Animated avatar question
 

Can anyone give a little insight on what is involved as far as a computer program to make a moving avatar? Is this something a novice can tackle with a little tinkering, or do you really have to be a computer guru to master it? Any recommendation on what to buy if a program is required?

Also, some time ago I had downloaded a trial version of ACDSee v.5.0, which is an image importer system. I used it quite a bit to get some images on to MercedesShop from an MB disc I have. After it expired, it has everything really fouled up, having a hard time (yes, I tried add/remove programs). I liked it when it worked, so I am considering buying this program, unless someone can recommend something as good for less money, last time I saw it (I think at CompUSA) it was 50 or 60 bucks.

Anyone aware of any super deals on a digital camera?

All the above questions relate to trying to get a Christmas list together. The only part I really hate about the holidays is figuring out what I want for Christmas!

Gilly

use a program like gif construction set.

Any recommendation on what to buy if a program is required?

Thanks

Gilly

you just need to make an animated gif int he right size. create your frames,a nd use a program like gif construction set.

Alon

Dan - ACDSee is an excellent image viewing program if you view a lot of JPGs on your computer (I do as I use a digital camera).

I use version 2.4, I find it the bext mix of features without the 'bloat' of the later versions.

The full version *is* available for download free, from the right places/people, if you are that way inclined. PM me if you are.

later!

Russ

I use Macromedia Fireworks for manipulating images for the web, including animated gif files. The most difficult part is creating the various 'still frames' (seperate gif images that make up the animation) and properly sequencing them and setting up the display time for each 'frame'. The complexity comes in trying to stay within a file size constraint, such as with the avatars.

The avatar at left is about 12-14 gif 'frames'. The first 1/2 dozen are 'zoomed out' or shrunken copies of the main gif image used in the center of the image string. The last 1/2 dozen are 'zoomed in' segments of the center image string. These are followed by 3-4 single color frames fading from all white to various shades of grey, eventually matching the MercedesShop background. The frames are displayed in order from small MB thru large MB grill, then full black to screen grey. The times are adjusted for displaying the most realistic effect - longer display times for the small, 'distant' MB, descending to fairly short times until reaching the 'in your face' grill shot. The sequence of frames is finally saves as a single animated file.

Other animations may only take 4 or 5 'frames', with a 'reverse' command thrown in to continue an animation, such as:
http://www.warewolf.net/jelliott/avatar.gif In this animation, 4-5 progressively smaller sections of an AMG label were cut and pasted onto a Sportline logo, and each saved as a seperate gif file, then sequenced and timed for saving as an animated gif.

One surprise is that an animation that looks fine on your computer may be slowed and jerky looking once uploaded to a server, because of download times and program overhead during the display process, so some tinkering with times and number of 'frames' may be required. Another area is that precision is needed in cutting and pasting, or the image will appear to jerk around a bit (as if the video camera was not being held steady).

Hope this helps.

A bug on the rad!
 

Hey JCE like your animated Avatar,

Can you do one where we end up in the middle of the hood ornament!

That would be way cool.

Russ a quick Q for you. Can I share the rig pics you sent me with another group on the web?

Re: A bug on the rad!
 

Sure go ahead, no problem! JCE very nice animation there

Thanks for the comments on the avatar. Interesting idea about using the hood star instead of the grill insert for the center of motion. Maybe after I get my 500E lights installed I will re-do it using the star!