Forum - How Do I ...? - Moving water like in the Chinese History pack?

Forum - How Do I ...? - Moving water like in the Chinese History pack? - Messages http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Forum - How Do I ...? - Moving water like in the Chinese History pack? - Messages en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Jitbit AspNetForum Sat, 26 Mar 2016 15:05:46 GMT Sat, 26 Mar 2016 15:05:46 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from PatMarrNC braj wrote:

I guess this is the time to ask for cycles for animations, let the user define a point when the animation on any channel starts repeating. And also being able to copy and paste keyframes would make this all simpler, and looping less necessary. If I were to pick a feature, it would be copy/paste, but looping still would be great too.

+1
The ability to copy and paste keyframes would be huge]]> Sat, 26 Mar 2016 15:05:46 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj PatMarrNC wrote:

you're doing some cool stuff here, Braj...
unfortunately your explanation of how you did it went right over my head. It would be great if you'd post a set that included elements like you're showing here so we could experiment with them ourselves

I posted a set file to the store yesterday, I don't know if it has been approved yet, it has a low poly sailing ship and round ocean tiles. But basically, to explain the water, you just need to take a multiply plane in a 3d app and ripple the surface in a way that you think looks good. I use a wave generator in Poser to do it, but there are lots of ways. Blender has an option I believe to select random vertices, do that on a flat plane and just move the random selection onwards to the size of your waves (use the Blender subdivision modifier to make a simple square many polygons if you need a plane) and set the materials like the Blender tutorials on the wiki state, give it a texture, import it to Muvizu and replace the texture with the camera texture trick, animating it there. I'm on a phone, later I'll try and make one download with a few water tiles and features to make Blender unnecessary hopefully for many.

What I want to try next for water is animated textures with animated waves using the pivoting feature for controlling the movement. I need to watch the tutorial on animating objects again, muvizu has more tricks than I'm using I'm sure of it ☺
edited by braj on 26/03/2016
edited by braj on 26/03/2016]]> Sat, 26 Mar 2016 06:57:25 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj Sat, 26 Mar 2016 02:59:07 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj ziggy72 wrote:

Tried chopping it up so I could possibly animate the wings separately, but it didn't quite work. Back to the research lab...

I have it chopped up a bit, there are three FBX files for the static dragon and his wings, and the blend file has all the bits on separate layers. Show all layers at once and select everything before scaling anything or you'll hate your life.

I tried animating, and I'd like to share a tip: go through and make a keyframe for every up and down beat in the up position, then when you scrub through it will look like nothing happens, because it hasn't. Then go to every other keyframe and change the position there. That way you can get a decent cycle without fighting too much with Muvizu's way less than precise positioning tools.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9300947/LittleBigDragonParta.zip

edited by braj on 26/03/2016]]> Sat, 26 Mar 2016 02:55:55 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from PatMarrNC unfortunately your explanation of how you did it went right over my head. It would be great if you'd post a set that included elements like you're showing here so we could experiment with them ourselves]]> Fri, 25 Mar 2016 14:19:30 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from mrmuviz Fri, 25 Mar 2016 13:57:12 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from ziggy72 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 12:44:29 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9300947/LittleBigDragonRigged.zip
edited by braj on 25/03/2016]]> Fri, 25 Mar 2016 03:59:18 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from ziggy72 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 03:05:33 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj
EDIT: Meh: I just tried it, I can't properly output the wave animation to FBX, and trying to import an FBX with multiple frames crashes Muvizu. I guess I better plan my shots in a way that I can get some of the sweeping epicness of moving waves with compositing in Hitfilm with masks, just the moving boat part makes that a challenge, I don't want the people to look like they are floating around.
edited by braj on 24/03/2016]]> Thu, 24 Mar 2016 20:18:57 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj

edited by braj on 24/03/2016]]> Thu, 24 Mar 2016 20:10:09 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from PatMarrNC edited by PatMarrNC on 24/03/2016]]> Thu, 24 Mar 2016 17:17:13 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from wdeprospo edited by wdeprospo on 24/03/2016]]> Thu, 24 Mar 2016 15:59:50 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9300947/WaterRiverPlane.zip

It is a rippled water plane, you need to use the camera and backdrop method to animate the texture, once the plane is loaded, you'll be able to select it for the backdrop. Use the backdrop camera's color controls to fine tune the texture to your needs, or replace the texture with something else.

