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On 11/07/06, Gabriel McGrath <gabesemail2000-spam@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
> Ahh, I had read about LPub, but I thought it was just for showing
> someone else how to build your model step-by-step?
> Will download it now, as "X does the Gruntwork for you" is a very good
> feature for me! Yes, downloaded LGEO as I saw the benefits,
> but will have a look at MEGAPov, although I think "realistic" is more
> the angle I'm taking.
In terms of "showing someone how to build your model", you would still
normally have to put in the work to show what the steps were. All LPub
does is provide a point/click workflow for getting it all rendered out
into a directory full of image files. It uses POV/Megapov, LGEO etc to
perform the output steps. It allows you to configure stuff like
lighting settings, camera positioning, how much you want to render
(all build steps, complete assembly, sub assemblies etc), what format
to output to (Jpg, png, bmp etc), wether to use LGEO or not, what
shaing/rendering model to use (I recommend using the lowest to tweak
camera and most other output settings, then upping when you are
looking at lighting) and much other stuff.
> > No worries there. Another idea, if you use LDraw steps in your models
> > to animate, then LPub can output the whole set of steps. So you could
> > just then use those as frames of animation - hey presto, animated
> > sprites....
>
> That sounds FANTASTIC.. just need to work out what LDraw steps are,
> and how that works... searching, searching....
If you have downloaded MLCad or similar, then there will be an "add
step" command you can place in, normally, this would be used to make
build steps - like starting with the initial plates, STEP, adding the
first layer of bricks on those, STEP, second layer, STEP etc.. But you
can also instruct it with commands like SHOW and HIDE (I think).
To use steps for animation, you would break the movable/animatable
parts of your MOC's into subassemblies, then place instances of them
all together in the main assembly. Then copy the instance of a part
you want to move, add a new step, hide the original instance, paste
your new one, and move it slightly (this could be a rotation or
something).
There, afaik, people starting to put together scripting systems and
command line tools to start to do more advanced animation with
interpolation etc for LDraw, but this is still in its infancy.
Danny
--
Danny Staple MBCS
OrionRobots
http://orionrobots.co.uk/blogs/dannystaple
(Full contact details available through website)
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danny staple wrote:
> On 11/07/06, Gabriel McGrath <gabesemail2000-spam@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
>
> LPub uses POV/Megapov, LGEO etc to perform the output steps. • > It allows you to configure stuff like
> lighting settings, camera positioning, how much you want to render
> (all build steps, complete assembly, sub assemblies etc), what format
> to output to (Jpg, png, bmp etc), wether to use LGEO or not, what
> shaing/rendering model to use (I recommend using the lowest to tweak
> camera and most other output settings, then upping when you are
> looking at lighting) and much other stuff.
Yes, had a good play with Lpub last night.
Will use your tip re lowest quality for quick renders :-)
> If you have downloaded MLCad or similar, then there will be an "add
> step" command you can place in, normally, this would be used to make
> build steps - like starting with the initial plates, STEP, adding the
> first layer of bricks on those, STEP, second layer, STEP etc.. But you
> can also instruct it with commands like SHOW and HIDE (I think).
>
> To use steps for animation, you would break the movable/animatable
> parts of your MOC's into subassemblies, then place instances of them
> all together in the main assembly. Then copy the instance of a part
> you want to move, add a new step, hide the original instance, paste
> your new one, and move it slightly (this could be a rotation or
> something).
I will look into the step system, thanks.
Saves me manually "save/render" over & over.
I am *almost* getting used to the LACK of UNDO (arggh)
and thank god I finally found a webpage that explained
how to do rotations. (got a 'rotation helper' too)
Here's my first attempt...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/David_Manning/tease.gif
(note: if asked for a password.. "lugnet")
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/David_Manning/nurses.jpg
(and for reference, the originals)
I don't know how to put a red cross on their chests,
or if such a thing is easily achieved.
Better start looking for some custom ldaw parts.
Any sites in particular good for this?
> There, afaik, people starting to put together scripting systems and
> command line tools to start to do more advanced animation with
> interpolation etc for LDraw, but this is still in its infancy.
>
> Danny
I saw a site with a "walking system" - looks amazing
but I won't need the animation that fine for my game
or it will take me forever to make the #$^$*&$ thing. ;-)
Thanks again, hope you like the pics.
--
NB: swap "spam" for "lugnet" in my email address. :-)
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On 12/07/06, Gabriel McGrath <gabesemail2000-spam@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
> I will look into the step system, thanks.
> Saves me manually "save/render" over & over.
What it also means is that if you need to tweak something and
re-render, you cant kick of LPub and then leave it rendering with
little interaction. Being able to save LPub settings is very handy
here...
> I am *almost* getting used to the LACK of UNDO (arggh)
> and thank god I finally found a webpage that explained
> how to do rotations. (got a 'rotation helper' too)
Yes, the lack of undo is a bit nasty. You might also take a look at
LeoCAD, which has recently undergone much more development than MLCad
(which doesnt seem to have been developed at all in about 3/4 years),
but does not natively use the LDraw format. It exports and imports
fine, and builds its peice library from the LDraw library anyway.
> I don't know how to put a red cross on their chests,
> or if such a thing is easily achieved.
peeron.com is a place to look up sets, models and peices. I would
start with looking up ambulance, and hospital, and then seeing which
minifigs the sets listed come with. I turned up
http://peeron.com/inv/sets/6688-1 and
http://peeron.com/inv/sets/606-1.
