ernesttx
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Posts posted by ernesttx
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Sorry guys, it was an abbreviation for Over the Shoulder shot. Where the camera is set behind one character in the foreground and it is looking "over the shoulder" of the character and viewing another character. Used alot in dialog cuts.
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For Subject 99, I had break it down into small parts.
Since it is mostly dialog driven, I recorded all the audio parts first. This way, I felt the dialog would dictate the length of each scene.
Then, I would break the scene up into different shots (MS, CU, OS, etc) until I felt the cinematography was to my liking.
Then, I would animate each shot.
Then, render each shot.
Then, assemble rendered shots (usually at a lower grade) into video editor (sans compositing) to ensure flow of the scene and any animated errors and such.
Then, polish errors and re-render and final compositing and audio mixing.
1 scene finished, rinse, repeat for all the scenes.
But, pre-production is the only way to do a large project. Because, then you can see if you can reuse parts of animated shots or locations or background pictures, reuse actions, etc.
Get your story down first so you know the beginning and how it will end. Then, start fleshing it out in story boards for each scene.
I think for Subject 99, the first episode, I had over 100 shots. So, each day I would do as many as I could. Each episode took about 3 weeks. Nowadays, I don't have time to animate for 10 seconds heheh
OH, and look for a new episode around the first of the year
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hey mouseman,
I'm mulling over my options right now. I'm involved in some music projects and CD's, and video taping, and audio recording music bands and such.
Somethings I'm mulling over are:
1. creating a new series with a more relaistic look to it
2. creating a graphic novel of Subject 99 and others
3. I've got a few movie ideas, and writing scripts
4. I've got a few animated music videos I'm currently doing
5. testing my production workflow, bvh, Zign tracking, UV decals, modeling techniques, physics, etc.
I plan to get back to Subject 99, I would like to continue Subject 99. Luuk's Zign Tracking software is great and helps to aid in the facial / lip sync and I'm converting bvh files to use to aid in animation. I'm testing a different production pipeline to be able to kick out episodes quicker; whether it's Subject 99 or others. I just recently upgraded to A:M 15 and a new Quad core laptop, so I'm trying things I wasn't able to test out on my old system. I'm really into the physics stuff at the moment and want to blow things up. hehe
All in all, I'm continuing the series, but it may look more photorealistic; since, A:M 16 is out and I can render using multiple cores. That would help alot.
I'm not dead, just testing, figuring out new methods, and all that.
Thanks for prompting me to realize that someone out there would like a new episode.
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Weird.
I uploaded this to A:M Films, but it's not showing up there. It's not even in My Videos tab. And now i see it here, but it's posted not with my signature. Is there a correct process to post things to A:M Films?
This was a quick test using Newton Physics to explode/shatter something. I'm working on a glass breaking test and will probably post a little tutorial on it.
I'm also thinking of creating VFX tutorials for A:M. What would people like...something along the lines of 'how they do that in movies'? I'm going to be working on exploding buildings, fire, etc.
Let me know what you think.
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Oh, come on, Largento. Don't introduce such a great looking alien and leave me hanging like this and then go off and write. hehe
I'll be tuning in. I'll be doing this sort of thing with my workflow in Subject 99 starting soon. I'm just finishing up the next episode's script and storyboards and want to detail it for people that might be interested.
Happy writing
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Started working on this workflow last night and everything is working great. Thanks again for your help mtpeak2. I'll try to have something posted up tonight. I have to work with the BVH files to have cyclical actions work a little better; ie. walk cycles and such. For the other actions types, it should be fine.
I had to relearn blending actions; as I hadn't used that much in my production of Subject 99. But, blending worked well, too.
The hard part will be breaking up the BVH files into smaller snippets and then seeing if blending will work there. I don't forsee any problems, just have to tweak the BVH files. I really like your zombie video. Hmmm I have zombies in another movie I am working on.
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Thanks Gerry. Glad you are still enjoying the episodes as well. I'm enjoying making them.
This weekend I have been delving into UV maps and creating Actions from BVH files. Lots of stuff to learn and this community makes it so great to learn from. I should have something this weekend to show on the new front. Maybe I'll post in Works in Progress section. As well, as on my blog.
Happy Animating everyone!
