Anim8or Community

General Category => General Anim8or Forum => Topic started by: Raxx on January 29, 2011, 11:08:55 pm

Title: Future of Anim8or
Post by: Raxx on January 29, 2011, 11:08:55 pm
Alright folks,

[edit]Got an update from Steve, refer to this post:
http://www.anim8or.com/smf/index.php?topic=3925.msg28366#msg28366

I'd make a new community website like I had in the past if I thought it'd do any good, but I feel everyone should (if they haven't already), look for other forums and communities to dedicate themselves to. There's always CG-Nation.com or animanon.com, which probably wouldn't mind getting a few new users. Or go with the big boys like CGTalk or Threedy, or if you move on to other software like Blender then go to their respective forums.

Communities you can try out:

If you've got any input to say, feel free to post a reply here.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: Jdez on January 30, 2011, 12:17:59 am
Well, I'm sad to see this happening, although I can't say I didn't expect it. The Anim8or community has been really great and helpful, and I hope that as you move to other programs (or continue to use Anim8or) you maintain that same spirit. Other free programs like Blender and Wings3D will be glad to have your support I'm sure, if you start using them.

Anim8or got me started in 3D and I'll always remember it for that. However most other programs have gone far beyond the level of Anim8or, and although they might be intimidating at first, they have some great communities too, and are definitely worth your time. Wings3D just released v1.4 two weeks ago, and Blender is nearing their release of 2.6, which is a big step forward for them. Both of these programs are open source, which means that, being the creative community you are, you will have a place to funnel all those ideas to, and you'll be able to be very involved with the development process. As Raxx has already stated, don't be afraid to move on.

EDIT: If you are interested in using Blender, there is a great forum called over at www.blenderartists.org, and Wings3D has a forum focused on development at http://nendowingsmirai.yuku.com/
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: neirao on January 30, 2011, 02:02:14 am
well, im sad too :'(

not because he not Release other version..
but for Steve no enter more in the forum..

how i say before..is hard work alone but i believe then "Programers" need of time and peace  for rest your mind before start/continue other project..

NOTE: for news releases.. some programs(not only 3D) made for BIG TEAM,
like ADOBE, COREL, 3DS ETC..
take years and years...this delay is normal..

i hope then that is with Steve too.. ::)

even if it does not release new version or terminate this forum..
I will not let use the current to Anim8or 3D for modeling ....
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: kreator on January 30, 2011, 02:12:18 am
I had the feeling that steve was re-writing the whole of anim8ors code ( which would probably take more than a couple of years to complete !) However if you run a forum community then as an administrator, you would need to be a little more active on the site.

I also think a lot of potential users have been lost due to the ongoing problems of running anim8or on Windows 7  it still refuses to work on a new laptop I have, despite new graphics driver upgrades adjusting setting etc.

With our own site Luckily, we are not confined to just anim8or, though it remains a core part of our support! We also support Carrara and Poser as part of an increasing toolset.

We gladly welcome any new Members to Animanon.com (http://www.animanon.com/Forum3) and you can be assured that we will keep anim8or in whatever format,  ALIVE!
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: Janro on January 30, 2011, 02:27:04 am
I'm sad to think that this may be happening but I guess there's no denying it.

I just started diving into Blender, and Maya eventually due to my course, but I'll always keep anim8or around because its just that darn simple to use.

Don't get me wrong I'll be dropping by here from time to time just in case anything interesting shows up on this forums for whatever reason XD
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: ENSONIQ5 on January 30, 2011, 04:52:35 am
Unfortunately, I think you're right Raxx.  I will continue to lurk on this site as long as it remains active, and post when appropriate.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Steve for Anim8or, it will remain an integral part of my 3D toolkit, as well as the site mods and admins for a job well done.  Most of all, I would like to thank the entire Anim8or community for your positivity, respect, inspiration and enthusiasm, and in particular a small number of amazingly talented Anim8ors who will never know how much their work has impacted on me and driven me to achieve more.  I hope to remain in contact with as many of you as possible through other forums (Fora?  Forae?  WTF is the plural of forum??), good luck and here's hoping that Raxx is wrong and Steve is in fact foxing us all, and is primed to release the magical V1.0 any day now!

Ok, so I'm a dreamer!!
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: $imon on January 30, 2011, 07:04:34 am
It pains me to say I am afraid you guys might have a point. As Ensoniq said I hope we will be proved wrong.

Ive seen some great work coming from Anim8or users lately and am still proud of the program no matter what.

