A free playable pinball table game, as a skin-able template for Blender. Creative Commons Attribution.
Update: the author of the .blend has been blocked, so the template can no longer be downloaded.
Vue competition: Jungle Book
There’s a new e-on software competition, Jungle Book, for Vue users.
Google makes the Nik suite free, for Photoshop
Google Nik Collection for Photoshop is now free. Personally I still prefer the older-but-similar plugin suite of tools called 55mm Digital Film Tools, but Nik can do all that 55mm does and a bit more.
“Starting March 24, 2016, the latest Nik Collection will be freely available to download: Analog Efex Pro, Color Efex Pro, Silver Efex Pro, Viveza, HDR Efex Pro, Sharpener Pro and Dfine. If you purchased the Nik Collection in 2016, you will receive a full refund, which we’ll automatically issue back to you in the coming days.”
CrazyTalk Animator 2.1
The affordable and user-friendly CrazyTalk Animator is now in version 2.1…
* 64-bit version.
* Now has a Mac version.
* Masked PNG output, for use in Powerpoint.
* Support for semi-transparency on import (from Flash only?).
* Variable outline-width (but no Photoshop-style artistic-line Styles, yet).
Toonz to be open source
Studio Ghibli’s former animation software Toonz is being made open source (100% free) from 26th March 2016. It has “the ability to combine the hand-drawn animation with the digitally painted ones seamlessly”. It was also used to make Futurama.
The current owners want to make it “a world standard for 2D animation”, hence it’s becoming a freebie. The new open version will be developed under the name of OpenToonz.
Check out especially the Plastic Tool, and think how one might use that with a Poser comic-book mode render to speed up comic book production. And “apply brushes along the line” on both raster and vector. Yum, this will be very interesting to explore.
More official training and features videos here.
Can you storyboard one frame every 20 minutes?
A new Cartoon Brew article “How Long Should It Take To Draw A [animated TV series] Storyboard Panel?”. The math is here.
“A 25-year veteran of the TV animation industry recently sat down to figure out the average amount of time it takes to draw a board panel. […] an average of 20 minutes, based on a script with equal parts action and acting, and importantly, no revisions.”
It seems that, traditionally, 11 minutes of TV animation took six weeks to fully storyboard for production. Arguably, some children’s animation has generally become much more complex in each shot since the 1990s. Compare Wacky Races with Gravity Falls, for instance. But it appears that, rather than the time worked increasing due to the complexity, it’s actually decreased in the industry.
More sci-fi comics
I’ve noticed that there seems to be no dedicated blog for readers seeking quality in sci-fi / fantasy / macabre / adventure comic-book series and graphic novels. I mean comics that are non-superhero, and not aimed wholly or largely at adolescents. So… there’s an opportunity there for a blogger and curator, though it won’t be me.
Since I last blogged on the topic, as a recent returnee to a certain type of comics, I’ve learned a couple of things.
Firstly, to be wary about starting comics series that haven’t concluded yet. Great intelligent sci-fi comics like Letter 44 and Descender being good examples. The reader hears about a new and intelligent series, gets six or 10 or 20 issues into it and then… is left hanging. A regular weekly series of 20-page episodes, done in that fashion, I could handle. But when each subsequent issue can take four to eight weeks or more for the makers to grind out, then this particular reader finds it: i) difficult to pick up the often quite complex plot threads again with each issue; and ii) difficult to find the same level of enjoyment as when reading along in a complete story-with-an-ending.
Secondly, I’ve also learned that the current comics industry has an annoying habit of touting a forthcoming comic as being the “conclusion” when it’s actually no such thing (Descender #11, hem hem) and it’s just a cliff-hanger ‘conclusion’ of an arbitrary run of issues that the publisher will collect as a ‘volume 1’ or ‘volume 2’ omnibus edition.
Thirdly, even when some mega-series do eventually come to a close, they can get a bit wobbly for various reasons. Such as, apparently, the otherwise excellent The Manhattan Projects. The makers can run out of ideas, lose control of complex plots, need to pay bills and so pad out the ending by a few extra un-needed issues, and/or find that the whole project’s become a drag that they’re not really interested in any more.
So for those reasons I’m wary of launching into ongoing biggies like Saga or Black Science or Moore’s Providence, excellent though they’re said to be. That sentiment shouldn’t stop readers from trying some of the best episodic sci-fi out there, certainly the aforementioned Letter 44 and Descender. You just need to be aware that you’re getting into titles that are currently all very far from being finished stories.
Anyway, a few readers may like to know that I’ve added more sci-fi comics titles to the must-read queue on the tablet, since my last post:—
* Brass Sun. Steampunk / sci-fi, originally in 2000 A.D. Seems to be complete.
* Miyazaki’s Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the classic graphic novel on which the famous sci-fi eco movie was based. Complete.
* Arctica. Seven issues, so far? Might not be complete yet?
