dougwills

Hey all, Sorry I haven't check in for a little while. Life - you know? As far as I am concerned, August 5th is still on, unless the group decides otherwise. My office has a meeting room with internet access and we have a projector and screen that can be used. We also have a tv with DVD player, but I am unsure as to the current working status of the DVD player. Plenty of parking, and as VP, I have the keys and fairly free run of the place. I can provide additional computers (laptops) for the day, but you need to provide the software. If you want to take advantage of this offer so you don't have to lug computer equipment around, you must make arrangements with me in advance. I am thinking noon to 4 PM, but the group should decide that. I can have a laptop (or pc if that is preferred) with version 11, 12 or 13 on it. As far as agenda is concerned, without knowing the specific knowledge level of everyone, it might be hard to decide in advance but if any of you have any ideas - shoot! I expect that we will have experience levels ranging from "I haven't even seen the program" to "This is what I do to make a living" and everything in between, so we should be as flexible as we can, at least in this first (of what will hopefully be many) meeting. As far as training material is concerned, I have the A:M Siggraph Pro Training CD's for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, Jeff Lews "Learning 3D Character Animation" cd and have downloaded all of the Tech Talk training videos. I also have A:M 2002 Guide by David Rogers, A:M Handbook by Jeff Paries (second edition), Animators Survival Kit by Richard Williams, Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair and a few others. I am sure some of you have stuff too so we should have more than enough to get us through our first meeting. Since I am providing pizza and drinks, I would like to get a confirmed head count on who is attending, along with your pizza and soda/juice/tea preferences. You can bring beer if you like, but that's on you, and be reasonable. From a previous message, here is my contact information: dougwills at rtobestway dot com (no spaces and the normal fixes) dougwills at mchsi dot com (same as above for my home address, checked less frequently) or call at work 757-455-2800 x514 or 800-583-4616 x 514. If you don't reach me, please leave a voicemail with your contact number and a good time to reach you and I will return your call. I am in the office most days from 9:30 to 6 with a 1 hour lunch break around one o'clock (varies depending on my mood and degree of hunger.) The address for those that wish to Mapquest it is: 160 - A Wellman Street Norfolk, VA 23502 It is a small office building attached to some warehouse space in a combination residential/industrial area about 3 blocks off of the expressway. If you would like specific directions, contact me and I can email a little cheat sheet we have. I for one am really looking forward to getting together with a group. I always seem to work better when I have a project so anything we do as a group will help me out. So - I am confirmed for Noon on Saturday August 5th. Anyone else, or are we making a change? -Doug

I too have had (currently have) this problem. In my case I am running a Radeon 9200SE card in dual screen configuration. If I turn off one of the screens (on the video card, not by using the monitor power button - lol) I can make the problem go away. This is with the newest drivers and in either OpenGL or DirectX. It's not the best solution because I lose all of that extra real estate, but it does work. If you are running dual monitors you may want to give this a try. -Doug

Sounds great. Since you started the thread, you should definitely be involved. Does August 5th in Norfolk look good for you? If not, fire back some options. Anybody interested can contact me at work at doug wills at rtobestway dot com (no spaces and the normal fixes) doug wills at mchsi dot com (same as above for my home address, checked less frequently) or call at work 757-455-2800 x514 or 800-583-4616 x 514. Even if we decide to do this somewhere else, I am happy to try to provide any help I can including being a point of contact. So Let's go hashers in VA, MD, DC and NC. Anyone else want to join in? -Doug

Eric, I'll check with the other guys I have lined up and see about a date change. Note that the three guys I have lined up are interested in, but have never used AM. One is a grpahics artist, does a lot of photoshop work and has done professional dvd cover design in the past. One is going to school for game developement. Knows about AM, but uses another product. I am trying to convince him to buy AM and get involved in the TWO game. The third guy is a general computer guy who thought it would be fun to join in. I am the only one (other than you of course) with AM experience and that will make you (or maybe Joe C.) the most experienced of the group. Joe C., does August 5th work for you? I have been contacted by 2 or 3 other AM'ers in the past about a meet, but haven't heard from them lately. Guess we'll have to start it and try to convince others to join. I'll let you know Monday or Tuesday about the availability of the date change. I'm good for it, but I have to check witht he other guys. -Doug

Although I am more than willing to invite anyone who wishes to come, I think the MAAM group is already planning an August cookout by the looks of things. Any users in the area who wish to join in, just give us a shout. The more the merrier. How does Saturday, July 29th at my corporate office in Norfolk look for everyone? If your response is "doesn't work for me", please include a few dates that do. I'll spring for pizza and soda. We seem to have enough training material so that looks set. If anyone has any particular ideas for what we should do or cover then talk it up. Otherwise we'll all show up, see what we have and dive right in. My hope is that we can get this going on a regular basis with as many people as we can. As Larry the Cable Guy says, Let's "get 'er done!" Doug

Eric and Joe, Sorry I didn't post earlier. I've been out of town a little lately. If every one is interested, we can have the meeting in my office. We have a conference room that comfortably seats 10 or 15. We have internet access, a tv with dvd player and a projector and screen. I have a graphic artist on staff who doesn't have AM experience but is interested in joining us and another staffer has a boyfriend who is currently in school studying game design who would like to join us. My office is in Norfolk and located just off the expressway and easy to get to. If we can set a date then I'll spring for soda and pizza and we'll get together and see what happens. Saturdays seem to be the best bet for me, but I will try to be flexible enough for everyone. If Norfolk doesn't work for everyone then we will need to discuss alternatives. What do you guys think? -Doug

jobusfest, I'm still a novice, but I am also still interested. I too have training cd's/dvd's. I may also have access to my company's conference room with internet access and a projector and screen (in Norfolk near Military Circle Mall). I'll check today. Might be interesting to get together and see what, if anything, we can start. Let me know. Doug

Thanks for the opportunity Rodney. Free always fits my budget. One chance please.

Hi guys. I just purchased A:M so my skill level is currently at 0. I would love to get together if this works out. I have lived in Virginia Beach most of my life, but recently moved across the border and now live in Moyock, NC (about 30 minutes away). Still work in Norfolk though so the trip is nothing for me.