In a recent thread here, I brought-up the subject of Anime, and how much I loved 'Ghost In The Shell' after seeing it for the first time recently. If truth be told, I'm actually quite smitten by it - and I've decided to have a go at designing one of those Anime babes with guns and a manacing gaze! As far as designing her is concerned, I think I'd be quite good at it. But as for the rest of what's invoved, I really can't seem to get my head around the 'production-pipeline' as they say. This is just a bit of fun (a new project for spare time), but even so - I want to do it well. I have an idea of how I would go about putting it all together and animating it, but I'm limited by the tools I have for doing it. I have Bryce and Cinema4D (without the Cell-Shader unfortunately), either of which I could use for the animation side of things. Also, I have PhotoPaint and Photoshop for the 2D and design side of things. Here is my step-by-step idea of how I think it may work: 1: Design the character/s and backgrounds on paper. (That'll be fun 'cos I ain't drawn anything by hand since I got into 3D). 2: Split each moving part into layers and bring them into Bryce or Cinema on various layers that are face-on to the camera. That way I can create depth of field to the virtual-cells without having it look as though it's rendered in a 3D app. 3: Add dialog, music, sound-effects and ta-da! I'm hoping that's the way I can go about this, although I'm probably overlooking something important in the process - if so, PLEASE tell me (that's why this message is here). I realize there's at least one major problem with my suggestion; and that's regarding the black outlines to the edges of the characters etc... How would I do that? I know I would have to draw them into each cell before I bring it into the renderer, but that's no fun for one guy to make, say, a five minute movie. I'm wondering if there's a free tool out there which is capable of analyzing a drawing, and adding 'vector' quality outlines to it automatically. Hopefully, something that has control over the ends of the lines (butt/pointed) etc...? I'm also wondering if there's any free dedicated tools for creating such an animation? An important point here is that I don't want it to look as if it was created on a computer (that's a BIG no no no!). I saw a 'SouthBankShow - Anime-Special' and this Japanese guy reckons that had the various Anime's been created on a computer, they just wouldn't be the same (I agree). So, if anyone has any experience or suggestions here, I'm all ears. Programs, tools, advice, suggestions, anything... Cheers, Len.

The wait can be horrific, but the outcome can be worse - pumeco 2006