Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!tektronix!reed!percival!baer
From: baer@percival.UUCP (Ken Baer)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: Re: Real time video animation
Message-ID: <1051@percival.UUCP>
Date: 12 Jan 88 21:55:13 GMT
References: <159@abvax.UUCP>
Reply-To: baer@percival.UUCP (Ken Baer)
Organization: Percy's UNIX, Portland, OR.
Lines: 48
Keywords: hard disk playback, run length, ANIMA II
Summary: The RIGHT question at the right TIME

In article <159@abvax.UUCP> gfs@abvax.UUCP (Greg F. Shay) writes:
>Does anyone know if there are systems/boards/companies for INEXPENSIVE 
>real-time video animation for, for example, the PC?
>	I am referring to the following type of scenario:
>	1) Cartoon-like images, large areas of similar color, not gradual
>shading.  This would allow large data reduction using run-length data 
>compression.
>	2) Frames built one at a time, recorded in sequence on hard disk,
>	3) Frames played back in real time, ready for Video tape recording.
>
>	Does anyone know more about this, has anyone implemented something
>inexpensively (<$1000) for a small computer?
	You bet!!
>
>	Personally, I would love to experiment with animation techniques and
>be able to produce a reasonable cartoon-like final product without the hassle
>of filming frame by frame off of the CRT screen and then convert to video.
>(I consider video the final destination because of the ease of adding sound
>and the availability of home VCRs and public access cable channels.)
>Also, for animation, you need to see the real-time feedback to fine tune your 
>animation technique.  (Most people resort to lo-res previews or wire-frame for 
>real time animation checks.)

	What you just described is essentially what Animation:Apprentice
does.  This package is available for the Commodore Amiga (at least 1meg)
for just $299.  It is intended as an animation system.  I think you should
spend the time to explore this package.  It really takes adventage of the
special features of the Amiga, and will do all the rendering automatically.
The package allows you to design a character(s), create actions, and
choreographies, and view rehearsals.  Then when you're satisfied, tell the
machine to render the animation.  This can take from an hour to overnight
depending on the complexity, and length etc., but it's a lot faster than
filming frame bt frame off the CRT.  
	Animation:Apprenice is made by Hash Enterprises of Vancouver WA.
They are working on an IBM version, and an Atari ST version, but the Amiga
one is available now, and has more graphics hardware to take advantage of.
You can contact the company at (206)256-8567.  It really sounds like this
is the package you're looking for.  Hash Enterprises is also working on
other animation products for the Amiga.  If you are serious about animation,
I think it's worth your while to contact them.

[I appologize for the semi-commercial nature of this article, but I think
 it's of interest of members of this newsgroup]
-- 
	-Ken Baer.  					 
   //   Amiga: The PC that CAN walk and chew gum at the same time.
 \X/    USENET - ...tektronix!reed!percival!baer   OR   baer@percival.UUCP
"The Few, The Proud, The Criminally Insane - Oberlin Computer Science" - me.