CompuServe Messages

>What, exactly, is the advantage of using Bones with a human model when >animating vs. IK'g the model without it? Bones Pro is not exclusive of IK — you can (and probably want to, in this case) use both. Remember, IK "just" allows the computer to solve for complicated animation movements that would be difficult for you to set up manually. There are many good examples (most by Jonas) posted here on the board to give you an idea of the power. But IK won't smooth joins between objects that bend. If you look at the IK dino that comes with R4, you'll see that the arms, legs etc. are split into various objects. When these move the illusion of reality is lost because the objects don't share a common "skin". By having one object for a limb, when it bends the material mapped to it bends also, thus appearing realistic. Instead of having the objects linked and using IK on them, you'll have bones inside your limbs and link them and use IK on them. Then, as they move, the mesh will deform around them. >What are the differences between Bones Pro and Munkeby's Bones (keeping in >mind that I sent Joe my $50 2 weeks ago)? I tried using Bones (shareware) and, while a nice idea (and I agree with you about shareware) Bones Pro is superior in every way. First of all, you assign it with Attributes and thus there's really only one step (beyond creating the bones, of course). Bones, as you're aware of, requires three separate steps just to work. Then, as M.G. mentions, there is the use of morph targets with Bones. Bones Pro works by just moving the bones and renders the movement on the fly. Bones Pro works with IK as a result, which is a significant advantage (using IK with Bones to me brings character animation within the reach of all of us). Finally, Bones Pro allows to modify parameters (as M.G. mentions, you can see the results as you do this) to achieve effects, such as breathing and muscular movement, that would be difficult if not impossible with Bones. Even if I had paid Joe, I'd buy Bones Pro — I never got Bones to do even close to what I wanted in three days of experimentation, and I had Bones Pro animating my dinosaur in about fifteen minutes.