CompuServe Thread

#Character Animation

3 messages in this thread
#169918From: Kai ThomsenMay 13, 1995 11:41 AM
Hi! This is probably the 1000+ time someone posts this question. As I'm at the moment preparing for a computer game project, I need information on animation packages that support spline based modelling. I've read a few things about the latest Animation Master by Hash Inc. Does anyone work with it? How do you like it? And finally, is there a NT version of it available? Also I'd very much like to get some information on Lightwave or Real3D. Does any of those three programs offer inverse kinematics directly in the 3D editor/keyframer? I find the frequent switching between the IK PlugIn and keyframer somewhat cumbersome (Hi Jonas, consider this as a wish for R5: IK integrated into keyframer and/or direct manipulation of IK chains in the 3D editor/keyframer). What other functions do they offer that 3DS doesn't have (well, at least without buying lots of IPAS routines). If any fellow animators from Germany happen to read this posting, could you provide me with vendors for any of those animation packages? Bye, Kai
#169994From: Jonas Ruikis [ADESK]May 14, 1995 1:16 AM
<< IK wish.. >> got it.
#171160From: Tim Wilson [Crestline]May 21, 1995 5:40 PM
I'm the designer of Humanoid and KineModelz, and using Animation Master as a new modeling tool. I'm working with V3.08 (the latest is 3.09, only a few days old). Hash has just made some repairs to the DXF Export making the spline to poly conversion more reliable. In older versions of AM the polys were not welded together properly, 3.08's new FIXED SUBDIVISION basically rectifies this problem (except on some triangular patches apparently). I like AM's freeform style of modeling, but it has a lot of ins and outs. Hash maintains a support section in the ANVENA (Animation Vendor A) forum. I posted two messages there recently, “AM 3.08 Coming Along'' and a “Wish List''. I'm sure others there would be willing to share impressions. However, what you and I may have in common is the interest in exporting the models to poly programs like 3DS. I haven't tried any of the spline/nurbs IPAS's for 3DS, so I can't make comparisons to AM. Learning AM will surely take some work, but it could give the results you desire.