It will be hard for new users to get into the program now since there is no single forum where Anim8or users can get together if this forum is closed off for new participants. It will be a blow for the program and combining that with a lack of updates makes for a not so bright future for a program that is so close to all our hearts.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: Gyperboloid on January 30, 2011, 07:46:26 am
Ok, I can't say anything "big", but I'm just "learning" Anim8or and that's maybe the reason I'm not so productive. But all these about the others programs I don't think it's too correct . Ofcourse there are people here who are realy studing CG somewhere and they'll become professionals, but also the most just have it as hobby and I don't think it's so important for those people "to go for the best", they just have fun, you know. And as all said Anim8or is...A N I M 8 O R !!! Finaly,come on , the forum is not so dead  :) 
   
 
Sorry for my Englishzzzzz  :)
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: Maxfield on January 30, 2011, 08:00:32 am
I have to agree. It's been a long time since I posted anything here, but I still drop in from time to time to see how the project is going.

It's very sad that Steve has abandoned the software. I don't think he's labouring away cooking up a new version because he'd have posted something by now in the forums - especially with the number of people who write in asking what's going on.

I learned CGI modelling on Anim8or and still think it's a very useful tool. You can use it from a pen-drive, run it on the lowest-powered computers, build a great deal of stuff with it. It's so frustrating to think that such a promising piece of software was just dropped by its author.

Steve, if by any chance you read this:

Please tell us if you are still working on Anim8or.

If not, are you willing to offer the source code to any coders who could take the project on?

You still have a lot of fans out here - you made a brilliant little program. If you don't want to do anything more on it, make it open source!
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: lynn22 on January 30, 2011, 10:03:59 am
I cannot but agree with all that has been said already.
Up to about a year ago this community was vibrant with creative Anim8or users and then it went slowly quiet until now when it's nearly dead but for a few committed members. It breaks my heart.

Through its ease of use Anim8or is the program that finally got me into 3D modeling and I will never "move on" to anything else, though I have several other programs, and that same reason will always keep attracting new users.

Not everyone is aiming for a job at Pixar and just having fun in creating something from scratch is what many hobbyists aim for. To all of them looking for an Anim8or only forum you are most welcome at 3d-anim8.com (http://www.3d-anim8.com/board.asp)

I am not bowing out just yet, miracles do happen from time to time, and I hope to hear again from all members whose input I have appreciated over time.



Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: RudySchneider on January 30, 2011, 11:06:59 am
I have to agree with the majority opinion, here.  I "moved on" to LightWave years ago, and haven't done anything productive with Anim8or since then.  But I have still been prowling the forum and occasionally try to provide helpful inputs and/or comments to new and seasoned users, alike.

For the most part, Anim8or has been a great tool to "get your feet wet" with 3D modeling and animation, if only for its simplicity.  And there have been many users and contributors (both with scripts and supplemental programs) who managed to really stretch Anim8or's capabilities.  So from that standpoint, the program has been very effective, and it obviously still has a lot of followers.

Most craftsmen have more than one tool in their toolbox, primarily because there is no such thing as "one tool does it all."  Anim8or has served as one of those tools, and it may continue to do so even in its present state.  But there are many other tools to explore and consider out there.  Granted, some of those tools are expensive, and not nearly as easy to use as Anim8or.  But that's the nature of the beast --- with more utility comes more complexity.

I'm not ready to leave the community yet either.  But I would suggest that everyone consider Anim8or for what it truly is --- a stepping stone to something better.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: saakhmet on January 30, 2011, 11:17:24 am
I saw this thread and my heart skipped a bit..not at the message the thread seems to imply, but the inevitability of of this message..anim8or could be dead..

Time to move on?
Perhaps..
I for one use anim8or for all my 3d development..the temptation has been there to try out Blender or Sketchup or even Wings..but i always come back to anim8or.
in truth, 3d modellers like me who dont really care much about cgi and all the other bells and whistles of 3d art would always find it hard calling it quits with anim8or.

I love this software to bits! when ever I get a new computer or laptop - its always the first software I install and start using right away! today is a sad day..anim8or is not dead..I will continue using anim8or, but the it seems this community is going away..and that's a shame..really.

Thank you Steve for a good work, your software has really made a big impact in my life..and I still hope..REALLY hope that something new turns up.

cheers! to anim8or's future!
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: captaindrewi on January 30, 2011, 11:48:23 am
Presumably the anim8or site is paid for annually by someone who must still believe there is a future for it.
i like the mystery....
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: Raxx on January 30, 2011, 12:40:34 pm
Generally with webhosting, to get the best prices you pay up to 5 years in advance, and domain names automatically renew in most cases. Considering the forum's performance, it seems like there needs to be a bit of maintenance done on the database, so likely there's no secret person maintaining the site.

