Graphics/animation programs?

[Barry_Green]

Hi all,

Hey, I don't know if something like this even exists, but I thought I'd ask.

Is there any sort of graphics/animation program that would let a total non-artist like me be able to add some animated effects to my shows, like -- oh, like bugging-out cartoon eyeballs, or making a guy flick out a tongue like a frog, etc?

I can't draw. I couldn't draw water from a well. I couldn't draw blood if I cut you with a knife. I'm looking for some sort of program that would let me do Monty Python-style stuff -- like, I could pull a frame in and chop a dude's head in half with Photoshop and rotate it open (so he'd have a big gaping open mouth) but I'm looking for something that'd let me then have him flick out a frog tongue and eat a butterfly or something. So some pre-made cheesy clip-art-style effects, maybe in 3D so they could be re-sized, etc...

Anything like that exist at all? I know there's stuff like AlamDV or Particle Illusions for explosions and things, I'm just looking for more biological stuff -- big eyes, flicking tongues, oversized ears, that kind of stuff.

Thanks!

[frank]

Nothing off the shelf can do what you ask for at the push of a button. I can only tell you how I'd approach these tasks.
1. You need a 3d program to create your mesh or model of eyeballs, or tongue, ears etc...
2. You need a compositing program to add your 3d biological object to your background plate.

But for your purposes where you want to distort and stretch and exaggerate some visual footage in an odd way, like making the eyes suddenly "pop" out and face smear around and distort, I remember a program called Kai's Super Goo which was a plugin inside Photoshop. It actually took a still image, you applied the changes to the face, and it rendered out an .avi that stretched and distorted people's faces simmilar to a cartoon or caricature. This might be what you're after but it wont give you the finesse of step 1 and 2 above. Not sure if it's still made but I know it was easy to play with for a total non-artist or beginner...

http://www.scansoft.com/supergoo/

Good Luck

[Barry_Green]

Hey, thanks for taking the time to answer! I didn't think something like that existed, but I figured, hey, you gotta ask...

Goo looks like it might be handy, and according to that link it's only $20, so I might just go ahead and pick it up.

Thanks!

[Zoomforce]

cool looks like a standalone program now.. fricken a... thaks frank Im gonna pick it up too.

[Neil Rowe]

..ive got kai's super goo. its not really a great 3d effect app, but if you spend some time on a project you can get acceptable wacky results. Ive never used it for anything serious (just havent had the need-desire yet) but somtimes i have fun just messing with a picture. id say for 20.00 its worth having even if just to play with for a while! you can make some pretty hilarious or interesting stuff.

[GoldenDVX]

Also, take a look at alamdv
www.fxhome.com
it's one of the best 3d progs for the notknowwhatyourdoing type of guy, with hundreds of effects that you can dl , made by other alamdv users. Also check out their cinema section, lots of DVX users :)

[Barry_Green]

Okay, I just looked through the user-created plug-in list, and it looks like AlamDV is the bomb!

[David Jimerson]

I use ScanSoft products at work for PDF creation and OCR functions, and they're crap. That alone would probably drive me away.

[David Jimerson]

Wow, AlamDV DOES look pretty frickin' wicked.

[24Peter]

Barry - If I recall you edit with Vegas. I vaguely remember some compatibility issue between files rendered in AlamDV and Vegas. Could be wrong but you may want to check it out. Also, what about Maya to do what you want to do?

[Jive]

Hmmm, I may be wrong, but I don't think AlamDV is a 3D app. Perhaps some of the plugins can do simulated 3D effects. I'll have to look into that.

[Barry_Green]

Barry - If I recall you edit with Vegas. I vaguely remember some compatibility issue between files rendered in AlamDV and Vegas. Could be wrong but you may want to check it out. Also, what about Maya to do what you want to do?

Whoa -- thanks for the heads-up! yes, I'm definitely a Vegas user, so I'll have to check in to compatibility issues.

Maya looks very interesting too. I'll have to check that out. Thanks!

[Taylor Moore]

Steve, What do you think the best book for Maya is or DVD course?

[kai]

Maya is by far the winner of 3D apps for me, having used it since it was only available on Irix boxes. However, I agree with Steve that Lightwave is your better bet. I find myself using LW much more than maya. (That and I don't want to switch to that dang 3 button mouse all the time).

Lightwave is extremely powerful, has an incredible radiosity rendering engine- (plus Fur/hair etc), particle effects are great, etc. It's very high on the bang-for-the-buck scale vs. maya. Maya is a high-end seat (shoot it even has it's own scripting language -MEL-), but in the right hands, LW can do just as well for MUCH lower on the dinero scale...