> Better start looking for some custom ldaw parts.
> Any sites in particular good for this?
Well the unnofficial list is a help, but you might also want to look
into LeoCAD which has a minifig generator, which will allow you to
choose from a selection of heads, hats, torsos, arms, legs and
accessories. There may not be a red cross, but there may be clearly
identifiable medics.
For an example of Lego stop motion (just so you know what people have
done), google for Lego and Camelot for a Lego rendition of a Monty
Python classic.
--
Danny Staple MBCS
OrionRobots
http://orionrobots.co.uk/blogs/dannystaple
(Full contact details available through website)
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danny staple wrote:
> Yes, the lack of undo is a bit nasty. You might also take a look at
> LeoCAD, which has recently undergone much more development than MLCad
> (which doesnt seem to have been developed at all in about 3/4 years),
> but does not natively use the LDraw format. It exports and imports
> fine, and builds its peice library from the LDraw library anyway.
Hmm, I'm not sure I want to re-learn my "cadding"
on a new program, but I'll google "leoCAD" and have a look.
> peeron.com is a place to look up sets, models and peices. I would
> start with looking up ambulance, and hospital, and then seeing which
> minifigs the sets listed come with. I turned up
> http://peeron.com/inv/sets/6688-1 and
> http://peeron.com/inv/sets/606-1.
Oh, I see, that's very clever. Thanks.
> Well the unnofficial list is a help, but you might also want to look
> into LeoCAD which has a minifig generator, which will allow you to
> choose from a selection of heads, hats, torsos, arms, legs and
> accessories. There may not be a red cross, but there may be clearly
> identifiable medics.
Actually, MLCad has a minifig generator,
which I've been using. It doesn't have all the options
as far as different heads, etc.. but I can easily put them in manually.
> For an example of Lego stop motion (just so you know what people have
> done), google for Lego and Camelot for a Lego rendition of a Monty
> Python classic.
Yes, it's great.. isn't it.
Discovered "brick films" a while ago.
Check out the Spiderman2 one if you haven't seen it... big budget brick
film!
thanks again, Danny!
--
NB: swap "spam" for "lugnet" in my email address. :-)
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In lugnet.general, Gabriel McGrath wrote:
> Actually, MLCad has a minifig generator,
> which I've been using. It doesn't have all the options
> as far as different heads, etc.. but I can easily put them in manually.
You can get an updated MLCad.ini file that should support most (all?) of the
official minifig parts from here:
http://www.holly-wood.it/mlcad-en.html
--Travis
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Travis Cobbs wrote:
> You can get an updated MLCad.ini file that should support most (all?) of the
> official minifig parts from here:
>
> http://www.holly-wood.it/mlcad-en.html
>
> --Travis
Thanks for the tip Travis,
I'd already seen that on your site,
but as my MLCad directory doesn't HAVE an "ini file",
I presumed that it didn't use one.
[*Gabriel goes and tries it out]
OH THANKYOU TRAVIS!!!!!!
Now I can make minifigs, holding weapons in one step!
:-)))))
BTW - I've grabbed your 'red bikini' parts to use
for the woman in level 3 of OpWolf - thanks!
Here's a picture of the original using MAME..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/David_Manning/woman_bikini.jpg
(password, if prompted is 'lugnet')
Now, if someone knows a SIMPLE (non-PHD student) way
of automatically animating a minifig to PovRay..
(ie walk from right to left, with camera at 90 degrees to minifig.)
..then you'll truly make my day.
--
NB: swap "spam" for "lugnet" in my email address. :-)
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In lugnet.general, Gabriel McGrath wrote:
> Thanks for the tip Travis,
> I'd already seen that on your site,
> but as my MLCad directory doesn't HAVE an "ini file",
> I presumed that it didn't use one.
You're welcome. It's not my site, though, it's Willy Tschager's. I don't think
his name shows up anywhere on the site, though, for some reason.
--Travis
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In lugnet.general, Gabriel McGrath wrote:
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Travis Cobbs wrote:
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You can get an updated MLCad.ini file that should support most (all?)
of the official minifig parts from here:
http://www.holly-wood.it/mlcad-en.html
--Travis
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all! and some extra parts you wouldn’t count into minifig parts at first sight
like the 2x2x2 slopes. unfortunately you cannot generate any skeletons or
battle druids ‘cos the arms are hard coded. no drop down box for these two:
http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/30377
http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/6265
mr. lachmann?
(snip-snap)
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BTW - I’ve grabbed your ‘red bikini’ parts to use
for the woman in level 3 of OpWolf - thanks!
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I’m glad you like it ;-)
w.
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Willy Tschager wrote:
> all! and some extra parts you wouldn't count into minifig parts at first sight¬
> like the 2x2x2 slopes.
Thanks Willy - your INI file will make my game a LOT easier to build.
:-)
> ¬
>
> > BTW - I've grabbed your 'red bikini' parts to use
> > for the woman in level 3 of OpWolf - thanks!
>
> ¬
> I'm glad you like it ;-)¬
> ¬
Yes, I'll have to upload a pic of the model vs the original
in a week or 2, when it's done.
Gabriel
--
NB: swap "spam" for "lugnet" in my email address. :-)
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