Forum - Feedback - Feedback on Muvizu - 5th September 2011 (ENG) - Messages

Message from ziggy72

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:03:38 GMT

Much as I like using the Dark lights, they do put black highlights on characters eyes, which looks ugly and wrong. Can we have the characters eyes not reflect them, please? Ta.

Message from ziggy72

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:25:19 GMT

clamtom wrote:

ziggy72...

If I understand what you are describing...

Nope, but thanks for the thought It's not a timeline extents problem, probably the empty audio track is being hidden (when the file is deleted) as it's supposed to, but then not reset when new audio is loaded, so it's there but just not accessible. It's fine as long as you don't reset or delete the audio track, and just load the new audio over the old one.

Message from clamtom

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:03:24 GMT

ziggy72...

If I understand what you are describing, you'll notice that the end marker is at the beginning of the timeline: no audio. Drag that end marker out: The audio will reappear. Drag as far as you need for the length of the wav.

Hope this helps.

Tom

Message from ziggy72

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:02:46 GMT

Another timeline issue to add to the heap

In this case it's audio - I delete an audio (dialog) track, add a different one, and it doesn't show up on the timeline, or get played back (at least, I don't hear it anyway). It's there in the Prepare Dialog menu, where it plays fine, it just wont show up anywhere else, and the characters won't react to it. This is the third time it's happened to me since the update. Resetting all tracks wont fix it, deleting and recreating the character wont fix it either. Reloading the original audio has no effect too. Ideas?

(I'm using standard WAV files BTW, no different from what I've used all along)

Okay, just found one solution - reload the set, then import the new audio over the top of the old one - it seems you delete the whole dialog track for good if you delete the audio from it.
edited by ziggy72 on 20/11/2011

Message from Marco_D

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:12:12 GMT

65Radius wrote:

It appears that when you include a wanted poster (from Western object) you cannot save (?).

That it seems to be the case! Thanks for the heads up, will put this one into the system.

Cheers,
Marco

Message from 65Radius

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:08:02 GMT

It appears that when you include a wanted poster (from Western object) you cannot save (?).

Message from ukBerty

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:54:24 GMT

And.....

10) On the timeline the button to "Move to the start of recording" doesn't do that and I wish it did. It moves to the previous Start or End of recording marker, so if you're after both of them it will take you to the end of the recording not the start.

Message from ukBerty

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:02:21 GMT

Neil wrote:

ukBerty wrote:

3) Losing favourites
Does this happen with every new release?

9) Camera window
This is a new one on me. Can you describe a few simple steps to reproduce this and we'll look into it. Ta.

Thanks for the feedback.....

3) Seems to

9) Create a scene with one character.
Start directing camera movements and and wait 10 secs, then zoom the camera in or out
Stop recording and look at the camera timeline
move the current position to the middle of the zoom - the camera window will update correctly
Now grab the camera movement on the timeline and adjust it - the camera window does not reflect the change

Sorry - not got much time tonight so must rush - if this doesn't make sense please let me know.

Berty

Message from simonheffer

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:36:33 GMT

1) eyes e.g. I notice that sometimes I get repeated bits of dialog in movies where the timeline is longer than the dialog (in the rendered movie, that is).
4) Agree with that point although I would worry about losing track of an object if I let go of it whilst it's inside another one (as you can do now with effects).
5) Yes definitely agree.
Sort of similar to 6) is that not all hats are available to both man and fatman. Or skirts (but I think that was already mentioned in another thread)

Message from Neil

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:58:55 GMT

ukBerty wrote:

1) Dialogue sync (you know about this already)
2) Can't save characters with decals as favourites
3) We lose our favourites when upgrading versions (this is becoming tiresome !)
4) A tickbox to turn off collision for given objects. I really don't see what the problem is here. Characters don't collide - they can walk through objects and walls. You can push objects through walls if you take a run up. Imagine the scenario - I have created a complete set of a room, including ceiling - how do I put objects in it without taking the ceiling off all the time ??? Whinge whinge
5) Better control of characters small movements - if I want to move two steps I can't drag or double click as this does nothing, so I have to take two individual steps, which just looks weird and I avoid doing it.
6) Why is the order of icons on the decals tab for characters in a different order depending on the model (i.e Man/Fatman etc).
7) Head and eye movement windows jump when directing.
8) Direct buttons stopping working (just change to timeline and back and they're active again).
9) When moving a camera movement along the timeline the cameras window does not reflect the new position of the camera

Hi ukBerty. I thought I'd better offer some feedback on your err... feedback. :-/

1) Dialogue sync.
You're right, we're looking into this. It'd help if you could quickly describe the sort of sync issues you're having, just so we're sure we're on the right track.

2) Saving favourites with decals
Sadly, textures are too complex a thing for the favourites to store. We're looking at a few ways of fixing it, including saving the character as a mini-set of its own, which might bring a few other benefits along the way.

3) Losing favourites
Hmmm... I can see why that would be annoying. Does this happen with every new release? If so, I have a theory why this happens, but the man responsible for that bit of Muvizu is off today with a sniffle, the poor wee lamb. I'll poke him with sticks when he returns and find out what's going on there. In the meantime, please accept my apologies and feel free to suggest any alternative forms of motivating him to fix it.

4) Turning off collision
This is something we've talked about a lot, and sadly it's not as straightforward as it sounds. Watch this space, however.

5) Small character movements
Character movement isn't really my field, so Barry or Dave would be able to offer much better excuses than me.

6) Decal ordering
I have no idea why they're in a different order! They're supposed to be alphabetically sorted. We'll look into it.

7) Directing head and eyes
I've already fixed this for you since you whinged so nicely about it earlier.

8) Unresponsive buttons
We've seen this bug happen quite a lot, but it's almost impossible actually to pin it down and work out what's causing it and why. We're on it, however.

9) Camera window
This is a new one on me. Can you describe a few simple steps to reproduce this and we'll look into it. Ta.

In the meantime, thanks for the feedback and please accept my apologies for the suffering you've endured. If it pleases you, I'll have one of our developers* flogged.

* Not me.
edited by pyrrho on 31/10/2011

Message from Dreeko

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:49:58 GMT

And what a shed it is!

Message from ukBerty

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:39:34 GMT

I'm doing lots of animation at the moment using the latest using the latest version and I'm very impressed - the new interface is certainly something great to build on.

I've only had two crashes so far (one when double clicking to "walk to" - the other I can remember) and a few times when the interface stops responding, but closing open property windows or reloading sorts that out.

Best things:-

1) The walk to double click
2) Lighting is so much improved
3) Object texture imports (you could do this already, but I've only really just mastered it).
4) Character decals

And here is the list of things that are still annoying/restricting what I can do (you knew it was coming)......

1) Dialogue sync (you know about this already)
2) Can't save characters with decals as favourites
3) We lose our favourites when upgrading versions (this is becoming tiresome !)
4) A tickbox to turn off collision for given objects. I really don't see what the problem is here. Characters don't collide - they can walk through objects and walls. You can push objects through walls if you take a run up. Imagine the scenario - I have created a complete set of a room, including ceiling - how do I put objects in it without taking the ceiling off all the time ??? Whinge whinge
5) Better control of characters small movements - if I want to move two steps I can't drag or double click as this does nothing, so I have to take two individual steps, which just looks weird and I avoid doing it.
6) Why is the order of icons on the decals tab for characters in a different order depending on the model (i.e Man/Fatman etc).
7) Head and eye movement windows jump when directing.
8) Direct buttons stopping working (just change to timeline and back and they're active again).
9) When moving a camera movement along the timeline the cameras window does not reflect the new position of the camera

That's it for now - got to go to the shed to write some more script.......