[kai]

... allthough if you want to check Maya out, there's a free "learning' version:

http://www.alias.com/eng/products-services/maya/maya_ple/index.shtml

[Taylor Moore]

I still own 2 post-secondary schools, so I have an edu version of both Maya and Max...I'm pretty good in Max, but Maya is such a monster to learn... ::)

[kai]

yeah it is. Which schools you own? I went to Full Sail down in Orlando awhile back.

[Taylor Moore]

www.newmediacampus.com
Sold them to my business partner last May.

[Taylor Moore]

I have been looking at the Gnomon DVD series...how legible is the screen capture on these...DVDs. As I know screencap is killer when running Maya and Camtasia at the same time...

Thanx Steve

[Taylor Moore]

This is great news Steve...really appreciate it. I will put my order in.

[THiNSPiRiT]

If you're looking to do something with the monty python style, macromedia flash is pretty good for that sort of thing.

Maya's nice... but frickin hard... I prefer 3d studio max's environment for some reason. Lightwave has superiour luminosity and the radiosity for it is infinitely better without a plugin for 3d studio max.

[Taylor Moore]

Any news on the AlamDV compatibility problem with Vegas files...also haven't downloaded it but wanted to know how people find it to do efx with?

[Taylor Moore]

Hey Steve,
I am going to buy the 1st bundle of the Gnomon DVD series...
I can't handle manuals any more. :o I going to LA in the next month so i will drop in an pick them up at there school.
I don't think the new Gnomon DVD's have much on the Final Gathering renderer, I'll just have to call in some favours.

Thanx Again

[Taylor Moore]

Good point...ebay does have some on there being the full dynamic set but only 1 Level 2 poly modelling.
I think the dynamics might be a liitle hard on my head...although I will be mainly using Maya for effects element to be composited.

[nullphonic]

(Question and info) Has anyone ever used any of the ZaxWerks software? Their software is pushed as the "Non-3D-artists tool" for 3D work in several reviews.

ProAnimator, Invigorator Pro?
http://www.zaxwerks.com/

You may already be aware of these...

Also, great source (in the past anyway) of stock / ready- to-go 3D models (free and libs)...
http://www.3dcafestore.com/

THE human (facial especially) 3d modeler (very easy to use): Poser 5.0
http://www.curiouslabs.com/

Exteriors and outstanding landscapes (mountains oceans, etc, painfully easy to use with fantastic looking exterior scenery): Bryce 4.0
http://newgraphics.corel.com/products/bryce4.html

Bryce and Poser export to 3DMAX formats which should be supported most (if not all if they want to sell their product at all). I've seen lots of work done by people with absolutely no 3D skill (and no desire to aquire it) and it looked fantastic.

Update: It looks as is 3dcafe has gone to sales only but they have lots a library CDs with everything from buildings, furniture, cars to flowers and insects. There's a VIP section (subscription) that apparently contains all of the former "free" models.

[BLWolf]

I'm not sure how well it will suit your needs, but you can always check out Blender at:

www.blender3d.org

One of the great things about Blender is that it is FREE, so it might be worth a look for you.



BLWolf

[Lobotany Pictures]

(Question and info) Has anyone ever used any of the ZaxWerks software? Their software is pushed as the "Non-3D-artists tool" for 3D work in several reviews.

ProAnimator, Invigorator Pro?
http://www.zaxwerks.com/

You may already be aware of these...

Also, great source (in the past anyway) of stock / ready- to-go 3D models (free and libs)...
http://www.3dcafestore.com/

THE human (facial especially) 3d modeler (very easy to use): Poser 5.0
http://www.curiouslabs.com/

Exteriors and outstanding landscapes (mountains oceans, etc, painfully easy to use with fantastic looking exterior scenery): Bryce 4.0
http://newgraphics.corel.com/products/bryce4.html

Bryce and Poser export to 3DMAX formats which should be supported most (if not all if they want to sell their product at all). I've seen lots of work done by people with absolutely no 3D skill (and no desire to aquire it) and it looked fantastic.

Update: It looks as is 3dcafe has gone to sales only but they have lots a library CDs with everything from buildings, furniture, cars to flowers and insects. There's a VIP section (subscription) that apparently contains all of the former "free" models.

I have used ProAnimator quite extensively and am very happy with it. It works great for commercials when you need to add a good pop to it. The problem is you are quite restricted to somewhat simple geometric shapes. As well, it is hard to make your animations interact with any video footage you play in the background.

I am setting up my own editing suite and am on the hunt for a good 3D program as well. I've used and like ProAnimator but am curious about other alternatives!