Exercise 2: Chorus Line

[Caroline]

I think the forums prefer the .mov format - try rendering to the mov, but change the compression to Sorenson Video 3, as in a couple of posts above this one.

[ptiversen]

Name: Tony Iversen

 

Exercises Completed: 2

Date Completed: 12.02.2007

 

Instructor: Rodney

 

Remarks/Suggestions for Improvement: n/a

ex2_ptiversen.mov

[gmlewis]

I think the forums prefer the .mov format - try rendering to the mov, but change the compression to Sorenson Video 3, as in a couple of posts above this one.

 

Whups! Sorry I didn't see that, Caroline! I'm trying it out now.

 

Name: Glenn M. Lewis

 

Exercises Completed: 2

 

Date Completed: November 29, 2007

 

Instructor: Caroline

 

Remarks/Suggestions for Improvement: Thanks for your help!

Exercise2.mov

[Caroline]

You're welcome - good vid, Shaggy didn't even flinch

 

One cool thing about the mov format is that in Quicktime you can use the arrow keys to go forward & backward frame by frame. Also, if you have QT Pro, you can do trim, copy & paste, and loop (also non-pro), so that if you have a walk cycle you can check if it loops.

 

I don't think you can do that in windows media player (avi), although I don't know about other players.

[Markk]

Name: Mark K

 

Exercise completed: Exercise 2 - Chorus Line

 

Date completed 12-09-07

 

Instruction: Book, Rodney

 

I used a few different characters - two former presidents, and a crook. I also added appropriate music to it. I hope that's OK.

 

 

Chorus Line Video

 

Here is is on youtube in case you can't view WMV format

P_C_C.wmv

[Rodney]

I used a few different characters - two former presidents, and a crook. I also added appropriate music to it. I hope that's OK.

 

Oh oh. Hey don't bring me into this... file your confessions with the secret service!

 

Not only is that okay... that's ANIMATING!

 

Very nice. Very nice indeed.

[PPi]

Name: Petri Pirttinen

Exercise Completed: Exercise 2 - Chorus Lin

Date Completed: Dec 26 2007

Instructor: The manual, web tutorial

Remarks: I always thought that the Knight had one too much... *sigh* The stage misses some textures but I couldn't find them. Also the legs still go a bit funny from time to time (particularly KeeKat!) but this could probably be fixed with a little bit of effort. Reusable actions however simply rocks!

 

ex2.mov

[Rodney]

You've just started TaoA:M and already you are storytelling.

Rock on!

 

Reusable actions however simply rocks!

 

Don't they though.

[adam&oliver]

Hi,

Ive been trying to start doing the 2nd tutorial but v15 doesn't have all the models needed.

I know i've seen a link for it somewhere but i cant find it. Does anyone know where you can download the CD data for the tutorials.

 

thanks, Adam

[adam&oliver]

Hi,

Never mind i solved my own problem and just copied the CD data from the old v12 CD I had.

 

Name: Adam Beale

Exercise Completed: Exercise 2 - Chorus Line

Date Completed: Jan 13, 2008

Instructor: The manual

Remarks:Nice and simple to get going. Didn' t do anything extra really

cancandance.mov

[Rodney]

Very nice Adam!

Right on time and right on budget.

Did you notice the Knight's knee pass-through though... ouch!

That had to hurt.

 

Never mind i solved my own problem and just copied the CD data from the old v12 CD I had.

 

I was under the impression that all the TaoA:M resources got downloaded and installed with the v15 websubscription.

If that isn't the case then we should let Hash Inc know.

[adam&oliver]

Hi, Rodney

I think the only file missing is the stage originaly i thought there was more missing but i looked through them and found them.

 

-Adam

[Rodney]

Thanks Adam, feedback like yours is much appreciated.

 

If there are any files missing (or additional files needed) I'm certainly not opposed to posting them here in the TaoA:M forum.

[opifex]

Name: Matthew Gayton

 

Exercises completed: 2

 

Instructor: Rodney and the A:M manual folks!

