Hubert Posted September 20, 2011 Posted September 20, 2011 I just finished my first animation in Animation:Master, a 25-sec. opening piece for this installment of a medium-size annual film festival here in Thunder Bay (Canada). I had a blast doing it and thoroughly enjoyed working with the software. As an experienced stopmotion animator and stopmotion director I didn't have too many problems making the transition to computer animation, and Animation:Master definitely was a big help in making that transition. It's relatively intuitive (not always...), powerful but not overwhelming. I'm happy with the little piece below, but would love to hear some comments! I also would like to hear what could have been done in order to avoid the obvious "ribs" (splines) showing through in the character. It can be viewed here: http://www.vimeo.com/24056214 Quote
MMZ_TimeLord Posted September 20, 2011 Posted September 20, 2011 Excellent job... wonderful timing on the motion... Cheers! Quote
Admin Rodney Posted September 20, 2011 Admin Posted September 20, 2011 Simple and effective. Very nice. Edit: I just re-read your request for feedback. I also would like to hear what could have been done in order to avoid the obvious "ribs" (splines) showing through in the character. The key to a smooth mesh is continuous splines. At a guess I'd say you may have used the AI or Font Wizard to import a shape as your Model? (Perhaps not if you are new at this) It'd help us to better understand your model if we could see it or you can post some wireframe images of it. If you can share the model you'll have it flexing around the screen in no time. Added: I've attached a quick down and dirty example of a continuous spline layout (for the chest area) to show the basic idea. I imagine you want to keep the crisp beveling of the outer edges and I haven't done any of that here. The head isn't attached at this point either: Personally, I like the impurity of the sharp lines. Everything is too polished these days and I think it creates a nice effect. mascot000.mov Quote
Hash Fellow robcat2075 Posted September 20, 2011 Hash Fellow Posted September 20, 2011 Welcome to the Forum Hubert! That's a wonderful Festival open! As Rodney says, we'd have to see the splines to know more, but I'm sure there's a solution. When you have questions, this forum is the place to ask! Fun fact: Animation:Master v1 was called "Will Vinton's Playmation" I'm sure there's a story there I haven't heard the entirety of. Quote
MMZ_TimeLord Posted September 20, 2011 Posted September 20, 2011 Welcome to the Forum Hubert! That's a wonderful Festival open! As Rodney says, we'd have to see the splines to know more, but I'm sure there's a solution. When you have questions, this forum is the place to ask! Fun fact: Animation:Master v1 was called "Will Vinton's Playmation" I'm sure there's a story there I haven't heard the entirety of. Robcat, Yep, that was the first version I purchased back in 1992. The pitch was that Will Vinton, being such a good stop motion animator, could and DID help sell the software. i.e. - You could do stop motion type animations with it. Which you could, but it was even easier than that! I agree with Rodney also. Post a wireframe or shaded wireframe of your model at about a 3/4 view and that will give us a better idea of what's going on with the 'ribbing' effect. I suspect most of the splines have a low magnitude or are peaked and therefor bend very sharply. Again, excellent motion! Quote
NancyGormezano Posted September 20, 2011 Posted September 20, 2011 Excellent! Fun! Loved it! EDIT: probably, as others have hinted, unpeak those splines. And/or weight those cps a little differently. Quote
itsjustme Posted September 20, 2011 Posted September 20, 2011 That was fun! I'll echo the critique on the smoothness of the splines, but I don't think it was a "deal breaker" in this animation. Quote
Walter Baker Posted September 20, 2011 Posted September 20, 2011 Thumbs up to that, I liked it. Quote
MJL Posted September 21, 2011 Posted September 21, 2011 The personality transcended the splinage. Great Piece! Quote
Vertexspline Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 as someone still working on learning modeling and splines I would not comment on that issue ---but really - the music , the dancing around --its was cute and funny and entertaining. I was having to much fun to see any issues . Very nice job indeed. Rich Quote
Gerry Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 Someone, I think Robert, linked to this on FB the other day. Nice job, and welcome to the forum! Quote
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