So essentially if we were to reboot the Super concept as a CGI film, there would still be a learning process for many participants.  Time for me to start doing tutorials.

I didn't like the 2.5 release at all. Sure, there's way more features and more advanced stuff, but it was probably even more confusing that the current version. It's a bit harder to navigate in 2.5, and I think it's way easier in the current one.

But I'm not sure why it wouldn't work with colors/shaders if you export it from 3ds and import into Blender. There's no reason it doesn't seem like it would work. Same with Carrara. Lech could try exporting his models from Carrara and importing them into Blender, and then take samples to see if the colors/shaders still mached up, or what has to be changed.

I can help with the writing. I've never actually done any CGI that wasn't just small special effects.

Nope. I think rigid would be a lot easier and more familiar, but bendy would be a lot more versatile (and a lot more work, too.) I'd like doing bendy, I just haven't made my own rig for it.

Looks like things are cooking here.  Shall we start a pre-production thread or just have this thread moved over?

Bendy fig is more versatile, but I'm not sure how well everyone is at animating such a versatile fig, but y'all can keep discussing that.  My role will be smaller compared to previous projects.  Set builder, co-writer, overall adviser to the community project process, and renderer.  I can share rendering time on my two computers.  I may do some animation, but my skills in Blender is as deep as the shallow end of the pool compared to Carrara so it'll be minimum.

Moved topic to General Film Discussion Forum. I'd really like a new forum to discuss this in more detail, though.

Making the leap to a more articulated character is going to be tough, but I think it will be worth it in the end. It should be noted, though, that if the characters are going to be articulated, that will affect the set design needs as well. The floors will need to be studless, at the very least.

I would say bendy.

Well, animation in Blender isn't too hard to learn, I think. You could probably learn the most important stuff, or everything, in a day or less. I'd even be willing to write a crash-course if people need it. Actually, that might be a good idea anyway, because most people here don't know Blender that well, and we're going to need as many people as we can get if we want to finish this in a reasonable amount of time.

It would be great if everyone involved were using the same program, so we didn't have to worry about converting files back and forth all the time.

Considering that I've tried several times to learn how to use Blender and failed spectacularly, I suggest you ramp up your time estimate. I usually pride myself on being able to learn any program at the drop of a hat, but Blender is just being downright defiant. Crash courses, the god-damn manual, random tutorials, changing icons to 3DS Max ones you name it I've tried it, but my brain has serious compatibility issues with the interface. These new interaction presets had better work, otherwise I'm giving up on it.

Also, seeing as a fair number are unfamiliar with CG they may find Blender rather daunting and be put off - not everyone is going to take to it like the proverbial duck to water. Saying, for example, that animators should use X but modellers can use X, Y and Z might be better, since it's far easier exporting and importing models than it is with animation and rigs. And we also don't have to lose time waiting for people to learn the software. Because keeping any group on here together is like herding cats and I'd rather not give people the opportunity to wander off.

PS: Just looked at Blender 2.5... And I can't even find the preferences now. Well that's just brilliant; the one thing I can find without a problem and it's gone and bogged off.

Rejecting reality since 2000.

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