 

Originally I thought I would have a tiny copy of Thom doing the CanCan on the knight's shoulder but I couldn't get the surface constraint to work right. Yet another reason I need to go through these tutorials one-by-one!

CanCan.mov

[Rodney]

hehe! You guys and gals never cease to amaze me.

Very nice variation on the theme.

[brockgs]

Just finished exercise 2 (obviously). I had forgotten how to cycle the actions assigned to characters...took a little exploration (didn't want to actually look it up in the manual of course), but eventually found out how to cycle them so that I could get 4 seconds of movement to then render 3.

 

Next I'm going to try and figure out how (if possible) to ease between actions instead of the abrupt change when dropping on action onto a character after the previous one ends.

Ex2_Brock_Gunter_Smith.mov

[Rodney]

Next I'm going to try and figure out how (if possible) to ease between actions instead of the abrupt change when dropping on action onto a character after the previous one ends.

 

One very useful technique might be to leave a gap between the two actions.

A:M will then interpret between the two how to blend from one action to the other.

...works pretty well in some cases. Especially simple actions.

[MasterFunk]

Name: Sean Concannon

 

Exercise Completed: Exercise 2

 

Date Completed: Feb 26 2008

 

Instructor: Manual

 

Remarks/Suggestions for Improvement: I'm gonna get a new computer one of these days so my render time won't be so long

CanCan.mov

[Howitzer]

I just completed Exercise 2: Chorus Line. Before now I didn't have an understanding of A:M's action system.

 

Tao_EX2.mov

[Rodney]

Before now I didn't have an understanding of A:M's action system.

 

Actions are quite useful aren't they.

 

Combined with Pose Sliders and Choreography Actions they make for an extremely powerful and versatile workflow.

Best of all, you get to tailor the solution to the task and use what works best for you.

 

Of course one of the most compelling reasons to use Actions is to collect animation for use and reuse later.

Actions excell in cases where cyclic motion is required.

 

Develop a habit of storing your Actions with the Resources they are designed to work with too of course.

You'll get some strange things going on when using Actions on characters that weren't designed similarly.

Example: The tutorials from TaoA:M use characters with the 2001 rig installed in them. The Actions use that rig. Applying the Action to a character with a custom rig will produce varying results based on its design.

 

Exercise 2 and 3 demonstrate how multiple characters can use the same Actions and Poses when a little planning in advance is applied.

There are as many benefits to standardization as there are also reasons to push for more change and variety.

When in doubt you can always add a layer of Action (either via Action or Choreography Action) over the top of a cyclic action to add more variety.

 

Note: As many animators move into more fully formed and expressive animation they often set aside these basic Actions in favor of creating everything from scratch every time. There is no good reason to settle for one method or the other when both can be put to great use at the appropriate time. Actions are great timesavers and help us create more animation and tell more stories. The requirements of the story and needs of the animator will dictate.

[Howitzer]

Before now I didn't have an understanding of A:M's action system.

 

Actions are quite useful aren't they.

 

Combined with Pose Sliders and Choreography Actions they make for an extremely powerful and versatile workflow.

Best of all, you get to tailor the solution to the task and use what works best for you.

 

Of course one of the most compelling reasons to use Actions is to collect animation for use and reuse later.

Actions excell in cases where cyclic motion is required.

 

Develop a habit of storing your Actions with the Resources they are designed to work with too of course.

You'll get some strange things going on when using Actions on characters that weren't designed similarly.

Example: The tutorials from TaoA:M use characters with the 2001 rig installed in them. The Actions use that rig. Applying the Action to a character with a custom rig will produce varying results based on its design.

 

Exercise 2 and 3 demonstrate how multiple characters can use the same Actions and Poses when a little planning in advance is applied.

There are as many benefits to standardization as there are also reasons to push for more change and variety.

When in doubt you can always add a layer of Action (either via Action or Choreography Action) over the top of a cyclic action to add more variety.

