|
| | | Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/8/2009 4:06:19 PM
Posts: 7, Visits: 17 |
| Hi all! I just downloaded the EX version of iClone4 and have been playing with it for a couple of days...the full Pro version with tons of bonus packs is totally on my wishlist! I haven't had this much fun in a long time... But I have a couple of questions about animation, since I'm totally new to it.
How can you create an animation that changes scenes? Is there a way to build multiple "sets" and then switch cameras? I'm not really sure how to ask this, but can you set borders or boundaries to one set so it doesn't extend forever (like if you use a terrain template)? Should you not use a terrain if you do this? I think I understand the whole camera switcher pretty well, so it's just a matter of having the different sets to go to.
Also, what is the best way to build up realistic looking scene elements, like rocks and such? Is there a tool within iClone to do that, or would it be better to go through SketchUp and then import it? What about making small props for a character to hold, like swords?
One last question...I tried to create new clothes with CloneCloth, but the lower template seemed to be cut off somewhere in the midcalf region...so when I imported the design, it stretched it out and left holes right around his knees. It was kind of weird. Am I doing something wrong?
I'm so excited about this program...I really want to make a trailer for a story I wrote and have it look at least decently cool. 
Thanks in advance!
~Luth |
| |
| | | 
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 4:01:36 PM
Posts: 31, Visits: 356 |
| Hi Luth,
I think a lot of people just shoot scenes seperately, render them out and then do a lot of the editing in 3rd party software (such as Vegas, Magix or even the free Windows Movie Maker that comes with windows). This allows for shorter easier renders and more abilities inherant in the video editing software such as transitions and the like. So for a small 5 minute movie I might have 10-15 "mini" projects that I am working on. This allows me to concentrate on the little things instead of worrying about the final big thing till the end (if that makes any sense).
Having said that I think that Sprog movie and some others were fully rendered in a single project.
Regarding props, some people use Sketchup or other sources made available through 3dExchange (a must in my opinion) while others use the 3d prop objects available in Iclone to very good effect. As far as a sword, you could use anything (3d object, sketchup prop) and just attach the object to the characters hand.
Hope that helps a bit.
|
| |
| | | 
Tutor
Group: Senior Forum members
Last Login: Today @ 2:04:41 PM
Posts: 838, Visits: 3,959 |
| | Hi Luthien, Welcome to the Forum and thewonderful world of iClone Shy
|
| |
| | | 
Tutor
Group: Senior Forum members
Last Login: Today @ 4:25:50 AM
Posts: 487, Visits: 2,040 |
| luthien39 (11/2/2009)
Hi all! I just downloaded the EX version of iClone4 and have been playing with it for a couple of days...the full Pro version with tons of bonus packs is totally on my wishlist! I haven't had this much fun in a long time... But I have a couple of questions about animation, since I'm totally new to it.
How can you create an animation that changes scenes? Is there a way to build multiple "sets" and then switch cameras? I'm not really sure how to ask this, but can you set borders or boundaries to one set so it doesn't extend forever (like if you use a terrain template)? Should you not use a terrain if you do this? I think I understand the whole camera switcher pretty well, so it's just a matter of having the different sets to go to.
Also, what is the best way to build up realistic looking scene elements, like rocks and such? Is there a tool within iClone to do that, or would it be better to go through SketchUp and then import it? What about making small props for a character to hold, like swords?
One last question...I tried to create new clothes with CloneCloth, but the lower template seemed to be cut off somewhere in the midcalf region...so when I imported the design, it stretched it out and left holes right around his knees. It was kind of weird. Am I doing something wrong?
I'm so excited about this program...I really want to make a trailer for a story I wrote and have it look at least decently cool.
Thanks in advance!
~Luth
Hi Luth,
what thebiz.movies said is excellent advice. Keep your sets separated on a project per set basis. This will give you greater flexibility with memory, lighting, and bug deterrrent. If one shot fails at least you still have the others safe. Imagine having a ten minute shot finished and not being able to load it again. Ouch, believe me it hurts. Also, always save in steps. If you have a city shot called "city", called it city001, city002, etc. If you are running out of room on the harddrive, start deleting early versions but first make sure you can unload and reload your latest ones. As far as prop, 3d warehouse and 3d exchange is an excellent source, and if you cant find something there are plenty of content stores around.
good luck and welcome to the world of iclone.
Stuckon3d
"the way is in training" Miyamoto Musashi From "Book of five Rings"
Want to learn about Iclone shadows? Click here
Art gallery
The power of Iclone and Stuckon3d content video
Free introduction class for Iclone 4 |
| |
| | | Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/8/2009 4:06:19 PM
Posts: 7, Visits: 17 |
| Hi all! Thank you all so much for the welcome and the great advice! I hadn't thought about the dangers and other problems of having all the scenes in one file...that makes so much sense, and I'm so glad you guys mentioned it! Also about saving in steps...I do that with my writing, so it makes a lot of sense to do it for this too!
