Suggest new topics for Anzovin CDs

[anzovin]

We're looking for new topics for upcoming Anzovin training CDs, and we'd like to hear what you all would like to see. Please suggest topics that you think would be valuable, but that do not directly compete with Hash's Siggraph tutes. For example, we might consider doing a CD on hair and fur, but only if the content was very different from that of the Siggraph tute on the same subject.

 

And if you feel you are competent to author an expert-level video tutorial of 2 to 4 hours, please get in touch with me at steve@anzovin.com.

 

Steve

Anzovin Studio

[D.Joseph Design]

There isn't really a tutorial dedicated to animating with A:M. Topics you could cover:

 

• Timeline

• Actions

• Blending actions

• Keyframes

• Walking, running, and other cycles

• Bone movements

• Timing

• Syncronizing with audio

• Lipsync

• Rendering

• And probably more things along these lines

[PixelDust]

I agree with D. Joseph here. Yes, there is the Jeff Lew DVD, but we could always use more info on animation.

 

Also, I'd like to see more info about rigging and how to use constraints. Raf once said in a review that A:M's constraints are its "crown jewels". There just isn't a whole lot of info out there about how, when, and why to use them.

 

It could start out with the basics, then go on to show how to create a rig, and then more advanced examples like characters interacting with objects and with other characters; surface and dynamic constraints and how to use them, etc.

 

I think you once had a VHS tape on using them, but it's out of print now.

[strohbehn]

Hi D. Joseph and Pixeldust,

 

>"There isn't really a tutorial dedicated to animating with A:M."

 

Go to the Anzovin store and read the descriptions of their current training CD's. Almost everything you mentioned is covered (sometimes briefly) on the CD's already. From what I can recall (please check to make sure), here's a breakdown:

 

• Timeline - A:M Quickstart2, A:M Nonlinear Animation, Animate a Face, Secrets of A:M 2003

• Actions - A:M Nonlinear Animation, A:M Quickstart2

• Blending actions - A:M Nonlinear Animation

• Keyframes - A:M Quickstart2, Animate a Face, maybe others (can't remember)

• Walking, running, and other cycles

• Bone movements - A:M Quickstart2

• Timing - A:M Nonlinear Animation

• Syncronizing with audio

• Lipsync - Animate a Face (almost entirely devoted to lipsync)

• Rendering - A:M Mastering Materials, A:M Quickstart2

 

>"Also, I'd like to see more info about rigging and how to use constraints". And, "more advanced examples like characters interacting with objects and with other characters; surface and dynamic constraints and how to use them, etc. "

 

These are good suggestions.

 

>"we might consider doing a CD on hair and fur".

Sounds good.

 

These training CD's have been a huge help for me.

[CreativeAustinYankee]

Are you still considering covering Expressions?

[anzovin]

Here are titles we currently have in various stages of production:

 

AM in Live Action--due this year

 

Using The Setup Machine--extensive tutes on rigging and animating with TSM2--early next year

 

Character Animation--2 CD set covering the principles and techniques of animation in A:M. A mix of live video and screen capture. Due in late spring.

 

Making a Short in A:M--How our upcoming short film The Duel was created, from storyboard to final render. A mix of live viddeo and screen capture. Due late spring.

 

We are actively looking for new authors who can give expert tutorials on other aspects of A:M. Possible topics might include:

--Creating Cartoon Characters

--Creating Anime Characters

--Mechanical Modeling

--AM Effects and Dynamics

--AM in Game Development

--Fur, Hair, and Feathers

 

Which of the above would you like to see? Any other ideas?

 

Steve

Anzovin Studio

[D.Joseph Design]

Personally, I want to learn more about A:M's special effects like fur, feathers, hair, particles, dynamics, and expressions (which may not be a special effect, but that just proves I know nothing about expressions).

[PixelDust]

Again, I gotta agree with D. Joseph - Fur, feathers, hair, particles, effects and dynamics sound good to me! Maybe mechanical modeling, too (gotta have props, y'know).

 

Oh, and congrats on the new short film!

[pdaley]

Not thinking hard enough to know if this was already done...

 

How about getting Bill to show us how to model a body now that we've all got his head modeled perfectly?

[Bill_Y]

Egads... we don't want to frighten people off by modeling my gut...

[Christopher Mackay]

I'll second PDaley's request for a body-modeling tutorial.

[Nosferatu]

I second the motion on mechanical modeling.

 

I also think it would be a great idea to have an "A:M Training Course" set of Cds. This series would start at the very beginning (explanation of splines and how to create them) and would go on to help the student to learn the features of A:M in an organized, SYSTEMATIC way.

 

When I first started with A:M I was extremely frustrated with having to cull information from scattered tutorials wherever I could find them. Of course the mailing list was a great resource, but a training course in the basic workings of A:M would have been invaluable.

 

Although it would be initially geared toward beginners, as the series developed it would cover more advanced concepts and would therefore appeal even to the intermediate and advanced of us.

 

If you make 'em, I'll buy 'em; I promise you that!

[pdaley]

No one said you needed to attach your own body to your virtual head .

 

Follow me here. There are a many accepted approaches to modeling a believable body. I bought and finished the cog tutorial. Inside, Mike explains how cogs really work well with a certain style of modeling that more or less follows a grid pattern focsing on getting 3 cross-sections of splinage around your joints. This works well, but left me wanting more when it came to details, especially female figures. Their bodies don't like to fit into grid pattern normally.

 

So, I would add splinage to make up for it.

 

Then I got to see Den's models for the new CD. He has every nook and cranny you'd ever need for a human character and VERY lean splinage. Look at JoeW's hunter. Also pretty lean.

 

So now, me head be spinning.

 

I guess I liked the level of detail acheived with the face video. I'd like to see how you take that methodology and apply it to a body.

[Pengy]

While this isn't a suggestion for a new tutorial, how about bringing some of the old ones into the newer versions. Like update the Rigging a face tut with the new ideas that the guys have come up with.