* Chrononauts. Seems to be a complete mini-series, issues 1 through 4. Possibly a bit adolescent and played-for-laughs, but it must be good — as it’s been picked up by Universal to be made into a movie.
* Golden City is set on a futuristic hi-tech ocean colony and also looks interesting, though is apparently only unofficially available in English translation.
Also cued up are the Lovecraft Anthology #1 and #2, and the graphic novels of Lovecraft’s The Temple and The Case of Charles Dexter Ward. Nearly all fiction / film / fan-schlock claiming to be ‘inspired by Lovecraft’ is either dire or has only the most tenuous connection to Lovecraft. But I have some hope for these direct comic-book adaptations of the stories.
Poser Pro 2014 on Amazon – less than half-price
Currently on the U.S. version of Amazon, Poser Pro 2014 at less than half-price!
“Can haz… hoomans?”
A quickie Poser 11 SuperFly render of an older figure, AM’s early Sabertooth tiger, to make sure it and its fur still works in the new Poser version. Single light and a “Quick Preview” render preset. A ten minute render to 2800px (CPU only) in a .PNG. Then reduced in size to make the fireflies/speckles vanish, and slightly re-lit with Photoshop (light bouncing up off snow, added shadow beneath). Background from Wikipedia.
Poser and DAZ New Content Survey: February 2016
Well, it’s that time of the month again. Here’s my survey of what I found to be the most unusual / freshest / adaptable new content for DAZ Studio and Poser.
Before I start the post, I should note that it’s now official that the Runtime DNA store is being sold outright to DAZ. My guess is that the growing Hivewire3D store will get some of the more Poser-centric RDNA vendors and Poser script/utility makers — and perhaps even get the official Poser forums. I also guess that a few smaller vendors may not want all the hassle of moving elsewhere and their content could just vanish altogether. So… if you have anything on your Runtime DNA Wish List you’ve always wanted, especially if it’s from a small vendor, now might be the time to grab it.
Sci-fi:
New content-creator Sharktooth shows sci-fi promise with his Nanoflight Jetpack for Genesis 2 and 3 (Manga-Anime Battlesuit and helmet not included)…
The AntFarm has a delightfully designed little Helper bot, in a 1960s Italian retro style…
Sleek Chic for Genesis 3 Female is possibly useful generic sci-fi clothing, for background extras in a large scene.
VYK_Meerka for Victoria 4…
Edit Male Hair for Genesis 3 Males, which has a futuristic/sci-fi vibe…
Elegant for Genesis 3 Female has a nice steampunk / Sky Captain feel…
Rebel Star for Genesis 2 Female will be useful for those making fan-art for the new Star Wars movie…
This month coflek-gnorg has Futuristic Promenade, which can double as a future museum or alien aquarium…
In sci-fi scenes Stonemason has Our Lost Future. A naff name, but a very fine sci-fi-horror tunnel entrance…
How to reach that remote and abandoned tunnel entrance? There’s a highly detailed Expedition Truck for Poser. This looks absolutely outstanding in its attention to detail, range of texture makeovers, and inclusion of a complete interior.
For commercial use you’d want to remove some of the trademarked decals via a little Photoshop cloning. Use of the famous Red Cross / UN symbol should also be very carefully considered, even in non-commercial renders. Diluting the power of the Red Cross brand could cost real lives…
The AntFarm has Explosive Props, always handy for the “Destroy ALL Monsters!” type of sci-fi. You can probably scavenge some similar items for free, given an hour’s searching, but here they all are in high quality and they come with DAZ iRay materials…
Cybertenko’s STRATCOM War Room may be useful for some, with a bit of re-texturing of the screens. It reminds me of early Sean Connery-era James Bond movies (Dr No to You Only Live Twice are the ones worth seeing)…
Need close-ups pictures of meteorites or small asteroids, for your sci-fi? Weathered Rocks come with hi-res 4096px textures for Poser and DAZ…
And there’s also some unusual new Zero-G Pinup Poses for zero gravity portraits.
Generic scenes:
ironman13 has an amazingly detailed i13 Coffee Shop for DAZ Studio iRay complete with G3 poses.
TruForm has an Italian-style Small Library for DAZ and Poser.
Stonemason also goes with the Italian vibe with The Streets of Tuscany…
Tuscany looks just the place for Vue users to park their snazzy new 3d replica of the vintage 1928 Mercedes-Benz SSK…
Slightly less alluring than Tuscany are the terraced side streets of the northern Midlands and Northern England. Northern Terrace Street faithfully recreates those. Just add half a ton of litter, and choke the roadsides with parked cars…
Jackson’s Field doesn’t look much at first glance, but is fairly unique. It’s a typical scraggy bit of English farmyard, plus a ditch which might suit insect and pond-dipping storybook pictures. If your runtime has small children in dungarees and cute farm animals, who all need some exercise, then this might be the place for them. Jackson’s Field also comes in a DAZ Carrara version.
Dante78’s new Medieval Plantation models may be able to turn your Jackson’s Field into a more medieval scene.
