2-D 24-BIT ANIMATION
16 messages in this thread
Hi folks. Does anyone know of any full-featured, professional P.C. 2-D
(NOT 3-D) animation packages that will output in 24-bit color? I've seen a lot
of animation packages (like Animator "Pro") out there, but, they're all
rinky-dink computer presentation packages. I'd like to have a true,
professional 2-D package, that can output at least at video res, and preferably
higher. I want to be able to do anything you can do with traditional cel
animation, and then some. I'm quite aware of the computational overhead such a
package necessitates. If anyone knows of such a package, please, fill me in.
Thanks.
>> Does anyone know of any full-featured, professional P.C. 2-D
(NOT 3-D) animation packages that will output in 24-bit color?
Phil,
If you get 3D Studio you get not only 3D but 2D animation capabilites as well.
-Ralph Frantz
Does it do 2-D animation in 24-bit color? If so, at what res? I"m
taking a course over a Pratt in NYC on 3-D studio right now, and so far, I
don't see anything that has to do with 2-D animation (actually, 3-D Studio so
far does not impress me in any dimension), only 3-D stuff. I don't think 3-D
Studio has what I'm looking for in a 2-D animation package.
>> Does it do 2-D animation in 24-bit color? If so, at what res?
Yes it will do 2D animation just as easily as 3D. It does it in 24 bit (or 32
bit) color and at any resolution you might need for video or print.
>> I don't think 3-D Studio has what I'm looking for in a 2-D animation >>
package.
If you are looking for cell based animation then it might not be what you want.
I just wanted to let you know that it does do 2D. I've used Animator Pro for
this type of work but it lacks the 24 bit color you needed. Also the
anti-aliasing is better in Studio.
-Ralph Frantz
Phil,
I think Rio Animator is a 2d vector based vista/targa+/targa based program that
has animation capabilities. I think somebody (Kevin Krell) said AT&T has a
division selling it.
Thanks for your reply. However, I've never been fond of
Targa/Vista-based systems, so, this isn't really "up `my alley", so to speak.
Thanks for your input, though.
Phil,
If you leave the targa/vista-based system realm, then I've run out of ideas and
the solutions probably get even more expensive – proprietary hardware or
SGI-based solutions. Quantel systems spring to mind, like the Harry and/or
Paintbox which I know very little about.
Martin
Hmmm…seems to me there's plenty of P.C.-Video activity going on in
the P.C. world, like people such as Matrox.
RIO isn't restricted to Targa+/ATVista systems. I will also run VGA. Brent
Not in 24-bit.
Ralph:
>> I've never been fond of Targa/Vista-based systems
>> 3-D Studio so far does not impress me in any dimension
It sounds as though you've got a bug up your you-know-what about PC based
animation systems. What are they teaching you at Pratt? (I went to SVA –
totally different mindset!)
Anyway, check out RIO Animator if you want to do simple, vector-based
animation. Also, check out AXA's Ink & Paint for more traditional cel-based
animation. Both packages offer 24-bit output to video, preferably from a TARGA
or VISTA based system (like it or not, Truevision has been around for years,
and these boards are THE industry standard for getting your graphics onto
tape).
Before you go calling Animator Pro a "rinky-dink computer presentation
package", take it for a test drive. It's one POWERFUL package. I've been
working professionally with videographics for over 10 years, and I'm quite
pleased with the software solutions from Autodesk.
-Tom
Well, I actually don't have an attitude about P.C. based systems. As
far as I'm concerned P.C.s are the only cost effective way to go.
The comment about the Targa\Vista stuff comes from my daily experiences
with it (I work in a digital imaging house, where, among other systems are some
P.C.s with Targa and Vista set-ups). This is 1993, and there should be some
alternatives to these dinosours nowadays.
The comment about 3-D Studio comes from my experiences with it so far.
