mrollers

I'm not sure where exactly this post would belong - I didnt see any "general help" forum, so please feel free to move this if its in the wrong place. I just bought one of the Sony UX180P Micro PC's and would love to use Animation Master with it. The Animation Master software requires for the CD to be in the tray while it starts, but the UX180P does not have any sort of CD/DVD Drive included (and the optional one sells for $399 and (I believe) requires it be plugged into a power outlet, eliminating the advantage of a mobile PC. I'm not talking about bypassing the protection or anything illegal, but just looking for a general way of running the software without using the CD (possibly a way of verifying the software through the internet, through a cd key, or even if theres a way to use a USB Drive to verify it - if any of these are possible). Any help would be appreciated -- I'd love to take the software along with me.

Thanks! That sounds like exactly what I want, but I wouldnt know where to begin. Do you happen to know where I can find a tutorial or more info on this? Also, I tried the multiple-windows view (one for camera 1, one to move it around) and it was a huge improvement. I was looking for something like that earlier (since most modeling software I see has the multiple windows) but didnt know where it was at before. Thanks for the tip on that!

Thanks for the help! 1 More question.. I'm just experimenting with importing images (jpegs) as objects in a movie.. Right now its just more or less a test (a background jpeg with a 3d model in front). Unfortunately, whenever I try this, I get a very 'blown out' image that seems to be reflecting the brightness off of it.. I've used the options I found (I believe Reflections, Shadows, etc..) under the properties of the jpeg layer, but I keep getting the same results. Same with movie clips (its like the light is shining onto the clip). Is there any way to fix this while still having the light focus on the 3D model (maybe adjust the intensity that hits the jpeg/mpeg clip?) EDIT: I think I found it.. "Flat Shaded"

I don't know how to really explain this one too well, so I'll try my best! I've been playing around with the camera trying to make real quick but stylish moves around the models (for instance, a 20 second clip with the camera basically flying around the model). The way I currently do this is to place the model in 1 location, switch to another view option (like "Fill Light"), locate the Camera 1 in free space and then transform it (zoom it closer to the model, spin it around the model, etc..) This is hard as often times with it being wireframe, you'll aim at something completely far off from the model even though it looks like its aimed dead-on. I usually have to switch to Camera 1 again and then slowly transform it using the x, y, z axis until it aims at the model. I have to do this for each camera turn (and often times about 15 times per short clip). What I would like to do is to have the view set to "Camera 1" but move the camera at the same time (fly-by's, rotating, etc.. as you would by manipulating Camera 1 from within the other views). Basically anything besides the basic "Camera Transform" that may make this an easier task. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

I'll try the toon bias thing tonight - I don't remember adjusting the actual numbers on the settings though, just enabling/disabling options on the "advanced" page before rendering. The version says 13.0 (it was the one sold at Comic Con this year, with a yeti on the front)

Thanks for the help! As for question 2, here's the image that I was originally able to create (I had to scale it down from the original 1080 resolution) While I wouldnt use it in movie clips, it can make some neat images to modify photoshop and I would like to find out how to recreate this style

Hi Everyone, I just have 2 questions that I havent been able to figure out myself so far.. 1) If I want to use a custom resolution (like 5000 x 5000) which is not the same semi-widescreen shape that the program defaults to, how would I change this to get an actual view of what the output would be (5000x5000 should be a perfect square). I noticed that if I change the resolution to 5000x5000 when rendering that it will change the 'stage' to that resolution afterwards.. but I would like for an immediate change so that I can see what I'm working with before going through the rendering process. Sorry if this is confusing, I'm not sure how else to word it. 2) I was testing various rendering options and came across one that rendered the image as a cross between the modeling-lines and the Toon option (so it was basically a 'toon' where certain parts still showed the skeleton model. I liked the look and have been trying to replicate it without luck. Is there a specific option that I'm missing for this?

One more question -- how do I install the new models from CD 2? I tried dragging/dropping them to the models/libraries folder but just get what appear to be "broken images/missing files" when viewing them in the library

First off, I'm brand new here -- I just bought the package last night and have had a few hours to use it. I am just using the basic models/actions but whenever I try to use more than one (for instance, walk for 5 seconds then "idle" for 3 seconds), the idle action messes up the models figure during the walk sequence (usually arms going out of place, etc..) I've tried everything I could think of (including having the 5 second walk, 10 blank frames, then the 3 second idle) but it always seems to happen. How would I do this? Thanks!