Jordi I'm really curious to see those videos Anyway regarding the standard "Autodesk consumer" its true that they steal all the available customers first with Autocad, then 3ds became ( at least when I first heard of those freemodeler softwares ) a very well known 3d app for anyone who wanted to get into game development, VFX, rendering and animation.
Their user base is very very wide, but I think that the percentage of people who uses 3ds/Maya/Mudbox and so on is not so small compared to the acrhitectural/engineering consumers 2014-02-27 15:24 GMT+01:00 Jordi Bares <jordiba...@gmail.com>: > You can certainly animate in Houdini (I have seen it) but its toolset is > not geared towards it and IMHO although I am going to give it a good go (I > am right now rigging and processing mocap in houdini) the truth is that I > have already identified many issues we XSI artists would not be happy with. > > For this reason I look at rigging and animation on the Modo side or > Softimage side while SideFX a do their homework. > > As we speak I am preparing a massive report with videos on what they > should add and let's see.. so far they have been exceptionally good at > embracing suggestions (like the old softimage team... remember?) so I am > going to put my energy there. > > > Jordi Bares > jordiba...@gmail.com > > On 27 Feb 2014, at 12:33, Greg Punchatz <g...@janimation.com> wrote: > > Jordi, As far as character and creature animation, how and what are you > using for that? I have never seen anything move at a decent clip while > watching Houdini demos.... and have heard nothing but nightmares from > people try to do character work in it. > > Does it have the user friendly tools for rigging like soft? Or are you > using Modo for character work? Its rigging seems more than strange to me. > > > On Thu, Feb 27, 2014 at 6:21 AM, Simon Reeves <si...@simonreeves.com>wrote: > >> Interesting conversation for sure, I might finally have a good look into >> workflows in houdini. >> >> Also this is the preview to the last email.. I wondered if it was going >> to be solution to a lack of freelancers...<temp.png> >> >> >> >> Simon Reeves >> London, UK >> *si...@simonreeves.com <si...@simonreeves.com>* >> *www.simonreeves.com <http://www.simonreeves.com/>* >> *www.analogstudio.co.uk <http://www.analogstudio.co.uk/>* >> >> >> On 27 February 2014 12:07, Jordi Bares <jordiba...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Training an animator to use Houdini to animate is trivial >>> Training a lighter to use Houdini is trivial >>> Training a modeller to use Modo is pretty easy >>> Training a modeller to texture in Modo is pretty easy >>> >>> What I want to say is that if you dive in the correct areas it is easy >>> and in a week or two you have any of these positions up and running. The >>> only secret is to have an expert at hand that can easy the pain and guide >>> the team. >>> >>> Obviously a different thing is to get a Houdini FX guy, but we have >>> plenty of these ;-) >>> >>> On the flip side, the less freelancer competition, the more you can >>> charge... >>> >>> ;-) >>> >>> Jordi Bares >>> jordiba...@gmail.com >>> >>> On 27 Feb 2014, at 09:59, Cristobal Infante <cgc...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> What about freelancers though? >>> >>> Surely you will want access to healthy freelance pool of people. So good >>> luck finding a "Modo lighter" or a "Houdini Rigger". My guess is Maya is a >>> more sensible option only for that looking from a production/managment >>> perspective. >>> >>> >>> On 27 February 2014 09:43, Jordi Bares <jordiba...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> would you give more money to Autodesk after what they are doing to >>>> pretty much *every package* ? >>>> >>>> Let's recap >>>> >>>> Image Modeller = dead >>>> Stitcher = dead >>>> Matchmover = dead >>>> Combustion = dead >>>> Toxik = dead >>>> Naiad = dead until further notice >>>> Softimage = still developed but tiny tiny increments >>>> Motion builder = still developed but tiny tiny increments >>>> Motion builder for mac = stopped development >>>> FBX converter for mac = stopped development >>>> Mudbox = still developed but tiny tiny increments >>>> >>>> The only good news is that Flame v2014 has been a major effort on their >>>> side and gave me the confidence to give Autodesk one more year, lots of >>>> people angry with the changes but at least there was some vision although >>>> my fear is that they will enter now a marketing stage to help boost sales >>>> and engage again and push sales after the debacle of their change in the >>>> library which made pretty much every flame artist angry. >>>> >>>> >>>> Now, what are the alternatives? >>>> >>>> Well, I leant something last year when Apple decision regarding Final >>>> Cut Pro (I am sure nobody needs reminding)... and what I learnt is that >>>> Apple's core market is not pro software, its market is hardware, specially >>>> mobile hardware (laptops, phones, tablets...) >>>> >>>> If you apply the same thinking with Autodesk everything becomes clear... >>>> Autodesk core market is not entertainment, it's architecture and >>>> engineering and they don't really give a $@^$£% about us as the list above >>>> demonstrates clearly. >>>> >>>> The new version of Softimage, Mudbox and Motion Builder will tell >>>> exactly where they stand for third year in a row so eyes open... >>>> >>>> in the meantime I chose to focus on those companies that pro software >>>> is their core business and have market share to gain, and these are the >>>> ones >>>> >>>> SideEffects (via Houdini) >>>> Foundry (via Modo) >>>> MassiveSoftware (via Massive) >>>> >>>> So my approach is simple, force myself to transition in an abrupt way >>>> (nothing better than full inversion) and help these companies to polish >>>> their software as much as possible by being in the beta process, report all >>>> bugs, new ideas, pass them information of which things work from other >>>> packages... Exactly what I did with XSI. >>>> >>>> And one more thing, after diving in Houdini I consider it *impossible* >>>> for any software manufacturer to put the necessary resources to compete >>>> with them (I will repeat it... IMPOSSIBLE), the architecture is so advanced >>>> and so well designed it is a marvel of software engineering (and expensive >>>> to build of course)... this is here to stay my friends. >>>> >>>> and its getting easier by the day. >>>> >>>> Jordi Bares >>>> jordiba...