I don't like to be such a spoiler all the time but I guess that's the realist in me bringing it out. Any kind of response from Steve would be a pleasant surprise. I've done everything short of calling his house though.

Perhaps, if everyone's interested, we could do a last collaboration between all the active members of the community, dedicated to Anim8or and using only Anim8or. Skill level doesn't matter in something like that so everyone's free to join. Let me know if you guys are interested...
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: CoriDavis on January 30, 2011, 01:29:47 pm
I'm interested!
I feel sad seeing how I'm still a new member, looking like I just got here right at the decline.  I never got to use any other program, I even tried Blender and got infected by a flood of Trojans which is still a mystery of how that happened.  After giving up on that, I looked at Anim8or and look at me now.  For what little it has, i'm making the most if not more out of it. In fact, I had plans for movies.  I had always said before coming here "If only I had a 3D program, I would SO make animated movies out of my books!".  Even if it dies, I'm still keeping Anim8or. maybe if I can learn and get the hang of scripting I can do even more.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: dwsel on January 30, 2011, 04:09:49 pm
Quote from: Maxfield on January 30, 2011, 08:00:32 am
Steve, if by any chance you read this:

Please tell us if you are still working on Anim8or.

If not, are you willing to offer the source code to any coders who could take the project on?

You still have a lot of fans out here - you made a brilliant little program. If you don't want to do anything more on it, make it open source!

Ok, a word from me. I'm wondering if there is a chance of resuming work on Anim8tor. I've found so far 3 solutions:

1. Making Anim8tor free by releasing the code on GPL licence. Simple as that - based on Steve's good will.

2. Raising foundation/money gathering to buy Anim8tor's code and later free it - as it was with Blender.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blender_%28software%29#History
http://www.blender.org/blenderorg/blender-foundation/history/
http://www.linux.com/archive/feed/24201
Because I understand that it can be difficult to free 'own baby'.

3. Let Steve turn Anim8tor into low cost payware.

Lately I see no chance of 3, because I see no action from the main host/developer, but still I see a chance for 1 or 2. If 2 would be the only way I'd donate of course.

As a side note... Does anyone know name '4D Blue'? In 2005 I was looking for free 3d software and I have found this project. I have had high hopes on this, and I was looking as they turn into dust!
http://www.4dblue.com/news.html
http://www.4dblue.com/info_development.html
http://www.4dblue.com/info_faq.html
Using cruel words... 'that was quick one' :(
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: Gyperboloid on January 30, 2011, 04:57:21 pm
And if Steve really was thinking about to give up on it, but not so sure, by looking here, I don't think it would give him strangth to continue :-\ Finaly, come on guys, untill Steve comeы here and just close the forum by himself, what's the problem ? :)
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: CoriDavis on January 30, 2011, 05:03:24 pm
I don't know. but the forum is hardly dead compared to the forums I own/use when I'm ever in a roleplaying mood.  I am more than willing to do whatever part I can to keep this, all of it going.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: dwsel on January 30, 2011, 05:31:22 pm
Quote from: Gyperboloid on January 30, 2011, 04:57:21 pm
Finaly, come on guys, untill Steve comeы here and just close the forum by himself, what's the problem ? :)
What if the forum will close by itself on one pretty day because of unpaid hosting? Where do we go then? I'd better be prepared for this... ::)

Quote from: Gyperboloid on January 30, 2011, 04:57:21 pm
And if Steve really was thinking about to give up on it, but not so sure, by looking here, I don't think it would give him strangth to continue :-\
Continuous showcasing usefulness of the application by posting good works done in Anim8tor - I hope will do.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: Raxx on January 30, 2011, 05:51:25 pm
I was just laying down the cards, it's all up to you what you do with them.

Anyway, I know it's hard to leave this community. To me it's like a favorite pet that I've helped raise. I'm sure a lot of us share that sentiment. I had asked over and over at least to be turned admin so that I could keep the community going, but I get ignored on that point. I get ignored on most points I try to make. So while I don't really take personal offense at it, it's just common sense that if Steve can't even tell us straight up what his intentions are while he goes on with his personal R&R, and doesn't entrust anyone with any kind of responsibility, then we've got nothing to work with. And if something did happen to Steve or the code (though I believe he keeps a copy in a security deposit box), then we've got nothing to work with x10

The main point is that you should accept the possibility that it's a dead end here, and try to find a new community to take roost in where you can grow as an artist and as a person. I'm sure that if Steve's fine then one day he'll visit the forum and read this topic, and maybe respect us enough to give us some sort of response.