Message from Dreeko

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:20:14 GMT

ziggy72 wrote:

Trying to Dreeko, trying to

Just making an animation to enter for the Fusion competition to see if I can fire off one in a day (I mean, how fast is your news report turnaround?!). So far so good...

turnaround for the latest episode

from start (idea) to finish (final edit) was roughly 3 -3 1/2 hrs

But I have the main set ready for use each time obviously!

cheers
D

Message from ziggy72

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:19:47 GMT

To be fair to the new version, I've completed my little movie in only 10 hours (!!!) and only had 3 or 4 instances of non responsive timelines, one crash, and one very wierd thing where, on every camera view, it would only render a video file I had imported instead of the view. It had been running constantly for about 3 or 4 hours at that point, so I'm not really surprised to be honest. Save often and expect surprises...hey, that could be Muvizu's new motto!

Message from artpen

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:53:32 GMT

I might have to revert to the previous version also because this version is being
Very naughty indeed....

Message from mysto

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:43:37 GMT

I've been using the previous version of Muvizu along with the newest version. That way I can keep my "old familiar workflow" moving right along and still try to learn all of the new things found in the latest version.

Message from artpen

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:54:02 GMT

I know how you feel zigs, my head is about to explode!!!!!

Muvizu is not being nice to me at the moment, it's just decided to give me render
Problems..... lots of jagged edges, not smooth at all.
This Computer is about to be micro slaughted!!!!
edited by artpen on 23/10/2011
edited by artpen on 23/10/2011

Message from ziggy72

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:34:38 GMT

Trying to Dreeko, trying to

Just making an animation to enter for the Fusion competition to see if I can fire off one in a day (I mean, how fast is your news report turnaround?!). So far so good...

Message from Dreeko

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 10:44:56 GMT

Deep breath zig, count to ten, breath out..

Message from ziggy72

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 19:47:48 GMT

mysto wrote:

I have an issue...

In the old version of Muvizu when you hit the space-bar during the recording phase it stopped the recording. In the new version when you hit the space-bar to stop recording it doesn't stop anymore. Each time you hit the space-bar it records the previous action over again instead of stopping.

Any chance of getting the space-bar to stop recording like it did in the previous version while recording?

I'm not sure but I think Ziggy touched upon something similar in an earlier post.

That I did - object focus. Massively annoying that the focus stays where you left it, rather than defaulting back to the play/pause button. However I could live with that, and the constant sync lag with the dialogue unless you go back a bit, and the 1 minute limit on HQ files, and the unexplained and random pause on opening the Create menu, if only the zoom on the timeline zoomed in on the play marker - it is driving me fecking INSANE with annoyance that I can't zoom in on anything but the start or the end, and not the bit I'm interested in, leading to constant dragging back and forth trying to find the bit I was at before I was stupid enough to zoom out. It takes me a long time to create my movies anyway, but at this rate...

Message from Neil

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 18:13:46 GMT

mysto wrote:

Each time you hit the space-bar it records the previous action over again instead of stopping.

Sounds like you've got a button keyboard-focused. Space will stop the recording otherwise. I reckon we need to pick a different keyboard shortcut.

Message from mysto

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:42:40 GMT

Message from Dreeko

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:15:04 GMT

Neil wrote:

Dreeko wrote:

If we wait long enough , the day will come. I've convinced myself!

Oh, stop whinging! We've told you we're working on it. :p

Hahaha!
I knew you'd take the bait!
Har har!

Message from ukBerty

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:28:00 GMT

But whinging is what we live for.......

Message from Neil

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:26:11 GMT

Dreeko wrote:

If we wait long enough , the day will come. I've convinced myself!

Oh, stop whinging! We've told you we're working on it. :p

Message from Dreeko

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:43:03 GMT

Dialogue sync problems...
I feel your pain
I have tried a couple of scenes with more than two characters involved in the conversation and I just gave up. I'm keeping projects/scenes like that in the box until the multiple audio track feature is put in place. That way I could assign one piece of audio per character and forget altogether about talk and shush controls.

If we wait long enough , the day will come. I've convinced myself!

Message from Danimal

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:45:33 GMT

The tabs disappearing onthe eyes/head window has caused me to curse a time or two as well.

As for the dialog, just get in the habit of nudging the timeline marker back a bit every time before you hit play or record. This seems to keep the sync accurate. If you move forward or just stop and then restart playback, it'll be off every single time.

Message from ukBerty

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 07:26:32 GMT

It's animation day again and I have some more issues.

The dialogue sync is the biggest at the moment - very infuriating. It seems that it depends where you start previewing from as to where the dialogue cuts in - sometimes around a second out, which makes everyone say the wrong line. I'm just hoping that when I make video the dialogue will always be in the same place, that way I can see the output once created and then adjust the timeline by eye to try and get everyone speaking in the correct place, but I can see a very long and frustrating day ahead. This really should be very high on the list of things which need the devs attention.

Just one other little issue so far.... The direct eye and head window has changed the way it works. Go to direct and press record. Whilst the system is counting down I tend to grab the black circle and get the head in the correct place. When we reach "0" and Muvizu starts recording I can then immediately start to animate the head. The trouble is that now when reaching "0" the "eyes/head" tabs disappear. This causes the whole window to move up a line. As I have the head movement blob held static this effectively moves it down relative to the window and all my characters start the animation by looking at their shoes ! ( the same happens when directing eyes)

Oh, and another thing....

I love the double click to make the character walk/run to a, dare I say it, waypoint.... but this doesn't work for short movements. Sure you can use the one step at a time arrows around the character, but this is only good for a single step, anything more just looks weird. So we still have no really good way of making a character walk a few paces.

Berty
edited by ukBerty on 22/10/2011

Message from Dylly

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:04:47 GMT

Just discovered something...may have been covered by someone else though..but occasionally when I go to record, no matter how many times you press the button nothing happens, and all that was left to do was save the file and reopen it. However I just found that if I click the unpin buttons on both the timeline and the parameter window then click record everything works fine and I can record the sequence.

As I say someone may have covered this but its made my life a little less frustrating!

Tim

Message from Neil

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:07:12 GMT

Danimal wrote:

I'd mentioned this one before as well. I had been using the 5 key to return the head to the starting position rather than the Release button as I much prefer using the keyboard. I guess I'll have to use the mouse after all...

Or press the 0 key on the numpad which will have the same effect.

Message from Danimal

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:35:01 GMT

Message from ukBerty

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:07:55 GMT

Gordon wrote:

You should be able to get the head movement behaviour you're looking for by using the "release" button in the "direct character eyes and head" dialog.

Well I never knew that.

"Everyday is learning day in Muvizu School"

Thanks

Message from Gordon

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:36:03 GMT

ukBerty wrote:

It seems that if you have any head movement on the timeline before an action (not during) then it turns all future action driven head movements off ?

You should be able to get the head movement behaviour you're looking for by using the "release" button in the "direct character eyes and head" dialog. When you record head movement, if you 'release' before you finish recording, any subsequent head movements will play normally. If you don't release the head, it will be effectively locked in place and will override any head movement in subsequent actions.

ukBerty wrote:

You can't even preview the action in prepare mode.

This sounds like a bug, I'll take a look.

Hope this helps, please give me a shout if it doesn't.
edited by Gordon on 12/10/2011

Message from toonarama

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:23:16 GMT

Dreeko wrote:

I like having the ability to overwrite the head movements contained in the character action by head/eyes direction. It suits the way I do things but maybe that's just me...

My reading of UKBERTY's post is that that is what he would want as well (as would I).

I think he is suggesting that if you

a) record some head movements on the timeline before a character action
b) follow it with an action

then the head movements involved with the action do not operate

Message from Dreeko

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:47:15 GMT

I like having the ability to overwrite the head movements contained in the character action by head/eyes direction. It suits the way I do things but maybe that's just me...