 

Note: As many animators move into more fully formed and expressive animation they often set aside these basic Actions in favor of creating everything from scratch every time. There is no good reason to settle for one method or the other when both can be put to great use at the appropriate time. Actions are great timesavers and help us create more animation and tell more stories. The requirements of the story and needs of the animator will dictate.

 

Ok, I assume you can bake actions... if so, wouldn't be useful as a sort of last bit of tweaking to get things looking perfect? A variation here, a smoother transition there, etc? You know, for more natural movements?

[Rodney]

Ok, I assume you can bake actions... if so, wouldn't be useful as a sort of last bit of tweaking to get things looking perfect? A variation here, a smoother transition there, etc? You know, for more natural movements?

 

You can indeed Bake Actions in a Choreography.

This is very useful when you are at a point where you no long need the cyclic Action.

One thing you'll want to consider however is how the Baking will effect your ability to read and edit Keyframes in the Timeline.

 

While you can repeatedly tweak and bake... tweak and bake... Baking Actions is often used near the end of a production to simplify projects and keep from having multiple files referred to internally or externally in a Project.

 

The danger of Baking Actions of course is that you can't unbake so... save the project first BEFORE you bake!

 

Rodney (who doesn't bake often) Baker

[seancwall]

Name: Sean Wall

 

Exercise Completed: Exercise 2

 

Date Completed: July 7 2008

 

Instructor: Manual

 

Remarks/Suggestions for Improvement: I originally had a static camera but I thought the animation was a bit dull. I was wondering why the shadows seemed so faint, though. This was a fun one to do. I've signed up for the Scarescrow of Oz project, so I'd like to finish the exercises before then!

 

SmallCanCan.mov

[Rodney]

I've signed up for the Scarescrow of Oz project, so I'd like to finish the exercises before then!

 

This is the year of the newbie as far as I'm concerned.

Get ready to animate a feature film Sean... I predict this is going to be a great year for you.

 

Very nice CanCan too!

[seancwall]

I've signed up for the Scarescrow of Oz project, so I'd like to finish the exercises before then!

 

This is the year of the newbie as far as I'm concerned.

Get ready to animate a feature film Sean... I predict this is going to be a great year for you.

 

Very nice CanCan too!

 

Thanks Rodney. I'm all set up with the SO project. Can't wait for it to start! In the meantime, I'll keep plugging away at the exercises.

[Schlofin]

Name: Brad Herst

 

Exercise Completed: #2 (Finally)

 

Date Completed: 22-July-2008

 

Instructors: None - Book

 

Remarks: Decided to add a few extra seconds to the render, also am trying to get a longer one to render but keep getting render errors once I get it figured out I will post.

CanCan.mov

[Caroline]

Well done, Brad - you can get a much smaller file size by changing the compression of the .mov. Under Advanced Render, click Set, and in the drop down choose Sorenson Video 3, or mpeg-4, or H.264, on Medium settings.

 

I don't know why you would be getting render errors, though

[Schlofin]

All right Is it possible to change the Cycle Length Value of the preset Can-Can to a time based value. What I want to do it change the pace of the cancan throughout the program. If I need to manually set the Chor Range and add like 15 cancan effects per character I can do that but first I want to know if there is an easier way. I know a lot of the other values can be set to time based but the Cycle Length will not change no matter what I do. Advice is greatly appreciated.

[Caroline]

In the choreography, you can set the length of the cycle.

 

 

In the above example, I have put Shaggy into the Chor, dropped the CanCan onto him. Then changed the cycle length to 1:00, repeat 2. I then dropped the CanCan action onto him again, this time just changed the repeat to 2, and left the cycle length at 2:00. I think I had to drag the 2nd chor into the right place - those red bars at the bottom indicate the time when chor action is performed.

 

You can see the chor length is now 6:00, made up of 2:00 of the first cancan, and 4:00 of the second cancan. He does 2:00 of fast, and 4:00 of slow.

 

So I think you have to drag a second action to change the cycle length.

 

Anybody got a better idea?

[Schlofin]

In the choreography, you can set the length of the cycle.