Here's a screentest video, I do think this is the best method I can come up with for water. Please let me know what you think

]]> Thu, 24 Mar 2016 12:19:48 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj ]]> Fri, 19 Feb 2016 21:00:32 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from PatMarrNC MrDrWho13 wrote:

Rebel made a pirate ship set with moving backdrops which you might want to look at: http://www.muvizu.com/Set/34543/Pirate-Tall-Ship
edited by MrDrWho13 on 07/02/2016

I was looking thru the store last night and noticed that rebel's contributions tend to be pretty amazing! not just excellent modelling, but also clever use of the tools in Muvizu ... like the way he created the wake following the pirate ship]]> Mon, 08 Feb 2016 14:28:09 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from PatMarrNC
You have some very cool tricks up your sleeve, Berty! In fact several of the forum regulars do! I spent the weekend scouring youtube for Muvizu videos... and whatever weakenesses this software might have.... it is AMAZING to me what can be accomplished with it!

I think it's interesting to see the disconnect between what gets posted on this forum as opposed to what gets posted on the forums of other animation products. On other forums, there are lots of "exercises" posted. Here, you see full blown presentations. Even the short projects tend to be complete ideas fully developed to a logical conclusion.]]> Mon, 08 Feb 2016 14:23:15 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from ziggy72 ukBerty wrote:

Here's the tutorial I watched to learn what to do in HitFilm

Hopefully this is of some help

Wow. That's all I can say, just wow.]]> Mon, 08 Feb 2016 12:19:41 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from Wabby MrDrWho13 wrote:

Which version of sony Vegas? With all these windows 10 problems I'm not convinced I should upgrade.

An old version (9 I believe)... but you should try to upgrade windows... you will have 30 days to go back if you're not convinced.]]> Mon, 08 Feb 2016 11:50:55 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from fazz68 Mon, 08 Feb 2016 11:28:22 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from MrDrWho13 Wabby wrote:

@ukBerty : Hitfilm is a fantastic tool, thanks for the tip ! I'm using the free version now (because Sony Vegas is not working on my Windows10).
edited by Wabby on 08/02/2016

Which version of sony Vegas? With all these windows 10 problems I'm not convinced I should upgrade.]]> Mon, 08 Feb 2016 11:18:12 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from Wabby
So yes : with iClone, you can make many more things than with Muvizu, but it's many more expensive too (in a money term, and in a time consuming term too).

@ukBerty : Hitfilm is a fantastic tool, thanks for the tip ! I'm using the free version now (because Sony Vegas is not working on my Windows10).
edited by Wabby on 08/02/2016]]> Mon, 08 Feb 2016 10:42:30 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from ukBerty

I use Hitfilm as my compositor and personally I would not try to do this within Muvizu.

Here's the tutorial I watched to learn what to do in HitFilm

Hopefully this is of some help]]> Mon, 08 Feb 2016 08:14:50 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj MrDrWho13 wrote:

Rebel made a pirate ship set with moving backdrops which you might want to look at: http://www.muvizu.com/Set/34543/Pirate-Tall-Ship
edited by MrDrWho13 on 07/02/2016

I'm just about to test that out, thanks!

Here's my little cafe I'm building out of blocks in Muvizu with transparent windows I WISH we could save these as favorites. If you do it right you can make some really cool sets using mostly Muvizu blocks and decent textures, all without knowing modelling skills. Plus collision issues are not a problem, no ghost blocks necessary. If they improved the snapping and allowed saving as favorites, those two things would make it much better as being a set design kit. But I love it just the way it is, they key thing is you know how everything looks immediately, no exporting and hoping you got it right. It isn't as fancy, but there are lots of possibilities, this is just a box. But I think it shows how useful transparent blocks would be for all users, making it easy especially on those not wanting to mess about in other apps.

]]> Sun, 07 Feb 2016 19:58:44 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from MrDrWho13 http://www.muvizu.com/Set/34543/Pirate-Tall-Ship
edited by MrDrWho13 on 07/02/2016]]> Sun, 07 Feb 2016 18:37:07 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from fazz68 ukBerty wrote:

I may have an idea, but I don't really know what everyone it talking about !

What are you trying to recreate in the Chinese History Pack ??

the flowing water effect on the river props.

well i was anyway lol
edited by fazz68 on 07/02/2016]]> Sun, 07 Feb 2016 18:35:49 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj
But basically, I would love for more info on creating the techs Muvizu is capable so I can implement them in my props. Draping cloth info would also be great, like the capes. Obviously someone knows

edited by braj on 07/02/2016]]> Sun, 07 Feb 2016 18:34:58 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj Sun, 07 Feb 2016 18:23:55 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from ukBerty
What are you trying to recreate in the Chinese History Pack ??]]> Sun, 07 Feb 2016 18:19:58 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from urbanlamb Sun, 07 Feb 2016 18:12:58 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj Sun, 07 Feb 2016 18:06:08 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from MrDrWho13 braj wrote:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9300947/Transparentcube.fbx

A little note to people trying to download this: right click and save as since opening the link brings up the document in text format.

