Saturday, November 8, 2008

Survival Guide

I agree with Colonel Klink -
"If the 3DS Max examples for set pieces such as vehicles (autos, boats, planes, helicopters), characters with the emotions, door and window animations, etc, I'm sure there are talented people within the Antics3D community that could create new content.
As a 3D modeler who has made content for a couple of games, and contracted to create models for a commercial 3D application, I had considered purchasing Iclone before buying Antics3D. What endeared me to Iclone was that I could create content to give away or sell.
Now if people at Antics could provide the necessary examples as mentioned above I am willing work with folks who wish to keep Antics alive.
While I accept there would be no improvements to Antics apart from bug issues, as Antics have stated, the application as it stands can still produce decent animated video. But if we can add more diversified content, particularly characters, then I'm sure we can continue using Antics3D for years to come.
For the Antics3D community to survive then I suggest that:1. Antics3D make available the necessary 3D animation examples and information so that the community can continue developing content that doesnt require invisible original Antics models.2. Release a character animation tool so that the community can create their own animations that will fit seamlessy with the suppled content.3. Allow interested parties who wish to continue making content to do so using the above supplied Antics3D technologies in much the same way Iclone does with their user base."

And also with Infocentral - "I too would like to continue using this product but I agree we need the information to create content. This is really crucial with character development technology. While I can create these easily in Modo or Lightwave, I need to know a bit more on how to rig then and set them up for use as Antics characters with the motions attached.Please, please before leaving us, release the SDK for creating content in Antics??? "

In my view,
We've got the keys to the car just need to get under the bonnet.
Antics did release 3DS max examples very early in the piece. I have had success in getting the mannequinn style characters into Antics.
I'd love to get a fully rigged character and some documentation on how to export it to Antics. If anyone gets a max version of an existing Character please let me know.





ammo

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree that Antics3d could be a great user-based platform with just a bit of openness from the programmers. It does seem a difficult feat to synergize the intentions of the company (to continue licensing the platform to forensic and children's animation companies) with opening up the internal workings. I worry the purchasing companies might have a problem with it.

If I know chip-heads though, Antics is likely to become open whether the creators want it to or not. I have suites of tools for a variety of apps who never agreed to their software being back-engineered. Either one embraces open-source or it squeezes the crap out of you.

JRay

Anonymous said...

Hi.
I'm waiting with fingers crossed that Antics will see that there is a dedicated user base and open up some of their technology. As anonymous wrote: "I have suites of tools for a variety of apps who never agreed to their software being back-engineered."
I have to agree. The industry I'm associated with has probably as much 3rd party software tools as there are company produced ones.
I would also like to have seen some form of scripting added to Antics in the future. This would have allowed the user to "get down and dirty" with Antics rather than just point and click.
It is sad that Antics has pulled the plug. I had chosen Antics over Iclone, but unless the ability to create custom content is released then I feel somewhat cheated. But that is life I guess.