Hey - I just thought of something...

Instead of making the image transparent for sketchy edges, I could cut it away. I'd have to cut the image around the solid shape. Here's what I mean: I am putting images of 2D people into a 3D model. The area in the image that's around the person is transparent. The sketchy edges do not show through. How about if I cut away all the transparent areas?

Is there a way to follow the outline of an object in an image and cut around it? (A way that does not make me want to pull out my hair. And quick, too. I have lots of images.)

By the way, this is for a scene from the movie I'm making. I am creating a series of short movies using SU animation. You can see the first one, Plain Sight, at TreasureInside.net The next movie has a party scene with many images of people. --- Joel

Oh, gorsh, bad news. Is there any workaround? -- Joel

My model is done with a sketchy brush style (so the edges vary in width). A partially transparent image needs to be in the center of a scene. I convert the image to a PNG and drag the image in and put it in place. However, a big problem happens ...

If Transparency is enabled, then all of the image is transparent (even what should be solid color). If Transparency is disabled, then the parts of the image that are transparent do not allow the brush style edges to show through (and I end up with a weird halo around the image).

Is there any way to import an image that is transparent for style edges?

-- Joel

I just completed my first animated movie -- a 5 minute animated -- and I have at least 5 more planned. This is done primarily with SU ... with some help from Antics and Poser (which I don't like, but they work well with SU), also
Photoshop and Corel VideoStudio. #2 is already in the works! -- Joel

Plain Sight on http://www.TreasureInside.net

I want to cut a hole in a face where an item, say a box, goes through it - so I do Intercept With Model. This gives me a rectangle where the box met the face, just like I want. Sometimes the face is cut like I'd expect and I can select and delete the hole. However, sometimes the lines are lying on top of the face and the face won't divide. I can't figure out why it works sometimes and only sometimes. Frustrating! - Joel

And here they are!

1 Case of Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Oh, you're right! Rclick makes multiple unique components. Why didn't it work before??? [sneaking away with his tail between his legs] Thanks - Joel

I've come across this very time consuming problem a couple times. Maybe someone has a solution.

I've got a model with a hundred items all the same. Of course, I make the item a component. Copy, move, position, great!

Then I want to make 50 of those items one color and 50 another. Oh, dear. What should I do? How can I do a Make Unique command on 50 items? Or do I have to start all over again with 50 of them: recopy and reposition?

I hope this makes sense. A case of chocolate covered strawberries to the person with the best answer.

              Joel

I figured it out! There's an easy way. My folders stopped displaying thumbnails so I reinstalled SU, after checking Repair. Now they're back -- Joel

Ahh, you changed Conan and got rid of Courtney. He isn't sinister now. Much better!

I'm totally amazed that you did this with SU, but I have to agree. Moreover, it's Conan O'Brien interviewing Courtney Cox! -- Joel

Another tip ... Some things that are very important for me, and probably helpful to others:

-- I have trouble controlling fine movements with my mouse, so I use a WACOM TABLET. It's wonderful for SU work. The stylus is easy to use. It has buttons I can set to whatever I want. I put the tablet on my lap when I am at my desk, and I also have a left mouse that I use sometimes, especially for Rclick.

-- And when I go to the local coffeeshop and work, I bring my laptop. I'm obsessive about lightweight. The Wacom Tablet is too heavy and I hate touchpads. I found just the thing: a V-MOUSE. http://www.v-mouse.com/ It is a very lightweight optical mouse that you hold like a pen. I also got a teeny-tiny mouse for my left hand that I use only for its buttons.

I purchased S&S. Great tool! This is definitely the tool I need to get these shapes. Anybody have more suggestions, especially about working with a drawing? - Joel

Louie has me stumped! I need to model this sculpture. I've learned a great deal about SU but never anything like this. Here is a nice, simple, low-poly figure to model but it requires I tread ground that I've always avoided ... organic modeling!! My attempts so far (using simple shapes and extruded outlines) have been totally unsuccessful. Can anybody help? -- Joel