You've a lot in common with Dreeko; he tried out the source filmmaker and other such products. He's currently focused on Dreams as far as I know, so you might want to check that out if you want to see some other software: http://dreams.mediamolecule.com/]]> Sun, 07 Feb 2016 17:57:31 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj
Anyhow, I am not totally new to 3D and animation, kinda why I know what is lacking, and these aren't pro things, saying I should augment Muvizu with something else doesn't resolve difficult view controls, or not being able to save grouped objects (That would be HUGE because nearly anyone could build stuff out of primitives and save them off as props for later.)

I'm just saying

I understand if the Muvizu development staff is minimal, budgets are thin, that's all understood and I'm not beating up on the product, especially for its price is is ridiculously cool. Just I wish keyframing were more comprehensive, it is there now but in its infancy, but I like how it works, just I'd love to be able to use it for everything. And some little cyclic setting for objects would be great, just have them spin on an axis. I don't think this is all beyond the engine, these are relatively simple things, so why not ask? Saying Muvizu is limited itself limits it, I don't understand that attitude, and I'm not looking for it to be Maya. I'm not getting grumpy because my feature requests aren't fulfilled either, in the end it is not my product and I'm not emotional about it. In the meantime I am learning Blender. I highly recommend Blender Sensei mod, it makes the whole app come alive, it is much more intuitive. I got the paid version last night which allows you to paint bump maps, so you can easily go through and see immediately the results. Also something to check out is Valve's Source Filmmaker, which is very similar to Muvizu in design philosophy, using their video game engine with really impressive results. I don't even want to mess with it right now because it may just spoil me, but it is also beyond what I want to do. Blender is perfect with Muvizu, and there are lots of creative ideas floating around in my head involving transparent objects with moving images via the camera screen trick, layers maybe on some things, I know enough Blender now to do all the basics with modelling that I need, Muvizu's low-poly needs also make it easy not to be too ambitious. MUvizu especially with TARGA export now really can get impressive results, and I'll definitely try and incorporate Blender, if anyone has any tips for lighting and materials within Blender to get the Muvizu look, please let me know. The same settings on a model render a lot differently with the different rendering and light systems, so I could use some tips there. I can make fully rigged Spore creatures that have a very Muvizu look and animate at least basic things in Blender for them, they would be monsters traipsing through towns so they don't have to stand right next to a Muvizu character. I'm also going to try making body extensions to move creatures and create new characters. I feel like I can draw in 3D now which is wonderful, I'm so glad I gave up on ASEs and Sketchup, that was a black hole for my energy, trial and error and not much fun. Blender+Muvizu is really fun.

BTW, I think Muvizu REALLY needs a transparent block, so I made one. You can adjust the color and transparency, and of course the size, and used with the abstracts it is pretty helpful building interesting sets IMO. I know this is super basic, but here it is. It is just one of those things I would throw in the library. It can use animated screens too for some cool effects.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9300947/Transparentcube.fbx]]> Sun, 07 Feb 2016 17:50:15 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from PatMarrNC
Poser is on sale through Sunday Feb 7th. Its strength is character creation and morphing, but it also does animation... and it comes with a ton of included content. They also have an online store that includes both free and paid content. I have Poser, and it is very powerful but not nearly as easy to use as Muvizu.

Iclone is used by several people here on the Muvizu forum. It looks like an excellent product that excels at character / content creation AND animation.

If you google the phrase "ANIMATION SOFTWARE" you'll find the information you need to decide if spending a little more money to get the control you want is the route to take. Please keep us posted, I'm curious to see what your natural curiosity and intellect zeroes in on!]]> Sun, 07 Feb 2016 03:41:17 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from urbanlamb braj wrote:

Haha, you guys make it sound like I am asking for too much. What I am asking for are the very basic move and view tools that really should be there, and access to what tech is possible le to the power level user that is willing to use other tools to create and rig new characters, it is in their interest IMO to give some sdk for developing content. You guys have low expectations. I know hey can do it if they have the will and budget, if either is lacking then maybe not.

The sdk they are using is from unreal engine they can't share that only unreal can share that. Muvizu runs on unreal 3. Anyhow without recoding muvizu which when speaking with them its likely something that at the moment they are not intending to do. The bells and whistles they can add will be limited to the coding of muvizu and how they encorporated the unreal sdk into muvizu. Now haveing seen the performance issues I dont think it would be a wise thing to overburden muvizu with many more features. Not unless they completely recode it... and if they do that they might as well upgrade to unreal 4.

