Darthlister

Update. Currently recreating the opening scene. The silver ball is reflecting starlight and the blue/yellow lights to reflect earthblue and fireyellow were reflecting off the earth cutout. My solution? creating the same project sans stars, earth, moon, etc in another project. same camera movements, just the silver ball, blue/yellow lights, and fire/smoke mats. My question is, is there a tut or two on layers, and masking out a single BG color? I've haunted the forums, but most of the masking and AE talk is around compositing live-action (something that I'll def need to consider with this project, albeit not right away) rather than just two animated layers. Thanks, Rich

Thanks for all the feedback. Had a gap in my licesnse for a month or so, but now back at it. Rodney, I tried to make the eye glows without the visible orbs but couldn't quite make it work, but I agree. Especially the first few issues of the book, I enjoyed the way SalB drew the helmet. As for the swinging camera, I can see where that would be distracting; in the long pan, I was going for a "look at the devastation" vibe. Still looking for a way to portray a "world" without using a back drop. I saw someone's (not sure who ATM) flyby of NYcity and I think the whole city model was constructed under a sky-dome. Perhaps I need to understand how to layer a bit better. Thanks again, Rich

Hi all, Working on a project featuring the character ROM and looking for critiques and ideas in some areas, specifically backgrounds; how do you get a background to look like an actual deep environment instead of a a middle-school play backdrop? Any ideas on camera movement, timing, etc. would be welcome. It's pretty much my first animation of any complexity, so I know there's a mile of room for improvement. Thanks, Rich romfall.mp4

That leads me to a question: I've got a still camera scene with a nice roto--looks good, but what about when you have to move the camera? I know the answer's probably 'no' but is there a way to code a moving roto based on camera angle? Like a panorama picture? Do most here use a comination of physical set "backdrops" and compositing? Is there a good non-expensive compositing program out there? Thanks, Rich

Exactly what I'm looking for; is there a programming reason why light emitters aren't themselves visible? Since the visible light object should be reflective, and the "bulb" slightly larger than the model, does the emitter emit on both sides of the normal? Rich

Gotten to a point where I'm adding a light to a model. However, adding the light completely blackens the model surfaces that don't have ambiance set high. It's likt all reference lighting in the window turns off..anyone ever seen this? Thanks, Rich

romlook15.tga Nice, but I'm looking more for the type of sharp distortion beams that you'd see from a headlightt. I've included what I've got in attachment. This is close, but I'm using a pose to do this and I'd like to use a lens flare beam Richromlook15.tga

Is there a good tut out there that points out the differences in usage in the inherent glow (when turned on) of an object vs. the glow caused by lens flares. Looking at a "beam" type glow from the eyes of a character. I created this effect initially with a couple of bone/Cp-driven bolts eminating from the eyes. Looks good, but I'm thinking there should be a way to duplicate the "late night headlight" effect without the normal circular "lens flare effect. As always, any advice is appreciated. Rich EDITED: "good" instead of "food"

Awesome, thanks. Rich

Hey all,-- Never seen this, but a decal won't show up on the modeling window but does in render--anybody know why this might be? Thanks, Rich

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Gonna engage in a little thread necromancy here. I just had the same thing happen. Last night all were weighted fine, bring up the model and all are weighted 100% to one bone. Sigh Rich

THREAD NECROMANCY Does anyone know if this tut has moved or is just no longer available? Looking for a candle flame solution, but every one I try so far winds up looking like a christmas tree light. Rich

Yeah, I just have a problem keeping perspective while I'm adding CPs to an existing construct---then I have to spend time dragging the errent cps all over

Heya, all--is there any way of turning the model *while* adding CPs, instead of A:M dropping out of add mode when I hit the "T" key? Thanks, Rich

Heya all, any advice on the best way to do moving eyeballs? Either make the "white" of the eyes one with the rest of the face (no blinking on this model) and just have the "iris" move around or creat the eyeball and iris as one and have the entire globe rotate. Any ideas would be welcome. Thanks, Rich

Hello again, Just getting back into A:M after a few years, so will probably be around a lot getting re-used to it. Looking forward to a lot of fun. Rich

Thx, John--very professional vid BTW--nice!

Hiya, all--getting ready to get back into A:M after a few year break. The website download only has A:M 16--where is V17 available? Rich

Thanks for the help; I think I've gotten it figured out. Occasionally, when I'm extending a spline to extend the "skin" of the model, what *should* be a continuation of the spline at 180 degrees wants, instead, to spline off the 90 degree line, which of course causes bunching of the new patch. I've noticed that sometimes the best thing is just to Shift+K until the wanted spline is by itself, extend it, then reattach. Am I on the right track? Thanks, Rich

Heya, Is there an in-depth explaination concerning exactly to manipulate bias? Working on my first humaniform model and I've got four-point areas with shadowed corners in one particular area (shoulder). Just can't seem to figure out why it's happening... Any pointers would be supremely welcome. Thanks, Rich

Been working with AM for a while off and on (trying to be as much "on" as possible more recently). This is my take on "The Door's Stuck". If anyone could take a look at it and tell me what you think, I'd appreciate it. It may take a bit to DL, as it's approx 20M in QT format; any ideas on how to keep animations smaller would also be welcome. Take a look... ftp://64.227.193.8/stuck.mov Thanks, Rich