Help with 3D unit Tutorial

[Level]

I am thinking of making a tutorial on how to make 3D units and need some help.

I can do 3D Studio Max but need others.

Smoking mirror, Kinboat, pesoloco, and any one else, can you write: what programs you use, the steps you take, and any tips you have.

This would really help new unit creators and may even help some of us.

How sould it be set up? one person colect all infomation? each person have a post on the programs they use?

Thank you for your help.

 

[Smoking mirror]

I can do a economy option, how to do 3d units with programs that don't suport genuine animation routines.
Does any one know where I can get a free screeshot grabber so I can do a walkthrough of my next unit, I'm planning on doing animated GIF of the tank being assembled form scratch, each object being shaped and located, but it would be good to show each stage of the process of animating the unit.

 

[Jimmyh]

Originally posted by Smoking mirror
I can do a economy option, how to do 3d units with programs that don't suport genuine animation routines.
Does any one know where I can get a free screeshot grabber so I can do a walkthrough of my next unit, I'm planning on doing animated GIF of the tank being assembled form scratch, each object being shaped and located, but it would be good to show each stage of the process of animating the unit. [/QUOTE

Paint Shop Pro can take screen grabs.

 

[pesoloco]

I use MicroGafx Simply 3D

What I do is first create a model(unanimated), sort of like a template, and save it.
Then I rotate it to make each of the eight directions. I save each of the directions (unanimated) to make a template.
Then when I come up with an animation using the general model I load up each of the eight directional models and apply the same animations.
I save each of the directional animations as animated gif files. then i use GIF COnstruction Set to copy each frame of those gifs into a flicster pcx file.
I tried it once just generating FLCs (not gifs) and using flicster with multiple flc files, but i encountered too many unknown problems. It's easier just to use GIF files and copy the frames than try to figure out what is going on with flicster.
I hope this is what you needed. If not, just ask. I'll be glad to offer any advice or help.
The reason I use 8 models (one for each direction) is so that all the northeast animations face the exact same angle (and all the other directions for that matter)

I have created three units this way:
Fencer, Dinosaur Rider, Plesio-Powered Transport.

 

[Kinboat]

Actually I'm reworking a section of my webpage with my CIV3 units... I'd be happy to include a section on the process I go through (don't know how much it will help) and I'll either post it here or a link at least... may take a bit

 

[Smoking mirror]

I found that Corel has a screenshot feature; I've just finished my ISU 152, next I'll try to do a walkthrough of doing a MKIV panzer showing tips on how to transform a technical drawing in to a good 3d model, and simple techniques for animating a unit.
I think with the right techniques any one can produce units of a similar quality to mine, using quite a cheap 3d program and a photoediting program.

 

[Kinboat]

I've finished a little how-to file, but I haven't really gone into making the actual 3D model, just turning a completed model into a FLC file... In a bit I'll post a link here...

 

[Kinboat]

Here's a link to my brief How To for POVRay...
http://angstadt.virtualave.net/HowTo.htm
I have several screenshots there to help out... And I don't know everything and I'm probably doing a lot of stuff that I don't need too... and making things harder for myself but there it is...

 

[Moeniir]

Originally posted by pesoloco
I tried it once just generating FLCs (not gifs) and using flicster with multiple flc files, but i encountered too many unknown problems. It's easier just to use GIF files and copy the frames than try to figure out what is going on with flicster.

If you want to try generating the FLCs again, and send me a set, I'll see why FLICster isn't working with them. You can shoot me a zip at moeniir@comcast.net.

Copying the frames one at a time has got to suck.


--Moe

 

[Smoking mirror]

Originally posted by Moeniir



Copying the frames one at a time has got to suck.

Ah ha ha ha it certainly does, I'm going to try my next unit with 8 cameras and multiple single frames of animation. It should be quicker if it works, but its gonna be hellishly complicated.

 

[pesoloco]

Originally posted by Moeniir


If you want to try generating the FLCs again, and send me a set, I'll see why FLICster isn't working with them. You can shoot me a zip at moeniir@comcast.net.

Copying the frames one at a time has got to suck.


--Moe

Thanks. I'll send you the multi-directional flics when I make my next 3d unit.

 

[Level]

I think i will post the tutorial tomorrow.

 

[Smoking mirror]

I think I can have The first part of my tutorial finished by tomorrow, "Building the 3d model from drawings" and the first part of animating units.

 

[Level]

It is posted
You can add any thing you want