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hey thanks mtpeak2, I walked through what you are stating. However, when I go to the Main Menu (the one at the top of the screen?), I'm only getting the first frame in a new Action (Baked) file. Not sure what I would need to highlight (if anything) in the PWS. Would you be able to shed any light with more steps?
Thanks again.
*** Addition: I think the step I'm missing is when you state "...and capture the sequence for the BVH."
These are the steps I'm doing:
1. Import model
2. Create new Action
3. Import BVH sequence
4. Constrain to rig
5. Highlight Action 1 (the New Action) in the PWS
6. In Main Menu (at the top of the screen/window), select Bake Action (remove constraints)
7. New Action is created
**** Second Addition: I'm not sure this is how it works for you. But, after constraining the rig, I have to Save the Action. Then, after saving, I can choose Action>Bake and all the keyframes come into a new Action File.
Thanks as always.
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Hey, HomeSlice, I'm glad you're still enjoying the episodes.
The story is quite involved, as there are actually 3 storylines all converging with one another. This project was created for various reasons. One being to challenge myself to write a complex story, with various characters and storylines, and then try to be able to portray that in a movie format. It's one thing to be able to tell a story from a main character's point of view. For example, introduce hero, have hero embark on journey, battles for hero along the way, pivotal point for hero, hero's victory, and conclusion of story. It's quite linear.
For me, I wanted something that I could delve into deeper. Everything isn't as black and white, who is our hero, how to tell a multi-faceted story to an audience, how to edit it, how to etc. All in the framework of periodic episodes.
My next project will be more along the lines of the hero story. Main character, supporting characters and evil doer.
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Hey Mark, just ran across this topic. Very nice work. I was wanting to go down this path myself and have experimented with a few methods, but never found a workflow that was easy. I am trying to create small reusable ACT files from BVH, kind of like snippets of motion.
Would you mind sharing your steps for converting BVH to ACT file? You mention at the first that you "Then baking the action with the motion capture sequence and deleting all unnecessary bones from it." I'm unfamiliar with the "baking" process and how that goes.
Thanks for any help you can provide and look forward to seeing more.
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No problem, Rodney.
I thought you might need a fix. It's been too long. hehe -
I am proud to announce the next episode of Subject 99 - Episode 9. Whew!!
It took a bit longer to finish up this episode. You know, life gets in the way.
I have a few tweaks that I want to correct after watching it with my focus group (aka roommates). But, I am pleased with the overall episode and the continuing of the story. Feel free to leave feedback as well. Now it's time to work on a new series. But, Subject 99 will continue. This episode finishes up the Season One kind of catalog of episodes. I'll have to spend some time to write the next episodes and see what I can add for excitement.
A big shout of thanks goes out to Martin and the Hash team. When you are in production, and have software that is dependable and easy to work with, it's certainly a huge blessing.
Well, it's late now, time for bed and having to get ready to go to the job that pays the bills. hehe
Please visit www.animace.biz and tell all your friends.
Caio.
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Thanks, JavierP. I've searched the forums for 'unwrap' and quite a few threads came up about unwrapping and UV stuff. I read through William Sutton's tutorial on his blog. Very informative. Of course, it's William, so that's a given. hehe I guess my confusion came about from doing it all wrong to begin with.
For me, I always thought of 'Decaling' as a seperate operation on each unwrapped mesh. That is to say, I would select a group, hide others, do an unwrap action and then import picture to decal and then apply it. I would do this for each group. Thereby having multiple pictures for different decaling. I kept seeing how others were doing it with 1 picture. I am now starting to see how it is done. That was the one big thing that was keeping me from doing more realistic characters. I'm learning. As, I've only really done cell shaded.
Look forward to having some insight into your workflow.
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I've not done any UV unwrapping. I would be interested in knowing if there are some helpful tuts or tech refernces to this. I am thinking of adding more detail to some of my models for another project that I have in the works. This seems to be along the lines of being able to do that. I've seen Robcat's cylinder unwrap in the other posts, but how to get the full unwrapping as in your picture, JavierP? Most interested. Thanks.
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Well, plodding along. Still without electricity. So, I've moved the laptop to the kitchen table. Martin would be proud.
