I just loaded poser 4 onto my imac and want to learn to use it to create msagents. Any suggestions on where to begin. a simple tutorial maybe? Thank you

What the blue blazes is a msagent?

Attached Link: http://microsoft.com/msagent

msagents are those animateable, programmable characters that talk. checkout the home page. Nearly everyone creating the characters use poser.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/homepage.ez?Who=dougf

Do you want to attempt to create MS Agent or an MS Office Assistant? The Assistant requires a specfic set of animations. Do you need help on Poser setup, the postwork required, or help on actual agent creation?

You can look at my page for a demo assistant. I don't have a detailed tutorial but I'll be happy to answer questions.

The actual agent creation in poser is what I'm looking for.Like how are the cartoon style characters are created? I like your home page neat character. I guess I just need to get in there and start learning poser basics. Thanks. This is by far the hardest software I've yet attempted to learn. But I can do it I know I can. Wish me well.

Pulls rock back across cave entrance

Attached Link: http://www.philc.net/msagents1.htm

I have started to create these, I'm actually currently working on a cartoon figure that I hope will be used by a company on their web page. Somewhat learning as I go, but you may be interested in the initial web page I have set up. On it there is a free agent for download together with instructions and information on Microsoft Agents. The page features a script to animate an agent, feedback would be appreciated.

I would love some info on placing agents on web pages? I'll check out your link. thanks.

Well LOL I didn't know you (PhilC) had gotten into agents! I tried your web page but if Yvette didn't show (after download and installed). I liked the animations which I viewed with an AgentShell. I also made a maid using Jim Burton's outfit.

Oh I get into everything :))
Yvette on page 2? Yes I'm still writing that, but as you have found she will work in any agent shell.

A question to AgentMichael: How did you discover Poser was used in creating agents? I have never seen the connection documented anywhere. To start an animation, add a walk path to the initial figure. Use the walk designer window to get a 30 second walk sequence. Finally use make movie and output as a series of images (not avi). These images can then be used with the agent tool. There is a lot more than that but it would be the first learning exercise.

hogwarden! love that reply! you should do one of these of a guy pulling his rock across his cave entrance.if you do put it in freestuff i'm sure it'll get alot of use.

Appreciate the info doug. I just worked on the clown walk sequence from the manual. I found a great tutorial for getting the images to a finished product w/ agent editor. Thanks... and hogwarden I'll have that rock seqence in no time. This is my first day using this sites forum. It's been poretty kool. Well back to creating my agent.

Ya know PhilC I think MS shoulda started with Yvette ;)

Attached Link: http://theagentry.net

Creating an agent was what got me interested in Poser. I used Poser 3 to create a human female character. There weren't any female agents when I created mine. You can find her at the link . Look in human/females and her name is "Babe. It still takes alot of work to make an agent with Poser. After you get the image files, you need to have a graphic app capable of creating a common pallette and reducing the images to 256 colors. Then you can start putting the images together in the agent character editor. All in all, it took me a little over a solid month to create Babe. Granted I didn't know didily point squawk about Poser or the character editor when I started, but by the time I was finished I had a pretty good handle on the character editor. I'm more than willing to help, if I can. Have fun and don't get to frustrated with the character editor. Ed

Thanks for the encouragement.No problem converting my images,a little time cosuming thats all. Learning poser no thats another story. I'll stay in touch and keep you abreast of my progress. I look forward to posting my first fully animated agent.