jlittle (4/11/2020)

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Here is the complete list of sounds.

nealtucker (4/12/2020)

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I use EDWARD Foleyart,  $79.00 and I just looked at walker and I would say Edward was a bit better bet in my opinion, you have the usual walk stop, heal stuff PLUS, scuffs, turns, landing jumps, fast walk, slow walk and creep so you can mix and match all the keys for a lot of variety very quickly.
I think it's worth a look for anyone interested,  Oh and it runs in the Kontakt player. and there may be a COVID discount as well.
https://tovusound.com/shop/edward-foley-artist-instrument/

toystorylab (4/13/2020)

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The only enoying thing is you can't scale those "Instrument" windows as desired...

toystorylab (4/11/2020)

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Today I took the plunge and bought "Walker" ;)
It's a real cool thingee...
By the way UVI has easter sales, I paid 109,- € instead of 149,- €
I always wanted such a thing after seeing this 2 years ago:
https://www.boomlibrary.com/sound-effects/virtual-foley-artist-footsteps/
199,- and you need Kontakt 6, another 400,-... :pinch:
Yesterday I looked at this again, hm, consider, think twice,...
Searched for alternatives and found WALKER ;)
https://www.uvi.net/en/soundfx/walker.html
The UVI Workstation needed to use this is free, so I only payed 109,- € for a footstep maker...
Though additional you will need a recorder, which I already had; I use Cubase LE...



No video to show yet, but if someone sees this in the next 2 days, remember EASTER sales!

So, my question is: anybody else using WALKER?

AlbinosGambit (4/14/2020)

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I never heard of this walker either.
What's your opinion of it, do we need and is it worth the steep price? Also, does it make the process any easier?

AlbinosGambit (4/14/2020)

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I never heard of this walker either.
What's your opinion of it, do we need and is it worth the steep price? Also, does it make the process any easier?

toystorylab (4/14/2020)

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Well, it is definitely way easier to get nice footsteps sound in your movies and you get huge libraries,
so, much more versatile in what you can use.

There are free footstep audio files (here are quite a lot):

http://eng.universal-soundbank.com/soundeffects-footsteps.htm

https://freesound.org/search/?q=footsteps

I used them for years, but you won't get results so fast and so varied...

jlittle (4/14/2020)

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It's a Sound library for footstep sounds and has nothing directly to do with iClone animation other than providing foley sounds.

Jeff

AlbinosGambit (4/16/2020)

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Can it be used for something else?

AlbinosGambit (4/16/2020)

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Would have been nice to have something implemented with iClone:-)

AlbinosGambit (4/16/2020)

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understand its a sound library, but only for footsteps right? It sounds very expensive just for this function, or what do you guys think, is it worth it?

AlbinosGambit (4/16/2020)

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I understand its a sound library, but only for footsteps right?

AlbinosGambit (4/16/2020)

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It sounds very expensive just for this function, or what do you guys think, is it worth it?

@ jlittle

AlbinosGambit (4/16/2020)

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May I ask what setup do you use for your production?

animagic (4/17/2020)

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These was an interesting topic, although it has cost me some money.

jlittle (4/17/2020)

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OS: Win 10 Pro
Computer: Digital Storm
CPU: 8 core i9-9900K @3.6Ghz
Memory: 32 GB (soon to be expanded)
Motherboard: ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-H

• System: 1 TB SSD
• Music Libraries: 4TB (over half full)
• Export Drive: 3TB x2 striped (5.5TB total)
• Misc. Data: 2TB
• Additional network drives

AlbinosGambit (4/17/2020)

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I was really thinking more of the setup, like basic, advanced or advanced +?
What software do you use in your production?

animagic (4/17/2020)

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I have something similar with different products (spread out over a few PCs), but what happened was that I initially was keen on composing music for my own animations because I did music long before starting with animation. Then animation slowly took over and now the music composition has more or less vanished although I do have the setup for it. So it goes... 

jlittle (4/17/2020)

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BASIC
The BASIC workflow is the most simplistic in that all you need is pretty much an animation program, be it 2D (Cartoon Animator) or 3D (iClone). Dialog can be recorded or created by Speech-To-Text programs with SFX and Music coming from any of the many free sound (freesound.org, soundsnap.com. etc.) and music (free-stock-music.com, freeplaymusic.com, etc.) sites available.
If audio editing is needed then the free Audacity audio software can be used.
For characters and sets one would use the Reallusion and/or DAZ markets.