 

 

In the above example, I have put Shaggy into the Chor, dropped the CanCan onto him. Then changed the cycle length to 1:00, repeat 2. I then dropped the CanCan action onto him again, this time just changed the repeat to 2, and left the cycle length at 2:00. I think I had to drag the 2nd chor into the right place - those red bars at the bottom indicate the time when chor action is performed.

 

You can see the chor length is now 6:00, made up of 2:00 of the first cancan, and 4:00 of the second cancan. He does 2:00 of fast, and 4:00 of slow.

 

So I think you have to drag a second action to change the cycle length.

 

Anybody got a better idea?

 

I am currently rendering a low quality version of what I want to do. It should take about 12 hours to complete the render. Once that is complete I will post with the PRJ file and ask for more advice. As well as try to explain what I want to do. While that renders on my Desktop I will keep working on the TAO:AM projects. I would like to have these complete by Kumoricon IF I can get enough time with my crazy work schedule.

-Brad

[Schlofin]

In the choreography, you can set the length of the cycle.

 

 

In the above example, I have put Shaggy into the Chor, dropped the CanCan onto him. Then changed the cycle length to 1:00, repeat 2. I then dropped the CanCan action onto him again, this time just changed the repeat to 2, and left the cycle length at 2:00. I think I had to drag the 2nd chor into the right place - those red bars at the bottom indicate the time when chor action is performed.

 

You can see the chor length is now 6:00, made up of 2:00 of the first cancan, and 4:00 of the second cancan. He does 2:00 of fast, and 4:00 of slow.

 

So I think you have to drag a second action to change the cycle length.

 

Anybody got a better idea?

 

I am currently rendering a low quality version of what I want to do. It should take about 12 hours to complete the render. Once that is complete I will post with the PRJ file and ask for more advice. As well as try to explain what I want to do. While that renders on my Desktop I will keep working on the TAO:AM projects. I would like to have these complete by Kumoricon IF I can get enough time with my crazy work schedule.

-Brad

 

Okay I got it to render Med Quality. No multipass. What I want to do is change the speed of the cancan action to fit in with the music. I am also attaching the PRJ file for reference. Also any advice on the Strobe effect at the beginning and the fade at the end would be greatly appreciated. Also if there is a way to make Rabbit's eyes not glow in the dark that would be appreciated.

CanCan___Long_Example.mov

CanCan.prj

[JohnWayne]

Name: John W. Cote

Exercise: 2

Date Started: August 4, 2008

Date Completed: August 6, 2008

Instructors: the A:M Community at the moment, TinCan back in the day.

Rendered as Quicktime .MOV in H.264 Format

 

One thing I noticed is in my final animation the Stage didn't have the rippled curtain effect like so many other peoples did, I'm wondering why? Cut backs at Muppet theater?

 

John

 

Exercise2__JohnWayne_8_6_08_H.264.mov

[Rodney]

One thing I noticed is in my final animation the Stage didn't have the rippled curtain effect like so many other peoples did, I'm wondering why? Cut backs at Muppet theater?

 

Several years ago, it was noticed that rendering with the rippled curtains and the material that gave it the fine texture was taking an enormous amount of time to render. As the objective of the exercise wasn't rendering or texturing a decision was made to drop the fancy curtains.

 

(I may be wrong on this... but... I think that was the case)

 

Congrats on rolling out Exercise 2.

Those three sure can can can!

 

Did you notice the passthrough with the Knight's knee?

You don't have to fix it... the most important thing with this early exercise is to see it.

 

Rodney

[JohnWayne]

Hey Rodney,

 

Thank you for the critique. I hadn't noticed that. On second review, the Knight's knees do jam up into his chest, needs some of the Tin Man's oil I guess. I'm sure that will be explained later on in a lesson. Hopefully before I have to make him throw a pitch. Well, on to posing Rabbit for Lesson 3.

 

John

[jbooker]

Here's number2... I tried to equall out their heights by adding a prop..

Thanks,

John

 

Can_Can.mov

[Rodney]

You've got imagination John.

