Tutorials or workflow videos on how to use Tradigitools?

[javiAM]

Hello,

I recently bought tradigitools and I was wondering if there is any other videos available or coming soon?  I had the opportunity to have Dimos as my mentor for class two at AM and got to watch him use tradigitools a few times.  It would be nice to see more in depth tutorials on work flows and different ways to use the tool.

Look forward to see some great tutorials!  Thanks! 

-Javi

[Dimos]

HELLOOOOOOOOOO Javi!!!  How are you mate!

On the product page there are several demo videos that describe the functions of all the tools in tradigiTOOLS.  We are working on a manual that will be more descriptive but currently the only real documentation is the videos.  Have a look on the tradigiTOOLS product page on the right hand side.  You could also download them to your computer to view at your desire.

Hope that helps for now.

Cheers!
-Dimos

[krizzik]

I guess I must just be dense or something, but perhaps a simple step-by-step would be possible in the interim?  I just bought this today thinking there would be a manual to go along with it...I didn't know all there was were the feature videos. I've reviewed them, but again I assume I'm missing something as I've been finding myself simply closing Tradigitools and going back to the playing around with the time slider/setting keys the Maya way several times now.

[Dimos]

We hear ya "krizzik" and we are working hard to get more "step by step" videos and documentation type manuals.  We are a VERY small company and resources are extremely limited.  We have to prioritize where our efforts are focused.  We diverted all of those efforts into creating a solid and well functioning multi-platform tool that is pretty easy to use, and have supported that with two update (version 1.2 coming VERY shortly) that add more functionality and stability.  All these were done for FREE for current licensees of tradigiTOOLS (as should be in my opinion).

The predecessor to tradigiTOOLS (ANIMTools) did have a mini-manual that explained the functions pretty briefly and accurately but the tool set back then was a lot smaller then what we have now.  However, now that we have a solid piece of software (that probably wont be changing for a while, all but for support issues) we will be refocusing our resources on documentation and such.  Please bare with us as we go through this transition.

Also note that I myself am personally working on a DVD tutorial to discuss how the traditional method that I personally use works in 2D and 3D environments.  Then I will showcase how tradigiTOOLS works (or is designed to work to be more accurate) along side the 3D side of animation.  That will take time to develop and produce as there are MANY considerations and directions to think about.  To top it all off I am personally working on several other projects for clients and Circus Ink (parent company to FUNhouse Interactive) that take time away from my schedule and duties here.

We know that documentation and video demos are extremely important and we do have someone currently working on some step by step demos and restructuring a video web page for our site that will be updated as demos are created.  We will definitely announce the release of these videos as soon as they are available.

We apologize for any inconvenience and we hope to get these things out to you all as soon as possible.

Cheers!
-Dimos

[krizzik]

I saw you logged in earlier and thank you for your quick reply! I'm still struggling with a few things here and there (which I suppose I'll post in the support section), but I think I'm starting to understand a bit more of what Tradigitools is doing.

[Dimos]

Good to hear it is making more sense to you as you try things out.  We tried real hard to make it as simple as possible and we always will try to make it even simpler if we find ways too.  :-)

Anyhow, in a nutshell tradigiTOOLS is designed to work with a KEY ALL approach to posing.  That being ALL attributes of EVERY control should be KEYED on any given POSE/Key frame.  This is more or less equivalent of DRAWING the pose out on a piece of paper.  TradigiTOOLS will only affect the selected controls/objects thus leaving all the control up to the animator.  If you miss an attribute is could cause issues later on down the road.  There are options to adjust for NOT keying all in the Options menu at the top.  I'll try to find the link to the post that describes some possible solution to some potential problems when NOT keying all and post the links here.

The new video demo page is also under construction and more demos are slated to be released as well.

Cheers!
-Dimos

[javiAM]

Hellooooooo Dimos!  Hehe!  I miss the "Hello Javi" when you used to start the e-critiques!

Thanks so much for your quick response!  Right now I'm trying to incorporate the tradigiTools workflow to the workflow you showed us back in class two.  The tool with the work flow is a great combination. (It's pretty much the same! hehehe)  I'm glad that I learned how to approach this workflow by doing it the hard way and everything manually before I got to use the TradigiTools pluggin.

The tutorials from the front page were very helpful! Thanks!

Ohh and now that I'm taking a break from AM, I'm re-doing the assignments as if I was doing the class 2 again, but now with some TradigiTools help. hehehe  I think it's a good practice and it's going to prepare me even stronger for class 3.  And this time I'm keeping everything simple!  Won't forget that! hehe

Thanks again Dimos!   I'll be back to AM for the Summer Term!

-Javi

[Dimos]

Right now I'm trying to incorporate the tradigiTools workflow to the workflow you showed us back in class two.  The tool with the work flow is a great combination. (It's pretty much the same! hehehe)  I'm glad that I learned how to approach this workflow by doing it the hard way and everything manually before I got to use the TradigiTools pluggin.

Hello again Javi,

The tool was designed to suit the workflow I have been using and teaching, which is based on the traditional animation process.  This process is a combination of straight ahead and pose to pose.  The tool is not "the" method, but it does aids in the methods processes.  I wanted to make that clear for folks. 

Anyhow I am glad your attempting to incorporate the method and tool into your own workflow.  I can't wait to hear what you think and see the wonderful work I am sure you'll be producing.

Take care.

-Dimos