ADVANCED
In an Advanced workflow you add an video NLE which you use to compose your final product.
With an NLE you use it to add all your dialog, SFX and music with greater control than in an animation program. You would still use the dialog in the Animation program to create the mouth movement but the actual audio would be added in the NLE. One of the best NLE’s with advanced features is DaVinci Resolve. There are other free video editors but offer a more basic set of controls.

ADVANCED+
The ADVANCED+ workflow would be used if you plan on creating your own music and/or advanced SFX. Here you add an MCS such as CuBase,  Pro Tools, Reaper, etc. and import you video file (and optionally the dialog and SFX audio) and create and sync your music and SFX to the video in the MCS. You then export the MCS audio out and import it into your NLE to create the final product.
NOTE: If you look at any of the free MCS programs make sure it has the ability to import video files else you won’t be able to sync your music to the video very well. You would just be creating music stems and trying to sync then in the NLE as you would using music from a free site or such.

Also, for any of the workflows there are always sets and props. Usually you can find something already made in the RL and DAZ markets or some from Sketchup and other 3D modeling sites.
Usually 3DXChage is required for some of those (especially Sketchup) so is an added expense. If you are into creating your own props then Blender (it's free) is good for that.

Your workflow will depend upon what you want to accomplish and how much work you want to put into it which also determines which programs you will use/need.

What I have:

• iClone Pipeline (+ most of the add-ons)
• 3DXChange Pipeline
• CC3
• Blender

ANIMATION 2D

• Cartoon Animator 4 Pipeline (+add-ons)
• CrazyTalk 8 Pipeline

PHOTO & DRAWING

• Affinity Designer
• Affinity Photo
• DrawPlus X8
• Gimp
• Filter Forge
• Topaz
• 3D Coat
• Substance Designer
• Substance Painter

SOUND

• CuBase
• Kontakt (Full)
• A bazillion sound libraries
• Adobe Audition (V1.0)
• Audacity
• Various iZotope Tools

VIDEO

• DaVinci Resolve
• HitFilm Pro

STORY BOARDING

• Celtx
• Causality

MISC

• BluffTitler
• FlowScape
• Marvelous Designer

I also have a bunch of other programs I hardly use but have just in case they are needed and what I use would depend on the project and it’s needs.

Jeff

AlbinosGambit (4/17/2020)

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Do you use BASIC, ADVANCED, or ADVANCED+?

You say you have iClone Pipeline? what do you mean by that? I have iClone 7, 3DXchange Pro and CC3 Pipeline.

I am just a NOOB, and my dream is to one day create "ToyStory" like animation movies, Realistic like animated movies, or Chess Animations for my Chess Tutorials Chess Courses. Is it really possible to create realistic like animation movies just with iClone?

As a beginner, I am not sure what I need, Do I have to buy this or that content, should I not etc... So not so easy to know anything I am just stumbling in the dark and feel overwhelmed by everything.
Many have told me that the only thing you need to start with is iClone, CC3 and 3DXchange to get started. At first I really wanted just to use UE4 with Quixel, but I changed my mind and purchased RL software because it seemed so much easier, now I feel its really not so easy and no clear path how to learn it.

Then just try to learn everything the software has to offer, then start simple projects like camera, lights, keyframing, etc. So, I watch a lot of tutorials, try to learn and test everything I can, but really I just want to start animating a movie he he... If I have ideas like creating a Toy Story like animation film, should I just start to try do it? I do not want to buy to much content, but what I really need to buy for my Toy Story like movie and do not find any content, then I have to create it on my own, but I do not know how to.

What's the easiest and cheapest software to create my own 3D models? I have been trying out Blender, but feel it so advanced and not so easy to learn. Hmm...

By the way, FlowScape is really a nice software. I have been impressed by what it can produce! May I ask, what you use it for ? Can it be used with iClone in any way?