Message from ukBerty

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:27:13 GMT

I have just started some actual animation with the new version and am coming across some issues.

Would I be right in saying that the way the head movements and characters actions interact has changed somewhere down the line.

It seems that if you have any head movement on the timeline before an action (not during) then it turns all future action driven head movements off ?

You can't even preview the action in prepare mode.

This basically means you can't use head movements and actions in the same shot - very restrictive.

I would like to see it work thus :-

If you record an action it will "wipe" any head movements during that action and replace them with the movements from the action, putting the head movements from the action on the head movement timeline so we can alter them.
Any future changes/recording of head movements will of course change the look of the action, but it's in our control.

This effectively decouples the head movements of an action from the body movements and would get rid of the present one or the other restriction.

Message from ziggy72

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:51:04 GMT

Danimal wrote:

ziggy72 wrote:

In fact, after that, the timeline doesn't respond to anything.

I mentioned this one earlier, and it doesn't seem to be localized the head/eyes dialog. I've found that when this happens, if I go to the regular Timeline editor and push play, then stop, then go BACK to whatever I was tryng to record it works. I don't know why, It may have something to do with the timeline's new odd focus you mentioned.

Thanks Danimal, hadn't remembered your previous post among the one or two reports back on the new version.
edited by ziggy72 on 02/10/2011

Message from Danimal

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:41:25 GMT

ziggy72 wrote:

In fact, after that, the timeline doesn't respond to anything.

Message from simonheffer

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:52:15 GMT

As we're documenting funnies, an irishman, a scotsman and .. sorry couldn't resist.

My funny is the Create dialog. It got stuck on the effects page and nothing I did helped.Including selecting from the Create menu.

Oh and I've got the mic appearing after choosing shoulders->severed hand then none(as per Dreeko)

Message from toonarama

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:49:08 GMT

Dreeko wrote:

This is funny one...
I added a shoulder attachment to the dog character and then decided against it so I selected "none" to remove it but the attachment stayed where it was and the dog suddenly acquired a microphone! I tried removing both again and couldn't. The only solution was to restart the program.

Crazy bug!

You can get round this one by removing it from each shoulder individually rather than both together

Message from ziggy72

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:36:37 GMT

Actually, in relation to the eyes/head animation bug, it seems like it's actually a delay in Muvizu, not anything broken (as such). If you wait for 20 - 30 secs, it will come back usually - I've had a similar delay sometimes when I use the Create menu - there is a looong pause while Muvizu makes up it's mind about something or other, then the create window appears. Other times it appears instantly.

Also, while waiting for the dialogue boxes to respond, anything you click on or do is buffered, so Muvizu does know you're out there, it just has other things on it's mind...

Message from Dreeko

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 06:49:56 GMT

Message from Dreeko

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 06:44:48 GMT

ziggy72 wrote:

Zigphone again...

...oh c'mon, pick up...

...bloody answering machine, hate these...

Oh, hi, Zig again, listen, there's a strange bug now when using the animate eyes/head dialogue - all's fine until you hit record and then nothing happens. In fact, after that, the timeline doesn't respond to anything. You can only close it using the eyes/head box, and it doesn't work again for any characters at all until you reload the set. Intermittant too, can't replicate it, but it always happens eventually it seems. The other timeline instances, like Actions, still work after eyes/head messes up, so it seems to be only an issue with that particular function.

So, uh, yeah. Laters.

Yip, I've had this one on numerous occasions too lately

Message from ziggy72

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 05:45:40 GMT

Aaaaand yet another bug - any file I generate over 2gb in size is unreadable to Premiere, Vegas, or most media players. Says it's corrupt, although it isn't. Using the Intel YUV codec.

Message from ziggy72

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 03:19:12 GMT

Message from mysto

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 23:03:01 GMT

ziggy72 wrote:

...and another thing - what, you thought that was it?

While using the timeline, the default focus stays on the last thing you clicked - so if the last thing you did was add a marker, every time you press Space after that you'll create a marker. Shouldn't the focus always default back to Play/Stop? Unless there's a good reason not to, could we have it that way?

And still on that Timeline window...above the Scene and object properties there are big empty grey areas. Could we either put another timeline into them or get rid of them? Also the headers for the Timeline and Cameras windows are pretty redundant unless you're a total newb, and take up yet more space. The Close and Pin buttons could be relocated down into that grey area above the object properties, maybe?

Back to work

Message from ziggy72

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 21:45:16 GMT

Message from Dreeko

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 23:51:46 GMT

Danimal wrote:

My experience with dialog sync is this:

If you move the marker back a bit and then push play, the dialog sync is correct. If you stop and restart or move the timeline forward, the audio lags WAY behind the action. Again, nudging it back, even if just a bit put the sync back.

Some of my animations are waiting in the wings for a multiple audio dialogue option to appear. I know it can't be far away so I'm happy to wait and do less conversational animations at the moment.

Cheers
D

Message from simonheffer

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:53:12 GMT

I find something similar with character movement - it always goes a bit further than you expect. So after several tries I end up moving the characters start point back a bit (Not really a timeline issue but a lag issue I guess)

Message from Danimal

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:39:32 GMT

Message from ukBerty

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:46:51 GMT

I'm with Danimal on this one - right mouse and add cue point would be better - I was forever having to delete the little buggers that I'd created by mistake.

I've not played with new timeline yet - how are people finding the dialogue sync, has this been fixed ?

Message from Danimal

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:08:21 GMT

ziggy72 wrote:

And restore the ability to create cue points by clicking on the master timeline?

That was the only part of the old timeline I didn't like. I was constantly inadvertanly adding cue points. However, I'd gladly take back that one slight aggravation to get all the other features of the old timeline back.

Message from mysto

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 01:08:11 GMT

ziggy72 wrote:

Okay, having a bit of an issue here with the timeline - by always zooming into the start marker, I keep getting lost in the timeline, and then lose track of wether the numbers refer to seconds or minutes. There's no sense of scale at any zoom level, and no way of knowing where you just zoomed to, which means zooming all the way back out to then try to figure out where you are. And then be unable to zoom back down to where you want to be. Can't we please zoom in/out on the marker instead of the start?

Also, hate to be negative, but can we please have the old timeline (style) back again? And restore the ability to create cue points by clicking on the master timeline? And the ability to drag the master timeline? Basically what I'm trying to say is that I'm starting to hate the new timeline, and it's brought me to a grinding halt because it wont let me work the way I have done previously, and I'm not sure how to get around it. The scroll bar is way too clumsy to use to navigate your way along the timeline, but worse than that it's sloooowwwww. And my machine aint slow.

So, I'm with Artpen on this one - the timeline needs some TLC. Or just a good beating with the technology hammer.

I totally agree.

Message from ziggy72

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:52:43 GMT

Message from 65Radius

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:38:44 GMT

tripfreak wrote:

Probably it takes a while until the next release ?

Until then try this if you still like to burn your fingers...

Get Bombset and Bombs in ASE format here: Download

Thanks for that! good old fashioned bombs!

Message from simonheffer

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 23:09:49 GMT

This may also apply to other camera animations but I found changing the field of view tricky to do smoothly when zooming in(my old muscles I guess).

It would be nice to have a way to automate a smooth change eg 'bigger' &'smaller' buttons and a rate of change slider as for obj movement. Or points on the timeline - I know when I need a certain values and I need a smooth transition from one to the next. (sort of like waypoints - oh did we mention those before?

Message from Dreeko

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:52:00 GMT

Remember you can manually input the start time for the actions and they will jump to exactly where you want them.

Message from mysto

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:18:48 GMT

I have to agree with Artpen, he pretty much sums up my issues with the timeline. I have been messing around with the new timeline but I am finding that I just can't seem to get things timed and arranged as well as I could using the old one.