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Production has been delayed a little bit with a recent electrical problem in my room. I believe some wiring has gone out and I have no power. It's an older house, and some of the wiring is screwy. At one point, light switches were turning on lights in other rooms. hehe
But, hopefully, it will be fixed when I get home today. (fingers crossed). Also, I had some hard drive issues. Technology and modern living benefits sometimes don't feel like advances. Makes you appreciate them more when you don't have them. Maybe I should break out the pencils and paper.
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Thanks Gerry. It's good to be back. I should have Episode 9 up on the weekend. Also, Ill be putting an online production diary of creating an animated series/movie while I bring my next episode to reality. So, anyone wanting to follow along and see what it takes me to get through a production, feel free to peek over my shoulder.
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Oh, I wasn't fretting. I know I've been MIA for a while. Just had to revamp my efforts and recharge the batteries. I'll be putting more energy into my projects from here on out. Just a rough patch, a mind augmentation and re-focusing going on on this end of things. hehe
Let the animating begin!
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*** Oh my, I've been sanctioned to the Archives. hehe
Well, hopefully, I can get things back on track. As of today, I have updated my website again. As well, Episode 9 will be coming at the end of this week. In addition, I plan to bring 2 new series to the site. Also, if you wish to contribute to Animace and help continue the series, I have a few gifts for those charitable souls.
hope everyone is doing well, and getting ready for a new year. Ernest
www.animace.biz
After several months of development, I have finally finished the new website design. It will allow for quicker upload and showcase for animations, as well as, hopefully better quality of video. Working on trying to get the video player and selection system in place was the biggest hurdle.Now that the website is out of the way, I have resumed production on Episode 9. I have about 2 minutes of it finished. Also, several other video projects are finished that will free up more time for animating.
I hope the new site is a bit easier to navigate and enjoy. Thank you all for being patient and all the words of encouragement.
Ok, back to animating.
www.animace.biz
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Oh. Thanks Homeslice. I will do that.
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After several months of development, I have finally finished the new website design. It will allow for quicker upload and showcase for animations, as well as, hopefully better quality of video. Working on trying to get the video player and selection system in place was the biggest hurdle.
Now that the website is out of the way, I have resumed production on Episode 9. I have about 2 minutes of it finished. Also, several other video projects are finished that will free up more time for animating.
I hope the new site is a bit easier to navigate and enjoy. Thank you all for being patient and all the words of encouragement.
Ok, back to animating.
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Thanks, Gerry. Met with the client the other day, he loved the video and booked me for next year at triple the cost. so, the episode had to be put on back burner for bit. But, not forgotten.
Oh, SXSW was crazy mad. -
I have a few paying projects in the works right now, so, I'm running a bit late on posting these couple of pictures for the upcoming episode.
I'm wrapping up a video to DVD project and I have a music video animation in the development stage. I should hopefully be getting this episode out within the next 2 weeks. Stay tuned and hope everyone enjoys.
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greetings all,
no i haven't left the planet hehe got several irons in the fire right now. SXSW is in town in austin and trying to see it all. i'm posting from downtown convention center at the moment. lots to do and see here. also, getting ready to update the website and take it a bit further. all in all the future looks bright.
episode 9 is under way as well. i'll post some pics soon. so stay tuned.
Episode 10 - script and storyboards finished - animation begins
in Subject 99
Posted
Hello, everyone.
Well, took longer than anticipated to complete the script for Episode 10. Not that is was a particularly hard script, it was more due to ideas, storyflow, and time to complete it. The cool thing though is that Episode 11 was written as well, so you get a two'fer. And the rest of the episodes should come easier. I was stuck on how to resolve some characters storylines, the main arc, etc.
With that, I'll be chronicling the process more. It will be more for a "Behind the Scenes" kind of thing. For me, it's always nice to see how something gets made, as well as, watching the episode. That way I can appreciate more certain aspects of what I'm watching.
Also, I will be exclusively using Zign Track for all the dialouge actions vs. dope sheet. I want to compare the processes in a full episode.
Plus, I have to rig all the characters with the face model that I'm going to be using in Zign. Almost done with that process.
So, long and short of it, I will begin animating this weekend and posting snippets along the way.
Whew, finally.
As always, check it out at www.animace.biz
Thanks for hanging in there to everyone.