So I’m still toying with the idea of getting back into 3D animation. While going through my old files and moving them to the new hard drive I found some really old 3D work of mine from back in 1998. Wow, was is horrible. I wonder if I kept at it instead of stopping to pursue my web career where would I be now?

Right now I’m trying to figure out what exactly I want to do. Just stating that I want to do character animation is not enough. I’m still not even sure what 3D program I want to use. Chances are, right now, that it will be Lightwave. Mostly because I know how to model in it fairly well. They also just recently released the Universal Binary version. So that should run nice on my Intel Mac. Of course I need $400 to get the upgrade, but that’s better then $1000s for, say, Maya.

I’ve been looking around the net for some inspiration. Something that I like and I feel that I could potentially actually do. So far all I found was this animation. It was done in Japan on Animation Master. I’m not sure how I feel about the cel-shaded look. But it does lend itself to the style. The point, though, is that the animation isn’t really hard. No running, jumping or battle scenes. Just a lot of talking. That begs the question, though, what kind of story could you do like that? Would anyone really care to watch it?

Of course beyond that there is also the whole thing of music, sound effects and voice overs. It’s a lot of work and I sometimes wonder “do I really want to do this?”. Thing is, I can’t stop thinking about it. So I guess I’ll just see where it goes.

I’m happy to finally announce my latest project. It’s a how to DVD called “How To Color Anime Style with Photoshop”. It’s over 100 minutes long and goes from start to finish coloring an image of a Japanese school girl. The DVD is professional quality complete with menus and files to work along with the lessons.

This is something I’ve had on my todo list for a while and I’m glad I finally was able to finish it. Check it out and watch some samples. howtocoloranime.razorstudio.com

~gp~

I spent the last several weeks working in 3D. It’s almost scary how absorbed I can get in a 3D program. Time seems to fly like nothing else, but I do have something to show for it.

As you can see in the image above I’ve been working on a character. She was modeled in Lightwave and edited and rendered in Modo. I’m far from done with it, but I’m actually fairly please with the results so far.

I’m not sure “exactly” what I will do with her just yet. I would love to do some kind of animation. Something I’ve wanted to do for over 10 years now. I’ve been toying around with story ideas, but nothing concrete yet. Once I’m somewhat settled on the model I hope to sit down and rough out some story ideas and character sketches.

Like I stated a few posts back I’ve been playing around with various 3D applications. Lightwave has been my staple 3D program for most of my 3D life. I spent thousands to eventually learn Maya. I even toyed around with the open source 3D program Blender. Most of them have not stayed up to date with the times, are just to darn expensive or I just can’t wrap my head around how they think. So why am I talking about all this? Have I finally found a 3D program to settle on? Yes and no. I decided to give Modo a real good try. I’ve been playing with the evaluation version and I have to stay I really love this program. It’s clean, modern and very powerful. As you can see from the renders of my character they look beautiful. They have both SSS and GI and render in a minute or less. Only problem is Modo can’t do character animation. It is coming, though. Maybe next year. I’m at a crossroad here. Should I just get Modo, build up all my assets for an animation then hope and wait for them to add character animation? Or bite the bullet and get another application instead? I can’t afford two applications. Modo and something for animation.

Anyway, these are thoughts that are currently going through my head these days.

To give a little update on my last few posts. Not long after I posted about my little MMO addiction did I stop playing them almost completely. As you can see my obsession with 3D is stronger. I’ve since cancelled most of them and have only kept a couple. The only game I’ve actually been playing is Test Drive Unlimited. It’s an open world racing game and great to just jump in and drive around. Also a great way to get ideas while I cruise around the Hawaii coast.

I did buy Anime Studio Pro and it seems like a really powerful program for 2D animation. Though, after I got all re-obsessed with 3D I kinda have forgotten about it. I do think it’s a great program for my arsenal. I certainly could use it for some unique animations like logos etc.

Besides all that I am also working on two other projects. I won’t go into details just yet. One is a product I hope to sell that I think many of my fellow Manga artist will like. The other is a site, which also has something to do with Manga. So I haven’t forgotten about my Manga endeavors either.

Till next time.

~gp~