Message from artpen

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:59:15 GMT

Hi Neil, thanks for your reply

The main problem is the fine tuning of small animations, head moves, eye moves, or just trying to get your timing just right

The timeline works, but if you have a small head turn for example, it shows up like a Teeny tiny slit on the timeline.

The problem is that trying to click on it is dead hard...

I used the old timeline a lot for this because these small animations showed up as small blocks, great, easy.

Thanks again Neil, looking forward to the new timeline

art
edited by artpen on 27/09/2011

Message from Neil

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:45:39 GMT

artpen wrote:

...the only thing that is crap is the timeline... sorry for being blunt..
I've tried to like it, work with it, but but but NO...
Sorry but the old time line for fine tuning was perfect.
This new one is soooo hard to fine tune your small animations like head turns ect.
Its hard trying to click on an animation, its hit or miss most of the time.

Hi Artpen,

The timeline will be receiving some serious love and attention over the next few releases, so hopefully we can remedy the situation. Could you be a bit more specific about the issues you're experiencing so I know where to focus my attention? Feel free to either reply here or PM me directly if you want to discuss it.

Message from tripfreak

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:05:41 GMT

Probably it takes a while until the next release ?

Until then try this if you still like to burn your fingers...

Get Bombset and Bombs in ASE format here: Download

Message from Emily

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:28:23 GMT

Well spotted, 65Radius & Ziggy.

It looks like there was a naming error with one of the textures on the bomb, which is why it won't save.

A wise man once told me that...er...bombs are dangerous, so don't use them. I think that's pretty sage advice. Stay away from the bombs kids. For now, at least.

Should be fixed in the next release, whenever that will be...

Emily.

Message from artpen

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:01:28 GMT

Hi team, just to keep you updated, ok, the patch has worked, sets loading ok for
Now, thanks HQ.

Having played around with the new update And all the new features I must point out
the only thing that is crap is the timeline... sorry for being blunt..
I've tried to like it, work with it, but but but NO...
Sorry but the old time line for fine tuning was perfect.
This new one is soooo hard to fine tune your small animations like head turns ect.
Its hard trying to click on an animation, its hit or miss most of the time.
This is the only fault I can find with the new update, everything else is perfect.

Oh, love the new Farm and Science objects, great stuff!!!
edited by artpen on 23/09/2011
edited by artpen on 23/09/2011
edited by artpen on 23/09/2011

Message from Danimal

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:40:34 GMT

Jamie wrote:

Could you send the set file that won't to bugs@muvizu.com and we'll take a look into what is going wrong

I tried but it was too big to attach to my email. It did have everything in it: movement, action, dialog, you name it.

Message from mysto

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:09:55 GMT

ziggy72 wrote:

One last thing...not a complaint, just a suggestion - the timeline is very, very plain looking. A beveled edge or two, especially on the buttons, wouldn't go amiss. Some colour too, bit of shading maybe...just sayin'!

I kind of liked the little measuring marks on the old timeline. They helped greatly when trying to fine tune cue points.

Message from ziggy72

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:02:33 GMT

65Radius wrote:

It appears that you cannot save if you have a bomb in your scene (??!?)
edited by 65Radius on 22/09/2011

I thought - that cant be right. So I created a blank scene, created a bomb, tried to save and...nope, Muvizu wont do it. Odd.

Message from 65Radius

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:46:38 GMT

Hi,
In spite of the many improvements and new resources (farm, science) I am experiencing two problems with the latest patch:
a) Sometimes when I try to save I get a message "failed to save. Unknown error". The memory used in the scene window always is 3%. Once the "failed to save" message appears, it continues to appear even if I delete all the resources ccreated. The only way out is to quit.
b) When I try to record dialogue, the window appears faint (not available) and I cannot back out. Nothing works anymore, other than the cursor, and I must quit. Is there a preferred setup for the microphone?

Thanks
It appears that you cannot save if you have a bomb in your scene (??!?)
edited by 65Radius on 22/09/2011

Message from Danimal

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:29:21 GMT

This just in from the "Really Danimal, Shut Up Already" news desk...

Opened the set in the old version, deleted imported objects, now it opens in the new version. I'll have to re-import the objects, but I guess that's better than flushing weeks of work down the drain.

I did notice the timeline still acts oddly. When you zoom in, it shunts back to the beginning of the timeline rather than staying where the cursor is now. Other than that, it looks WAY better and I look forward to using it!

Thanks!

Message from Danimal

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 01:18:54 GMT

And... nothing. Still not loading the set. I'm downloading the old update now, but it would sure be super excellent if I knew what to do so that I can use the new update with these old files.

Thanks!

Message from mysto

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:50:38 GMT

4 hours? Wow. I downloaded the new version this morning and it took about 20 minutes! I got disconnected from the server a few times but after that no problems.

Message from Danimal

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:35:37 GMT

GOt home and indeed my computer had gone into sleep mode, severing the download connection. Trying again, with a nice, rapid four hour estimated download time, since it's evidently coming from the moon.

Please note that I really appreciate the wonderful and free software provided, despite my recent rash of complaints.

And just for future reference, you know, in December when my download's complete, what would I do in the old update to correct the problem to make the objects not "broken" so they do work in the new update?

Thanks!

Message from ziggy72

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:41:54 GMT

My own experience of the 64 bit version is all positive (famous last words... ) and thanks especially for putting the keyboard shortcuts back in for the timeline zoom. And for bolding up the text - my feeble old eyes can make them out now Tried loading up some old sets too, and all's fine there, imported objects as well. I've never actually used Favourites, so can't comment on them (why does everyone use Favourites? Don't get it).

One last thing...not a complaint, just a suggestion - the timeline is very, very plain looking. A beveled edge or two, especially on the buttons, wouldn't go amiss. Some colour too, bit of shading maybe...just sayin'!

Message from CrazyDave

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:21:34 GMT

Although they're not linked to on the site, the old URLs still work:

http://www.muvizu.com/Download/MuvizuSetupDXDotNet_2011.09.05.01R.exe

and

http://www.muvizu.com/Download/MuvizuSetupDXDotNet_2011.09.05.01R_x64.exe

Message from Danimal

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:56:54 GMT

This morning, as a test, I opened a different set that also had at least one imported object and it did open because that was my initial thought as well. I don't know if this is one that was ever resaved in the newer version though.

I'm not sure I understand the term "broken objects" either. What about them would be broken? And the entire set didn't load. Had it been just the objects, that would have been a simple fix.

Again, I'll try the full install when I get home but I'm feeling a little worried that it won't work. Is the previous version with the new interface but not with the patch still available?

Message from CrazyDave

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:53:29 GMT

I'm guessing that this is a hangover from the imported object problems from the previous release: that the broken objects that were imported into the old version and saved as sets are detected as problematic in the new version. Rather that failing to load the set however, it should just not load the broken objects...

This is only a semi-informed guess however, but imported objects are the only thing that is loaded with a set that has changed since the last version (to my knowledge).

Message from Jamie

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:26:58 GMT

Danimal wrote:

When I try to open a set I was just working on yesterday I get an error saying the file cannot be loaded because it's an unknown format.

Hi Danimal,

Could you send the set file that won't to bugs@muvizu.com and we'll take a look into what is going wrong. Also a quick description of what is in the set would be useful (e.g. imported objects? audio? character movement? etc...)

Thanks,
Jamie.

Message from Quoling

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:46:33 GMT

Danimal wrote:

I did that on my machine at home - clicked on yes for the update - and it failed - so I had to uinstall and reinstall anyway.

