lightwave Anims
34 messages in this thread
I am working with and saving hi resolution renderings in Lightwave. The
manual says the files saved can not be loaded into Toaster Paint or
lightwave because of there size, 1504 X 960.
Is there any way I can load these Images so I can get them to tape? I
can't have the poor VTR sitting in pause for an hour between rendering.
Thanks for any help,
–Paul
–pt–not seattle– 😉
Paul, I'm not Lee but I play him on TV. If you are going out to tape, it's
easiest if you save the images as framestores (which is what they need to
be if they're going to tape). It sounds as if you are saving them as
images…they are two different things. If you save them as frames to your
hard drive, they will still be hi res 1504X960, but you will be able to
play them back through LW and record them. If for some strange reason you
wish to save them as IFF images at 1504X960, you would need to scale them
in ADPro (or likewise) to 752 X 480, load them into Paint and then save
them out as framestores, or encode them out to Video thru a genlock.
Sounds easier to me if you just save them as frames to begin with.
-JFG
John,
Thanks for helping out. I guess I failed to mention the way I need to get
to tape. Since I can't even afford to rent a single frame VTR, I have to
compile my frames as IFF's, then into real time animations. The price of
the Toaster has forced me to take a generator out to the dog house with me,
and NO MORE toys 🙂
Can you think of a compromise for us low-end Toasters users? Can one of
the new graphics boards help us get higher quality animations out of 24 bit
files? It seems there should be a better way than using Deluxe Paint lo res
anims. Kinda kills the original lightwave data.
Thanks again,
–Paul
Whappin' from the Wine Country
Ya might wanna try the DCTV for converting from 24 bit to DCTV format(the
DCTV pics AVg about 150K) and if ya use 3 bit planes for DCTV pics ya can
usually output to Video Tape in Realtime,I recommend the PD prg View 3.2
which can pause on first frame till ye get set to record then simply hit
the space bar to start the anim.Ya might also try using Amigavision if ya
have it or Dvideo III hope this helps ya MIDGARD GRAPHICS, CREATORS OF
QUALITY ANIMATION.
That gives me a good start, thanks Peter. That's all I needed to hear to
get me to buy DCTV. I think the DMI Resolver is going to have good page
flipping abilities if things ever get going for it.
Thanks again for the help,
–Paul
Whappin' from the Wine Country
Glad to help ya
Peter,
You might suggest Director 2 for DCTV anims…it page flips really nicely;
any Lightwave user probably has enough RAM for at least a few seconds of
anim….plus, it allows you to do transitions between frames in DCTV
mode…real nice.
Jonathan
– via Whap!
Thanx for the tip,I tried a few transitions in Amigavision with DCTV and
got GARBAGE
Peter–
Try the Director 2. It works great…and in fact, I am presently working
on a project involving the two.
Jonathan
Thanx for the tip on Director dude
I would have to say that you should look into DCTV. While I haven't used
it (I'm lucky enough to work for a company where I can single frame my
stuff toMII), I hear it works pretty well for the price. -JG
Paul,
I hope you won't mind my adding a few comments about DCTV as a means of
displaying Toaster animations. I purchased DCTV a few months ago and I
have used it to play back several animations. For the most part it does a
good job if you use the 3-bit plane playback mode rather than 4-bit planes.
The latter tends to produce jerky animations. However, in one animation
where I was mapping a still frame to the canvas and flying the canvas into
the scene I was not happy with the DCTV output. The image mapped on the
canvas appeared unsteady and poorly resolved. I finally broke down and
purchased an AG-7750 VCR and a Nucleus Personal Single Frame Controller for
recording animations to tape. In summmary, I would say that DCTV is a fine
compromise for displaying Toaster animations as long as you realize there
will be some degredation of the image. One final note. I have found from
time to time that DCTV produces white hash marks in both lightwave rendered
scenes and in CG's. The problem definitely resides in having DCTV hooked
up to the RGB port because I never see the problem when I don't have the
DCTV adapter connected. I was always able to solve this problem by a cold
reboot of the system.
