:M and can be seen at www.youtube.com/ernesttx and have a few short clips on A:M Films. I edited a trailer for SO and occassionally lurk around the forums and help where I can.
My primary uses for A:M are character animation and special effects in all my videos that I have created. I will be producing a live action film shortly (hopefully) and will use A:M as the primary 3D modelling and animation program and see how far I can take it in special effects.
-
1
-
-
I know what you mean about priorities, Will. I made myself a 3 year plan last year in order to do what I want for the remaining years I have. Yes, I'm 45 too
it's not over, it's getting things in place for you to do what you want.My plan:
1st year (2011)- out of debt and all the software and hardware that I might need:
Software - editing (vegas pro), compositing (fusion), 3D (AM, Blender,Messiah, Vue10, SynthEyes2011, etc) - also learning period for software
Hardware - T2i, JVC 3CCD HD camcorder (for vfx), audio recorders, etc.
To date, all the above have been met.
2nd year - 2012 - purchase land for studio (will do that end of this month)
during this year - build studio (not a huge place, just something to setup shop and work out of)
everything will be paid for in 2012
will rent out studio as well, as I plan it to be a small backlot for others to film their projects
set up Roku animation channel for subscription based revenue (a dream but what's life without one)
if all goes well, maybe won't need a 3rd year, but in case:
3rd year - save money and network like crazy, create roadmap for projects, take on odd vfx jobs, editing, animation, etc.
2014 (or 2013) - will be working for myself
So get those priorities in line, figure out what you want to do and set it in motion.
2012 year of the dragon - make it happen. -
I'm in the same spot you are. I spend too much time at my day job to really get anything accomplished on my projects. Also, I'm working on a plan to set up my own animation type commune myself (well, my studio anyway). I'll join yours if you join mine. hehe
-
hey ruscular, the .mdd export from AM works with messiah. I just used the DMorph effect to load the file. If you have a new plugin I would be more than happy to test out as well. I have Messiah 5 64 bit. Win 7.
-
Yeah, Rob, I was planning on doing a tutorial on all of it. I spent the better part of 3 days trying to figure it all out hehe Being the TD and the artist is a painful thing.
Anywho, long story short, when you export .py from AM these are the top lines in the python code:
DeselectAll()
cam=StoreCamera()
SelectByType(VuePython.VUEBasicObject.VOT_Camera)
cam = GetSelectedObjectByIndex(0)
And it wasn't importing into Vue with the keyframes. It would import and create a camera. I do not know anything about Python or coding, but I do know if something else works, it's all about trial and error and find what does work. Now, it may be that with Vue 10, somethings have changed in the API and some parameters are named different and all that. Then, I looked at the Bouncing_Sphere.py that comes with Vue, and found similiar lines and changed those. These are the 3 lines that I changed in the AM .py file:
DeselectAll()
SelectByType(VuePython.VOT_Camera)
cam = GetSelectedObjectByIndex(0)
Save new .py file and try to import. Voila. Now, I don't know alot so you may have to put in the cam=StoreCamera() line as well. All I was trying to do was get the file into Vue. So, any other help or information would be great as well.
-
Ok, finally got .mdd working for me. The weird thing was trying to figure out that you have to make sure your FPS are set. Another weird thing I'll have to check out is that I couldn't directly import into Vue 10. I first had to import into messiah and then export out the .mdd from there for Vue to read it. Also, I think that the Python camera export might need to be look at as I could not get a camera imported into Vue with the keyframes. I looked at the Python code and an example from Vue and had to change the first 3 lines before the camera could be imported.
Other than that, everything went smoothly from A:M to other software. Blender could read the .mdd file fine. Anyway, made a quick test animation, enjoy:
-
I'm in. I pick window # 16.
I hope I win haha -
Just chiming in on this. My thoughts (and only my thoughts)...but would the camera view be set too far back to really "see" what might be going on in the apartments from some of the window areas? Unless it was render 1080p and seen on a 50" screen, it might leave too narrow a space to create action in the window spaces. I presume that a bit of zoom can be implemented to accomodate a "closer" view. And again, just my thoughts.
-
How about reaction shots from Thom based on what he just witnessed/saw. Oh, and I'm in on this one. Set looks great mtpeak
Take UV texture and create other textures
in A:M Rendering
Posted
Ok, I see I can Add images by right clicking on Images under Decals and then set what type of texture it will be.