Hi gang -
Per Alonso's suggestion, since I'm way way behind the schedule for the exercises I'm posting my progress in a new thread. I've already had comments on part A, and now I'm posting part B.

I would appreciate your comments.

Doug

Bootcamp Exercise 1 part A

Bootcamp Exercise 1 part B

1A looks good 1B the red balls 2nd bounce kinda goes backwards and the 1st bounce looks more like it slides for a bit...other than that good job!

Hi Doug good job keep going!!!!

Just kidding I know you said you don't want that.

"Excercise B: bounce the balls across the screen, like they're going somewhere. Make them of different material's"

I am trying to figure out what your balls are made of!!!? (that didn't sound too good) At first I thought the big one was a bowling ball but then a bowling ball wouldn't squash like that.

Ok ball #1
First thing I noticed is that it is oval or egg shaped when it rolls into the shot and stops. Something like this would have to be soft and liquid filled or something and require some secondary or overlapping motion as it comes to a rest. It would probably be easier just to have it rool into the shot round.

Second thing is the part where the ball jumps off the screen you have nice anticipation as the ball stretches before the hop then it squashes nice (build up of energy) but it doesn't stretch before it takes off.(release of energy) It just goes back to your neutral shape. If you just add a stretch key there and let it go back to its neutral position or slightly squashed position at the highest point of its jump I think it would add alot to your test.

Ball #2
Looks like you a squashing when you should be stretching and vice versa. When the ball comes into shot its in a squashed position and pretty much stays that way until it hits the floor then it goes to neutral shape (round). In my opinion the ball should enter the shot in neutral position>stretch as it heading toward the floor and squash as it hits the floor. Also as someone else mentioned the arc looks like its being propelled forward as it gets closer to the floor. Same thing on the second bounce but it looks like it puts the brakes on in mid air and agian it is squashing when it should be stretching The third bounce looks pretty good.

Also if you want to give a more convincing performance especially on ball # 2 you could slow it down maybe give him a couple seconds to rest between jumps look at the other ball think about where he is going.

ps. on a test like this it would be a good idea to render it with frame numbers

Thanks people! You've given me alot to think about. Updates soon (as I can that is).

Doug

Go Doug!

All encouragement greatly appreciated and encouraged.

Okay, now I'm looking for where to set frame numbers in my render settings and don't see it. Probably staring right at me - but still i'm not seeing it.

Doug

Thanks David.

Hi Again -

Just for grins (it doesn't really fall into the parameters of this exercise but ...) attached is another test animation. I've had one comment that it seems to be lifting more than bouncing off the ground.

I'm open for more thoughts. I'm really growing attached to these exercises.

Cya,
Doug

Bouncy Ball (D)

ps - oh yeah, found the post effect for frame burn but can't seem to activate it somehow. Is there an online doc for how to use it?

you have to drag it onto the camera shortcut

Wow, what an improvement. that looks real good! If I wanted to be picky I could say give it a little more hang time at the top now it kind of looks its hitting the ceiling. Also you could vary the bounce heighth a little. I guess they should be pretty evenly spaced until the ball comes to a rest. example each bounce the ball heigth gets half a ball lower or actually maybe the spacing should be bigger as the ball loses energy. You would have to play around with that one i think.
All in all great work! two thumbs up