#IPAS smokers
12 messages in this thread
Hi experienced IPAS smokers,
Yea, I know it is not politically correct, but at 4 AM in the morning while
working on an animation, a stale cup of coffee and a fresh cigarette can keep
you going while the politically correct social engineer weenies are fast
asleep. Too bad I don't smoke anymore. I try and make up for it by making
fresh coffee, but that takes away from animating.
But to the point. I need some reviews of the various smoke IPAS's. We have a
project that requires a branding iron to come in and burn a logo onto live
video and have it smoke and sizzle. It needs to be reusable in a video post
situation so the smoke needs to be able to produce ALPHA information for a
travelling matte to be laid off on a seperate reel. And yes, what I mean by
video post are video switchers, keyers, VTR's and computer editors.
Any advice on the various smoke and/or particle simulator IPAS's out there. I
have most of the literature (Yost, Schrieber, Pyros and Digimation). I'm
looking for some practical or maybe I should say particle reviews.
Thanks in advance guys
Bryce Whiteside CF/X Image, Inc.
What's the matter Bryce, TOPAS won't cut it ? <BG> Seriously, the Yost's new
IPAS collection #6 has just what you're looking for I believe. The VAPOR
routine is capable of generating a variety of Smoke, Gaseous, Cloud, Mist, etc.
effects, customizable at your discretion and previewable via the new IPAS3
interface. It does require 3DS 3.0. I have used the system for a while now and
it is quite good – comparable to Wavefront's Dynamation routines. You can save
the Alpha info for Post work from the 3DS Render Options dialog. The routine
also stores secondary motion data in cases where the Vapor axp cube is linked
to a moving object, and will render such realistically. As a huge bonus, the
disk #6 collection also includes B-Spline/Catmull-Rom Skinning/Slicing
routines, Flames/Fire generating routines, a dual Free-Form Deformation lattice
routine, and a routine to procedurally & randomly scatter "particle" objects
about the surface of a target mesh and animate them. Quite an amazing package
and a bargain at just $300. Having read your articles re: TOPAS, and having
used TOPAS myself since 1987, I think you'll be especially tickled with the
Skin/Slice/Deform combination. I highly reccomend this and the #7 collection (I
assume you have literature on it from your comments). There are some sample
renderings/flics in the library here, as well as several functional demo
versions of some of the routines. Check it out.
BILL
Thanks Bill! Given how busy I am these days, MUCHO appreciado.
– G
Yes Bill its true. I have become a closet 3DS user because I just want to feel
loved. "Is that sooo wronngggg?"
To the task at hand. Not much response, but it looks like Yost's Disk #6 so
far.
Thanks, Bryce at the big red stick animation outpost down south
Absolutely not <g>. Please do get the new Yost stuff as I guarantee you'll like
it. Don't be concerned about not getting a lot of responses, because the ones
that you received pretty much told the whole story – nothing much else to say.
Also look out for the routines previewing at SIGGRAPH. I was a die-hard TOPAS
user and test site, and I like a number of things about the program, but they
have just gotten too far behind the times and thus, I just don't use it much
anymore. I'm betting that you'll find 3DS Rel. 4 pretty amazing whenever it
becomes available….and you can't beat this forum. Did you say "down south" ?
I'm in Atlanta.
Regards,
BILL
Hi Bill,
I am way down south in Baton Rouge, LA. How's the work in Atlanta? Except for
New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Louisiana are always 2 to 5 years behind the
times. Right now their idea of economic stimulation is opening a bunch of
casinos. Please give me a reason to blow this joint.
No not really. My parents are really up in the years, so I will be stuck here a
few years. Thank God for modems and CI$. Fortunately New Orleans is only 75
miles away, but requires me prying my fingers away from this keyboard and it is
tough to make a living down here unless you are a politician, personal injury
lawyer, gambler or governor.
You are right about this forum. It's got great interaction and participation. I
don't feel so isolated as an animator down here with the alligators.
Thanks for your reviews, Take care, Bryce
<< How's the work in Atlanta? >>
I really don't know. I recently moved back here to take a break from working.
<< Right now their idea of economic stimulation is opening a bunch of casinos.
>>
Hah ! We recently got a state lottery here…never gambled in my life before,
but I've thrown away a bundle on that thing….guess that sort of thing works.
<< My parents are really up in the years, so I will be stuck here a few years.
>>
That's another reason I moved back, similar situation with my mother.
<< tough to make a living down here unless you are a politician, personal
injury lawyer, gambler or governor. >>
<g>. Politicians have always done pretty good there, haven't they ?
<< You are right about this forum. It's got great interaction and
participation. >>
Yep, it's pretty unique. Thanks for the note, & take care.
BILL
>Lousiana
I lived in DeRidder LA for around 3 years, and only moved away last summer. We
went to Baton Rouge to go to the mall.. <serious!> Don't have too much grief
about Baton Rouge.. it's closer to "hip" than DeRidder. Good people there
though. (the ones you can communicate with. <g>) I certainly don't miss the
humidity.
BTW- get Vapor. the two new Yost IPAS disks are on my top 5 list of things to
get. TONS of useful stuff. SKIN (same disk) will do some cool character
stuff, while rendering much faster/better than Plamation or A:M. Look for even
more character stuff @Siggraph.
JNJ
Well JNJ,
If don't miss the humidity, then you must have really moved away. DeRidder,
huh? Back in the dark ages, I used to work for KALB-TV5 after I graduated from
high school, in that great metropolis of Alexandria, LA.
One thing about Baton Rouge, is they can give good mall.
The IPAS3 Disk #6 arrived today.
Thanks all!
Bryce
CF/X Image, Inc.
Alexandria.. exciting.:-)
JNJ
Bryce!
>>> The IPAS3 Disk #6 arrived today. Thanks all! <<<
I was just about to ask! ….got your letter etc. Today also. Enjoy!! <g>
Murph'
Bryce,
<< smoke.. >>
I agree with Bill and suggest that you use the keyword VAPOR and search the
IPAS Usage section of the lib. You should find 4 example fli files
demonstrating vapor.
jonas[adesk]