#Ani Pro & Pro Audio Spec
8 messages in this thread
David, I am going to start a new tread on this subject since others may be
interested. I too started out with the 8 bit PAS, and have upgraded to PAS
16. I was able to link Ani Pro flcs with the old card and can link them
with the new PAS 16.
The PAS drivers are in the PROAUDIO subdirectory, which is included in my
PATH statement. Here are some instructions I downloaded from the MV BBS:
In order to use Audiomate with Ani Pro, you must run the CFIG386.EXE
program provided with Ani Pro. Use the following command line:
"CFIG386.EXE ANIPLAY.EXE -intmap 8" This only needs to be run once to
reconfigure Ani Pro's protected mode interrupt usage.
To use Audio Mate with Ani Pro, type: a the dos prompt >:
"audiomat /aa /aa+FLC /aa+PCS /pro"
When the hook for Ani Pro is set, the first file name whose extension was
added with /aa or /aa+ext will be saved and no other files that match an
extension added with /aa or /aa:ext will be parsed until the first file
name comes around again. This means that the first file can be FLI, FLC,
PCX or GIF, but it cannot appear twice in the same script (ignoring loops).
Media Vision has been very helpful to me; I can always get someone to call
me back when I leave my name and problem. Their tel no is 800-638-2807. I
will send you another message about the scripts I use to
link sound files to Ani Pro flcs.
I recall there was an error in the driver.bat file I received with my PAS16
software, so you need to either fix it or use the call described above.
Patrick
David,
The PAS drivers are in my subdirectory PROAUDIO which was created when I
installed the PAS software. The subdirectory is in my Path statement.
I assume that you know how to prepare and play Ani Pro Script files. See
page 8-2 and following in the Tutorial, and the Player User's Guide.
To link your PAS sound files with flcs, you must first create your sound
files, and then create an .AMF file using PAS AudioMate. I create Ani Pro
animated graphics and link them with narration and background music; with
delays and fades, it is fantastic.
See pg 2.31 of your PAS 16 User's Guide. When creating your .AMF files,
make sure your save them in the directory where your Ani Pro flcs are. The
AMF file must have the same front file name as your .flc file; test.amf for
test.flc. In creating the .amf file, you can combine it with a .mid file
and designate delays and fades.
Before you play your Ani Pro script, call the PAS 16 driver that I referred
you to in the previous message. Also execute AUDIOMAT.EXE, and you should
be ready to go. I then execute a .bat file to play the script. See page
8-5 of the Ani Pro Tutorials.
I hope this works for you. I am not a programmer; just a user. I'm still
amazed that this stuff works. I also have the Windows multimedia
package, and you have to watch the forums to figure out how some of this
works. It took me awhile to learn how to record a .voc file in windows.
I'm still trying to decide whether I like DOS or Windows better for
creating .voc files.
I just picked up Midisoft Studio to play with my .midi files. I can use
the SP Spectrum Sequencer, but I'm looking for an better, faster, simpler
way. Aren't we all? Let me know how things go for you.
Patrick
Patrick, I will keep you abreast of my progress. Thanks again for the tips!
At what resolution are the .FLCs you're displaying and how many fps? How's
the playback speed on your system? What kind of system have you got? etc.
etc.
DT
David,
I have an Austin Computer, 486/33 with a Wytek math coprocessor. I also
have a Truevision 1mg VideoVGA card along with my PAS 16 sound card.
I create .FLCs at the 640 x 480 resolution, and record them on my vcr at
the standared 30 fps.
In addition to Ani Pro, I also have 3D Studio. I primarily use 3DS for
animated titles and logos. I'll have the camera back through a logo or
a company name from no image to a panned image of the entire logo or name.
This really impresses some clients, and once you learn how to do it, it
does not take much time to set up and render. It is especially interesting
to animate parts of a logo to come together from different points and then
to move the camera to add the 3D effect.
The most difficult thing seems to be the quality of the NTSC video. When I
create an animation in Ani Pro, I will render it in 3DS using it
high anti-alising format. I cannot afford to by the "broadcast quality"
equipment, but by paying attention to colors, you can get some nice looking
animation on VHS, SVHS or HI 8, which I do have.
I hook up a NTSC monitor (tv) to my Truevision card when I am creating
animations in Ani Pro or 3DS to get an idea of how it will look when
recorded to video tape. This is very helpful; I do this now because of
trial and error when I did not do it this way.
