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[BrazilianBoy]

Hi guys 

As you know I'm working on a Sonic the hedgehog fangame. But I have a big problem: I'm a disaster in animating. I've already tried to animate a very simple sonic model, and the result was pure crap. As far as I know, thre isn't a "ready to use", already animated model of sonic. I have a wonderful sonic model from sonic heroes, really good stuff, but it's static.

Anyone wants to get involved? 

EDIT: One more question (I love to ask): Do you know a "simple to use" modeler that supports keyframe animation? Simple to use because as Marvin said some time ago, Blender is a nightmare (EDIT: for beginners).

Lucas

[Mathias 'cylab' Henze]

Don't know if you can utilize this: http://www.mit.edu/%7Eibaran/autorig/pinocchio.html.

['n ddrylliog]

I'd rather say that Blender is a dream

It's just like anything, you gotta get used to it.

If you want artists, just ask politely on MagicSpark.org (http://www.magicspark.org/), we have plenty of'em . The website is in French (sorry) but you can just follow the "Forum" link and you'll recognize the forum board software.

[BrazilianBoy]

Okay. Thank you very much. I noticed the "Stratagem" topic. I hope I can play it soon.

Can I post there in english?

EDIT: The model I'd like to use:

Lucas.

[Marvin Fröhlich]

EDIT: One more question (I love to ask): Do you know a "simple to use" modeler that supports keyframe animation? Simple to use because as Marvin said some time ago, Blender is a nightmare.

Well, that's not exactly what I said. Here is a "Quotable", if you ever want to quote me again about this :

Blender is a nightmare for beginners. It doesn't help you in any way to learn the very basic, nor advanced functions. Most functions are available through hidden hotkeys, that you must know. You'll have to find some useful tutorials to learn blender, of which there are plenty out there, if you know, what to search for.

AFAIK Blender is the most advanced free 3D modeler and is a very good replacement for the very expensive 3D Studio Max. If you have transcended the lack of "integrated documentation", blender is a dream because of its features and is certainly easy to use when you do know the hotkeys.

IIRC, there are some links in the wiki about this. At least we should collect them there.

There are some other free modelers like, of which the most well known are Wings 3D and Art Of Illusion. Just have a look at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_modeler (and ignore the commercial ones ).

Marvin

[kukanani]

Well, Lucas, while we wait patiently for the COLLADA loader, I can use Blender to rig and animate models.  I would gladly rig your Sonic model, and might be persuaded to create some animations too.  I would only ask for my name as a "3D Modeler" in size 1 text in the game credits  .

Is your Sonic model too big to post on the forum?  As you many know, I just had a big move, and i don't have e-mail set up yet, so you can't send it to me that way.  But any other way I could receive it, I would be happy to try.

[BrazilianBoy]

I would gladly rig your Sonic model, and might be persuaded to create some animations too.  I would only ask for my name as a "3D Modeler" in size 1 text in the game credits  .

This would be awesome, thank you very much!!! Please don't be so shy, or another english word that I don't remember, because without a decent sonic model the game wouldn't be possible (or at least decent ).

I think I can post it... It's in obj format, and retextured. I don't know if the ac3d's obj exporter breaks the mesh in separate triangles, but I'll have a look at it.

[kukanani]

Ah...It looks good.  I'll get to work.  .

Actually, I need to know a few things...first, how many joints do you want the arms/hands to have?  Should he have an elbow or a knee?  Do you want his expressions to be able to change?  And finally, I would need a list of animations you want me to make.

BTW, did you texture that yourself?  I need a texture artist - maybe we could do a work-trading thing.

[kukanani]

I made some guesses about the questions.  I have some basic bones, down, no face yet.  Here are some screenshots...shaded, textured, and bone structure.  The two strange bones coming out of the head are spike controls, for things like making the spikes blow in the breeze.

Tell me what you think.

[Pandaemonium]

Wow, it's not my game, but I think it looks pretty good. Well done Kukanani. I think you should at least get your name in size 6 font in the game credits. 

[kukanani]

Wow, it's not my game, but I think it looks pretty good. Well done Kukanani. I think you should at least get your name in size 6 font in the game credits. 

Ooo, an upgrade (from size 1) .  Thanks.

[BrazilianBoy]

Hi guys

Seems that you're working hard on the model . It's pretty awesome.

Actually, I need to know a few things...first, how many joints do you want the arms/hands to have?  Should he have an elbow or a knee?  Do you want his expressions to be able to change?  And finally, I would need a list of animations you want me to make.

Actually his arms are flexible, so you should add one more joint to each arm. He doesn't need to have animatable expressions, but they're a nice feature. The spike control thing is very useful and intelligent
In order to make a complete animation set for sonic you need: stand-still, walk, run, brake, launching, recover from homing attack, fall, slide on floor, and jump (swirl) animations.

BTW, did you texture that yourself?  I need a texture artist - maybe we could do a work-trading thing.

That's an awesome idea, but I didn't make the texture, just reworked it and re-applied the texture coords on the models, cause they were misplaced. But helping you with something would be nice

I'm sorry about my abscence, but I was reinstalling my OS, so...

Anyway, a hint: if you're going to animate the model, have a look at the way sonic runs and jumps:
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=L6aFwaayoo8


Lucas (an emoticon record?)

EDIT: What's up with his mouth???

[kukanani]

Mouth?  Sonic's?

I'm sorry, I don't understand.

[BrazilianBoy]

Oh, sorry. With his MUZZLE, or his CHIN. Looks like there's a misplaced vertex there.

[kukanani]

Seems that you're working hard on the model . It's pretty awesome.

Thanks. 

Oh, sorry. With his MUZZLE, or his CHIN. Looks like there's a misplaced vertex there.

Oh, OK.  That was a Weight Paint problem, it's fixed now.

Here's a progress update:

-Stand Still animation finished
-Walk animation finished
-Start Walk animation finished

More to come.