#Problem w/ .flc as Tmap!
6 messages in this thread
Jonas,
I'm working on a 30 second animation in which I've got a poster on a tripod
that has several animated texture maps (I'm basically projecting video onto a
blank poster). The poster features a talking head. I am using 5 different .flc
files as maps which range in length from about 2 seconds up to about 10
seconds.
Because the poster is mapped with several different .flc's I am rendering this
project in chunks, one chunk for each .flc used. As I understand it, the .flc
file will always start at frame 0 no matter where I start rendering in my
animation (i.e., if I render frames 0-9 of my animation I will get frames 0-9
of the .flc texture map. However, if I render frames 10-19 I will *still* get
frames 0-9 of the .flc texture map).
I am running into 4 problems:
1) This is making it very difficult to work with this large animation. I would
like to be able to render various groups of frames at different times, without
having to worry about matching my render batches with the starting frames and
lengths of the .flc texture maps.
2) Because I have 5 different .flc's (the largest is about 62 megs) I either
have to:
* Save the animation 5 times, once for each map applied to the poster, or:
* Save the 5 texture maps in one HUGE flic, say, 175 megs, and render the
entire 5,000 frame animation at one time (which is not practical for me) or:
* Remap the poster to render each new segment.
3) It seems as though the .flc is not starting at frame 0, but somewhere in the
middle!!! This is throwing it out of sync with the rest of the animated objects
in the scene.
4) I can't do network rendering because there is no logic to let the slaves
handle the .flc frames sequentially.
If I am off base with any of this, please tell me. Also, if I can use a .AVI or
QuickTime file as my texture map I could eliminate (all?) these problems. Be
there an IPAS to allow me to do this? Do I have to wait for MAX?
Desperate in Aptos,
Scott Sorkin
White Shark Systems
"My interest in desperation lies only in that sometimes I find myself having
become desperate. Very seldom do I start out that way. I can see of course
that, in the abstract, thinking and all activity is rather desperate." Willem
de Kooning
Hi Scott,
It seems that you have 2 basic problems.
<< 2) Because I have 5 different .flc's (the largest is about 62 megs)..or..
in one HUGE flic, say, 175 megs >>
For this, I may suggest that you search on the keyword SMACKER. Review the flic
file comparisons.
<< 3) It seems as though the .flc is not starting at frame 0, but somewhere in
the middle!!! >>
This sounds like you may be describing palette shifts. (?) If so, please review
the 3DS Ref Man – Custom Palette on pg 8-116..119.
jonas[adesk]
Scott,
First of all flics as t-maps will use the same frame number as
the rendering then repeat ie: a ten frame flic will render frame ten on key
frame ten and frame 0 on frame 11, second I would save your flics as sequential
.tga's or .gif's and then the same would apply. You can take the flic's into
ani-pro string them together then save them out as .gif's, remember that frame
1 in ani-pro is frame 0 in the keyframer, and if you don't want the animated
texture to begin right away leave blank frames in the begining.
If you can network render save the sequence out as .gif's or .tga's then
compile them in ani-pro and make them one pallete
Good-Luck
Scott,
I am experiencing some of the same quirks as you describe. I have been trying
to use a FLC file as a self illumination map, and the resultant 3ds Flic has
the mapping Flic starting somewhere in the middle, and seems to render some of
the map Flic more than once, while not rendering some of the frames at all. I
am using the custom palette mode, and it still happens, so that doesnt seem to
be the answer. I've left a few messages around here and on other boards, I'll
keep you posted if I get any great suggestions or come up with anything on my
own.
Good Luck
Craig Fries
Craig,
Thanks for the note. I have switched over to using sequential .jpg files via an
.ifl file. This is working swimmingly. I've abandoned .flc's as texture maps
for now…
If you discover any answers I'll look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks again,
Scott Sorkin
Scott,
I too have abandoned using flics as maps in favor of using sequential TGA files
via .ifl file lists. It has solved all the problems I was having. I've noticed
that a lot of the literature on the subject in the reference guide and tutorial
is just plain wrong! Wish I would have looked into using .ifl's sooner, it has
made everything much easier and has added another degree of control over the
final output that wasnt there with flics.
Glad to hear you found an answer to your dilemma,
Craig Fries