Software: IClone4
Link: http://www.reallusion.com/iclone/
Rating: 9/10
Cost: $200 + (3D Exchange and/or content packs)
Purpose: Character Animation (w/ Google SketchUp) & Flythrough Animation
Interface: Google SketchUp, MAYA, 3Ds Max, & others.
Comments: Solid program from Reallusion to add Character Animation to the Architectural Buildings & Scenes, especially those created with Google SketchUp. IClone4 is a viable investment, and I HIGHLY recommend purchasing a copy.
Iclone4 Pros:
Price is only $200. Interface is Moderately easy to work with, as compared to other animation programs. 3D Exchange allows a large library of items to be converted into Iclone format from a variety of 3D Objects found in the Google Warehouse. Special Effects are getting better, as the versions are progressing, I can't wait to see IClone5.
Iclone4 Cons:
Some of the animation has limitations to the Quality of the Final Render, but this is a compromise against time and PC power (as compared to Disney's tools). Content packs can be VERY Expensive, if purchased from the IClone Online Store. If objects are imported from SketchUp, they still need to be Rigged with Nodes for animation and pupeteering purposes.
Examples: Project, (to be posted in Feb 2011)
Summary: Project, TBR
Software: Reallusion, IClone4
RESOURCES:
Radio BLOG Show: Wolfe & Dulci - Reallusion Radio Show
Wolfe & Dulci - Reallusion Forum Summary
Wolfe & Dulci - Reallusion BLOGspot
Dulci - Reallusion BLOG
WolfZone - Digital Art Studios
YouTube Tutorials: Reallusion YouTube Channel
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| IClone Animated Scene with Google SketchUp (Project: L3) |
Software: Antics V5
Link: No Longer Active
Rating: 7/10
Cost: $500
Purpose: Character Animation (w/ Google SketchUp) & Flythrough Animation
Interface: Google SketchUp, & others.
Comments: I am so frustrated with Antics. Antics went out of business in 2008. I spent a lot of time and energy trying to learn the program, for it to go out of business. There is no support or continued development. Funny Enough, I still have a bunch of the CONTENT PACKS, including ALL the Characters from the version 5 Library. While it lasted, Antics V5 was an affordable program to add 3D Character Animation for Architectural Animations with Google SketchUp Models.
Resources: Antics Advice on Sketch-u-cation Forum
YouTube Videos, on antics & Google SketchUp
FREE copy of Antics V3 (with animation content)
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| Antics V3 Stage Interface with Google SketchUp Model (Project: Defuniak Bank) |
Software: Sketchers Studio
Link: http://sketchersstudio.com/en/index.html
Rating: N/A
Cost: $59
Purpose: Flythrough Animation (w/ Google SketchUp) & Vehicles
Interface: Google SketchUp, & others.
Comments: Sketchers Studio is a NEW neat animation tool. I am looking into using it right now. The results are of medium quality, but, it is always neat to see a car drive down a street you just Digitally Modeled in Google SketchUp. The Interface is very user friendly, but the tutorials are in Japanese. I do not anticipate further development on this software, as the price is dropping, and software sales have been extremely LOW since the Economic Downturn of 2008.
Software: Unity 3D
Link: http://unity3d.com/
Rating: N/A
Cost: Free
Purpose: Gaming Platform to Make 3D Interface
Interface: Google SketchUp, & others.
Comments: With Unity, I would be concerned that my clients would all have to download the Unity Software in order to view my animated files, and/or perspective "Fly-Throughs" virtual tours. This may prove to be a viable option, and I will look more into this. Some Youtube Videos always helps explain things. I would LOVE to get more into Video Game Development, and Unity is the tool to do this. Several Designers make a 6 figure salary with this tool.
Software: MovieStorm
Link: http://www.moviestorm.co.uk/
Rating: N/A
Cost: $225
Purpose: Gaming Platform to Make 3D Interface
Interface: ???
Comments: Solid program from MovieStorm to add Character Animation to the 3D Digital Models. MovieStorm looks really cool. The style and interface appears very similar to Antics or IClone, and the price and method of purchasing extra content is similar also. I just wonder if it is compatible with SketchUp. Well, we have some more 3D Character animation work to do.
Software: Blender
Link: http://www.blender.org/
Rating: N/A
Cost: Free
Purpose: Professional 3D Digital Modeling & Animating Program.
Comments: The Blender software is SUPER Powerful and even more sophisticated. The results stand shoulder level with any Disney Production, but the time investment is needed. This is not a basic Architectural Animation program. This software is geared at folks who have a degree in Animation. Interface is extemely sophisticated, and the learning curve is super steep. If you have countless hours to invest, then I suggest you tackle this powerful animation giant. Check out this Blender Tutorial for more help. The software is Free, but extremely complicated, with excellent results for 3D Animated Filmakers. Google SketchUp files need to be converted, but they will work with Blender.
Interface: Google SketchUp & Many other.
Software: Poser 8
Link: http://poser.smithmicro.com/dr/poser-right.html
Rating: N/A
Cost: $249
Software: Maya
Link: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=13577897&siteID=123112
Rating: N/A
Cost: $4,090
Software: 3DS Max
Link: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=15683479
Rating: N/A
Cost: $3,495
Happy 3D Modeling
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