[Travis Simpson]

Okay, thanks again for the feedback and advice, that design approach makes sense. I think I might be losing a bit of detail in the color gradient on the pulses this way, but it would certainly make the project work and make life a bit easier.

In regards to graphics cards, what are some recommended model? I have an ATI Radeon 4870 that came packaged on the machine. If you have an opinion, I will be upgrading the entire system soon, but if I upgraded the card to a newer unit with more V-RAM would I see a noticeable enough performance increase to justify the expense?

Travis Simpson | Symbolscape Media | mobile: 510.858.1101 | office: 510.868.0540 | travis@symbolscape.com |

[Travis Simpson]

Hey guys, thanks again for the feedback and tips.

“I guess I was assuming that since you had over a hundred layers that you were creating a stroke for every straight line.”

Andy, yes, that is what I meant. The image file is a graphical outline of a circuit board. I’m “painting” the strokes across the traces on the image using a shape with its default first point/last point presets. So yes, I do have a unique layer for each stroke.

Here’s a test I pushed out before I had too many paint stroke layers:

https://vimeo.com/33748540

I now have paint strokes across the whole frame and in addition to this one burst when they all fire at once, I have some of them going back and forth randomly throughout the duration of the piece. It’s just way too much for my machine to handle. (which begs another question — I’m running a quad core 2.93 with only 8GB. I have been putting off a memory upgrade because I don’t do a ton of processor intensive work, but maybe this would help?)

Also, Mark, if I use a luma mask, will I lose the color on the strokes?

Travis Simpson | Symbolscape Media | mobile: 510.858.1101 | office: 510.868.0540 | travis@symbolscape.com |

[Travis Simpson]

Andy and Mark, thanks for your replies and these ideas. I will see if I can make them work. Exporting a QT with alpha is something I have not tried before and, unless I’m missing something, I think will end up being my only option here.

The design I’ve built consists of each pulse tracing across a unique pattern on the circuit board that sits as an image file on the deepest layer, so not sure if a replicator or clone approach would work. If I clone/replicate can each paint stroke still have a unique pattern?

I’m using Paint Strokes pretty much as they are out of the box. I have turned off pen pressure but that’s the only setting I’ve toggled. Is there any other setting that is a particular hog?

Thanks again, this helps a lot!

Cheers.

Travis Simpson | Symbolscape Media | mobile: 510.858.1101 | office: 510.868.0540 | travis@symbolscape.com |

[Travis Simpson]

Emilio Cagadoc from Cheesycam.com has a DIY hack that combines the Steadicam Merlin with the Glidecam 4000. You can see a video here:

https://vimeo.com/10391074

You would absolutely have to use a remote follow focus on this rig. Pulling focus manually defeats the stabilization. Redrock has a new remote follow focus coming to market:

https://www.digi1080p.com/hd-dslr-gear/follow-focus/231-redrock-micro-microremote-follow-focus-system.html

Travis Simpson | Symbolscape Media | mobile: 510.858.1101 | office: 510.868.0540 | travis@symbolscape.com |

[Travis Simpson]

Bill and Shane, Thanks both for your advice and feedback. I have been headhunting sales people from similar programs in the region. Do either of you, or anyone else, have any advice regarding a compensation model for this type of sales work? I realize every business will do this differently, but what are some systems that you have seen that work well?

Travis Simpson | Symbolscape Media | mobile: 510.858.1101 | office: 510.868.0540 | travis@symbolscape.com |

[Travis Simpson]

Jason, thanks for your reply and tip. I gave this a shot and I’m getting inconsistent results. The first clip I attempted to transfer after the reinstall failed, but I was scrubbing files in the bin while the capture was going in the background. Not sure if the scrubbing has anything to do with the fail. All of the subsequent (re)captures have all worked fine, but I turned off all other processes, loaded only one file and babysat the capture. So I can’t report anything conclusive.

I’ll report again if I come up with anything new. Thanks for your reply.

Travis Simpson | Symbolscape Media | mobile: 510.858.1101 | office: 510.868.0540 | travis@symbolscape.com |

[Travis Simpson]

Jason, I literally just posted about this seconds ago. Having the same problem.

You’re using the Canon E1 plug-in also?

[Travis Simpson]

Thanks Warren and Steve. I’m capturing to my local machine, not over a network so don’t think that’s an issue. In fact, I think FAT32 limits the Canon DSLR recording file sizes to 4GB already.

I implemented the E1 t2i hack already and have been able to capture most of my footage, it’s just this seemingly intermittent issue that has cropped up on a few clips. I’m thinking E1 might still be a bit buggy.

I’d hate to find that the t2i is buggy as well. One of the shots I can’t open was some pretty pivotal b-roll. If anyone knows of a way to open/fix a corrupted MOV I could really use a link!

Travis Simpson | Symbolscape Media | mobile: 510.858.1101 | office: 510.868.0540 | travis@symbolscape.com |