Danimal wrote:

The other download files are just below the two prominent download banners. There's a paragraph that says : "if you need to revert to the previous version of Muvizu (0.16b), you should uninstall any other versions and download again. v0.16b 32-bit is here and v0.16b 64-bit is here."

Thanks

Message from Danimal

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:08:20 GMT

I'm not sure. Right now I'm at work and I left the download going when I left. It should be waiting for me when I get home. That is, as long as I my computer doesn't go to sleep and stop the download - D'OH!

Message from Emily

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:02:14 GMT

Danimal -

Did a fresh install work with your old sets?

Emily.

Message from Danimal

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:27:49 GMT

When I opened Muvizu, it said that there is a new version and asked me to update. That took only a few minutes so I had guessed it was just the corrected files as opposed to the hour long download of the full installation.

The other download files are just below the two prominent download banners. There's a paragraph that says : "if you need to revert to the previous version of Muvizu (0.16b), you should uninstall any other versions and download again. v0.16b 32-bit is here and v0.16b 64-bit is here."

Message from Quoling

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:31:41 GMT

Danimal wrote:

I didn't download the whole install, just the patch.

Where do you get "just the patch" from? - the download page shows only the full installation - also where are the other download files from?? - this has been mentioned before but I cannot find previous versions to download

Message from Danimal

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:11:48 GMT

The heat fizzled VERY quickly.

When I try to open a set I was just working on yesterday I get an error saying the file cannot be loaded because it's an unknown format.

I didn't download the whole install, just the patch. I will try doing the full doanload and see if that helps. If not I see the only other version available is the .016 release which will also not open the set because it's in the newer version. Any chance of getting the .017 release should this happen again?

Thanks. The changes were apparent in the blank set, and "Recent" is now the default selection. This won't help much if I can't open my sets though.

Message from toonarama

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:49:59 GMT

very fast work - congratulations to everyone at M HQ - Vince must've had his whip out!

Message from Quoling

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:44:12 GMT

Getting an error with the 64 bit download - seems the file has not been uploaded to the server properly!

Ok Ok so it was my end - and it was uploaded all the time.....(actually it wasn't but it's working now...so I will just blame our system rather than yours)
edited by Quoling on 21/09/2011

Message from Danimal

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:40:27 GMT

I'm getting it... and OUCH! It is hot!

Message from Emily

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:35:37 GMT

Patch is there! Get it while it's hot!

Message from toonarama

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:55:36 GMT

Just noticed a small bug.

If you are editing a character and add something to the shoulders and then select "None" the microphone properties box opens up and the the accessory stays there.

Workaround is to remove from each shoulder separately
edited by toonarama on 20/09/2011

Message from Emily

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:06:54 GMT

Quoling!

Thank you for your patience.
Unfortunately, due to International Talk Like a Pirate Day, patches have been in extremely short supply.

Fear ye not, it will be with you sometime in the near distant future.

In the meantime...

Cheers,

Emily.

Message from Quoling

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:15:32 GMT

Any update on the patch?

Message from Neil

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:12:21 GMT

Danimal wrote:

Hey Neil, this is my own mistake here. "Online" has the little collapsable menu arrow next to it which I was taking as it was selected at a glance. In fact, you're right: no group is selected. I guess then that my request is to have Recent selected as a default rather than nothing.

Aha! In that case, your wish is my... well, actually, it's a small penciled in comment near the bottom of my todo list, but to be fair that's the best you're getting.

Message from Danimal

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:44:45 GMT

Message from Neil

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:06:18 GMT

Danimal wrote:

When going into any of the "create" menus, or even the New Scene menu, the default is "Online," which is an option I for one have scarcely, if ever, used. The old default was "Recent" which makes much more sense from a workflow perspective and is far more useful.

Any chance of reverting to Recent as the default? Just wondering.

Danimal, could you be a bit more specific, please? There are a few places where no category is initially selected and I can improve it by selecting "Recent", but I can't see anywhere where "Online" is the default category.

Message from simonheffer

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:28:39 GMT

Danimal wrote:

Or how about this, which has nothing at all to do with the latest release:

If a character action has head or eye movement assigned to it, but I move their eyes or head prio ro the action, it cancels out the built in movement with the action. This has happened in every release, I only just now thought of it when I used the "look at nails" action but the character only lifted his hand, he didn't actually look at it.

I'm sorry, I seem to be a bit of a whiner lately...

Yes there are some funnies about. There's the 'no arm swing' thing and if you have seen Better By Christmas, Higgs feet seem to get stuck so that when he's dances only his upper body moves - in fact when he does the break-dance he twists round and round like school-meal turkey (it was quite funny so I kept it in).

Message from tripfreak

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:00:07 GMT

It seems that I can only work with Muvizu when I'm online ?
Every time I try to create anything (even backdrops) being offline Muvizu loads and loads and loads...

I wonder if this is due to the new online content or is it a glitch ?

Message from Danimal

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 02:15:01 GMT

Message from mysto

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:55:21 GMT

I've found some "glitch's" with the latest version too. Most all of what I have encountered has already been mentioned by fellow Muvizuer's so I won't go over them again. I'm sure most of the major issues will be ironed out soon.

I still have the previous version of Muvizu installed on my computer that I am also using until all of the bugs are worked out of the new release.

Message from Danimal

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:36:10 GMT

This is also a random frustration that's hopefully part of the patch:

Occassionally and for no reason I can figure out, when I go to direct the Record button doesn't work. In fact, nothing works except hitting the space bar to play and stop and nothing else. After going through a bunch of other menus and finally back to Direct, 1 in 5 times it will suddenly work again.

Message from Dreeko

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:20:21 GMT

Danimal wrote:

Is it possible to sneak in one last request for the patch? I can't imagine this would need a whole update:

When going into any of the "create" menus, or even the New Scene menu, the default is "Online," which is an option I for one have scarcely, if ever, used. The old default was "Recent" which makes much more sense from a workflow perspective and is far more useful.

Any chance of reverting to Recent as the default? Just wondering.

YES!! PLEASE!!!

Message from simonheffer

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 19:40:26 GMT

ooh ooh, can the search option please put the focus in the search text box?

Message from Danimal

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 19:37:39 GMT

Message from ukBerty

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:51:28 GMT

Fantastic - by the time I'm back off holiday it'll all be sorted !

Message from pyrrho

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:19:54 GMT

Thanks for all the feedback on the latest release, we now intend to publish a patch during the week starting Monday September 19 to fix/improve several bits and pieces, chiefly including:

Sets that incorporate animated properties should load reliably
Timeline will once again be aware of the right mouse button
Behaviour of director camera when scrolling with mouse wheel in another application
Saving a set that includes an imported object with an ID texture will now retain that texture info
Keys will be assigned to zoom functions
Font tweaked to improve readability
Preparing character properties for a character with no attachments should no longer cause a crash

Other glitches, possibly too esoteric to talk about here, should also be resolved.

Once again, we appreciate your help in all this and thank you all for playing so nicely.

Best wishes,

The Muvizu team

Message from Danimal

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:58:05 GMT

pyrrho wrote:

Danimal (although we may have to urge you to see an optician)

Well thank you... I think. I don't care if they're user defined, just maybe a step or two up in size permanently.

Found another wrinkle: right clicking on the "Camera" line in the timeline no longer allows you to select which camera you want to start with or which one gets the cut. This was a great time save previously.

I'm also in agreement that the mouse seems to consistently miss and trigger late when hitting the stop button. It's almost maddening.

Message from Dylly

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:24:49 GMT

...and i just put my glasses on as per instructions!

Message from simonheffer

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:30:51 GMT

What's that young man?

Message from Neil

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:26:14 GMT

Some of you may be pleased to know that we're making the font a little bit larger and clearer.

I SAID WE'RE MAKING THE FONT LARGER AND CLEARER!

