Blender + Anime studio

[Uolter]

I was reading the 3d topic and because I'm very interested in learning blender for make characters to be imported in AS I would ask if someone already did it and can tell his opinion/show the results...

[Atalklyng_crow]

I have done several animations in blender, while anime studios 3D capability TOTALLY SUX. Software can't retain the shader details!!

[Uolter]

Thank you for your answer, but to say AS sucks it is not a respectful comment.

I wrote on blender forum and they gave me this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh1IA9PtEDc

What do you think about it?

[Atalklyng_crow]

This video sux too, it doesn't look like blender made piece at all., did you use some sort of 2D program??

[sbtamu]

This video sux too, it doesn't look like blender made piece at all., did you use some sort of 2D program??

UMMM; he never said he made this.

[Rudiger]

I was reading the 3d topic and because I'm very interested in learning blender for make characters to be imported in AS I would ask if someone already did it and can tell his opinion/show the results...

I take it you're talking about creating a character in 3D, but animating it in 2D. Definitely an interesting concept. The first step would be exporting a Freestyle render to SVG. You could then convert that SVG to Illustrator format and import it into AS. No doubt there would be hurdles along the way, but that's always the way when you're pioneering a new technique.

[Rhoel]

Software can't retain the shader

You need to use baked textures, then it works a treat. I need to go back and replace a heap of lost images which were on the old server - hopefully then the tutorials for baking material for use with Blender <> ASP will work again. If anyone saved that thread and wants to re-post, please do. Blender objects with full colour does work and can look good.

HOWEVER: There are limitations. ASP does not support 3D depth information in a layer - so if you construct a street in 3D, you cannot walk your character down the street and expect to have them automatically walk behind a lamppost. Frustratingly, the 3D view of the ASP world does show that happening, but the renderer doesn't calculate the space. Several of us have tried workarounds with varying degrees of success.

Blender is very powerful and it can output toon rendered objects for use in ASP - so if you want the Mr Bean car object, then you can.

But if you want to have your 2d Characters in the 3D world, you might want to think of using a different composite tool to achieve that - Mirage or Combustion spring to mind.

Rhoel

[Uolter]

Thanks for your anserws. Rhoel you've been very exaustive, and I understand now that the whole thing is very complicated...so, because I'm still learning I think it's better for now to not go deeper...

[Rudiger]

Software can't retain the shader

But if you want to have your 2d Characters in the 3D world, you might want to think of using a different composite tool to achieve that - Mirage or Combustion spring to mind.

Rhoel

I had an idea to convert anime files to animated SVG files and import them to Blender as animated vector textures. Then you could just have a textured rectangle for each 2D object you are importing and have a PyNode make them always facing the camera. Then I'm pretty sure the options for integrating 2D in 3D with Blender would be limitless.

[knunk]

Uolter
I'd not give up on it yet. Its involved but not really that complex. You need to research render passes and outputting camera information.

Theres a lot of guys out there that write free plugins that take your 3d scene into After Effects which is kind of, for me, the best comp app and what we now use at FK.

Remember also, to always keep it simple. If you can fake it then do. See Camera mapping etc. Use as many tools as you need.

Some links of interest.

http://www.amateurmedia.net/landscape-i ... -tutorial/

http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/2010/0 ... 4d-part-1/

http://cg.tutsplus.com/tutorials/autode ... r-effects/

http://shadermap.com/

http://www.blendernation.com/blender-to ... rt-script/

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/3d_ledge/


cheers


Jez

[Rhoel]

Software can't retain the shader

But if you want to have your 2d Characters in the 3D world, you might want to think of using a different composite tool to achieve that - Mirage or Combustion spring to mind.

Rhoel

I had an idea to convert anime files to animated SVG files and import them to Blender as animated vector textures. Then you could just have a textured rectangle for each 2D object you are importing and have a PyNode make them always facing the camera. Then I'm pretty sure the options for integrating 2D in 3D with Blender would be limitless.

That would be interesting - lots of potential: Be interest to hear how it works.

Rhoel

[crsP]

If Anime Studio could IMPORT swf's that would be useful. Keyframed frame by frame could then be done in another app and the imported swf would have its points editable for point or bone based animation.

[Rudiger]

If Anime Studio could IMPORT swf's that would be useful. Keyframed frame by frame could then be done in another app and the imported swf would have its points editable for point or bone based animation.

Thankfully there are already lots of SWF to AVG converters, so if I was able to write an SVG to and from AS converter, you would get that for free.

[Uolter]

Thanks knunk for your encouragement! I am very interested to work with different tools to achieve best results...I will take a look at your links with calm. I have a only problem, time...I'd like to have more...