Alien Character Animation

[daveythegravy73]

Hi everyone.

I have been learning Lightwave since Xmas 2002 when I bought LW7.5 and a PC.

I have been struggling with one thing. Rigging. I can kinda do it, but something always seems to wrong and I have to start from scratch.

Anyway, I bought ACS4 the other day and I just can't wait to have something animated. I have an idea for an animation set in an Alien space station. I have moddeled an Alien Character and a space station corridor.

I know that the Alien needs some work as he looks rather short.

I shall post my work as I go along in a drive to keep myself motivated and hopefully I may help other Newbies along the way.

All comments are welcome. I want as much input as I can get at this point, as I have much to learn.

My next step is to touch up the Alien Sub-D, then add weight maps and run it through ACS4.

I shall then Place the Alien in a simplified version of the corridor and start animating.

I shall post more images and movies once I start animating.

I look forward to any usefull feedback.

Best Wishes

daveythegravy

www.purplecabbage.com

[j0SH]

looks alright so far

i just learnt how to rig a character (i'm a noobeh) and it's easier than i thought

[KPS]

Hello daveythegravy73

I am also working on an alien animation.
The character sketch can be seen at: www.kineticpixelsstudio.com

I just started modeling it then I will rig it.
I like what you have so far.
The corridor looks great, I can’t wait until it is textured and lit.
Keep up the good work.

[daveythegravy73]

Hi j0SH & KPS,

Thanks for the comments.

You must have thought Rigging was impossible jOSH, becuase I just can't get it to work right for me. I understand how it all works, but there always seems to be a hickup. Not to mention the time involved. I am going to use ACS4 untill the Workflow is improved in LW. Glad it works for you though. You are over the biggest hurdle in my opinion.

I love the Alien sketch KPS. I am putting my Alien through a major overhaul as I can't see the mesh deforming proper as it is.

This shall be my first Full Character animation, so I am expecting a few hickups along the way.

KPS, have you posted your Alien on here. I would be interested to see your progress.

Thanks guys

Best Wishes

daveythegravy

[astro-sanchez]

I had a hard time learning to rig
but then one happy day it all worked.
tried acs4, then found another way that
is about half as complex and much easier to
use.
I could help you out if you need it.

[daveythegravy73]

Hi astro-sanchez,

Thankyou for your offer. I would be most greatfull if you could help me out on the Rigging front.

Thankyou.

Best Wishes

daveythegravy

[daveythegravy73]

P.S.

I like ur Flash website astro-sanchez.

Best Wishes

daveythegravy

[astro-sanchez]

What do you need help with first
My mac makes a sound when I get a new email so
if I am on the computer I will see your new posts

[astro-sanchez]

thanks
I am working on it right now so I will be up all
night when I get an idea I can't sleep until it
is finished

[daveythegravy73]

Hi again,

You said in ur thread: 'then found another way that
is about half as complex and much easier to
use.
I could help you out if you need it.'

I am interested in the easier method due to the fact that LW Rigging workflow is so tedius.

Do you use Outlook Express for ur emails?

Best Wishes

daveythegravy.

P.S. I got to take the kids to school, be back in about an hour.

Thanks

[astro-sanchez]

I use the apple mail app it works good

ok, this is the setup I use
http://www.sterafilms.com/rig.jpg

I only have a few nulls other rigs have
more nulls for the feet but I didn't really
need them for the type of character I have
which is alot like yours.

[astro-sanchez]

just so you can see this is the character I have.
I can pose, animate him very fast and it is alot
more fun.
http://www.sterafilms.com/balens.jpg
if i can get it to work i could make a download
on my site of the scene with just the bones
but it might take some time.

I have nothing to do today so I will try to help
as much as I can

[daveythegravy73]

Hi, I'm back,

Looks great, but where are the Nulls, and how do you do the Heel_Roll/Toe_Roll thing?

daveythegravy

[daveythegravy73]

Hi,

Do you have an AOL name?

daveythegravy

[astro-sanchez]

I use the toe/foot bones for that
there are only two nulls for ik
leg chain

[astro-sanchez]

no
do you use PC or MAC?

[daveythegravy73]

Hi,

I use PC, but if you download the AOL instant messanger, we can do this a whole thing a lot quicker.

What do you think?

daveythegravy

[astro-sanchez]

If you know a faster way of doing
this kind of thing just say

[astro-sanchez]

I will try that
hold on

[daveythegravy73]

Hi,

I mean, if u download the AOL Instant Messanger from the AOL website(Its' free), we can chat in real time, which would speed things up.

What you think?

daveythegravy

[astro-sanchez]

doing that right now

[daveythegravy73]

Hi,

My Buddy Name is daveythegravy73

[astro-sanchez]

ok I am all setup
my name on it is
astrostera

[daveythegravy73]

Just figureing out how to add u to my buddy list brb

[KPS]

Here is the tread for my character as you asked.

http://vbulletin.newtek.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=75133#post75133

[Maimo]

Hay Astro - Sanchez

your devel's face looks alot like the Japanese Oni type devils any
trooth to that being one of you influences?

[astro-sanchez]

for Maimo

nope i have never seen a japanese oni devil
i just made it from my head.

[daveythegravy73]

Hi everyone,

I have been working on the Alien Character over the weekend.

A change in the animation plot now requires him to be muscular.

There shall also be a Female Alien that shall be more a sterotypical X-Files type Alien.

I am working on Cenceptual drawings for the other Character, & shall post a Conceptual drawing when it is finished.

This is my first 3D biped, so all comments are welcome.

Thanks for the input Guys.

Best Wishes

daveythegravy

[daveythegravy73]

P.S. he shall eventualy be wearing some bdy armour and boxer shorts, as he is a slovenly grunt who has just rolled out of bed.

daveythegravy

[daveythegravy73]

Thanx for all input.

I am having to put my Alien project on hold.

I have decided to brush up on my minimal modelling skills, with help from a new buddy of mine here on the forum.

I have started by working through the Z car tutorial.

U can see more info on this in my new work in progress thread called Z car.

Best Wishes to all

daveythegravy