Message from pyrrho

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:43:45 GMT

ukBerty wrote:

Yeah thanks - we only moan because we love you.

No problem, we're just not used to so much love

Message from ukBerty

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:34:55 GMT

Yeah thanks - we only moan because we love you.

Message from artpen

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:30:58 GMT

Thanks Team

Art

Message from Dylly

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:28:21 GMT

Jamie wrote:

Dylly wrote:

Got a problem with the sound effects.

I'm running the 32bit version, when ever you work with the sound effects the 'in-muvizu' sound effects come out distorted. When this occurs muvizu stops working and shuts down. Also when playing back the movie either in the timeline editor or on the screen to make movie, even if the sound effects has been ok it will suddenly distort one effect and then muvizu will stop working and then shut down.

Thanks for the feedback Dylly, in the testing before release we did come across this problem but we were only able to reproduce it when a old set file was loaded and new sound effects inserted. Could you give us some details (such as the names of sound effects used, age of the set or if it was created a fresh) and / or email the set file with that this happens in? Thanks.

Just got back from a day's barbel fishing and I have to write it up, it's a hard job but someone has got to do it, I will email in the set file to pest...I mean bug control...later this evening. The set was a new build, well one that came with the new release and the effects were concrete footsteps. I know I have a full complement of cameras in the set, but then the new release seems to be a lot more stable in that way, and i did start off with a more complicated set, but once i removed the sound effects i was able to finish the project.

Regards
tim

Message from Quoling

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:13:30 GMT

pyrrho wrote:

Having just got together with Jamie and some of the devs, we've thrashed out a plan to release a patch as soon as we can to address some of the, er, unpublicised features kindly highlighted by users in this thread. Special thanks go to ukBerty, Quoling, Artpen, Simonheffer, Dylly and Danimal (although for those two last ones we may have to urge you to see an optician - user-defined font sizes aren't something that we can fix in a patch).

The devs involved in planning and executing this patch may well tax some of you for more information and, you never know, may also update you in this thread on their progress and, after a few days, a target date for a patch.

Thanks for your help ... and your temperate language.

As someone who has worked in software support for close to 15 years, I for one can understand how uhm...extra's can get through the net!!

Look forward to the patch.

Message from pyrrho

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:06:07 GMT

Having just got together with Jamie and some of the devs, we've thrashed out a plan to release a patch as soon as we can to address some of the, er, unpublicised features kindly highlighted by users in this thread. Special thanks go to ukBerty, Quoling, Artpen, Simonheffer, Ziggy, Dylly and Danimal (although for those two last ones we may have to urge you to see an optician - user-defined font sizes aren't something that we can fix in a patch).

The devs involved in planning and executing this patch may well tax some of you for more information and, you never know, may also update you in this thread on their progress and, after a few days, a target date for a patch.

Thanks for your help ... and your temperate language.
edited by pyrrho on 08/09/2011

Message from CrazyDave

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:55:58 GMT

ukBerty wrote:

Quoling - I would hang on. Although I don't know, I would hope that Muvizu get a fix for this pretty quickly as it prevents anyone creating anything even mildly ambitious with the new version.

My spidey-sense is tingling... could suggest an impending announcement.

Message from ukBerty

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:51:11 GMT

Quoling - I would hang on. Although I don't know, I would hope that Muvizu get a fix for this pretty quickly as it prevents anyone creating anything even mildly ambitious with the new version.

Message from Quoling

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:47:09 GMT

I tried that (without textures) and the files would not load - with textures they do - and I have saved and loaded a few times and it works fine in a new set...so looks like I am going to have to rebuild the set..(months of work down the drain)...still I think I was being too ambitious in the design anyway so it might be a better way of doing it.

Message from ukBerty

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:12:48 GMT

OK Pete -

If you're not used to using textures out of Sketchup (I've only just started) then don't worry - just export the ASE in the normal simple way as you have been doing.

It's when you are importing that things change

Click Import and choose your ASE file. I only change to "double sided" (although I can't remember why !). Leave everything else as standard, especially choose "Don't use ID textures"
The object should import as before, but will have converted what were all your colours to textures.
Go into the object properties and change the textures to be solid colours and your object will appear as before, but you will now be able to save the .set file correctly

Is this what you needed - let me know if you need anything else.

Message from CrazyDave

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:07:57 GMT

ukBerty wrote:

Use your mouse scroll button to scroll up and down the web page.

Is it just on my machine, or does Muvizu also obey the scroll button even though it is not the active program ?

It's a known issue, we're working on it. It's annoying but does no harm :-)
edited by CrazyDave on 08/09/2011

Message from Quoling

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:04:45 GMT

ukBerty wrote:

When importing objects don't use ID textures. Set textures as blocks of colours if that's what you need, or assign textures.
.

Sorry to be thick here - but can you expand on this? - I have seen textures being mentioned before for Sketchup but am not 100% what I should be doing and anything I have tried does not work - can you give me a step by step instruction on how to do what you mean?

Thanks

Pete

Message from ukBerty

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:03:44 GMT

Another weird, but not that important issue.....

In the new version right mouse on an object to bring up the property box. Click somewhere on this property box to make sure it's in focus.

Open up a browser on a second screen (or in a window over the Muvizu window).

Use your mouse scroll button to scroll up and down the web page.

Is it just on my machine, or does Muvizu also obey the scroll button even though it is not the active program ?

Message from ukBerty

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:59:34 GMT

I've had another look now and see what you're getting at Jamie.

When importing objects don't use ID textures. Set textures as blocks of colours if that's what you need, or assign textures.

This is a work around of sorts, but....

All imported objects in existing sets will have to be deleted and re-imported before saving the set in the new version.
It won't work for objects with more than 8 colours/textures as we still have no way of scrolling down the properties box of an object (this was not a problem when importing ID textures as it got more colour options on the screen as it didn't have to display the little square for the texture).

I'll try again with a new set in the new version as I want to use some of my new characters, but I may have to revert back again if this is too restrictive.

Message from artpen

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:44:36 GMT

I don't mind re changing the colour of the object but the colour sliders have gone!

Message from Quoling

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:43:41 GMT

ukBerty wrote:

Jamie

Not sure what you mean here. So every face of an object needs to be a texture, even if that texture is just a colour ?

I agree here - not sure how we are supposed to do this - especially on old objects - Jamie - can you give us some steps?

Message from simonheffer

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:32:39 GMT

Some irritations...
New colour copying. Seems OK in principle but a lot of the time the colours don't seem to match. This may be because the colour is applied in a different way on different things but it is irritating. A use case would be getting a top and skirt to much (always a problem eh girls?). I finally entered the same RGB values but the skirt always had a different colour (it didn't even look the same as the swatch on the property page). Had a similar problem getting a door to match the panelled walls.

Windows - some have a property for see-throughness, some don't.

Cannot direct a group's movement.

The 'stop directing' button - difficult to get focus so have to click several times. ( I presume there's a short-cut but ESC would be nice when directing movement using WASD using the mouse to stop directing is a pain especially with the focus issue).

Walls with door frames are nice but would be good to have the same walls without the doorframe - I don't need a door in every wall.

Message from ukBerty

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:32:35 GMT

Jamie

Not sure what you mean here. So every face of an object needs to be a texture, even if that texture is just a colour ?

Message from Jamie

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:31:17 GMT

Dylly wrote:

Message from Jamie

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:25:11 GMT

ukBerty wrote:

Interestingly as Quoling has already pointed out, you can load the .set once without error and save it, but after that you get "An object's property has been unexpectedly changed....", your imported object just show in pink, and have no colour properties.

Quoling and ukBerty - this is a real problem that we are aware of (now) and looking to fix for the next release. In the short term, this only affects objects that use ID Textures / UV Maps. If you apply the texture directly to each face as needed the object will save and re-save and load fine. Hope this helps until we can get the next update out.

