[Jimmy Brunger]

Yeah, that helps alot Jon thanks.

I’ll wait until next month and then DEMAND it!! 😉

Am I right in thinking Pro Animator can do EVERYTHING the Invigorator, Modeler, etc. can do? Does ProAni contains 3D flag?

[Jimmy Brunger]

Just stick all the layers you want to flatten into a new layer set and then duplicate that – flatten it – and keep the other one as an editable backup.

If it’s a big file I’m working on I usually also save two identical PSDs, calling one ‘BACKUP’ for when I’m flattening files into mattes and faces.

…It’s very easy to accidentally save over a layered file when you’re making mattes quickly and then close it and lose the history! A couple of jobs I’ve had to do again cos of that!

[Jimmy Brunger]

Our HDW-M2000P only records in HD, not digibeta – sorry forgot about that. Doesn’t mean you can’t get them though. But if, like Paul said – if it’s cheaper to buy a HD and DIGI deck, that’s got to make more sense. We didn’t go for a bells & whistles HD deck, because we have several Digibeta recorders already.

On a side note, our DIGI recorder does accept SDI embedded. So if you’re struggling to find out at what point they updated it for that give me your email addy and I’ll mail you our serial number so you know to go for one newer than that. OR call this Jon character! 😉

Good luck!

[Jimmy Brunger]

Hi Luke,

Sorry – on a PC (XP Pro SP2) I think I should maybe make up a specs signature for the future..

The only reason I’m using 5.5 again is cos I’m waiting for the go ahead to buy 7.0. I need AFX in the meantime though.

I never uninstalled 5.5 – it was still installed while the 7.0 trial was running. I just uninstalled the trial and then uninstalled/installed the BMD drivers again, hoping they would reinstall any components needed into 5.5’s folder instead.

After what you’ve just said I have a feeling it might be a quicktime compatibility problem with AE 5.5…I seem to remember having an audio playback problem with 5.5 and one of the versions of QT. I’ll check it out…

Ta.

[Jimmy Brunger]

Thanks for the info Jon.

Yeah, I’d seen the demos on the site – looks pretty capable to me. So how much can lightwave do that ProAni can’t?

I think our 3D guy just doesn’t want me stepping on his toes, so is trying to put me off 😉

[Jimmy Brunger]

Couldn’t you ‘place’ the file in photoshop and then use it’s shape path that way?

[Jimmy Brunger]

Far as I can tell you should be fine with a 500. We have a few of those and an A500p which also plays BETA SP. I doubt there’s much difference between the new decks and the 500’s, as HDCAM kind of took over shortly after the 500’s, so most people would now buy a HD machine that plays digibeta, etc aswell.

That said, the 500 has a much more solid feel to something like the HDW-M2000P. the new ones feel very ‘cheap’ in their build, despite the price tags! (Presumably the build quality is the same for the 2000 digibeta decks?)

Oh, we’re in the UK btw. Don’t know how much difference that makes (PAL vs NTSC, etc.)

The only other difference I can see is the the 2000’s have a slot for a memory card to store menu settings, etc on. Guess it depends how often you switch settings and how quickly you need to do so.

But we use a combination of 500’s daily for broadcast and they seem to do the job.

[Jimmy Brunger]

Hi,

I think this has been sorted now – pretty sure it was either a problem my new processor or the fan was inaccurately matched – it was getting too hot.

Got a new proc/fan now and **seems** to be working ok now. I will inform if it goes bonkers again!…

Thanks for your help guys.

[Jimmy Brunger]

Not true – ProAnimator is supposed to work as either a plugin or as a standalone, or both.

I was after getting it to backup our 3D designer, or use as a substitur when he’s away (I haven’t got time to learn Softimage or Lightwave) but he tells me Zaxwerks stuff is a pile of ****!?! VERY, very slow apparently.

I am dubious, as I’ve heard some good stuff about it. Could anybody who uses it let me know if this is true? Is it upto the job speed and quality wise if I’m just making simple logos & 3D text?

Cheers.

[Jimmy Brunger]

I don’t think Keylight is included in the demo, and like Mylenium says – third party plugs and some templates/presets are missing too. All the other keying filters and corner pin should be there though…I’m sure they were on mine.