@ jlittle (4/17/2020)

The first step is learning the tools. Create small projects at first. Have each project highlight a couple of features to learn. Don't try to do everything at once. Learn each aspect of the tool one or two at a time.
Look at first learning how to apply motions to a character (using a stock character) and merge the motions then customize them. That in itself is enough to worry about before using lighting techniques, scenes and props. Once you get the basics of that down move on to character interaction with props. Pick up a prop, drop it, throw it, etc. Then move on to terrain and scene construction.
There is so much to iClone that it can be overwhelming and confusing.  Take a piece at a time and learn it.

Mostly just playing with for the moment but have plans down the road to use it for backgrounds in the future. You can't import it into iClone but can use it as backgrounds, either still or video.

AlbinosGambit (4/17/2020)

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By the way, do you have a long time experience working with animation and iClone?

If I have some questions, may I ask you for advice on what I should be learning next and so fort? It seems to me like you are THE WIZE YODA guy to ask for guidance:):D

So for now, I should start with:

This is how you started out to learn?

I would appreciate some more detailed advice on what I should be learning, what order and so forth because there is really no guide to what I should be learning..

Regarding Flowscape you say:

Do you know how to use it as stills or video? Doesn't flowscape allow export? What can we use it for? It creates some stunning visuals!

argus1000 (4/17/2020)

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I bought the Edward Foleyhart for $79 and it was the most difficult program to install ever for me,
so much so that I gave up and had to ask for a refund (why don't they have a trial period?).
What I am really looking for though is a program that can make all kinds of foley or sound effects and is reasonably priced.

jlittle (4/17/2020)

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I was into music long before animation also (and other things) but there doesn't seem to be time for all of it.
Like you, I'm hoping to create my own music for my animations. We'll see...

argus1000 (4/18/2020)

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Thank you for the  procedure, toystorylab.

@]jlittle (4/18/2020)
Hi Jeff.

So you do have a great deal of experience and to me, your advice seems so wise and sound, so that's why I named you Wize Yoda :-) anyway, I will ask the forum here if I am stuck at something and thanks for taking the time!

When you say start with animation first, thats a wide concept no?
I looked at the manual from RL, first it writes about the Knowing the environment, main menu, docking areas, 3D realtime viewer, system requirements, visual enhancements, performance notes, project, #d Character generation, Digital Human shader... 

Then comes 3D Character Animation and it has a section with "Body Animation" thats divided into:
HIK Motion Layer Editing
Human IK Reaching Targets
Body Puppeteering
Direct Puppeteering
MixMove
Body Mocap
Motion Modifier


So I started to look at:
HIK Motion Layer Editing

Its divided into_

Introducing Edit Motion Layer Panel

Producing Custom Pose or Key-frame Motions

Layering Motion Layer Keys to Existing Motions

Setting Default Keys and Resetting Motion Layer Keys

Creating Custom Default Pose

Fixing G3 Motions for G5 Character

Locking Bones

Animating Hand Gestures

Fine Tuning Actor with IK, FK

What is IK / FK

How to Use IK

How to Use FK

IK, FK for Actors or Extend Bones

So, I also started to look at the first part of HIK Motion Layer Editing ----> Producing Custom Pose or Key-frame Motions

Is it good to start here? and taking it one by one chronologically? I could not find any good tutorials of HIK Motion Layer Editing

Anyone who knows?

jlittle (4/19/2020)

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@AlbinosGambit
I think the example video slowed down the motion so that it could been seen clearly.
You have three keyframes: one at 0, 10 and 20.
The closer together they are the faster the character moves between positions.
Move them farther apart and it will slow the motion down.

The character will move from the position at 0 to the position at 10 moving each body part to obtain the new position automatically (tweening).
If the foot position is moved or different in each keyframe then you will get foot sliding.
Try keeping one foot (the left foot in this case) in the same position for each keyframe.

Jeff

jlittle (4/20/2020)

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@AlbinosGambit
In frame 0 the character is standing with his arms at his side, not a T-Pose.
Ah, if you notice, the video provided in the example only runs from frame 10 to frame 20 since the pose at frame 0 is not shown.
The video is also shown in slow motion so that you can see the transition from the pose at frame 10 to that at frame 20 which is also onion skinned in the still image.

Do you not get the same/similar transition from frame 10 to frame 20?

