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Topics - Aethelwulffe

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ASL Scripts / Using a script to aid rendering operations.
« on: September 02, 2009, 04:36:11 pm »
I am rendering images of models to create isometric sprites.  Ideally, I would love to have an object in object editor, run the script, and have it render an image, rotate the model 30 degrees, and render again until the model was rotated all the way around.  I have been doing this manually, and it takes about 108 images to create a 12 direction walk cycle, plus a standing position, plus more for special actions.  This ain't easy.  I know that I can do this better (I hope) in the studio, but if there is some way to use a script to assist this process, it would be a better way to go in my opinion.  I have not used ASL, but in looking through the API of functions, it did not seem to have any dedicated functions for automating rendering, just the tools for manipulating shapes and exporting the data files.  Am I correct in this or am I missing something?  I plan on starting with a simple script that simply rotates the model a certain number of degrees (30 as a default), but I was hoping for suggestions that might lead me to the correct idea to attack this issue. 
  Here is the thread where we have been discussing this:  http://www.anim8or.com/smf/index.php?topic=2593.0

Thanks guys.  I usually do all my own proof of concept theorizing, but I would rather jump-start my usual multi-month discovery process.

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General Anim8or Forum / Rendering for 2d sprites
« on: September 01, 2009, 09:02:48 pm »
Hello!
  I would like to ask advice on the best way to automate my animated sprite creating process.
  While I do use Anim8or to create objects for use in 3d games (primarily Orbiter), I also use it for creating nice looking sprites for isometric 2d games.  I can create a character, then take renderings of him at any angle or walk cycle, and then turn that into an animation in the game.  The process I am using to do that is seriously time consuming:

1. Create a transparent box around the model to allow the view distance and angle to remain the same during rendering.
2.  Rotate to a user view of 45 degrees using the wireframe of the transparent box and sizing it to the viewable screen to ensure that the renderings are all the same scale.
3.  Use the render function to save an image.
4.  Rotate the model 30 degrees and take the next shot.

Here is an example of how many renderings it takes to get a decent walking animation.

OK, Fact is, I have been modeling with anim8or for years, and I have never once done an animation inside the program, or ever really used the movie making features at all.  I do all my animations inside the game programs that I am putting the models in.  So I really never used a "real" rendering engine at all.   Should I animate the models in animator and then convert a movie to frames, should I write a script to take the screenshots needed, or what?

-I look forward to some great suggestions from folks that have learned to do stuff like this the right way, vs. my way.

Thanks,
Art

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