Demo: CLH2003

[hzalexi]

As a bit of additional info, the dragon you see throughout the demo has a few minor issues with the wings, is not textured, nor normal mapped. I had constructed a hi-res version for normal mapping and laid out UV's to do so, but never got it to work quite right. If the dragon makes an appearance in future demo's, yes it will be texture mapped, as well as normal mapped. Time constraints kept me from doing so for this version. I figured someone would comment on that so I'm putting that right out there. If you started the DL, just be prepared for lambert shading with global illumination. The low poly dragon turned out nice though...under 9000 poly's triangulated.

[hzalexi]

Let me know if you have any problems downloading the file...should be working though..

[LePrEkAhN]

One thing I would do is to put some of the more visually interesting stuff up front instead of going right into the technical stuff. Keep in mind that the person looking at this may have looked at hundreds of demos already that day and if yours doesn't catch his eye right away it could be a quick eject. Other than that I think it shows the mel scripting, rigging and your work with the expression editor very nicely. However, I don't like the music during the scripting and rigging parts. In my opinion, get the model done (textured and what not) do a cool intro animation to catch the persons eye. Since your not trying to go for a texture artist it doesn't even matter if you texture the dragon (as long as you give the person who did proper credit). Then go into the technical stuff but you should record yourself explaining what you're doing (kind of like a behind the scenes thing). It's sad but it has been my experience on several different occasions that the art director won't even know how to use a 3d application so you showing him all the technical stuff without an explanation will be right over some AD's head. Oh and cut down the size of that file for petes sake. No reason for it to be that big.

Just my opinion. Keep up the good work.

[bigbad]

Well I have downloaded the reel.

First off you can do is a divx movie out of it and get it down to 20 mb. And make it somewhat shorter.
You should texturize the dragon and do a better animation at the end.

The camera shake was intresting. You should tell more how it works in the reel. The music is okey but it would be better if you talked the technical detail and such. So the employer know whats it all about.

Good work.
:wip:

[hzalexi]

So in short:

- Convert to DivX format (minor quality loss...darkens things a bit, but much smaller file size)
- Texture Dragon
- Add a good catch animation to the front of the reel (Eye Catcher)
- Add Voice Overs for the Rig Demo and Mel Scripted parts

Do you think I should do anything about the restatement of what the demo is about at the end? Possibly get rid of it or does it fit? I'm referring to the scrolling words: Modeling, Rigging, Mel Controls, Mel Scripting

Also when I'm running through the Rig Demo...it takes about 1 min 45 secs - 2 mins for the whole Rig Demo...should I speed that up by say - selecting specific parts of the control interface and only using those? Perhaps the parts that were harder to get to look nice - the head, back, tail and wings. The Original Rig Demo was about 6000 frames long, and was sped up to 3000 or so frames in compositing software...to make it shorter and more to the point. If so what kind of a target timeframe would you all suggest for the rig demo? What point does it go from interesting to drug-out?

I have 2 complaints that the music isn't very good..I guess I'll shop around for what kind of music to use for the next version...a bit more. If I do the voice overs, I'd be doing a volume fade on the soundtrack durring the voice overs and normal volume for the bulk of the complete renders. I'm not sure if I could come up with sound effects for it...a stomp is doable, but a good dragon roar might be tough. :) If you have any suggestions for music, I'd be happy to look into them.

I appreciate the responces btw, taking all of this into account.
:beer:

[hzalexi]

Updated the first post of the thread, to include a DivX version of the demo - as well as a short 2 second animation shown in the reel (showing off my camera shake script). If 190 MB was just too big...the DivX version plays near the same quality but is a much shorter download. Hoping to get more feedback from folks, and again appreciate the feedback I've gotten so far. :)

[hzalexi]

Final update, leaving it down to critiques now. The file is only available via DivX now...playing at 720x480 resolution...it looks just like the raw images. Love DivX. :beer: Anywho...leaving the little 78 KB short anim thing up, just so its out there for you to look at while the big file downloads...though its not as big anymore. Also changed the music to requiem for a dream...a bit more epic without a mid transition in it. Hoping that works better. Thanks in advance for any input anyone gives on this now. :)

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