Moho Forum

After searching and reading a lot on this excellent forum, I could not find the information I needed either here or in the tutorials. It's in the tutorials if you infer a couple of steps. But, since no synopsis of the steps was available here, I'll summarize in hope of contributing something.

I want to use a switch to control a lip sync with the straight forward method of letting AS switch between layers based on volume of the audio file. Then I want to use a second switch layer to control eye expressions off a data file. I know there are other methods for manipulating eyes and I will investigate them as I get better with the software. But for now, this method will work for me. Problem was I couldn't see how Papagayo would help because it generates a data file off a sound track and I want to switch expressions off my own decision list. I took a chance and opened up the "vista.dat" file and found that it's a 2 column text file. So, to accomplish x+1 switch files that work off homebrew decision lists, I just copy the vista.dat file to other names, edit it to reflect my decisions and associate each file with itsproper switch layer. Simple, no?

Is this too rudimentary to mention? I haven't had time to experiment with and learn from the wonderful example files available here. I can say that great work is being done by this forum's participants. For the time being I'm concentrating on simple, straight forward methods to help me be productive and I found this method of controlling multiple switch layers helpful.

Cheers, David

No, not too simple to mention. I'm glad you did, because I might be able to use that someday... who knows? Thanks for taking the time to share this.

There is another trick you can use that doesn't require modifying the DAT file in that way. You could use Papagayo directly to control ANY type of switch layer.

Couple of approaches:
1 - easier Just name your eye switches the same as phonemes. Create a series of images of the eyes to use in Papagayo instead of the mouths. You don't have to modify Papagayo then. Just use those phonemes for the eyes and you can see that in Papagayo.

You don't need all of the "phoneme" positions for the eyes, you could just create and use the ones you need.

2 - harder (harder since I have never done this myself) Create NEW "phonemes" in Papagayo. I haven't done it but I am pretty sure you can create your own "phonemes" or switch "tags" just for an eye switch in Papagayo.

Side note:
I plan to try and use DAT files for lip sync to control actions instead of switches. This would allow the use of bones for lip sync.

I say "try" since there will be a lot of steps between "try" and "do" and I haven't even started yet.

-vern

I find that, right now, for me, the most direct way is to use the AS facility to use sound file volume to choose between the switches and when I've got 2 characters visible just delete the keyframes in the timeline for the character I don't want to talk at that moment. Simple, crude, but direct and effective. I'm all about expediency -- getting the job done.

-HassleHead

Thanks for your input, Hasslehead. I know what you mean! I'm going to try the phonemes that Papagayo offers [plus, I'm trying, today, to hack Papagayo to let me automate a separate "Th" phoneme]. Since this is the first toon animation I've ever done for my employer, I want it to look as close to perfect as I can get it where facial animation's concerned -- this toon is all talking heads and no real action. I'll keep your sound advice in mind, though -- I might fall back on it if time presses.

Remember, however, that speech in animation should be handled as a reference to real life. Approaching real life too much beats all the life out of your animation. There always has to be room for imagination for the viewer.

I know what you mean ... but I also know this client and my boss....

I know, I know. There are also people and companies (even multi billion dollar companies) who insist on a Flash intro on their website, while most website visitors find those annoying...

Some people don't have any taste, it seems. It's more likely they just have no understanding about what is proper in a particular case or circumstance, or perhaps don't even care about user experience and entertainment.

I ask you: "How many companies call their own customer support lines?" The answer shows you how involved companies are with the end result and with how it is perceived by the people who have to use the service or product.