CrazyTalk Animator Demo by WarLord

Crazy Talk Animator Demo from WarLord on Vimeo.

This is a really good demo of CrazyTalk Animator, and the fact that it includes some "live" footage from the Wolf & Dulci Hour doesn't hurt :)

Tonight - iClone & Sketchup

Tonight we will be discussing Sketchup & iClone with Andrew Telker on the Wolf & Dulci Hour. You can listen live by tuning in to http://www.tmoaradio.com at 9pm CST/10pm EST. An interactive chat room is up during our show as well where you can add your thoughts and ask questions while we're on the air - http://www.tmoaradio.com/v3chat/index.php.

SketchUp & iClone Rendering Contest

Reallusion has announced a new competition with some fantastic prizes. There is an Image Render category as well as a Video Render category. Plus, the competition is a great excuse for all of us to brush up on our SketchUp skills.

They don't just toss a contest out there, either. There are some excellent tutorials available here to get you started.

iClone Wiki Commercial Contest Winners

Anim8tor Cathy's iClone Wiki Commercial Contest has come to an end and winners have been announced.

The iClone Wiki is your informational source for all things iClone.

1st Place - $100

Navigate The Maze from afterThought on Vimeo.

2nd Place - $50 Wolf Bucks


3rd Place - $50 CoolClones credits

Iclone Wiki Commercial from thebiz on Vimeo.

Hidden

Hidden from Dulci on Vimeo.

This is a minimalistic piece highlighting music by Machinimasound.com. Created with iClone4.

DJ Booth Freebie from iClone Revolution

WarLord with www.iclonerevolution.com has some new freebies available, including a DJ booth with animated revolving light, bar props, a bar, red carpet and velvet ropes.

Take a look here to download for free and be sure to check out the rest of his quality props while you are there!

Useful sites

I've been organizing the various links I've referenced in recent Wolf & Dulci Hour podcasts. Here are some of the ones I'm keeping bookmarked for future reference:

Suicidator City Generator
Open Game Art
Open Film
My Outer Space
111 Free Filmmaking Tools
Free Celtx Tools
50 Free Hi-Res Metal Textures
Make Human
Lighting Challenges
How to Write a Screenplay
2010 Machinima Expo
Machinimasound

Now I just need to get some 3D glasses

I'm going to have to fiddle with this feature - I can't resist it much longer! But first I need to get my hands on some 3D glasses. As if people don't think my hobby is geeky enough already - now they can wander past my workspace and see me frantically working at the computer, moving little animated people around, gleefully cackling to myself, rockin' the look of 3D shades....

Solar Freyr

Solar Freyr from allpoint on Vimeo.

The experimental ship Solar Freyr encounters an asteroid field on its maiden voyage, after activating their matter dimension drive to pass through it they are left with a translucent object in an engine corridoor.

Allpoint has released his movie Solar Freyr. I really enjoy his writing style and acting alongside some of my VA favorites was a special treat.

Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds

A special feature from the Wolf & Dulci Hour - Welcome to our rendition of Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds - ala William Shatner!

First peek at Chani

I've been writing a bit of Dune fan-fiction off and on over the last few years, and just recently started the process of character and set development in iClone to get the movie up and off the ground.

Above is my version of Chani, who will be the main focus of the movie. Huge thanks to Wolfzone for his help in the blue-blue eyes which, as any Dune fan will tell you, are absolutely ESSENTIAL.

I'm excited too that Reallusion has released some action animations (see demo below) that will fit in perfectly with the movie. Gotta love good timing!

Warlord's Gauntlet and Mech Tech Demo

Gauntlet and Mech Tech Demo from WarLord on Vimeo.

Warlord is up to more creative goodness!

Outerspace Atmosophere into iClone

Great tutorial by iClone Certified Training!

iClone Animation Class - Part Two

May 15th stuckon3d will be presenting his Animation Class Part Two. Topics to be covered include director mode, keyframes, function curves, links, squash and stretch, arc motions, and lots more.




You can sign up for the class by contacting stuckon3d.

Blender into iClone Test

Having finally bought 3DXchange 4 Pro for iClone, I took some time yesterday to figure out at least some of one of the most exciting features - the ability to bring rigged characters from other programs into iClone.