Quite simply, I'm not impressed. I suppose I could elaborate on that, but, I'll
leave it at. As far as Animator "Pro" is concerned, it is a good program, but,
not having 24-bit capability puts it in rinky-dink status, as far as I'm
concerned. ESPECIALLY for it's price!
I'm primarily interested in doing raster based animation in 24-bit
color. This is the closest approach to traditional animation, and the
simplest, that you can do on a system. I would like to concentrate more on the
content, rather than the technique.
The AXA program sounds interesting. Is it raster based? I'll assume
it's a 24-bit program that runs on P.C.s. If so, do you have their number?
Thanks for your reply.
Phil,
I've had some experience with Matrox and I'm always interested in hearing
anyone who's used their stuff and still wants more.
Question: from what I've read on this thread you're looking for a $700 24-bit
paint package that does 2D like nothing else. <G>
For that money you can get 24 bit one frame paint: Painter, Photoshop,
Photostyler, Picture Publisher, etc., but they're all only one frame at a time
and run under Windows (slow, real slow).
There's Ron Scott's Hi-Res QFX for a little more. Still only one frame
at a time, but its a DOS app. that runs faster than anything else we've seen.
You only need 8 meg to open that 7 meg file, not 24!
For 24-bit animation paint there's Lumina. Kind of an old style of
interface, far more cumbersome than the Animator style menu/interface, for
about $2500.
I would be interested in hearing what you finally decide to go with.
Everyone has their area of interest and I like to hear what different focused
specialists use to get their jobs done. (A tool that does the job, does it
well & does it easily? tell me!) (notice I didn't even bother with "does it
cheaply") <G>
Dan K.
Well, with the exception of Picture Publisher, I work with all of those
packages, principally QFX. We recently upgraded to version 3, and immediately
went back to version 2. Ron Scott has totally ruined his brainchild under
pressure to be more "Windows-like".
As for 2-D animation, my research has turned up two products that may
hold some hope. One is called NIMBUS, by a company called PANSOPHIC.
Unfortunately, I don't as yet have an address, or a phone number for them (if
anyone here knows, please, speak up!).
The other is a series of programs by a company called AXA. They
are INK AND PAINT, CAMERA fx, and PRODUCER. So far, this trio comes the closest
to traditional animation that I've seen. The entire package runs around $2Gs.
Unfortunately, the overlay cels are only 8-bit depth, which ruins an otherwise
perfect package. The ad I found is 9 months old (I happened across it browsing
thrugh the October 92 issue of Computer Graphics World), so, I'm hoping that
there may have been an improvement there, since then. I'm calling the company
up tomorrow to see where the product stands.
Well, I hope that satisfies your curiousity about the "24-bit"
2-D animation market. I'm sure there's other options out there, but,
for now, this is all I know. You know, while I really like the product you can
generate with 3-D animation products like 3-D Studio, the price paid is an
agonizingly long turnaround time. It just takes so long to do everything. While
I will continue my work in 3-D, I want to have the option to "get up and go"
and put things together quickly. I really wish there was a faster way to do
things in 3-D, even on workstations, it just takes sooooo long. I don't know.
We'll see, I guess. Later!
I agree with you on Animator Pro, Tom…the paint capabilities are excellent.
I wish I could have those in 24bit, even if animation won't handle it. Brent
______________________________________________________ _ Fm: Tom Rzonca
74170,1032 _ _ To: PHIL RADELAT 70314,1503 (X)
_ _ _ _ Ralph:
<<<<<<<<<< _ _
_ _ >> It sounds as though you've got a bug… _
______________________________________________________ Tom,
Just to let you know I was also replying to Phil. You sent it to the right CIS
address but wrong name. Just don't want to be confused. <g>
>> Also, check out AXA's Ink & Paint for more traditional cel-based >>
animation.
I had a demo of AXA's Ink & Paint at Comdex last year and I was very impressed.
As per Autodesk's products I am with you on that one! Without 3DS and Anim
Pro?…well I would get more sleep. <BG>
-Ralph