Tom
– via Whap!
Tom,
Thanks for filling me in on your experience with DCTV. The compromise takes
a stiff hit in quality. If I play a 3-bit plane, Hi-Res animation with RTAP
or ShowAnim, will this give me an accurate picture of how much of a delta
change can be tolerated?
I really wish there was a choice that split the DCTV ($400), and the
VTR/SFC ($7000). The only real compromise is 16mm filming the images off of
the monitor with a FireCraker, my present expirement.
Is there a product on the verge of release that can maybe fill this gap?
Harlequin, Resolver, etc?
I'll keep in touch,
–Paul
Whappin' from the Wine Country
The best results Ive gotten from dctv so far was a 500 frame toaster anim
of some 3-d Titles converted to 1/2 screen DCTV pics. It runs nearly
real-time and looks very smooth with an accelerated system. Full screen
changes have been a different story, IMHO. But everything doesnt have to
run 30 fps, just 3-d animation if you want it to look good!!!
A single frame accurate deck dosent have too cost $5000, I got a Sony 3/4
inch editor for $350 (used and old but not abused). Im going to get a BCD
2000a controller for $750 and let 'er rip. I can up-grade the deck in the
future.
Anyone up here use a BCD 2000a single frame controller?
Later
– via Whap!
John,
Is the Sony 3/4 also frame accurate enough to be run by an animation
controller? I was told in BPforum that it was only good enough for editing
sections of tape to one frame, not one at a time.
Where did you start looking for such equipment, or how?
Thanks for the help,
–Paul
Whappin' from the Wine Country
Paul,
The sony deck I got is a frame accurate editor, First I got info. from the
manufactures of controllers that had the lists of compatible decks.
Personal SFC though inexpensive seemed to only contrlo very expensive video
decks (newer ones). BCD 2000a is compatible with many older decks that are
available used. I found mine in our local *recycler* newspaper. Of course
being from hoolywood area doesnt hurt when looking for used pro eqiptment
cheap!!! I cant wait for the controller, but Im still getting my system
ready for new toaster software 2.0. One thing at a time, but Im getting
close now!!! Soon….. RAD animation to tape!!! I love it, What a
*HOBBY*???
More like a great education, lots better than Cobol or Fortran in college!!
Later
– via Whap!
And sticking them silly little cards in the hopper 🙂
Keep me posted with your progress, and an extra eye on the *recycler*
–Paul
Whappin' from the Wine Country
John,
You let the cat out of the bag on that one! Having admitted to real-live
product research, you're going to have all sorts of folks (well, at least
one) anxious to find out what you found out.
Regarding lists of supported VTR's which you obtained from manufacturers of
single frame controllers – does the new Sony Hi8 deck, EVO-9650, appear on
anybody's list? Some preliminary info from Sony says it has an RS-232C
interface (vice RS-422). The EVO-9650 (although mentioned in the video
media) is so new, it might not appear on your lists . . . but thought it
worth a try. Let me know if it's there, pls.
Many thanks,
John
John,
Nuecleus Personal single frame controller Says Sony EVO 9850 to be tested,
not sure about the Hi-8 deck. Seems like the rigors of single frame
recording might be kind of tough on 8 mm tape. I chose old dependable and
tough 3/4 inch!!
Just upgraded my toaster to 2.0 yesterday and soon I'll be ready for the
controller. My system will be complete, NOT!!! Never!!!
John
– via Whap!
What make/model number is your single frame capable 3/4" VTR??
thanks, Brian
Brian,
The deck I got was a Sony VO-2860 vintage around '75 ?? BCD 2000 cotroller
has time code on the card and they say it will work no problem. just very
long pre-roll (300 frames) The deck cost $350 used but the guy thought it
should go for 600 if I wanted to sell it,(nice guy)!Seen a few since, I
think he was right. All I need is the controller, going 24 bit to video
single frame should be much easier than tring to convert the frames and
getting them to run realtime.!