Characters, body shapes, and hair:
There’s now a free Genesis 3 Poser Updater, allowing G3F and G3M to be imported into Poser 11 (previous Genesis incarnations and related props can of course be brought into Poser 11 very easily, via the existing free DSON importer plugin). This new free G3 converter works inside DAZ Studio, converting and outputting a Poser 11 -compatible figure…
There are two fine new characters for Poser 11’s new flagship Pauline character (she comes with Poser 11’s free 5Gb content bundle)… Elly for Pauline and Altea for Pauline…
Also some conforming clothing for Pauline, MMOS-Sweety Set…
Kimi Style for Genesis 3 is a flexible everyday clothing set, which could be livened up with some chunky hiking boots and ankle-warmers.
Doris V4 is a characterful older woman for Victoria 4…
Growing Up for Genesis 3 Bundle is now available, for both boys and girls…
The best-selling Rayn and Skyler G2F/G3F characters now each have a set of distinctive new face/head presets, via the new Rayn’s Friends pack and the Skyler’s Friends packs…
Fantasy and macabre:
1971s has a fine new Fantasy rock house…
Poisen mixes twee and macabre with his new set of heart-shaped CharmZ…
Muud for Genesis 3 Male is unusual and suitably priced. He might benefit from an add-on that pools the mud around the ankles and feet, and has drips and splodges on the floor, like he’s just raised himself up out of a cave-pool and is still wet and dripping. Maybe also a preset to have him become a Lava Man.
RawArt’s Woody for Genesis 3 Male is superbly macabre. Possibly he needs a set of marionette strings, though, as a freebie. And a matching ramshackle/rustic performance stage with spooky light presets…
Nature V4 Hair seems like it’s a nature/faerie hair base that will inspire a few texture makeovers. It might even be amenable to a sci-fi makeover, or could become wood-shavings + nails hair for RawArt’s Woody…
Semi-toon and comics/storybook:
This month saw the release of the way-too-expensive The Guy 7 and The Girl 7 for DAZ Studio’s Genesis 3.
Anime and manga comics makers may like the new Lynn for NearMe. This requires the specialist anime production base-character for Poser, NearMe 1.1…
There’s a new Leotard for Star!…
Sewing Notions is unusual, and seems to have the items a children’s book illustrator might need for a mice-meet-faeries storybook tale set around a sewing table at night…
dhouck has the latest in his Moon Modern Jetsons-style sci-fi retro furniture and rooms. The growing series is not especially well presented by his main store previews, but the range of clean n’ curvy shapes might work very well with the Comic Book Mode in Poser 11.
Animals:
Not much this month. Australian and New Zealand animals seem to be popular, at present. Alessandro has a new Tasmanian Devil with Look At My Hair plugin presets.
Songbird Remix has New Zealand Kiwi birds and a Kiwi Burrow for them. (They burrow? Yes, apparently so…)
Others:
Stonemason has a $800 Stonemason Indie Game Developer License for his content. Good luck in poly-reducing them to run in action games. But for rendered cut-scenes and splash screens, and for other games genres such as point n’ click adventures and gamebooks, they could look awesome. Stonemason has a small gallery accompanying the license that seems to suggest that sort of use.
Lastly, Hologram Image Maker for Daz Studio is very intriguing. It makes a series of video files that apparently then go into Adobe After Effects or similar, and can then be made into a hologram that can be projected by a smartphone into a little prism-like container. It’s not exactly ‘Princess Leia holograms’, but it’s an interesting novelty until the Microsoft Hololens arrives in the shops.
That’s it, more next month.
Old Sword-Play – free book of authentic sword poses.
A useful old book, free online, Old Sword-Play. Lots of big pictures from primary sources, for those who want to recreate historical-authentic sword-fighting poses for Poser and DAZ Studio.
Freebie halftone brushes for Photoshop
Are you using Poser and DAZ Studio to make comic strips or faux-vintage artwork? Then you may enjoy these new freebie halftone brushes for Photoshop CS6 and up. Hi-res, and cleared for commercial use.
Bust of Nefertiti in .obj
Historical 3D graphics consultant Paul S. Docherty has recreated the famous bust of Nefertiti (Ancient Egypt, c. 1340 BC) in hi-res 3D, using only a variety of public photos (“photogrammetry”). His detailed account of the process is here. The Swiss microengineering specialist C. Yamahata has duplicated Docherty’s process and kindly offers a free .obj for download.
How to Make Clothing for Poser
There’s a new book out for Poser clothing content-creators, How to Make Clothing for Poser: A Step By Step Guide
A sample page…
GPU’s power NVIDIA
NVIDIA, whose most expensive videogaming graphics cards can now power Poser 11 and DAZ Studio 4.8x and higher, is doing rather well at selling its cards…
“In the three months to January 31, revenues from the graphics chip giant’s PC cards rose 25.4 per cent on the year-ago period to US $810m. … its gaming wing more or less doubled in revenue [and] it absolutely dominates the company’s [accounting] books”