Autodesk Animator Manual or Help?

[tacman]

Here's a new question, has anyone used Autodesk Animator or any other program to change the parameters of an existing animation? So if you have a n animation sequence that is set for a 2X3 display, have you changed the parameters so it could be used in a 1X2 or a single unit?

 Dan (tacman)

[knagl]

I gave up on Autodesk Animator, as I couldn't figure it out and didn't have any documentation for it.  It's DOS-based and not very user friendly.  If I had a full manual and a lot of time I'm sure I could figure it out, but since I can create animations without it, I doubt I'll try and learn it.

I've been successful (thanks to SAT's help) in creating animations using Paint Shop Pro's "Animation Shop".  I tried importing an already created Mikohn animation to try what you were talking about, but the way that Animation Shop saves .flc files is different than Autodesk Animator (a speed bit is set differently in the file and I haven't found any way to change it), so even if you manipulated the existing animation it won't play at the right speed.

While I can't create animations as good as the ones that Mikohn created, I can do some pretty neat stuff for the 1x1 (or whatever size).

[stayouttadabunker]

Tacman,
I didn't get a chance to get into the Autodesk stuff yet....
From what I'm hearing it's probably only a couple steps up from the IBM Storyboard...
very ancient graphic programs. PITA to use.
With the upcoming and rapidly approaching golf season arriving around the corner -
I don't know if I'll ever have a chance to get into it until next winter!...lol
If you want, I can send you my copies of these different graphic programs and
you can see what you can do with them?

[stayouttadabunker]

Here's a new question, has anyone used Autodesk Animator or any other program to change the parameters of an existing animation? So if you have a n animation sequence that is set for a 2X3 display, have you changed the parameters so it could be used in a 1X2 or a single unit?

 Dan (tacman)

I did some thinking this morning on this question you put up...
I'm afraid it may not work because one would be trying to squeeze 20lbs. of sausage into a 10lb bag?
The animations just wouldn't fit I would think...too small of a drawing board?

Even though I said this, I will try it...! (I like trying to contradict myself...lol)

[tacman]

I'm contemplating getting a program called Animator Professional that supposedly supports FLI/FLC format and will do conversions between many other formats. Take a look at it and tell me what you think?

http://www.c-point.com/animatorpro.php

 Dan (tacman)

Have some already, but I am also looking for ANY casino animations in RGY or RGB in AVI or FLC formats! Thankx!

[stayouttadabunker]

It is a pretty nice program...only $49.99 though...yikes.
The good thing about it is that it converts files and can also re-size them too.
You're inspiring me to start looking into this more....
It's going to be a real head scratcher though...these programs are NOT user friendly
at all unless you're into designing animations all day long.
There's going to be a LOT of trial and error until you get the display you desire.

[stayouttadabunker]

knagl mentioned that the Windoze Download program can do these file conversions but
for some reason my copy of program has that optional tool grayed out and I cannot get to it.
This is what they say about converting the files to .mik files in the Download manual.
The second picture is the part in the manual about re-sizing the graphics to fit your panel display.
Click on it to enlarge it!
I hope it helps ya a bit Tacman!>>>

[SAT (aka GANDHI)]

Here's a new question, has anyone used Autodesk Animator or any other program to change the parameters of an existing animation? So if you have a n animation sequence that is set for a 2X3 display, have you changed the parameters so it could be used in a 1X2 or a single unit?

 Dan (tacman)

Not sure if that can be done in your displays/animations.... In supreme i doubt it since each pixel in the animation is represented by a LED in the display.

Reducing the display in four panels would take a good bunch of LEDs/Pixels out of sight....  I would rather make a new animation.

Regards

[SAT (aka GANDHI)]

knagl mentioned that the Windoze Download program can do these file conversions but
for some reason my copy of program has that optional tool grayed out and I cannot get to it.

Bunker are you referring to the option for converting FLI/FLC to MIK in download 2.0 for win??

You have grayed because you're surely running the program in Win XP...  Install it in Win 98 and you'll have the option available

For that little detail I had to partition my extremely small sized HDD (20GB)....  Had Win 98 installed in the smaller partition and voila  ...  Full options available!!

[stayouttadabunker]

lol! Thanks SAT! I saw that little inscription somewhere about using Winblows 98...
I was thinking " Nah! I can run this puppy with my XP?" NO!!!!" ....