Later
– via Whap!
John…..like you I have been debating whether to go DCTV or 3/4" to
animate my Lightwave frames…..I've heard about the VO-2860 so I'm real
curious how it works out……let me know. Bye the way, I recently saw
LW3D>DCTV being played through ADAM and it looked quite good, however a
3/4" cassette to me is more flexible when it comes to distribution….
Mike
Mike, I'm in the same position you are. Can you fill me in on what you know
about the VO-2860.
Still waiting, thinking and watching. 🙂
–Paul
Whappin' from the Wine Country
I use DCTV now and its not really bad once you get the hang of it. With 040
accelerator it goes pretty quick, 15 fps full screen as long as that screen
isnt to complicated.
Im working on a project right now thats about 500 frames rendered with LW
converted to DCTV with DAAM and its gonna be good . even in DCTV anim 5
format it will come to about 20 megs on my disk! I couldnt have saved it
all 24 bit.
Later , its getting HOT in L.A.
– via Whap!
John,
Is this deck working ok with a single frame controller? How did you
happen to find such a beast?
–Paul
Whappin' from the Wine Country
I havent tried it yet, Soooooon I hope! It does record good!!
Later
– via Whap!
Paul,
I really think you should take a look at some Toaster animations converted
to DCTV if you have the chance. As I said, there is some degredation of
the Toaster's 24 bit output, but it is not as bad as you seem to think.
Many of my animations were perfectly acceptable in DCTV. I converted the
24 bit images to DCTV and played them back using a shareware program
entitled ADAM. Don't rule out DCTV until you have had a chance to judge
for yourself if the image degredation is acceptable or not.
Tom
– via Whap!
Thanks for the advice, I will look at it closely, after I buy it :).
–Paul
Whappin' from the Wine Country
would you be willing to send me a VHS/S-VHS/8mm/Hi8mm (your choice) of your
animations via DCTV. I haven't been able to get anyone to SHOW me that what
you are saying is so! Of course I'll pay you for your expenses and trouble
just to send me a few (as many as you will!) so I can see 1st hand! thanks,
Brian
Brian,
Right now I am in the middle of a big project to edit 16 hours of Hi-8
video shot on a vacation last November in New Zealand. You may be
interested to know that I am now running my Sony 801 as Player A deck, a
new Sony EV-S3000 Hi-8 VCR as Player B, and a Panasonic AG-1960 as the
record deck — all under the control of MediaProcessor (from Interactive
MicroSystems). I am routinely doing AB roll edits with Toaster transitions
all under MediaProcessor control from an Edit Decision List. I think the
MediaPhile system for editing is the only way to go if you want to include
Toaster effects and do AB roll editing on a budget. This software works
and is great! I have completely disconnected my DCTV because I am now
rendering Lightwave animations directly to tape using a Pansonic AG-7750. I
should be finished with my editing project in about a month. If that is
not too long to wait, I'll try and record some DCTV animations to tape for
you then. I stand by what I said about DCTV: for many animations, I found
DCTV to produce acceptable–even very good–quality. Only in one case
where I had mapped a still frame to the canvas and flew it into the scene
did DCTV produce a (to me) unacceptable quivering effect of the mapped
image.
Tom
– via Whap!
Could you send me a list of exactly what you bought from mediaphile
(hardware and software) to do A/B roll and toaster control and how much it
cost? I have about 40 hours of Hi8 to A/B roll edit (for now I have to use
my Canon's as the play decks) and need to start now !! Thanks for you help,
Brian
Brian,
I am using the MP2.0S Controller ($295), the MediaPhile Utilities ($200),
and the MediaProcessor ($200).
Tom
– via Whap!
YOU play me on TV??? That can't be fun…
– Lee Stranahan
It's not too bad…but the makeup's a pain.
– JG