Message from ukBerty

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:19:34 GMT

Oh no - my day's just been ruined. You can't open .set files saved in the new version in the old.

I have a set with all my character designs in which I created with the new version and now want to start animating with them, but I can't get them out of that set into the old version (favourites seem to get wiped out between versions, and may not be backwards compatible anyway).

I can't animate in the new version as you can't use imported objects, which I use a lot.

Double Grrrrrr.......

Message from ukBerty

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:11:13 GMT

I've been working on scripts and character design so far this week, but have now come to some set design and, oh dear - imported objects are a real issue and effectively means the new version is unusable for me.

Interestingly as Quoling has already pointed out, you can load the .set once without error and save it, but after that you get "An object's property has been unexpectedly changed....", your imported object just show in pink, and have no colour properties.

This is also not an issue with the objects themselves, as it happens on "official" Muvizu imported objects like the Christmas collection.

If you save it in this condition you will get the same error when saving. This is a warning as you will NEVER BE ABLE TO OPEN THAT SET AGAIN. You get an error "Necessary data is missing from the file".

If you remove all the imported objects you can save the .set, but if you import an object you start at the beginning of the cycle - i.e. you can save the set once without error, but when loading again the objects will be pink and you cannot save again without corrupting the .set

Just do the following :-

Start a blank set and import the Christmas tree.
Save the set
Open the set - you get an error and the tree is pink
save the set - you get an error
open the set - kaboom - you can't

This is really disappointing and I'll have to revert to the old version until you can save sets.

I'm gutted, as it was looking so good.
edited by ukBerty on 08/09/2011

Message from artpen

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 07:59:05 GMT

I know how you feel, this is the same thing that is happening to me.

It happens when you re save and re load an old set with sketch up models.

I might have to go back to the last muvizu beta to finish my project... sob sob...

Message from Quoling

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 21:28:12 GMT

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH after 2 hours work last night updating an "old" set - just reloaded and I am getting errors "an object propery has been unexpectedly changed and this file will not display properly" - this is REALLY annoying as I was able to save the file but cannot load it back in!!! - lots of editing/prep/direction done....all wasted... sorry Emily...no Queen video yet! It did load in eventually but could not work with it - characters not where they should be - everything out of synch - lots missing..
edited by Quoling on 08/09/2011

Message from Dylly

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:35:16 GMT

Message from barrys

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:42:04 GMT

mysto wrote:

I according to the tutorial about cue points you're supposed to be able to "right click" on a cue point to edit it. Well, when I tried doing this the edit window didn't pop up. I tried various things to get the edit cue point window to pop up and couldn't get it. Is this a glitch or am I doing something wrong?

Hello Mysto

Yes, it's a bug we know about. I recorded the video tutorial a couple of days before Muvizu was released. Somehow in the official version this feature has been switched off but we'll get it fixed - promise. It was an accidental casualty in the mad scramble to get the Release ready for publication.

Barry

Message from artpen

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:07:31 GMT

I'm having a similar problem but with sketch up models.

The old sets load up no problem, but when I save them again it gives me a error
Message telling me the object will not display properly when I try to re-load the
set.....

The set loads, but with no colour sliders for your object, with the object set at its
Default colour?

I was going to get a haircut on Friday, no need now...

Peace, artpen
edited by artpen on 07/09/2011

Message from Quoling

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 08:23:43 GMT

I have had problems with old sets - after saving and reopening I get a warning that something has become corrupted - this seems linked to saving the file as after a save, I tried to direct some movement and nothing worked...even preparing actions just stopped.

Message from mysto

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 02:57:30 GMT

Message from simonheffer

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:20:08 GMT

ukBerty wrote:

Ooh - that's annoying......

The link button on the scale sliders of an object defaults to off. It's different, but fair enough.

Worse though, tick it on and close the properties box, then go back into it and the link button is unticked again.

Grrrrrr......

In fact I'd like a check box for each slider so that I can link any 2 from three as some objects like a wall I want to make taller and wider but not thicker.

Message from ukBerty

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:22:47 GMT

Message from mysto

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:45:45 GMT

I like the new interface! Being able to re-size and position the windows where I want them is great! I'll have to get used to using the new timeline but that's not a big deal. I do miss not being able to double click the mouse and place cue points and being able to delete individual cue points but again no biggie, I'll get used to it. I also miss the little "ruler marks" on the old timeline as they seemed to help me fine tune things.

I noticed right away that not only does Muvizu load a lot faster but the slight lag I was getting when dealing with fairly complex sets seems to be gone as well.

I had some set files that would no longer load into the older version of Muvizu. I kept getting the "file is in an unknown format" message. VERY frustrating for me. This only seemed to occur when I had a lot of lights and special effects in a set. Well, just for kicks I tried loading them into the new version of Muvizu and they all loaded great! There were a few minor issues with some lights and effects not being timed right but other than that everything loaded spot on.

I haven't really played around with all of the new features yet but so far I like the new version of Muvizu a lot. Hats off to the Muvizu crew for once again "topping" themselves!

Message from Wabby

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:53:17 GMT

Hi Muvizu Team,

Beautiful new interface, but a problem persists with the window properties of an object.

I am talking about an object imported from Google Sketchup (ASE file) with many colors / images. If the color list is too long, the window over the screen and it is impossible to complete the settings. (it may be missing a scrollbar)

I hope this is understandable, my English is not very good.

Thanks again for your great software !
edited by Wabby on 06/09/2011
edited by Wabby on 09/09/2011

Message from Marco_D

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:38:37 GMT

CrazyDave wrote:

Marco_D wrote:

You can send the list to our bugs@mubizu.com email address

Mubizu? :-)
edited by CrazyDave on 05/09/2011

I stand corrected edited the post.
Thanks Dave, I just need more coffee hehehe.

Cheers,
Marco

Message from artpen

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:19:21 GMT

Had a little go, love it!
Like the split screen for the camera view, much better to work with.
It's got an anime studio feel to it, nice touch there team Muvizu.

The text is small but it's worth it for all the new gizmos and sliders.

The point and click movement system is a godsend.

That's all I can say at the moment, I'll be back working on it properly tommorow
But overall, it's looking and feeling like a very powerful 3d package now.
Bring it on!!!! LLM
edited by artpen on 05/09/2011

Message from CrazyDave

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 22:45:13 GMT

Marco_D wrote:

You can send the list to our bugs@mubizu.com email address

Mubizu? :-)
edited by CrazyDave on 05/09/2011

Message from Danimal

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:52:22 GMT

Let me chime in on the small font size as well. Seems kind of straining for the eyes after a while.

However, I love the two-column format on the character actions prepare window, allowing way more to be seen at once. I did notice that when you select an action the character performs it, as before. Unlike before, when you click it again, he does nothing. In other words, you can only audition each action once. To see it again you have to select another action, then back to the first.

The new microphone shows as "None" when you hover the mouse over it.

Really though, these are minor bellyaches. The layout looks great and really maximizes real estate. The various shadow tweaks look awesome as well.

Excellent new release!

Message from Marco_D

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:50:10 GMT

simonheffer wrote:

Looks to me that the object properties location sliders are incorrectly labelled.
E.g.
The top one, back/forth, causes left/right.
Second one, left/right, goes back/forth.

The bottom two rotation sliders don't seem right either.

I've tried on old and newly created characters.
64bit Muvizu.

Hey Simon,

Does that happen to all items? I found a few where that happens, but they spawn side-ways, making the alignment correct.
If that only happens to a few items can you please send us the list so we can have a look?
You can send the list to our bugs@muvizu.com email address

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Marco
edited by Marco_D on 05/09/2011

Message from ziggy72

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:08:56 GMT

Ooh, very slick! And I can actually see what's going on without the windows getting in the way - excellent. I have to agree about the font size though - it's just way too small generally (we don't all have 50 inch screens ya know ).

