#Fli>Video – How?
7 messages in this thread
Hello. I just don't understand. I've read "Inside Autodesk Animator," I've
read the forum messages, but I don't understand how AA Fli files get
converted into Videos. I know there's an expensive expansion board to buy,
but I don't understand what one does after the board is bought. Is there
software to buy as well? Is it easy or difficult to do? Are there books or
text files I should be reading?
*Important* Are there people who'll do it for me, a service bureau I mean.
In NYC. Is that one way to go? Is that expensive? Is that worth it or
should I cough up the money for the extra hardware I need.
Thank you for reading this, I'm new to animation. Best, Arlene
they don't get converted they get recorded. there are a few ways to do this
relativly inexpensive to very expensive. first you can get a video card
that will convert the vga signal to ntsc or s-vhs. then connect the output
to a vcr and play your flic on the computer while you record the output on
your vcr. or you can by a video box like videologics mediator that will
also convert the vga signal to ntsc or s-vhs with genlock,gamma
correction,adjustment of screen pos,overscan/underscan,flicker
control,sharpness,ntsc or pal, but this device is 3000.00. there are others
that less expensive but have fewer features.
last you can do frame by frame rendering to a VTR which is like a vcr but
is controlled by a controller like a diaquest series iisp which is in turn
connected to a frame buffer card like a targa or atvista which is
controlled by your software like 3d studio. in this kind of setup you can
get very high end resolutions like 756x486x32 bit color. this will let you
do broadcast quality animations. systems like this can run anywhere from
about 10,000 + computer to over 60,000 with a transputer network installed
and various other video components like a beta cam recorder. all this is a
general overview of how you can go about recording animations. it all
depends on what is your final need for the animation – industrial
purpose,education,broadcast ect.
there a few very knowledgable people here that im sure would be glad to
anwser any of your questions. they have helped me ALOT.
hope this helps….. sherwood (sde software)
Thank you for your suggestions. I've got your reply on paper and will read
it until I understand. Animation does not come easy to me.
Of course, I was hoping for the $100 solution…
We (my husband & I) are one step away from sticking a camcorder in front of
the monitor. We knew it wasn't going to be *that* simple but now I suppose
we need good service bureau recommendations. Do you know of any in NYC? The
final product will be a flying logo which will introduce a video interview
show which will be shown over and over again at conventions.
Thank you. It was great of you to answer so quickly.
i don't know of any in nyc. maybe someone else will chime in that is. if
you don't need them to be in nyc then id be glad to see if i could do it
for you. if you already have the fli then you could either send it to me
via disk or attach it to email for me and i will transfer the animation to
tape for you on vhs,s-vhs,video8,or hi-8. sherwood
You should check with Robert Seiwart at Art Machines. They're in the book
(212 area code).
– Gary
Hi Arlene, you should call Art Machines at (212)431-4400. They can
transfer the video for you, and can also sell you the hardware to do it.
-GB-
Arlene:
Well, you should buy a good book like 'Using Animtor', instead of the trash
you got <Grin>…
This isn't a simple subject, mind you, and just about anything that anyone
will tell you will be out of date in a week <grin>.
Basically, you have to have a graphics card in your machine that will
>output< a video signal (a video signal is not what your montior uses…).
You can play an animator fli 'live' on your computer and the graphics card
will put the animation on tape. Once you go beyond something as simple as
this, things start getting really hairy, and I would recommend that, for
professional results, you plan on taking your computer animation to a
service bureau and learn from the process… prices vary considerably,
primarily based upon how much diddling the service bureau has to do with
your animation, and how much time your animation takes to get to tape.
If you want professional animations, then you need a frame controller and a
higher resolution animation package than Animator (such as Animator Pro or
3D Studio…). That isn't to say that you shouldn't start out with
Animator… it's a GREAT place to get started. The frame controller allows
one frame of animation to be placed on the tape at a time, and controls the
accuracy of the placement of the frame (it rewinds the tape and plays it to
the next frame…). Of course, this also requires a tape deck that has
frame by frame accuracy… which start at somewhere around $5k, if you find
a good deal…
Also important is the quality of the signal coming from your computer and
the quality of the tape that you are putting the signal on… this is
something that dramatically affects the cost of your animation and the type
of tape that each post production house uses can vary widely… and the
price that you pay for a graphics card to provide the output varies
accordingly, too…
There are many vidiots on here who can inundate you with details…
C#