Having never purchased / used Vue before, I bought Vue 5 Easel. I am not new to 3D (having used Bryce, Daz Studio, etc.), but more advanced versions of Vue are still somewhat daunting to me. :)

Before posting here, I searched the included PDF manual and e-on's website (what a painfully slow site!).

I am trying to figure out how to animate any of the pre-fab (included) objects that come with the download version. This seemed like it should be easy, but in practice it's not.

Here's what I do (steps intentionally keep very simple)...

1. Start new scene
2. Select atmosphere
3. Load object into scene (I tried lots)
4. Select loaded object which then turns "red" to indicate selection. (Also tried using "World Explorer" instead for selection)
5. Click "Animation Timeline" button in toolbar (tried menu equivalents too).

At this point, the timeline usually shows but instead of the "Animation Wizard" appearing, I get the annoying message that appears below quoted verbatim:

"Unable to animate this object(animation forbidden for this object)."

Why ? That seems like a major limitation there. :)

Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong or not doing right ? I apologize if this a known issue that already has been discussed, I missed it.

Thanks in advance! :)

Hi ! In Infinite there is the possibility to forbid animation for an object. Maybe this has been implemented in Easel ?

Thanks to all who have respond thus far.

Okay...that at least makes some sense. However, I don't remember reading about "animations being forbidden" anywhere in the fine print (or the manual which would be a great place for it). :)

"Lots of objects included*, Animated your scenes to your heart's content**, etc."

• = We've purposely prevented animation on the included included objects as they are there just to mock you.

** = Deselecting all objects in the scene will allow use oft the animation timeline / wizard features that you paid for. This is intended to taunt you with the idea(s) of what could be doing if you give us more money to upgrade to the next level up. :)

All joking aside, I'm hoping this is either not the case or a mistake (i.e. broken / bad release) that will be corrected later. Perhaps Easel is too good to be true ? In that case, shame on me for buying it.

I thought I'd post it here rather than waiting the approximate 3.1x days for e-on to respond since if it was a known issue, I probably would get a faster response here which I kind of have.

Thanks!

Message edited on: 10/08/2005 08:53

Make sure nothing is selected, then start the Animation Wizard, don't expect more than a ride through the scenery because that's all that's available in Easel in the way of animation.

If I've missed where this limitation was disclosed, then I humbly apologize for taking up peoples time here. Although, I don't believe they did disclose it perhaps even on purpose. If I'd known that I might not have purchased it, but there are things I like better than Bryce in it. Although without this animation ability I'm really bummed. Easel's flash tour was misleading to me about Easel's animation abilities but I probably assumed where I shouldn't have. I didn't see a trial version or I would have installed that first. I'll be more careful next time. Thanks all! :)

Message edited on: 10/08/2005 12:44