The new walking method with the double click is genius - finally, an easy way to make the little buggers walk in a straight line! (or run - nice touch). It's good that you can 'queue' the next motion before the previous one is finished, to avoid gaps in the animation. I don't see any difference with the Snapping option though - on or off, objects dont seem to behave any differently than they used to. Or am I misunderstanding what it does?

Great stuff with the lighting/shadows options - will take a bit of tweaking, but I'm sure it will lead to some great looking movies in the future.

One last thing - keyboard shortcuts. (serious deja vu here) Could you assign keys to the zoom in/out buttons on the timeline (again) or at least tell us what they are now, since my Saitek setup doesn't correspond to what the program now has as keys for those functions. I spend a LOT of time with the timeline, so I needs me buttons

I've only started investigating the changes, but so far it all looks good (except for the font, which looks like an eye test). Excellent stuff!

Message from simonheffer

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 18:34:58 GMT

Message from 65Radius

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:39:13 GMT

One detail : using 32 bit version : when I select the severed hand on Anne, and then delete it, it doesn't go away!. Also, while the hand is selected, I do not get the attributes display.
Generally, the application looks very friendly, and fast.

Message from Dylly

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:32:28 GMT

NeilI can't say when we'll get around to doing this as frankly we've been too busy working on getting this version out of the door to discuss what's next, but rest assured that there's a lot more new stuff in store for the UI now that we've upgraded the technology behind it. [/quote wrote:

Dragons? Ooh we're getting Dragons!
This was a broadcast from the Ministry of Disinformation!

Message from Quoling

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:16:38 GMT

Neil wrote:

Quoling wrote:

Also when I choose "Create | Object" - the dialog is on the objects tab but the "import" button is missing, it only appears if I go from another tab back to Objects.

That's listed in the known issues on the downloads page, and something I've been desperately trying to fix for a little while. It's a pesky one, grrrrr. As you've spotted, clicking a tab or resizing the window will force it to appear.

Oops should practice what I preach (to my customers) and read the "Readme"....

Message from Neil

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:13:02 GMT

Quoling wrote:

Also when I choose "Create | Object" - the dialog is on the objects tab but the "import" button is missing, it only appears if I go from another tab back to Objects.

Message from Quoling

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:09:45 GMT

Neil wrote:

Either post them here, or if it's a long complicated explanation of how we're doing it wrong, feel free to make a new thread.

Nope not complicated just a little annoying - one no longer exists (the tutorial/welcome dialog was constantly showing despite checking "do not show again") - the other is just something I personally don't like (as someone who has written applications) - if I make the UI fullscreen and then close Muvizu - when I start it up again it's small again

Also when I choose "Create | Object" - the dialog is on the objects tab but the "import" button is missing, it only appears if I go from another tab back to Objects.

That's all for now - nearly time to go home

Message from Neil

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:03:06 GMT

Quoling wrote:

Good oh! - should we still use the bug forums? - I have noticed a couple of things that are not "quite right" (to me anyway) ....

Either post them here, or if it's a long complicated explanation of how we're doing it wrong, feel free to make a new thread.

Message from Quoling

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:02:44 GMT

CrazyDave wrote:

Quoling wrote:

cannot import ASE files - Muvizu is freezing will try something simple...was really hoping this would work

I don't believe that anything has changed since the last release regarding .ASE file importing, so the old video tutorial should still be completely valid.

http://www.muvizu.com/Video/12421/Tutorial-07-Importing-3D-models

Yep no all about the tutorial - tried on a couple of new models and it has indeed worked - would love to know what the extra options are for though....will keep playing

Message from Neil

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:59:10 GMT

Dylly wrote:

Ahem...but there is one, just one small niggly, naggly, teenie, tiny thing though and it is a teenie, tiny thing....but the new interface is a little small and moaning old geezers like me have had to go and find my glasses from where-ever the beagle had hidden them this time!
But so far, I'm very impressed with a job well done!

Sorry about that, Dylly. One thing that the new UI will allow us to do in a future release is to select alternate themes. In your case we'd offer a "moaning old geezers" theme that has larger fonts.

I can't say when we'll get around to doing this as frankly we've been too busy working on getting this version out of the door to discuss what's next, but rest assured that there's a lot more new stuff in store for the UI now that we've upgraded the technology behind it.

Message from CrazyDave

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:58:29 GMT

Quoling wrote:

cannot import ASE files - Muvizu is freezing will try something simple...was really hoping this would work

Message from Quoling

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:54:16 GMT

Luscan wrote:

There's a bunch of tutorials pending at the moment that were built around questions that we got asked and the new interface. Should be up soon!

Good oh! - should we still use the bug forums? - I have noticed a couple of things that are not "quite right" (to me anyway) ....

Message from KerryK

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:52:12 GMT

ukBerty wrote:

I'd best get on and animate something then.

indeed you had! and that goes for the rest of you too.

Message from Luscan

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:50:33 GMT

There's a bunch of tutorials pending at the moment that were built around questions that we got asked and the new interface. Should be up soon!

Message from Quoling

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:47:30 GMT

I agree with the size of the text - it's tiny....good job I have telescope glasses so I can read the text.
Am currently (should be working) looking at the import of ase files - there seems to be a lot of changes...really appreciate any tips on how to do this - a new tutorial like Jim did would be fantastic!

Edit: cannot import ASE files - Muvizu is freezing will try something simple...was really hoping this would work

Apart from that - looks ok - may even get me Queen video done now.
edited by Quoling on 05/09/2011

Message from ukBerty

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:42:06 GMT

I've had a little look......

Fine tuning up and down arrows on all properties (especially scaling of objects) - brilliant. This will cut down of set destruction.

I like the idea of turning shadows off - will be useful when using ground planes as ceilings as weird things tended to happen.

Mmmmm.... . Undockable windows.........

All looking good.

I'd best get on and animate something then.

Message from Dylly

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:41:18 GMT

Downloaded new version...oh am I impressed! I'm running on a small laptop here with minimal graphics card. The old version was proving difficult with regard to codecs, had to resort to DivX as Xvid would not work or results were full of impairments....but hang on a minute the new version runs like a dream, and with Xvid too!
Add to this character maps with toothypegs and you have one happy bunny here!

Ahem...but there is one, just one small niggly, naggly, teenie, tiny thing though and it is a teenie, tiny thing....but the new interface is a little small and moaning old geezers like me have had to go and find my glasses from where-ever the beagle had hidden them this time!
But so far, I'm very impressed with a job well done!

Message from CrazyDave

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:40:32 GMT

zacchang wrote:

is it available on the download page?

Yes, it's version 0.17b.

Message from Emily

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:40:27 GMT

zacchang wrote:

is it available on the download page?

Yep!

Message from zacchang

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:39:13 GMT

is it available on the download page?

Message from CrazyDave

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:43:36 GMT

Supplemental to the release notes, there is also a new, experimental, hidden feature that some of our more advanced users may enjoy playing with. It enables transparent videos to be used as textures within Muvizu.

There is a thread about it in the Tips and Tricks section of the forum, here:
http://www.muvizu.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=1281&MessageID=6832#post6832

Cheers, Dave.

Message from Marco_D

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:24:28 GMT

Hello everyone,

We just release a new version of Muvizu. This version comes with a brand new user interface and a few new features as well.

As always we want to know what you think about it. So please post here your thoughts about the new version. If you encounter any problems please let us know.
We will be monitoring this thread very closely.

Have fun with Muvizu

Cheers,
Muvizu Team
edited by Marco_D on 05/09/2011