@gmail.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 27 Feb 2014, at 08:42, Nicolas Esposito <3dv...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> Quick question regadring the switch to another software: >>>> I saw that quite few people are considering Modo or Houdini as an >>>> alternative to Softimage. This is due to the fact that you want to >>>> completely leave Autodesk for good, or because an alternative like Maya >>>> wont suite your needs? >>>> I'm asking because I'm not familiar nor with Maya or Modo, so I was >>>> just wondering what is the main reason >>>> >>>> >>>> 2014-02-27 9:21 GMT+01:00 Sebastien Sterling < >>>> sebastien.sterl...@gmail.com>: >>>> >>>>> It's a system that seems to favour massive company's that can afford >>>>> to routinely upgrade their packages, and screws the individual user for >>>>> any >>>>> sort of brand fidelity they may attempt to maintain; if you know you are >>>>> going to get a discount (where it even 10%) on your next upgrade as a >>>>> token >>>>> to your brand loyalty, you would feel incentivised to perches >>>>> upgrades, its marketing 101 no different then a loyalty card at your >>>>> supermarket. >>>>> >>>>> The only reason for doing this is to intentionally loose a >>>>> demographic. In the short term maybe this will allow AD to save money, >>>>> freelancers are "infrequent in their purchases". They actually require a >>>>> stable and competent package out of the box, something big companies >>>>> usually pays their own Devs and TDs to sort out. Unlike big companies they >>>>> also have the gall to voice their contempt of an inferior service. >>>>> >>>>> So yea this kinda makes sense for them in the short term to stabilise >>>>> their key demographic, to the detriment of others probably makes the share >>>>> holders smile as well. of course this also kills any form of growth within >>>>> the potential market, but only time will tell what kind of impact that >>>>> could have. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 27 February 2014 08:16, Angus Davidson >>>>> <angus.david...@wits.ac.za>wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> On Modo I am really impressed with it. Some tools are not 100% >>>>>> where I want them yet but overall finding it very powerful. Mesh fusion >>>>>> is >>>>>> awesome and saving my pennies to buy myself a copy of it. Stuff like >>>>>> rigging is handled differently so it takes a bit to wrap your head around >>>>>> it. >>>>>> >>>>>> I really love things like being able to edit an animation curve in >>>>>> the viewport or create a custom UI that allows me to key specific things >>>>>> on each frame for the selected controller. Their curve editor just feels >>>>>> more responsive to me. >>>>>> >>>>>> You can see these on the new learn modo videos the posted recently. >>>>>> >>>>>> That being said its not as polished as softimage yet but you also >>>>>> have to bear in mind that things like decent particles and animation have >>>>>> only been around a few years in Modo. If Softimage does go EOL it where I >>>>>> am headed for my personal stuff. Whether we go that way for our students >>>>>> depends on a few more things. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>>> *From:* Daniel Sweeney [dan...@northforge.co.uk] >>>>>> *Sent:* 26 February 2014 11:19 PM >>>>>> >>>>>> *To:* softimage@listproc.autodesk.com >>>>>> *Subject:* Re: new upgrade policy >>>>>> >>>>>> I am as quick as I can off the autodesk rollercoaster. A few things >>>>>> have made my choice I will always love soft and use the tool when its >>>>>> needed but I think I need to look for another avenue. Looking at modo? >>>>>> Thoughts?? >>>>>> >>>>>> Autodesk bollocks. >>>>>> On Feb 26, 2014 8:52 PM, "Kris Rivel" <krisri...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I read it and couldn't help but say WTH?! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Kris >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Wed, Feb 26, 2014 at 3:36 PM, Emilio Hernandez <emi...@e-roja.com >>>>>>> > wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Seems they need to fill the vault... >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> 2014-02-26 14:29 GMT-06:00 Kris Rivel <krisri...@gmail.com>: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> So...what's everyone's take on this gem? So if I don't upgrade >>>>>>>>> to latest version now...then when I want that version I have to pay >>>>>>>>> full >>>>>>>>> price? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Frequently-Asked-Questions-about-the-Autodesk-Upgrade-Policy.html >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Kris >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> This communication is intended for the addressee only. It is >>>>>>> confidential. If you have received this communication in error, please >>>>>>> notify us immediately and destroy the original message. You may not >>>>>>> copy or disseminate this communication without the permission of the >>>>>>> University. Only authorised signatories are competent to enter into >>>>>>> agreements on behalf of the University and recipients are thus advised >>>>>>> that the content of this message may not be legally binding on the >>>>>>> University and may contain the personal views and opinions of the >>>>>>> author, which are not necessarily the views and opinions of The >>>>>>> University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All agreements between >>>>>>> the University and outsiders are subject to South African Law unless >>>>>>> the University agrees in writing to the contrary. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >> > >
