[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Title:AMIGA NOTES
Notice:Join us in the *NEW* conference - HYDRA::AMIGA_V2
Moderator:HYDRA::MOORE
Created:Sat Apr 26 1986
Last Modified:Wed Feb 05 1992
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5378
Total number of notes:38326

5038.0. "Animation Question" by KAHUNA::SUMNER () Wed Sep 11 1991 15:00

    
    I've got a VT question.  I want to do 2D and 3D animation, but don't
    want to invest in a single frame controller and industrial deck which
    can handle the stress of single frame recording.  An amiga rep told me
    I could transfer the frames created in Light Wave to DCTV, and I guess
    render them, then transfer the frames to DPIV, then run the animation
    in real time.  Is this possible?????
    
    Thanks,
    ~Ray
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
5038.1It can be done ...ELWOOD::PETERSWed Sep 11 1991 18:5720
    
    	I have done something very close to this. I created an animation
    using Animation Journeyman. The output from Journeyman is a bunch
    of 24 bit IFF files ( lightWave can do the same ). Then you use
    DCTV to convert the IFF24 files to DCTV format. You then take the
    DCTV files and use any anim packer ( I used Animation editor, but
    DPaint IV should work ). Then just play the animation.
    
    	Is it real time ?  Not 30 frame/sec but well into the 10-15
    range. It looks good.
    
    	Yes, it is possible. BUT, it take HUGE amounts of memory. If
    you can find an anim player that will play from a hard disk your
    set. If not the anim files are HUGE. A 80 frame animation took
    about 9 Mbytes. On my 10 Meg system this was the max I could do.
    
    		Steve P.
    
    P.S. This process is described in the DCTV manual ( in the very back ).
    
5038.2Money Vs time Vs MemoryGIDDAY::MORANThu Sep 12 1991 04:2715
    
    I have a friend who instaed of buying costly Single Frame VCR's he
    bought two standard SVHS Recorders. He uses Real3D to Ray-Trace and
    makes the files into a special Anim format called DELTA. 
    
    This plays A LOT faster than ANIM5 but uses HUGE amounts of memory. So
    much so that on an anim > 100 frames or so he runs out of memory on his
    14 MEG machine. 
    
    Since this setback he's know looking at the single frame option
    particulary since he's getting these problems only using interlaced HAM
    and not 24bit which he'll be working with from know on.
    
    Shaun.
    
5038.3exitSALEM::LEIMBERGERThu Sep 12 1991 08:024
    I was talking to Lou Wallace last week. He had just put a single frame
    controller in his system an picked up a new VTR. The SFC cost less than
    $500.00 but the vtr $4000.00+.
    								bill
5038.4ELWOOD::PETERSThu Sep 12 1991 10:5417
    
    	If you want to go the single frame controller route, there has 
    been some major price break-throughs. Two new very low cost controllers
    have hit the market. A software product with a small coverter that
    sells for $400-$450 is out. It was reviewed in the lasted AmigaWorld.
    It is mostly software and uses the Amiga as a controller. Also BCD
    has created a Amiga plug-in board version of the BCD 5000. The new
    board is priced at $800-$900.
    	As for the VTR, about $5000 and up are normal for new ones. BUT,
    many people are leaving the 3/4" ( U-matic ) market. Sony is the only
    one left ( Again ? ). Used 3/4" VTRs can be purchased in the $2000.00
    range.
    	I'm trying the BCD  / used 3/4" route.
    
    
    		Steve P.
    
5038.5KAHUNA::SUMNERFri Sep 13 1991 13:127
    
    Since memory will pose a problem with large animation files I think
    I'll check the used route.
    
    Thanks,
    ~Ray