I did a google search for free .fbx characters (my ongoing heartfelt thanks & appreciation to people who make their work available for free like that - I don't know where I would be without that tremendous generosity!!!) and found a ninja lady made in Blender.

I followed the steps outlined here to 1) Export the character from Blender as an .fbx file; 2) Import the .fbx file into 3dXchange 4; 3) Save the animations as individual clips in 3dXchange 4; 4) Export the character into iClone 4; and then 5) Play with the character in iClone!

Here's the results of my very fast test - nothing fancy here. I didn't fiddle with the texture of the original or apply any iClone standard animations - all animations used were from the original Blender character.



This feature in 3dXchange 4 opens up WORLDS to iCloners. I'm quite excited!

iClone Sci Fi Contest - Getting Started

Reallusion has announced the launch of the 2nd Annual iClone Filmmaking Competition. This year's theme, as anticipated, is science fiction. The deadline for entries is July 4, 2010.

Here are the rules straight from the Reallusion site:


Qualifications & Requirements
To submit, all participants should register as a Reallusion member and submit the video via the Submission Form by midnight, Pacific time on 07/04/2010


•Participants must use iClone in the creation of their movie

– You don't have iClone? Then you may acquire a free iClone EX version here.

•Participants must fill out the Submission Form with their movie title, movie desciption, movie credits, contact information and URL link to their uploaded video on YouTube.com

•Entrants may submit up to (3) movies for award consideration

•Winners will be posted on the Sci-Fi Movie Competition's official forum page and notified through e-mail

Technical Requirements
•1 video link uploaded on YouTube.com

(Video size is not limited, but good YouTube video quality is encouraged. The video name title must begin with the text “iClone Sci-Fi”)

•Movie length: Minimum of 2 minutes ~ 10 minutes (longer videos are acceptable)

•Submitted videos MUST be about Science Fiction (please refer to the genre below)

•Submitted videos may incorporate footage from other video games or commercial clips for a media mash-up but the submission would need to have at least 40% iClone generated footage inside

•Video entries may be submitted in any language but they must have English voice dubs or subtitles for worldwide viewing and appreciation. Take note that this is an international competition

AND the prizes:

Best Picture
Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 720 Projector
Valued $ 999.95

Best picture will be awarded to the most inspiring cinematic film portraying a believable plot on where humanity will be in the future.

Think of a film deserving to be played on the big screen. Films that swing away from contemporary Sci-Fi cliches are a plus.

Best Movie Tribute
Sony α330 DSLR Camera and Lenses
Valued $ 749.95

Best Movie Tribute shall go to the entry that portrays the best fan film of all. Criteria shall be based on attention to detail and faithfulness to the genre.

Think of capturing the essence of your tribute all while portraying your own spin to the original storyline.

Best Mashup
PlayStation®3 250GB system
Valued $ 349.95

The Best Mashup Award shall be handed to the entry that brings the best compilation of video game footage, external media footage or any other source into their film.

Think of good editing, a well thought-out story plot and high quality captured footage.

Best Screenplay
PhotoBasics' Green Screen Video Kit + Reallusion popVideo Converter 2.0
Valued $ 394.95

Best Screenplay category shall be awarded to the film that portrays the best story script with great scenes, camera angles and direction. Seeing a character do something is far more powerful than having him/her say it.

Think of Scorcese, Kubrick, and the Coen Brothers when creating your film.

Best Super Hero Character
Magix Video PRO X2
Valued $ 299.99

The Best Super Hero Award will be given to the film with the best original Super Hero. Who would be everyone's favorite super hero?

Think in terms of creativity and originality. Think Heroes. Make a list of what we all want to be, and give it a body.

Coolest Robot Style
Magix Video PRO X2
Valued $ 299.99

The Coolest Robot Style shall be awarded to the film that introduces the best original Robot character. Remember how we all soiled ourselves when we first saw RoboCop, Ripley's power loader and the Terminator.

Think in terms of a good design, practicability and overall awesomeness!


Most Creative Alien
PhotoBasics Green Screen Video Kit + Reallusion popVideo Converter 2.0
Valued $ 394.95

This category will be awarded to the film that introduces the most creative Alien character with personality.

Think of a species that has successfully evolved into something aesthetical and logical. Random concoctions will lose points.