The biggest plus about the PAS 16 is that instead of having to turn down
business from clients who what to use "protected sound", I can show them
how to use "safe" digitized sound that enhances their message.
I won't kid you, my wife and I started a computer based video production
business, and like any new business, the start up is slow. We are
marketing to companies that cannot afford the commercial broadcast
platform, but we are finding out they (think they) can't afford much of
anything. The marketing is the hardest part.
What do you plan to do with your system?
Patrick
My initial purpose will be to continue a direction I abandoned years ago:
cartooning. I am a musician and artist of better than average, but not
world-class, quality and will be putting together animations for "art's
sake" (Who's Art?). I'm a computer network administrator for a large music
publisher for $, but am beginning to burn out and have thought about making
a go in the direction you've gone. My dread, of course, is the marketing
side. I'll probably put together some samples and have a service bureau lay
them to tape at "broadcast quality" for promotion purposes. I'm curious how
your work comes out when dumped straight to a standard vhs. How do you do
it? Do you get a lot of garbage or 'torn' images, or just peculiar colors?
Good idea, hanging a TV from your video card…eliminates the surprises…I
might do the same. Still, my main intent, at present, is to entertain
myself and my friends with music and video using AniPro and 3DS and, in the
process, to learn how to use them well (esp 3DS). I'm using AA on my
present 286 and am pretty sure AniPro won't present too many mind boggles
once I get the 486 and dig into it. My real concern is getting a fast(!)
VL-bus system with 24-bit color that works properly with both these
software packages. Where are you located and what kind of people have you
been approaching for business?
David Taffet
David,
Thanks for the update. I am located in Olympia, WA. About 7 months ago my
wife and I commenced the "Big Mosey" from Houston, TX to relocate to our
favorite vacation area. Seattle traffic reminded us too much of Houston,
so we settled about an hour south of Seattle.
We've done a couple of video presentations for a naturopathic physician
up here that includes titles and graphics generated with Ani Pro and 3DS.
They make a "talking head" much more forgiving. We are in the process of
putting together a sample of what we can do for a group of physicians.
We've done limited mail outs to larger employers in Seattle and Tacoma, but
no bites. It appears that personal contact is the way to go.
The Nov. issue of PC Computing has a review of some high resolution 24 bit
video cards. From what I read in this forum, you can't record flcs
in real time from these cards because the color changes from frame to frame
take longer than NTSC transfer rate of 30 frames per second. This means
purchasing costly equipment and long rendering times to tape. Right now,
this is beyond my resources. But I think I can do the kind of work I am
interested in with Ani Pro in real time. I do wish there was a better
quality NTSC signal off my VideoVGA card. We have to tinker a lot with
colors to try to find a good combination that will show up on the tv.
The quality of the vcr player and the televion tube influence the way the
video looks when played. There is always a disappointing difference
between the image on the computer monitor and the tv screen,
even under the best color combinations.
I have a Sony Video Hi8 Pro camcorder to take video, and a NEC vcr that
can record in either SVHS or regular VHS. The bottom line is if the
clients can get by with non-broadcast quality video, I can compete all day
on price and still make a living at this. (I hope).
Patrick
Interesting, interesting. I, also, was thinking about non-broadcast quality
output and the likelihood that one could make a living at it before
investing in the single-frame equipment that would allow a break into
broadcasting. Corporate presentations/demos sound like a pretty reasonable
area to get into. Have you offered freelance services to any local TV
stations (thinking that you could go to tape through a service bureau for
those jobs)?
Tho' I'm living and working in Milwaukee, WI, I was raised in California
(Sacto) so am somewhat familiar with Washington. Seattle traffic does
suck…all those bridges and islands. Looks beautiful and I love the area,
but I never had to get to work in the AM there. I have a few rellies
(brother-in-law and family) in Seattle. Next time we visit I might give you
a call and interrupt your workday. (Just what you need.)
I saw the PC Mag article and was drooling, of course. I'll need a VL-Bus
24-bit card…I don't recall seeing one in that article nor hearing of one
here on CIS. Do you? I appreciate the detailed feedback, greatly.
DT
Patrick! Thank you! I would have struggled with this much longer, I'm sure,
trying to follow the PAS manuals and wondering why it didn't work before
calling MediaVision. My appreciation is boundless (or at least very
great…<g>).
David Taffet