You guys don't seem to realize it, but the last time he talked to any of you in the public was an entire year ago, and that was regarding a Windows 7 bug.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: ADSohr on January 30, 2011, 07:11:28 pm
Everyone can move over to my forum as well.  It's brand new and isn't too set in it's ways yet.  I highly encourage newer animators to join, since it's geared towards beginners.  I would be glad to have some expierienced users help too.  It's not specifically for any program though, just whatever I find easiest to teach a concept with.

CGForStarters. (http://www.cgforstarters.comze.com/forum)
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: ENSONIQ5 on January 30, 2011, 08:53:50 pm
We appreciate you being straight with the community about this Raxx, as much as it is bad news it is good to finally have some information on the Steve situation from somebody in a position to know.  I would be interested in a community project, time permitting of course.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: Raxx on January 30, 2011, 09:25:41 pm
Sadly, all I know is that I don't know any more than the next guy about this matter. For all Steve's done, I don't mean to sound like I'm bashing him or chasing away his followers.

I'll list your website in the first post, ADSohr. Starting a successful forum from scratch takes time and effort, so good luck and hopefully a lot of people can benefit from it.

As for the collab project, I do have an idea but since it's something that everyone might want to do, I don't want to sound like I'm trying to dictate any of the details. So if you guys have better ideas, then by all means say so.


Don't Forget
A tribute to Anim8or and its Community

Collaboration from all the members of the community that wanted to do something memorable.

So, here's the idea, let me toss it out there...

Basically it'd play the Don't Forget song by Demi Lovato. Kind of a sentimental animated montage thing from the users here.

Granted there aren't a whole lot of us anymore, but I know there're a lot of lurkers that still log in and browse around.

Assuming we have at least 12 people:

1. The contributor makes their own avatar of themselves in the form of a person, creature, robot, whatever entity they think best represents themselves, and has them dance, stand, play around, do whatever within a certain timeframe. Maybe each contributor should have the robin in there in some shape or form.
2. Each contributor makes a 10 second clip and a 3 second clip.
3. Each contributor's clip is played one after the other in sequence. The 10 second clips are played first, then some sort of tribute to Anim8or is done in a title screen, and then the 3 second clips are played afterwards. Each 10 second clip has their username and real-life photo that fade in and out along the bottom.
4. The positioning and fading of the names and photos will be done via post processing, so the contributor doesn't have to worry about that part of it (aside from providing the photo).
5. The scene can have whatever environment the contributor wants. Whether it interacts with their avatar or is static or even nonexistant.
6. Each contributor renders their own clip. To keep it all consistent, the settings will be predetermined. More than likely 1280x720, bicubic AA, and H.264/MPEG-4 codec with very low compression. Then each contributor can upload it to one of my websites and I'll combine them all together, add the names and photos, transitions, title screens, etc, and upload it to Youtube and Vimeo.
7. Anim8or will be the only program used for modeling, animation, and rendering, since this is a tribute to Anim8or. Yeah it's a pain to the guys who found other software to make it easier in certain areas, but that's what'll make it special.

Depending on the number of contributors that sign up, the actual length of the clips will be determined.

This is the song that would be playing during the duration of the animation:


Naturally this kind of has a "the end" kind of feel to it, and it'd be a little silly if Steve pops in sometime and says all is OK before it's finished. So if that happens then we just swap out the music with something funner and then all's well ;)

Tell me what you think.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: ENSONIQ5 on January 31, 2011, 01:55:14 am
Love the concept Raxx, perfect.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: headwax on January 31, 2011, 04:44:01 am
Hey Raxx et al.

Well, I was googling anim8or to get here like I always do, I check about once a month to see if Steve has polished a litle more of the anim8or gem, and I found that 'anim8or is officially dead' announced on the b lender forums.

I have the greatest respect for everybody here, especially Raxx  .... but isn't this all a bit premature?

Maybe Steve is having a holiday, maybe he is having a family crisis, maybe he is sick, maybe he is having chemo. Heaven forbid any of these things, but just because he hasn;t answered emails doesn't mean  that anim8or is dead!

Just because anim8or hasn't been updated for x amount of time doesn't mean it's dead.

It's a worry about the new user registration - to me it just means that Steve has something else more important on his plate.

Best to look at the facts:

Anim8or still works on a majority of machines.

 It;s still a great program.

It;s only dead if you want it to be.





Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: texel on January 31, 2011, 04:51:50 am
Hi,

Two months ago, Steve responded to my email.
He doesn't have the time to work on Anim8or for the time being even if he spends some very limited time to fix bugs.
He doesn't know when he will have more time.
Keeping spammers out of Anim8or forum is also taking a lot of his time.

I do not have more informations from Steve.

I think we can't expect a major update soon. Maybe some minor bugfix.
Anim8or is still a great program and very easy to use. I haven't found any free program like Anim8or yet.
Blender has great features but i don't like its interface.

Anim8or doesn't seems to be dead but in pause.
If Steve decides to stop the developpement of Anim8or in the future, i think he will probably find a way to make it still alive.
It doesn't seems to be the case for the time being.
He probably do not want to make Anim8or open source now because it would make him loose the control of its development.
It could create many forks like Open Office and Libre Office or Linux It could be a good and bad thing.
Blender is open source but its developpement is leaded by a strong fondation. Steve develops Anim8or in his free time. He has a job, a family, and a life. He will probably do not have the time a lead such a fondation yet.

I do not expect Anim8or to be the best 3d modeling program, but just the best program for my purposes.
It would be great to create a new 3d modeling program using the source code of Blender but with a GUI like Anim8or. But who will do it ? Others...
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: headwax on January 31, 2011, 04:55:09 am
a quick search tells me site is registered till 2011-07-27
from

http://website.informer.com/anim8or.com
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: Maximilianibus on January 31, 2011, 12:55:20 pm
oh no.... this really ruined my day...
got somebody an idea which program i could try nect? free, maybe open source?
blender wont work, i dont know why. the last time i tried, i had to dowload 7 versions until all the tutorials fit together...
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: 3Dgeek11 on January 31, 2011, 01:14:50 pm
I understand all the "facts" in this topic are actual facts. I hate it and wish it weren't true but it appears to be.
I get so sad thinking about it.
It's like saying goodbye to a cat that came up to your door one day and now has to return to its owner. A wonderful run we all had here on Anim8or.com. And I thank Steve for creating Anim8or, which got me into 3D modeling and sort of decided my career. I thank the whole community here for helping me and everyone else that have come and gone in the last two and half years. I'll be turning 15 this year, and as you can see, my name has an "11" at the end of it. That's a pretty long time, isn't it?

I am in favor of that project Raxx mentioned. I love that song and listening to it again got me thinking. I'll gladly contribute "one last time" if that's what it comes down to.
Anyway, I hope Steve can return soon and tell us what's going on, if anything.
If not, we may just have to wait until July 27th and see what happens. ^^
Been a wonderful pleasure knowing everyone here, and I hope that, if we do "move on", that we can all stay in touch somehow. :)
3DGeek
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: rellik420 on January 31, 2011, 01:54:28 pm
well... what can i say. i still use anim8or often. and i think i will always use it for modeling. im searching for other software simply because of all the bells and whistles but i will always have anim8or in my back pocket.

i think the best thing for steve to do is to release anim8or as open source so the people who use it "us" can progress it a bit further. really the only thing it is missing thats is necessary is IK. physics simulation is great but its still not necessary.

i hope your wrong about all of this raxx but thanks for the heads up. i know a lot of us have been anxious about hearing some kind of news on the progress. thanks
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: Gyperboloid on January 31, 2011, 02:51:16 pm
Well, I think everybody likes ( even loves  ;D ) Anim8or for the same thing : its simplicity, little but with so many features e.t.c. All these about open source : Steve managed to create the Anim8or and give to it all these capabilities and keep it as it is for so many versions. By making it open source , people who will develop it further I think will just make it looks the same as the other 3d packages. And this is clearly represented in the users requests about different releases ( "make this, make that, as in this, in that program " ). So by time Anim8or will turn into just another 3d aplication out there
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: CoriDavis on January 31, 2011, 06:06:57 pm
Well, some time ago, Steve did send me a message on the forum.  I was hoping he was going to compliment me, but I was embarassed to hear that I was causing problems by posting comments on Spambot threads.  He told me he was in Italy with a slow connection.  I didn't take it personally, even though I was so embarrassed because I was (I don't want to say "yelled at") by a guy that seems like an awesome, famous guy to me... and I stopped and apologized and begged for forgiveness  :-[.  But yeah, I don't know if it'll ever be accomplished, but I really wanted to impress him.

but anyway, Raxx, I am DEFINITELY joining!  I don't know if you've seen it yet, but I'm currently working on a model of myself!  isn't it just a perfect coincidence?  ;D

PS. (one more thing): it just doesn't seem logical to me that he would be ignoring all of us and cutting himself off. I'm starting to wonder and believe that something might have happened.  Even if I had a huge thing like this to run and I couldn't do it myself anymore, I would definitely consider an admin request.  It just doesn't seem right that he would just poof and cut himself off from everyone. something has to have happened.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or - Time To Move On
Post by: Raxx on January 31, 2011, 09:39:36 pm
Ok, Steve finally emailed me so I have some good news and some bad news.