I successfully created a sword in Sketchup and got it into IC and attached to my character's hand! I'm really excited about that sword. Now if I could only figure out how to make it look shiny or reflective like a real sword...I tried changing the reflectivity but it didn't seem to do anything.
I just thought of another question...and now I've already forgotten. Oh well. OH! Is it possible to make spheres in SketchUp? I was trying to figure out a way and couldn't really see any tool that would make it work.
Thanks again!
~Luth |
| |
| | | 
Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 11:58:07 AM
Posts: 89, Visits: 303 |
| | Hi Luth Welcome to the forum. My motto is: Better save than sorry |
| |
| | |
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 4:01:36 PM
Posts: 31, Visits: 356 |
| | |
| | |
Tutor
Group: Senior Forum members
Last Login: Today @ 4:25:50 AM
Posts: 487, Visits: 2,040 |
|
If that tutorial is too complicated or your are not getting what you want you can also go the 3d warehouse and do a search for primitive shapes and you will find plenty of those.
Howecer, why do you need to make a sphere in sketchup, you do know that you have one inside iclone already right? under props/3d blocks i believe?
"the way is in training" Miyamoto Musashi From "Book of five Rings"
Want to learn about Iclone shadows? Click here
Art gallery
The power of Iclone and Stuckon3d content video
Free introduction class for Iclone 4 |
| |
| | | 
Tutor
Group: Senior Forum members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 6:43:10 AM
Posts: 473, Visits: 1,019 |
| | Hello Luthien, I LIKE your enthusiasm. And I like your question. That's a nice demand for a change. Firstly I wanted to see the graphics youre using for the lower clothing. That would be a help. originals and the edited perhaps. Secondly, what editing software do you use for cutting iClone's output? Also saving your projects SAVE every ten minutes. have a save set of scenesave1.ext and up to scenesave10.ext file names and just keep rolling through one to ten one to ten one to ten and if something in the scene glitches, youre always nine files in credit with only ten minutes work lost.
Patronising suggestion, but you'll kick your butt when you forget.  Regarding Sets and multiple sets in one scene, I HAVE done this. But as follows. I make forest or woodland scenes. I make the North, South, East and West view totally different and simply save this as a template if you liike.
Then I add in whatever I need and shoot at any angle I feel comfortable with. I LOVE Biosphere to bits. And time issues warrant GOOD Forestry work like in real life. Its the same. Compositionally panable and architecturally diverse means its a one set serves many. So your suggestion is as practical as you intended, just not QUITE the way you wished. (I've got to add further, as soon as you start using solid light techniques and colour / seasonal hue variations, one landset might just as well serve as fifty, I'm not kidding!) Anyway... All the other animators here are right as usual. I'm just doing a second hand fleshout. Greetings and I look forwards to your theories.
Armstrong.
CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL SIZE!
W.I.P. "Medieval Chinese Painting Exhibition" over 6 sets.
iCloneTutorials.com
No Imagination, no comment! |
| |
| | | Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/8/2009 4:06:19 PM
Posts: 7, Visits: 17 |
| Ahhh, you guys are great! Thanks again for the insight and tips.
As re: the sphere, I actually first thought of it as I was designing my sword...I was thinking something spherical (or 3D polygon or something) would be a nice pommel nut, but couldn't figure it out. So I left it bare. It also came up as I was thinking about constructing composite sets for IC, like inside a castle or something. Would it work better to have a whole model with most of the props set inside, or to add in those elements within iClone? If the first, knowing how to make 3D spheres and polygons could be useful. Thanks for the link to the tutorial...I'll check it out!
Armstrong: thanks! It's hard not to be enthusiastic! 
For the clothes, I was using a picture of a guy wearing medieval pants I found online: http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/mg-2507.jpg They look kind of nice and generic, and I figured I could use the same image for front and back (it would look about the same). I edited the picture a bit so the legs aren't as spread, to make it map to the IC image better. As to the second question, pardon the newbieness of the question, but do you mean what image editing software am I using? I was just using Paint Shop (forget what version). But when I clicked "launch" it came up with a model of what look like very short legs.
But what's even WEIRDER is that when I first was testing my design out, I put them on the Dylan CloneCloth model, and it came up with holes at the knees. Just now, I went and checked them on Trey (who was the actor I was using) and they worked!  So, I don't know what was going on there...very weird.
The forest idea is awesome. That makes a lot of sense too. I *really* want to get Biosphere...it looks amazing!
Thanks again, all!
~Luth |
| |
|
|