They are just a tiny company and have gotten smaller as of late. Everyone enjoys muvizu but if they make it too complicated they will sacrifice one client base for another. (not to mention the keyframing package is not working properly right now even no sense asking them to break it further)
edited by urbanlamb on 07/02/2016]]> Sun, 07 Feb 2016 00:34:16 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from ziggy72 ]]> Sun, 07 Feb 2016 00:14:49 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from PatMarrNC
I agree with everybody else about never stopping the requests for improvements. They're all great ideas.

I'm on another software forum much like this one, where the vast majority of users love the product, but they acknowledge areas where it needs to improve. Recently a guy who has been offering long lists of great ideas for years suddenly blew up and quit the forum because they haven't incorporated his ideas. His departure was accompanied by uncalled-for rants against the developers and a lot of junk talk.

Apparently he took it as a personal slight, as though they didn't value his ideas. The fact, however, is that there were valid reasons why the ideas weren't convenient to implement without a complete re-write of the software from the ground up. That company has one programmer and about 4 different products... all of which need 50 new features every year so they can sell a new version. He just doesn't have time to reinvent the code's architecture. I suspect a lot of the same is true with MUVIZU. It is what it is. We all have to decide whether or not that's enough for us.

Based on the problems that have been introduced by small change, I think asking for a major revision would fall under the "careful what you ask for... you might might get it" principle.]]> Sat, 06 Feb 2016 15:34:54 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from fazz68 ]]> Sat, 06 Feb 2016 10:34:35 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from fazz68
just fixing the software is their main priority at the moment i imagine. its all gone very quiet on the muvizu HQ front but it does that all the time... so nothing new there.]]> Sat, 06 Feb 2016 10:17:56 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from MrDrWho13 braj wrote:

Part of what I'm asking for is what makes Muvizu hard, it doesn't complicate it. It makes it much easier.

The scene window does the camera docking thing I think,but I like the idea of having the option to dock the timeline to the bottom of the screen. The other things have been asked for many times.

]]> Sat, 06 Feb 2016 08:36:25 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj Sat, 06 Feb 2016 03:30:21 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj Sat, 06 Feb 2016 03:29:07 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from PatMarrNC Sat, 06 Feb 2016 01:49:27 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from urbanlamb
Its okay to use more then one software and one realtime engine.]]> Sat, 06 Feb 2016 00:46:43 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from PatMarrNC
However, there are times when you need to do something that MUVIZU just can't do.

My philosophy is to treat All animation packages as tools in my creative toolbox. I use MUVIZU for its amazing speed of production.. and when I need something it can't do, I either...

1) imply the action and let the viewer fill in the blanks, or...
2) create the scene in another package and figure out a way to merge it seamlessly into my project at the video editor stage.]]> Sat, 06 Feb 2016 00:18:28 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj Somehow this is done with development tools, at least open that up to more development users so we can create more characters. And the character wizard, it would be really cool to be able to click a body element and resize it, there would be so many more possible characters if even a few more options were added to each character. Beefy with a beer belly, for example. Resize the heads, or even swap heads between characters. I dunno, I deeply wish we could import Collada Spore-exported creatures with all the rigging and animations, that would be an awesome combination. OK, sorry, I am getting carried away, I love Muvizu, I'm spending hours in it each day, so part of the excitement is imagining how it can be improved. I'm just weird.]]> Fri, 05 Feb 2016 21:44:11 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj Fri, 05 Feb 2016 21:30:25 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from urbanlamb ]]> Fri, 05 Feb 2016 21:20:23 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj urbanlamb wrote:

in muvizu you would need to generate the file as an avi file and play the avi file on an object. In other softwares you might do it differently but in the case of muvizu the solution is to create an avi file of the animated textures and import that in the image slot instead of a still image.

That doesn't really address how to create an object that has animated textures built-in, obviously it is possible or the Chinese pack wouldn't be able to do it. This info on how to accomplish would be really helpful.]]> Fri, 05 Feb 2016 21:01:22 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from urbanlamb Fri, 05 Feb 2016 20:58:50 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj Fri, 05 Feb 2016 20:39:39 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj

I haven't gotten it figured yet, and I need to get the actual images too, but I hope to have a reasonable little body of water when necessary soon.]]> Fri, 05 Feb 2016 12:37:52 GMT http://www.muvizu.com/Forum/topic5476-moving-water-like-in-the-chinese-history-pack.aspx Message from braj Fri, 05 Feb 2016 11:35:44 GMT