Jeff

4u2ges (4/20/2020)

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Enable Foot Contact for the character. That would cutback some of the sliding.
Here is I put together a quick demo based on the sample +. That might give you some ideas.

animagic (4/20/2020)

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No matter... I'm revising my comment to say that it would make more sense to have the initial pose at frame '0".

4u2ges (4/20/2020)

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Enable Foot Contact for the character. That would cutback some of the sliding.
Here is I put together a quick demo based on the sample +. That might give you some ideas.

4u2ges (4/28/2020)

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I tried so many many hours following the example from the manual, replicating the example but impossible it feels.

Can you show what you came up with and the timeline for it? Even it's *bad*...

4u2ges (4/28/2020)

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I tried so many many hours following the example from the manual, replicating the example but impossible it feels.

Can you show what you came up with and the timeline for it? Even it's *bad*...

4u2ges (4/28/2020)

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lol, sorry (could not resist) :w00t:

First of all, take a look at the initial Chucks' pose. Unless you have iron toes, you would never be able to pull this stunt.
So before you begin moving forward animating next pose, make sure the current pose looks natural. This would save you a lot of trouble up ahead.
Rest his right foot firmly on the ground without bending toe, move torso slightly forward.
Switch to Orthogonal camera view. Use A, S, D, F, G keys to observe an avatar from all sides. Again, make sure all bones are posed natural, specially torso.
On the next key begin with torso. Move it forward until his right leg is almost straight. But do NOT overstretch! This would cause feet sliding.
Next, move his left feet into position, rotate until parallel to the ground and level it by Z. Do not push too much to the ground.
When Foot contact is enabled, pushing it down too much would deform torso.
Observe from all sides and workout upper body and arms (I would use FK mode for upper body as it does not affect lower parts).
Note: Small feet sliding would still occur. Try fixing it in between keys, but ONLY after you settled and happy with the last key pose.

I am working on a motion ruler tool, which would help in fixing feet slide and in general assist in making precise walk loops, etc... Will post the tool as I am done with it.

4u2ges (4/28/2020)

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lol, sorry (could not resist) :w00t:

First of all, take a look at the initial Chucks' pose. Unless you have iron toes, you would never be able to pull this stunt.
So before you begin moving forward animating next pose, make sure the current pose looks natural. This would save you a lot of trouble up ahead.
Rest his right foot firmly on the ground without bending toe, move torso slightly forward.
Switch to Orthogonal camera view. Use A, S, D, F, G keys to observe an avatar from all sides. Again, make sure all bones are posed natural, specially torso.
On the next key begin with torso. Move it forward until his right leg is almost straight. But do NOT overstretch! This would cause feet sliding.
Next, move his left feet into position, rotate until parallel to the ground and level it by Z. Do not push too much to the ground.
When Foot contact is enabled, pushing it down too much would deform torso.
Observe from all sides and workout upper body and arms (I would use FK mode for upper body as it does not affect lower parts).
Note: Small feet sliding would still occur. Try fixing it in between keys, but ONLY after you settled and happy with the last key pose.

I am working on a motion ruler tool, which would help in fixing feet slide and in general assist in making precise walk loops, etc... Will post the tool as I am done with it.

4u2ges (4/28/2020)

---

lol, sorry (could not resist) :w00t:

First of all, take a look at the initial Chucks' pose. Unless you have iron toes, you would never be able to pull this stunt.
So before you begin moving forward animating next pose, make sure the current pose looks natural. This would save you a lot of trouble up ahead.
Rest his right foot firmly on the ground without bending toe, move torso slightly forward.
Switch to Orthogonal camera view. Use A, S, D, F, G keys to observe an avatar from all sides. Again, make sure all bones are posed natural, specially torso.
On the next key begin with torso. Move it forward until his right leg is almost straight. But do NOT overstretch! This would cause feet sliding.
Next, move his left feet into position, rotate until parallel to the ground and level it by Z. Do not push too much to the ground.
When Foot contact is enabled, pushing it down too much would deform torso.
Observe from all sides and workout upper body and arms (I would use FK mode for upper body as it does not affect lower parts).
Note: Small feet sliding would still occur. Try fixing it in between keys, but ONLY after you settled and happy with the last key pose.

I am working on a motion ruler tool, which would help in fixing feet slide and in general assist in making precise walk loops, etc... Will post the tool as I am done with it.