The good news is that Steve is still alive. He's got good plans for Anim8or.

The bad news is that he's got a lot of things going on, and his plans for Anim8or require him to overhaul a lot of major components. Those two things make for a bad combination. An update will not be coming around any time soon. It's pretty much what Texel said.

The good news is that personally I'll rescind my plans to leave and instead work on keeping the forum in good condition for him, if he accepts my admin request. Hopefully Steve will drop by sometime and say hello as well.

However, our current circumstances remain unchanged, and none of it is really unexpected. Personally, 3D graphics don't have as big a role in my life as it used to, so I have no other community that I intend to move to. You'll probably see me here until the end. However, I still recommend you guys join other communities if you haven't already, especially the ones still posting a lot of WIPs here, and use this forum as the supplement rather than the core.

I'll post a new topic about the collab as well to see who wants to join in on it. It'd be nice if we can get a good number of entries going.

And yeah CoriDavis, lucky you for having such a headstart ;)
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: ENSONIQ5 on February 01, 2011, 02:25:21 am
Good to know Anim8or hasn't stalled, even if updates will be a long time coming.  I, for one, am happy to wait!  Any word on allowing new members to the forum yet?
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: 3Dgeek11 on February 01, 2011, 06:31:55 am
So quick after the topic was started, but good news! :D
At least Steve still plans to keep updating Anim8or. And I will stick around until he does, of course.

Maybe if I hurry I can enter the current challenge.
And I will definitely contribute to that project, of course. ;)

I think one thing that is wrong with the forums is that they are still SMF 1.1.11. SMF 2.0 looks much nicer and has better security/spambot protection.
I hope you get promoted, Raxx. :)
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: saakhmet on February 01, 2011, 07:49:23 am
whew! made my Day..my Week!!!! thank you Raxx!
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: floyd86 on February 01, 2011, 08:53:29 am
Good to hear from steve again. I know he wouldn't just stop working on anim8or without letting us know. I haven't been using anim8or alot lately, but I still check the forum as often as I can. Let's use this good news as a positive start again for the anim8or forum!
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: lynn22 on February 01, 2011, 11:50:02 am
Good news all over !

Anim8or works fine as it is and will certainly do so until a new release is available. Don't worry Steve, time is on your side.

I sure hope that your request is granted Raxx, fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: CoriDavis on February 01, 2011, 03:26:19 pm
This is a huge sigh of relief!  But it's not haulting my project for Raxx's video ;)
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: daniel99 on February 01, 2011, 08:11:46 pm
Hey, friends!
I've just seen this topic.
To be honest, I'll pay for a new impruved version of anim8or. Steve must be motivated, and his efforts should be rewarded.

I am using anim8or for all my job projects that includes 3d modeling and animations, along with AE and VEGAS. And, if some coleague of mine needs to make changes, I simply export the project to 3ds.
I've made dozens of tvID's, commercials and intros in the last years using anim8or as base 3d modeler and animator. And I'll keep using it.

Btw, anim8or runs perfect if you are using Windows7. I didn't have any problems. Even if I am still using 32b, I have no idea if anim8or runs on 64b. Very soon, I'll need to work with 64b. Enybody has any ideea?

PS: I think this is my first post for 2011, if I remember well. If so, Good to see you all again.
Daniel.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: lynn22 on February 01, 2011, 08:41:24 pm
Quote from: daniel99 on February 01, 2011, 08:11:46 pm
Btw, anim8or runs perfect if you are using Windows7. I didn't have any problems. Even if I am still using 32b, I have no idea if anim8or runs on 64b. Very soon, I'll need to work with 64b. Enybody has any ideea?

Hi Daniel,

I recently asked myself that same question just in case I need a new computer and .... what then, I have so much software which I would be reluctant to replace.

According to Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/32-bit-64-bit-faq.aspx) :

Most programs designed for a computer running a 32-bit version of Windows will work on a computer running 64-bit versions of Windows. Notable exceptions are many antivirus programs, and some hardware drivers.