That'll continue to serve you well through these exercises and beyond.

 

Jolly good.

[TheSpleen]

I cannot seem to get my video's on here

and could use advice for that. anyway here is my lesson 2 on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07ZJybkJEbs

[Caroline]

Congrats on starting!

 

To upload movies here, you will have to investigate the Advanced Render Settings (when you click render make sure Advanced is ticked).

 

In your first exercise, the sky rendered black - under Output > Buffers, Alpha is turned ON. Just turn this off, and you will get a blue sky.

 

To render to .mov, the preferred format here, change format to .mov, then click the arrow next to format and click Set. Change the compression type to Sorenson Video 3, and medium quality. If you don't have Sorenson, then try mpeg4. These should render more compressed and make your files small enough to upload.

[TheSpleen]

Congrats on starting!

 

To upload movies here, you will have to investigate the Advanced Render Settings (when you click render make sure Advanced is ticked).

 

In your first exercise, the sky rendered black - under Output > Buffers, Alpha is turned ON. Just turn this off, and you will get a blue sky.

 

To render to .mov, the preferred format here, change format to .mov, then click the arrow next to format and click Set. Change the compression type to Sorenson Video 3, and medium quality. If you don't have Sorenson, then try mpeg4. These should render more compressed and make your files small enough to upload.

Thank you!

a blue sky will help alot!

[number]

Name: Tim Roberts

 

Exercise Completed: Exercise 2

 

Date Completed: Sep 27, 2008

 

Instructor: Manual, forum

 

Comments: Just getting warmed here. Nice going through the action cycle again.

 

exercise_2_final.mov

[Rodney]

Just getting warmed here.

 

A textbook Exercise 2 if I ever saw one Tim!

[J90]

Name: Jerome

Exercise: 2

Date Started: 11 Nov 08

Date Completed: 11 Nov 08

Instructors: Manual

Remarks/Suggestions for Improvement: NONE

chorusline.mov

[robcat2075]

Name: Jerome

Exercise: 2

Date Started: 11 Nov 08

Date Completed: 11 Nov 08

 

Look like you got that one working!

 

Didn't there used to be curtains in the back of the stage for that one?

 

Welcome to A:M!

[J90]

Thanks Robert.

Yes there was curtains but now it is a flat plane.

Rodney says why it is no longer that way here:

http://www.hash.com/forums/index.php?showt...388&st=333#

 

Post # 333

This link brings me to post 331 not 333.

[Gaijin]

Episode 2 of Gaijin's slow decent into Animation Insanity ....

 

... presenting the Can Can Can't ....

 

E1___CanCanCan__t.mov

[Rodney]

Who is gonna tell him he can't can can... you can. I can't.

[Gaijin]

Heh. I wasn't able to take the time and fix the left Shaggy's blend between dance and wave because the big lug in the middle got tired of doing so many takes ...

[TNT]

Moving along!

 

Here is Exrecise 2: Chorus Line

 

 

Ex2.mov

[Rodney]

Hear ye. Hear ye.

 

All present are invited to the exclusive premier of six of one and half dozen of another ... the debut of an instant classic in poultry related product unlike any other ... a feast of feasts from the one true king of the cancan:

 

'All Egg Row' - a short but enthusically eggciting film brought straight to you from out of the underworld of Orpheus by Alan Orcutt

 

Proof positive that those who can cancan, can really cancan!

[Rob_T]

Lesson 2 is complete. 40 seconds per frame for full frame rendered AVI? Is that normal? This four second vid took almost 45 minutes to render. 56 MB for four seconds too. Wow. LOL.

 

Anyway, if you watch the vid you will see that I didn't use the rabbit, knight and ... Pink Panther looking thing. Instead I just rooted around in the extras disc I got when I made the purchase and found three different models that worked with the can can motion preset (many models did not work with that preset, some shook thier heads left and right, other did simply nothing which was disappointing because I really wanted to see the giant robot do the can can).

 

You will also notice that the stage and background look slightly different from the examples in the manual and there are no shadows. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.

 

Here it is.