Absolute Beginner
5 messages in this thread
..I just found this forum the other day; I've downloaded AAPLAY and a
couple of FLI files, and I very much like what I see (The Nagel FLIs are
marvelous)! I would very much like to learn more, but I am brand new to
all this. Is there a 'primer' on Autodesk, what it's all about, the
difference between FLIs, GIFs, RLEs, etc.? Would someone out there be
willing to take on the challenge of explaining all this stuff to someone
who doesn't even know what questions to ask? Speak as to one newborn…
— Seeking Knowledge
Edward, the questions you ask have had entire books written about. To learn
you should do what all of us have done, RYM!!! As far as a primer on
Autodesk that would have to be a series of books…AUTODESK is the company
name. as to the file formats .fli is from at least 3 Autodesk packages and
some other non-autodesk software packages. .gif is a (c) CIS, stands for
Graphics Interchange Format. .rle is yet another graphics file format.
Still Seeking….
Greg Moore SPEA, Inc.
Edward,
It wasn't clear that your interest was in Autodesk's Animation
packages (Animator, which is low resolution 320×200, or the new package
Animator Pro, which supports higher resolution), OR if its one of the other
packages like AutoCad… If you don't own the Animator, you might want to
just download some of the 'FLI packages that show up, and play them with
the public domain viewers. Higher resolution animations (AAPro) require a
player that isn't public domain. If you have the Animator and are
struggling, of course try the manuals and tutorials first but many of the
people in here will try to help you out if you post a fairly specific
question.
Jeff, I think you sent your message to the wrong person. If not, well,
maybe your right I should have asked more questions first.
Greg Moore SPEA, Inc
Basically, one of three programs creates flics (animations):
Autodesk Animator (2D, 320×200 resolution 256-color flics) Autodesk
Animator Pro (2D, any-resolution 256-color SVGA flics) Autodesk 3D Studio
(3D, any-resolution flics plus broadcast quality animation)
Soon, a new product, Autodesk Multimedia Explorer will come out. It will be
a collection of Autodesk Animator, a Windows player for flics, and a CD-ROM
featuring a huge collection of animations.
If you just want to get into this on the ground floor and don't require
high-resolution animations, wait for the Explorer. If you definitely want
to use high-resolution 2D, purchase Animator Pro. If you're interested in
the ultimate–3D animation, go after 3D Studio. If you just can't wait, but
can only afford low-resolution, run out to an Egghead and pick up Autodesk
Animator.
Animator Pro and 3D Studio are available only through authorized Autodesk
Multimedia dealers. Autodesk Animator can be found in Eggheads. I'm not
sure where Explorer will be sold. There's a special 800 number to get a
list of dealers, but I can't remember what it is. There are several dealers
on line here. Maybe one of them can give you the number and some general
prices.
– Jack