Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!srhqla!quad1!ttidca!hollombe
From: hollombe@ttidca.TTI.COM (The Polymath)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: Re: computer animated 'toons
Message-ID: <19149@ttidca.TTI.COM>
Date: 15 Aug 90 19:10:17 GMT
References: <413@synsys.UUCP> <16960007@hpislx.HP.COM> <24107@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU>
Organization: The Cat Factory
Lines: 30

In article <24107@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU> kml@mosquito.cis.ufl.edu (Kevin Lahey) writes:
}In article <16960007@hpislx.HP.COM> gvg@hpislx.HP.COM (Greg Goebel) writes:
}>[ talk about cartoon pap of yesteryear :-) ]
}>(Also interesting "puppetoons" like FIREBALL XL-5 and SUPERCAR, which were
}>ingenious in a limited sort of way ... will current computer-animation work
}>like TIN TOY lead to similar "computertoon" series?)
}
}I was wondering about this myself.  I can't claim to be totally up on the 
}latest and greatest in computer graphics, but it seems like it is possible
}to animate relatively simple characters in near real-time.  With some sorta
}high-level language to specify motion, perhaps you could crank out some
}stuff relatively cheaply, as long as you can put up with a relatively 
}low level of detail.

I think we've a way to go before that happens. "Tin Toy" took two years
and two million dollars to make.  It could only be done as a cutting-edge
research project. (Question:  What happens when you hire the top talent in
the computer animation field and give them all the time, money and
equipment they want?  Answer:  Tin Toy).  I can't see any for-profit
animation studio investing that level of resources in a three minute
short.

It'll happen eventually, as equipment gets cheaper and more sophisticated,
but don't hold your breath.

-- 
The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe, M.A., CDP, aka: hollombe@ttidca.tti.com)
Head Robot Wrangler at Citicorp(+)TTI             Illegitimis non
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