David Coombs

Just got real

David Coombs — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:15:42 +0000

Squarespace iPhone app? Thank you kindly.

On fxphd

David Coombs — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:30:35 +0000

While I’m loving fxphd it’s kind of irritating how each lesson is distinct; the content is magnificent but it almost feels like what you learn is wasted. It would make more sense to me if each subject worked towards completing a project over the 10 weeks of teaching, but that would require a far more significant investment by the already busy lecturers.

Nuke, tracking, and modelling are all *deep* subjects. I’ve enough of an overview now to understand how to comp and grade my output from Maya, but don’t think I’ll continue with the other topics next term. Nuke is something I get very excited about, to the detraction of the modelling and animation.

This is a little scattered, excuse me - I have homework to do. Screenshots etc. soon.

Update

David Coombs — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:32:56 +0000

It’s been an interesting month. After the last batch of animation tests I lost a lot of momentum. The timing was all wrong, I wanted to do things I didn’t know how to, and I was just a bit “over” the piece. To get past the block I started looking for something new to do, and thought the conversation at the start of “When the whistle blows” (see below - NSFW) would be a neat little back and forth.

I started to flesh out the scene on paper, getting it to a point that it seemed to work and then realised … I had no idea how to build a set or props. It relied on a table and booth, some glasses, cigarettes etc.

Around this time the new Windows 7 box came together, i7 920 (OC’d), 6GB RAM, low-end video card (it was cheap and more than enough for where I am at the moment). I started learning how to model.

The more I use Maya the deeper the hole becomes. DVD’s are a fantastic way to learn but I needed something with more feedback.

Qantm offer an online diploma of screen and media (animation), but they’re currently using Max and won’t transition to Maya until next year.

I enrolled in fxphd. Smartest move. Ever.

In addition to more Maya than I can shake something at, I’m also learning tracking and compositing. It’s like Nirvana but without all that pesky enlightenment stuff.

The i7 box is plenty fast, and while I dearly love my Mac the Windows 7 thing seems stable and straight forward.

Updates to follow.

Vertex?

David Coombs — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 07:01:57 +0000

Whilst learning to animate is the primary focus of this whole exercise, I’d also like to be able to build things. A demo reel filled with nothing but Norman rigs would start to look a little like an Animation Mentor student showcase (The bitter snipe is only because I can’t bloody afford to join in myself). I’ve never really got NURBS, but polygon modeling was something that always made sense. Maya is good at both and I’ve developed a love for the damn package, despite the occasional beach balling lockup.

Glen pointed out Silo; a brilliant sub-d modeler for which he’s created a huge amount of tutorial content. The pro version does UV’s and has a topology tool, but the core version has everything I need and is only $79 USD.

It looked good, so gave the free trial a shot. There are some adjustments to be made on a Mac around navigation, but the keyboard and mouse can be completely remapped. In all, it’s a great little package and because the workflow and shortcuts are the same it doesn’t feel like I have to learn a whole new program.

No more video

David Coombs — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 08:36:24 +0000

At least, not until this thing is finished.

… after this one.

I’m wondering if a 6 frame run is too fast to read, or if I need to give it more screen time?

Props?

David Coombs — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 05:42:02 +0000

As the animation comes along - what with the running and the jumping, the realisation that I’ve no idea how to build props has dawned. This is slightly problematic.

To remedy this situation a couple of Digital Tutors classes will be downloaded come payday. I’m looking at Introduction to Modeling in Maya and Creating Cartoon Characters in Maya. With the exchange rate being what it is I can grab both for around $130 AUD, which isn’t too painful.

On Ant’s suggestion I’ve taken out a 13 issue subscription to 3D Artist - a new magazine which is geared to a slightly more pro audience than 3D World. Pro audience - delusions of grandeur? The training continues with fxphd’s June semester. New classes will be announced soon but they have a pretty comprehensive Maya programme that I’m looking forward to.

The run is being done on 1’s an I’m looking at a 6 frame cycle. This gives *really* fast motion and I’m hoping it plays out well. Screen below.

Next, running.

David Coombs — Sun, 31 May 2009 09:52:34 +0000

Working on feet and timing, blocking out a stomp away from the wall.

Small slowdown

David Coombs — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:22:22 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve opened Maya and worked on anything - occasionally life and circumstance gets in the way. But it’s another Saturday and grey winter mornings are a perfect time to get back to work.

In the animation gap I’ve found the Pigeon: Impossible podcast. For someone coming to this whole thing in much the same way I am, it’s really valuable. Make sure to go back and watch from episode one, Lucas is also on the Twitters if you want to badger him about things.

In other Twitter-related news Twit Sketch is kind of fun and a good way to relearn to use a pencil. Glen (the guy behind it) has some really nice modeling information/tutorials on his site as well.

Progress

David Coombs — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:57:30 +0000

Alfonse is coming along: I’ve learned that keys can be re-timed on you if you’re not careful, that you need to check the workspace before starting a project (so you don’t accidentally key … joints instead of curves *ahem*), and that there’s so much I don’t know about how to animate and even Maya itself.

I know roughly what he’ll be doing, but I’m don’t want to go ahead and pose the whole thing - my focus is on trying to give a performance and develop timing, which I don’t think I’ll learn if everything’s blocked out before hand. Needs a certain amount of serindipity.

The book is good

David Coombs — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:13:22 +0000

Having poured through the Animator’s Survival Kit during train rides to and from the office, I thought that maybe just following along with DVDs lacked a certain … something. The Gnomon disks let me get started and I’ve certainly learned a lot from them (more will be purchased shortly), but wanted to see how I would do using some reference from Richard Williams book and trying to figure it out for myself.

I’m using the Norman rig mentioned previously and have started to pose out something a little more ambitious - the above is just blocking down a walk - very early but enough to check timing which appears to be ok.

The point is the book is good. Very, very good. If you’re learning at home you must purchase a copy and get training from different people - each new dvd or book will show you things slightly differently so you can start to find what works for you.