Best Outer Space Scene
Magix Video PRO X2
Valued $ 299.99

The Best Space Science award shall be presented to the most realistic presentation of an outer space environment and hard science.

Think of Hubble Space Telescope images, physics, your high-school science teacher (well maybe not) and utmost realism.

Best Visual FX
Digital Juice Motion Design Element Collection
Valued $ 499.70

Visual FX category is for the film that crafts the most unique shots and scenes with incredible special effects with stunning and awe inspiring visual esthetics.

Think of depth of field effects, force fields, plasma particles, explosions, optical effects and lens flares.

Best Sound FX
Partners In Rhyme Sci-Fi & Scary
Sound Effects Pack
Valued $ 130

This award goes to the film who crafted and legally acquired the perfect balance of sound effects and music.

Think of great movie themes, well-done Doppler effects and surround sounds.


Associated sites:

Be sure to check out the following sites as not only are they friends with Reallusion, but they will also be hosting special iClone give-away contests:

FanBoy Theater
Fan Film Follies
Internet Video Magazine
Sci-Fi Movie Page

Content Sources

• Wolfzone's Sci-Fi Props & Wasteland Props
• Be sure to check out the list put together by MyClone for sci-fi freebies galore.
• CoolClones has a lot of freebies available (you need to be a registered member to access) as well as purchasable content at their store
• Some fantastic freebies and purchasable content available from WarLord at iClone Revolution.
• Reallusion Content Store
• Freebies available through iClone Warehouse (you need to be a registered member to access)
• Renderosity (need some technical know-how to convert props for use in iClone)
• Use the iClone Avatar Builder in association with Evolver to create unique aliens

Those are just some of my favorites - there's plenty more out there!

More info to follow, as I will be watching (and entering!) this contest closely. If I don't come up with something better, I'll probably enter The Day We All Turned Into Aliens - Hour 1.

Part 1 - The Day We All Turned Into Aliens

The Day We All Turned Into Aliens - Hour 1 from Dulci on Vimeo.

I am having sooooo much fun with this project!

Floating City Props

How cool is this prop available from iClone Revolution? With Reallusion scheduled to start the Sci Fi movie competition sometime in April, I'm keeping my eyes peeled for all sorts of sci fi goodies!

Floating City Props from WarLord on Vimeo.

Free Introductory Class to iClone4

Stuckon3D is part of the Reallusion Certified Trainer program. He is a 3d artist with 20 years experience. He has worked on two major TV series ("Star Trek : Voyager" and "Deep Space nine"). He has also worked for Disney, Nickelodeon, and Electronic Arts as a senior artist and as an Art Director. He now offers training via online live training to learn about iClone tips and tricks to bring your skills to a higher level.

On March, Saturday 13th 2010 at 10:30 AM pacific standard time, he is offering a free introductory class to iClone4. Learn the XYZ's to navitage iClone like a pro.

More advanced classes are also available, at $35 per person. Lessons are two to three hours plus 30 minutes for Q&A session. The classes are also project based so by the end of the class you will see a mini project from start to end.

To sign up for the class, more information can be found here.

iClone Avatars via Evolver

Wanted to create your very own specific avatars, but never knew how to do 3D modeling with 3DS Max or Maya?! Now with iClone Avatar Builder, you can!
Build your custom avatar in realtime 3D using the iClone Avatar Builder, powered by our industry partner in avatar creation- Evolver. Just use the simple Evolver slider bars to create your unique avatars in a matter of minutes!

All the magic happens on Reallusion's servers so there is no need for any plugins or fancy graphics cards! What you see, is what you get for avatar creation! And the great news is, you can decide if you want your character to only have body animation or both facial and body animation!

The iClone Avatar Service is now officially available and you can start creating your Standard avatars (2000 points) immediately. You can find out more about this service HERE.

Non-Standard avatars will also be available soon and are slightly cheaper (1300 points). The final touches are being put togther for these avatars so they may not be quite ready as you read this.

*** As a special launch promotion you can buy two and get another absolutely free. ***

(And if the above reads as a press release or commercial, it's because I copied and pasted the info directly from Reallusion - technical explanations are not my forte!)




**NOTE** Avatars from iClone Avatar Builder are only supported by iClone4.12 or above. **