Object Animation & Scene Rendering

[ntxdave]

I have looked at several threads about animation and rendering lately and wondering what is the best combination for creating animated scenes, object animation and rendering (NPR is fine with me).

I model car wash equipment layouts and would like to be able to produce a higher quality product that is animated. I have read about and looked at some videos about plugins like Proper Animation, SU Animate and a couple more.

Here are links to 2 versions of an animation I created using the trial version of the Keyframe Animation plugin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTWJbDgYr2I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRlDLbGFe40

Now, here is what I would like to do to take this to the next level:

• Put the equipment inside of a building
• Provide a "walk through" type of view of the building
• Show other aspects of the complete car wash (i.e. payment stations, vacuum system, office, and support equipment)
• Enhance the entire car wash and equipment with enhanced materials from a rendering engine
• Provide a video or, even better, a WebGL version of the animated car wash and equipment
• Find a tool that would allow me to animate some additional pieces equipment that spray water and foam

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[ntxdave]

@pilou said:

I believe that the free Hobby (and Pro) Twiligh V2 is capable to render animation!

Thanks for your reply Pilou, I will give it a look.

[pilou]

I believe that the free Hobby (and Pro) Twilight V2 is capable to render animation!

[emerald15]

This thread leads directly to the issue I’m trying to resolve.
I’m using Twilight Render and want to produce a video (just camera movement at present, no object animation). Previously I would just out-put directly from SU to an AVI format. However, Twilight will only output the frames, (which I have successfully achieved already).
My problem is that I need software that will now assemble the frames into video format….and I’m running Windows 10.
Previously I’ve used Virtualdub – bit it appears un-stable on Win 10 (saving sometimes fails).
I’ve tried Win Movie Maker, but can’t seem to speed up the frame rate (the editor has a 1min. minimum setting… my test movie is only 4 secs). The best I’ve achieved is ‘crawl’ through the frames at approx.. 1 sec each instead of at least 30 per sec.
I downloaded Filmora but it keeps crashing (again now Win 10 compatible). Seems more suited to video editing rather than frames assemble.
I’ve come across Debug Mode’s Wax / Frame Server which might suit, but again, don’t think it’s Win 10 compat.
I don’t particularly want to back to Win8 as Win 10 has improved my system in other ways.
Does anyone have any suggestions, please?
I realise this question would better be directed to the Twilight forum – I have asked, but no replies as yet. It’s also a bit of a ‘heads up’ to ntxdave if you go down this route.

[pilou]

Try Blender ! it's free!

[emerald15]

Thanks so much Pilou. I've checked out the tuts & Blender looks exactly what I need and more. About to download it... I'll let you know how I get on... still a bit of a learning curve to climb!