Newbie First Attempt at Daz 3D -- Help Needed!

mark.vanhorn

Hello, gurus! The forum says this is where I should post my projects for your input. I have dabbled in 3D before in Blender, but this my first time in Daz 3d (who can resist a powerful suite for free?). I like writing fiction, but I think I like turning them into animations as well. I thank you in advance for your insight and input to make this better.

http://youtu.be/JEcpSN6OKhc

bigh

nice start - model are to still ( need to add more action )

mark.vanhorn

Thanks so much, Bigh! I've checking this post all day for some feedback! Yes I think I can do the animation better when it comes the models standing still like people do stand still.

Steven-V

I agree. I applaud the effort and especially the D&D theme! The character models look pretty good. But when they talk, they should do more hand movements and things like that.

Of course, I realize that probably makes your job as an animator 10x harder, but real people don't just move their jaws when they talk.

mark.vanhorn

And I thank you as well, not just for your critique, but for your wonderful compliment as well! For what it's worth, I am taking you two gentlemen's advice to heart. I am working on using bvh files to move my characters in more lifelike ways. My current issue is that the bvh movements are too quick and jerky, but I am exploring ways to slow them down, or even convert them into poses and let Daz 3D "tween" them. Thanks again, Steven.viscido!

Steven-V

I have never done any animation other than a little with the tutorial, and so I don't know anything about it. I have enough trouble just posing things the way I want and getting the scene to look right in a stillshot that I can't imagine how many orders of magnitude harder animating a video scene would be. I definitely applaud what you are doing and I look forward to seeing how you improve it.

mark.vanhorn

But still the most important thing to me for what it's worth, is that you took the time to respond. I will keep you posted!

XaatXuun

mark.vanhorn said:

Hello, gurus! The forum says this is where I should post my projects for your input. I have dabbled in 3D before in Blender, but this my first time in Daz 3d (who can resist a powerful suite for free?). I like writing fiction, but I think I like turning them into animations as well. I thank you in advance for your insight and input to make this better.

http://youtu.be/JEcpSN6OKhc

not a critique, I'm bad at that
just wanted to say, I enjoyed it . . I tried a couple weeks ago my first attempt at Animation . . something I learned . . . . I don't have enough patients for . maybe with something better then a P4 I may (enough about me)

keep it up . . I'll be lurking over what you do next .. I may get jealous as you progress

mark.vanhorn

And XaatXuun, I thank you as well. It really helps me as I continue to try my best to improve. I added some additional movement to my characters when they speak, and it looks so much better just as the guys said. I will use them in future videos, I think.

ShawnBooth

I'd work on the editing big time. As soon as they're done speaking cut to the next shot at the moment the next character is about to speak. Your current edit is fat (as we call it in filmmaking). Trim it up.

As far as the animation, I wouldn't necessarily worry about the camera moving as much as I would the "actors". You currently have statues through the entire thing. They should at least be breathing. Watch some movies of folks having a conversation as reference.

mark.vanhorn

Thanks, Exumbra for your insightful input as well. Case in point, I never even thought about the editing, but you picked that up quickly. I'll study on that as well. As for the characters not moving enough, you bagged that too, as the previous replies pointed that out and I will pay attention to that as well.