Drivers designed for 32-bit versions of Windows don't work on computers running a 64-bit version of Windows. If you're trying to install a printer or other device that only has 32-bit drivers available, it won't work correctly on a 64-bit version of Windows.

etc.

so that's a relief ;)



Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: dwsel on February 02, 2011, 04:08:14 am
Quote from: daniel99 on February 01, 2011, 08:11:46 pm
Btw, anim8or runs perfect if you are using Windows7. I didn't have any problems. Even if I am still using 32b, I have no idea if anim8or runs on 64b. Very soon, I'll need to work with 64b. Enybody has any ideea?

If you change the computer be careful about graphic card choice. I guess the main problem sits in driver quality. From my experience ATI/AMD inferior to NVIDIA.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: Jdez on February 02, 2011, 04:57:41 am
Well that just made my day!

Edit: Just noticed saakhmet wrote the same thing as me :)
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: Tof on February 02, 2011, 08:12:27 am
As Headwax says:
ANIM8OR IS NOT DEAD,
i'll continue to use it and sometimes to be active on the forum, but like Steve, I don't have a lot of time for this.
The only think i hope is that Steve has no time because he has a lot of work, a family or something like this and not because he has problems.
Hope to see you all on this forum (the only one I am in) for a long time.
Tof
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: kreator on February 02, 2011, 04:43:32 pm
expect a note from Steve in the next couple of days or so.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: Kyle on February 11, 2011, 04:42:02 am
I wonder, if he rewrites it from scratch will we loose backwards comparability of our current .an8 files? I mean, I guess I could get by with exporting stuff, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

Then again if anim8or get significant speed and UI improvements it could very well be worth it. 
Hope to hear from ya soon Steve. Its been too long. 
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: Gyperboloid on February 11, 2011, 05:01:38 pm
Speed? I guess you mean rendering speed ? If so, yes it would be very nice, but only the ART. And UI - is the user interface ? No, I think it's great, simple...I don't think there could be something better, than that  it is already  :)
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: Kyle on February 11, 2011, 06:57:48 pm
I don't just mean ART, but the overall interface.  and I'm not talking about making it more complicated, quite the opposite. it can be simplified even further.  just look at Raxx's radial menu.  Or how complicated it is to set up attributes. (to Steve's credit he did say what's in place now was only temporary).  I'm not suggesting Anim8or turn into the busy mess that other programs have become, just teaks in the UI that make modeling go faster. Do more things in less clicks.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: Arik_the_Red on February 13, 2011, 11:43:00 am
Quote from: Raxx on January 31, 2011, 09:39:36 pm
...
The good news is that personally I'll rescind my plans to leave and instead work on keeping the forum in good condition for him, if he accepts my admin request. Hopefully Steve will drop by sometime and say hello as well.

However, our current circumstances remain unchanged, and none of it is really unexpected. Personally, 3D graphics don't have as big a role in my life as it used to, so I have no other community that I intend to move to. You'll probably see me here until the end. However, I still recommend you guys join other communities if you haven't already, especially the ones still posting a lot of WIPs here, and use this forum as the supplement rather than the core.
...

Raxx, glad to see you holding the fort. I was one of the "dubious doofs" when you first got bumped into the "high chair" way back, but am happy that I was wrong about my attitude now.

I do hope that Steve does consider passing full admin power to you, or someone that has been a long, solid supporter of anim8or and the anim8or forum - no, not me... I don't qualify as a steady, daily user though I am a lifetime anim8or supporter, and have solid loyalty here.


Personally, I don't have the time and stamina to maintain more than one or two animation forums, and I've still held tight to using anim8or pretty much solidly as I just don't have the time and stamina and motivation to try to pick up on anything else...

I did make an effort to re-join "CG Nation" quite some time ago - I think a year or so now... I had pulled up "TheProducer" to discuss it beforehand, and he actually talked me out of it! It befuddled my brain, but pretty much told me they're all happy-campers not exactly starving for growth I guess. He basically spelled out that unless I had no solid, high end, professional animation intentions that I had no place in that forum. Oh well, no skin off my ->insert choice body-part here<-.

It would be awesome to see anim8or take a step forward as a program, but quite frankly, the length of time since Steve has made any comment to us, his most avid fans, does rather put a damper on any such hopes being realized :(

Still, I intend to continue to play with anim8or so long as it has operating system support.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: hihosilver on February 27, 2011, 08:41:41 pm
Since this seems like a big deal thread I figured I'll put in my two cents.