Than you so much for the advice...
now I gotta go find my old junky computer in the garage somewhere...lol

[SAT (aka GANDHI)]

ok cool.....  you're welcome

 i've got some 8mb (yes: eight MB)  DRAM sims in case you want to boost speed in your oldie friend LOL... 

[knagl]

Actually, guys, you can do it in XP, but you just run it from the DOS command line (that's how I'm doing mine on an XP computer).

Search your computer for fli2mik.exe and, for simplicity sake, create a new folder on the root of the C drive called "convert".  Copy the fli2mik.exe file to the "Convert" folder.

Put the flc file that you want to convert into that folder.

Go to a DOS prompt via [START] > [Run] > cmd   [enter]

Change to the directory with the files -- type CD\convert

Run the conversion program from the command line by typing the following:

fli2mik sample.flc sample.mik

(Program name, existing FLC file, name of MIK file to be created)

The conversion program will start and display the animation (very quickly) in an endless loop.  Press [ESC].  You'll be back at the DOS prompt, but will be unable to see the cursor.  Type the word "exit" (no quotes) and press [ENTER].  Look in your "convert" directory -- your converted MIK file will be there!

[knagl]

The second picture is the part in the manual about re-sizing the graphics to fit your panel display.

That part is talking about creating progressive definition files for the "graphics" displays (what most of us are using), or the "overhead" displays (displays that would typically be found in the huge gaudy toppers that would sit over a bank of machines, which use larger LED pixels to display graphics).  That will not re-size existing animations or assist at all in that endeavor.

[stayouttadabunker]

Thanks for explaining that knagl, 
I was searching around for something to try to help Tacman and I didn't really read it or totally understand it.
I have a question though...
When you say: create a new folder on the root of the C drive,
Where exactly should this "convert" folder be located?
Like>>> "C:\convert" ?
Also, Does it matter which way the slash goes? for ex.>>> / or \ ?

[knagl]

Yep, exactly, c:\convert

It doesn't have to be there -- it can be anywhere, but if you put it in the root (c:\) directory, it's easier to get to when you're having to type DOS commands.

Yes, the slash matters.  DOS uses a backslash (  \  ).  You can create the folder via Windows (open "My Computer", double click on the C: drive, then make a new folder called "convert"), but when you're navigating in DOS (as I outlined above), you'll have to use the backslash.

[stayouttadabunker]

It works knagl! Thank you so much!
Now I have the graphic in a .mik form.
I should be able to upload it via Download to the Supreme
flash chip and drive it to the display!
There may be other steps but to get this far is great!
Kudos ++++++ to ya!!!

[knagl]

I have to remember to grab my laptop and bring it into work so I can e-mail you the animations I've created.  I'd love to see what you've made, too.

[SAT (aka GANDHI)]

Actually, guys, you can do it in XP, but you just run it from the DOS command line (that's how I'm doing mine on an XP computer).

Search your computer for fli2mik.exe and, for simplicity sake, create a new folder on the root of the C drive called "convert".  Copy the fli2mik.exe file to the "Convert" folder.

Put the flc file that you want to convert into that folder.

Go to a DOS prompt via [START] > [Run] > cmd   [enter]

Change to the directory with the files -- type CD\convert

Run the conversion program from the command line by typing the following:

fli2mik sample.flc sample.mik

(Program name, existing FLC file, name of MIK file to be created)

The conversion program will start and display the animation (very quickly) in an endless loop.  Press [ESC].  You'll be back at the DOS prompt, but will be unable to see the cursor.  Type the word "exit" (no quotes) and press [ENTER].  Look in your "convert" directory -- your converted MIK file will be there!

Excellent!!!   Thanks a lot for the tip Kevin.....  With that now I'll be able to get those 5GB back in my hard drive because it was the only reason I had to partition and install Win 98 in the little computer I use for these things

K+ for the good find

[knagl]

Excellent!!!   Thanks a lot for the tip Kevin.....  With that now I'll be able to get those 5GB back in my hard drive because it was the only reason I had to partition and install Win 98 in the little computer I use for these things

K+ for the good find

Glad I could give back a little bit after all the help you gave me with Paint Shop Pro/Animation Shop. 

[SAT (aka GANDHI)]

Excellent!!!   Thanks a lot for the tip Kevin.....  With that now I'll be able to get those 5GB back in my hard drive because it was the only reason I had to partition and install Win 98 in the little computer I use for these things

K+ for the good find

Glad I could give back a little bit after all the help you gave me with Paint Shop Pro/Animation Shop. 

   anytime mate.