Hi Folks! Another way to create speech and thought bubbles is to draw them in a vector-based program like Adobe Illustrator and save them as EPS files. Then import them into a 3D modeling program as flat shapes and extrude them to your liking. Infini-D was great for this, and I think RDS also has that ability. Hope this helps. Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! Darth, what's your end-user medium? I started out thinking my feature was something I wanted to record to videotape, but now I'm planning to burn it to CD-ROM or DVD. One considerable advantage to this is that I can compose my animations at 15fps, render them with Animation codec settings, dispense with concerns about field rendering, and end up with noticeably smaller (although still large) QuickTime files. Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! Funny you should ask, Darth! I actually started a similar venture--four years ago!! So I'm very interestde in your project. I didn't keep a diary, but I did use this "hobby" as an opportunity to learn/incorporate a lot of different graphics and animation programs. Now I'm up to more than 10, including several that were discontinued years ago! I'm planning a "world premiere" early next year after I prepare a work print to enter in some regional animation competitions. It's a feature presentation that will be made up of nearly 100 separate QuickTime animations; I'm up to 55 and I should have the remainder finished by early January. Colm, perhaps you can offer some insights on how I could upload the files to display one movie per week once I'm ready to post. Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! It's been a coupla years since I've done lip-syncs, but pack's advice is generally on target. Timing is definitely more important than having accurate phenoms, unless you're aiming for an animation of Disney quality. Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! Big image files, eh? I hadn't thought of that. I'll try bringing the texture and transp jpegs into Photoshop and see if I can reduce the file sizes without damaging the integrity of Allerleirauh's work. There's probably a lot of compelling evidence as well about the need to add a big dose of RAM to my Beige G3. Thanx for all the tips! Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! I'd love to see a variation of your image that included the morphing Open Blouse prop posted during the summer (I think it was Gabe), Clive's Bra .obj, and Traveler's Cotton Panties. BTW, was the pose for the discarded bikini top done in Poser? Or is that an original prop? Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! JeffH's suggestion about faking mirror effects in Poser is worth pursuing. I would also suggest trying this: Add a thin (small z coordinates) rectangular prop--or a thin duplicate of whatever shape you've modelled your mirror--as a layer, apply a light linear gradient or metallic texture to it, and set the transparency settings to 96-99%. The idea is to replicate the natural sheen that all mirrors have, sort of like the glare your monitor shows when it's turned off. It took me several sessions with Infini-D and RDS before I captured that effect, but the result is much more realistic. Without something like it, your figure just looks like he/she is looking at a twin in a window. Hope this helps. Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! I have to tell you snakepit: characters from what I consider the "Golden Age" of Marvel Comics--Galactus, the Silver Surfer, the Sentinals, the Inhumans, the immortals of Asgard, etc.--are what inspired me to pursue animation in college and what got me so excited about desktop computer graphics! Thanks for bringing back such good memories! Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! Thanx, dlfurman--that was one of the sources I was especially thinking of. Is there a URL on them--or perhaps these eminent artists will see this post and contact me directly?!? Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! Darkhound, if you want a cleaner bluescreen (or any other screen) effect, you might want to invest in Adobe After Effects. One of my favorite tools is the Color-Key filter, which allows you to select any RGB color invisible in your scene and make it invisible. It's excellent for keying out solid color backgrounds. I use it a lot for creating fake alpha channels so I can layer movies over each other, cutting down on the need to render complex scenes. It's a somewhat expensive program to purchase, but well worth it--particularly when used in conjunction with Adobe Premiere and your favorite animation program. Just thought I'd pass that along. Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! I second that. Here's wishing everyone a monstrous millenium (all the way to the real one--2001)! Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! DerekG, there is definitely a Mac community among the Poser users who frequent this Forum, and many of us in fact create on more than one platform. Just wanted you to know you are not alone! Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! There is a shareware application called ZipIt that works fine for downloading Poser files on both Macs and Pcs. I'm not sure where you can find it--start with a site such as Version Tracker. Moreover, the CD that usually comes with the newstand issue of Macworld usually includes lots of file exchange or compression shareware--ZipIt may be one of them. If all else fails, type in the keyword and see where it takes you. Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! The majority of my most recent animations have been composed in Infini-D, which is sadly being discontinued. But I'm also teaching myself Hash AM, and at the first of the year I intend to post my movies from other programs, including animations in Bryce and Poser. Everyone please feel free to contact me thru the Forum or via my e-mail, which is DrZik@aol.com if I can be of any help. Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! I'm an unapologetic Mac user. And as a college instructor teaching DTP and 3D design, I can tell you it's a lot easier teaching programs like Poser and Bryce (which I will be doing in the spring) on a Mac. But I've also learned that it pays to be competent in both platforms (and just in case, next year I'm gonna learn some basic Linux). !!!!!!! Peter (Dr Zik)