Anim8or has birthed me and raised me as a child.  It helped to develop my understanding and skills in 3D art, and I will be forever grateful for that.  I moved on a while ago to other programs such as 3DS Max, but that doesn't change my love for the program.  Even when I had moved on I tried to stay close with the forums as I have a strong connection to them.  Obviously I've fallen off, but that's how life goes sometimes.  I'm in college now at USC, studying Animation/Digital Art.  Of course I couldn't have done any of this without Anim8or, as a good portion of my portfolio contained what I had worked on in the program, and any understanding I had came through Anim8or.  I'm busy with so many things now with classes, work, soccer and even more, that I don't really have the time to be involved with forums of any type at the moment.  I check in from time to time but that's the best I can do.

I've had a phenomenal time with all of you on the forums and those who have already left, and thank you all and anim8or so much for helping me with who I've become today.  I may peek my head in from time to time but you most likely wont hear from me much, so good luck in all your endeavors and keep kicking ass.

With much love,

Hihosilver
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: headwax on February 28, 2011, 02:33:27 am
Hey Hiho :)

Thanks for all the help you gave me over the years.
You (like $imon) really gave me an amazing amount of help - especially at anim8or org


Good luck in your creative endeavours.
I'm sure you will rip!

will see your name in credits as boss of the next company  to topple Pixar :)
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: marshallh on May 09, 2011, 04:59:04 am
I'd just like to chime in, I've been using Anim8or since about 2003. I still have the 0.6 version around here somewhere.

I still use it on a semi-daily basis! For people like me who work with older 3d pipelines from the mid 90s, it's more than sufficient. It has its niche which it fills nicely.

I still remember Raxx from the oooooold days, it's incredible to see some of the old veterans still here. I'd post more but most of the stuff I do is pretty mundane lately.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: MvGulik on May 15, 2011, 09:35:40 am
Burp ... Dead is relative ... for programs at least.

Suggest advocating to Steve to give Raxx the needed rights to start playing with setting up one of those nice and free bug reporting systems ... and test it on the currently (dead, in my view) version. (Could serve as a nice know issues (or undocumented features if you like) and possible workaround database -> for user, by users. ... Although I would limit it to only a few well known users until it gets really used -> v2.)
And whenever v2 sees the light of day ... Instant good bug logging.

But than again ... seem to remember something about Steve not being to fund about something like that.
... dropping back to sleep mode ...
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: Pincho on October 12, 2011, 05:09:53 am
I think that Anim8or, and Photoshop are my top 2 graphic packages. I hope Anim8or becomes open source, and that somebody keeps improving it. I use it all of the time, and make computer games with it.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: davdud101 on December 01, 2011, 07:39:17 pm
It would be amazing to see someone grab the source code from it, perhaps wit a decomplier, then make it open-source... Although that may be illegal, even as Anim8or is free.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: Raxx on December 02, 2011, 12:37:15 am
Decompiling probably wouldn't work. Might as well just re-write the entire program instead. Think of it as if you tried OCRing the Japanese version of the Bible, using crappy translation software, and then having to fix it all up word for word without the English version to look at.

If programs could be easily decompiled then the expensive software like 3ds max, maya, etc, would have already been stolen and modified by people, and we'd probably all just be using versions of that instead.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: cooldude234 on February 15, 2012, 01:24:10 am
Yea, taking machine code back into a separate language like c or c++ would take probably even more time just to do that, than it would to make it from scratch, which is better cause you know everything that you made.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: lppena on March 14, 2012, 12:57:56 pm
I suspect that real life has most of Steve's free time, but I hope that he eventually has time to tweak Anim8or a bit more. I hope that he adds basic ASL import script support at some point in the future. It would certainly enhance the overall usefulness of the program.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: davdud101 on March 16, 2012, 11:39:07 am
I have actually proposed in the past that maybe Anim8or is so advanced by now (although I have my doubts.) I hope the next update is at its latest, next year, but at least last Feb, we finally got a little bit of an update.
Since I know there are a couple programmers 'round here..... (hopefully you know where this is going.)
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: lppena on April 20, 2012, 06:49:23 pm
I know Anim8or will live on as I have posted an Anim8or downloadable on my modeling forum along with the PDF manual, and perhaps upload some of the A8 ASL scripts. Hopefully, Steve will see enough people still interested in A8 and release some sort of update down the road.
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: VBSmiles on May 29, 2012, 03:51:46 pm
Just saying hey to those that know me and was wondering what's been going on. It's been so long since i've visited the forum and application that I was sure it was given up. Good to know Steve is still alive and doing well. So what's the scoop on anim8or working in win7 ?
Title: Re: Future of Anim8or
Post by: 3Dgeek11 on May 29, 2012, 06:36:45 pm
Hey, VB! :)

Anim8or is working fine over here on 32-bit Win 7 Home Premium.