I have three jobs. One of them is writing reviews for the OCModshop. Another is independent filmmaker. I have another job, but I can’t tell you about that one. It’s real hush hush. Let’s just say that the first two are jobs I really enjoy. So when I get a package from one that involves the other, I get kind of excited. My latest review is for a 3D Filmmaking software called iClone2 Studio by the good people from REALLUSION. I had heard of this software before, but never had the chance to check it out. My work rarely lets me delve into the art of 3D animation, so really I had no use for it. Until now.
So let’s begin…
Rarely is 3D animation viewed as something that is easy to use. Many of the programs out there that claim to be “user-friendly” and “easy to use” are hardly that. Not so with iClone2. Just load a photo, follow the steps to lining up your facial features with the program’s key points, and you’re set. You now have an authentic 3D interpretation of your head. Now all you have to do is load or create an avatar, put your head on it, and you have quite possibly created the ugliest 3D character ever created. It takes a while to adjust to iClone’s menus, but after reading the Instruction Book included with the software and a little practice, you will be making Real-Time 3D films in not time at all.
You can even add your own voice and using the compatible software, CrazyTalk, you can modify facial movement and expression to go along with prerecorded audio tracks. And this is all a consumer oriented process, rather than commercial. Meaning it was meant for you, but good enough for them. And the system requirements are right up most any consumer’s alley as well:
- Pentium III 600 Mhz (Pentium IV 1Ghz or higher recommended)
- 256 MB Ram ( 512 or higher recommended)
- 1 GB hard drive space (or higher, obviously)
- Display Resolution : High Color 24-bit or True Color 32-bit
- DirectX 8.1 capability (DX9 recommended)
- 32 MB video memory
- Windows XP/2000
- Internet for serial activation
- Any newer model video card for 3D imaging and Pixel Shading
But the only way to judge the ease of use for software like this is to try it. It’s easy to get started with animating, as soon as you load the software you are presented with a basic female model that is standing in a blank environment. On the right you also have to option to load fully done scenes, or just load basic, simple models to work with. Go to the top and you have the Avatar button. Click that and your list of models is shown on the right side of the screen.
Each of these models is fully customizable, giving you options to make any part of the body smaller or freakishly big. No, get your mind out of the gutter. This is not that kind of program. Just above the model pictures, you will see the Modify button. This gives you a variety of basic options for the look and shape of your character’s body. You only get six options, so it’s a good idea to get the expansion packs unless you just have fun shaping bodies. Personally, I wanted to get down to the movie-making, but I have to take it slow so you nice folks can keep up.
Back at the top, right next to the avatar button is a picture of a face. Guess what this one does… I am such a pain. Click on this button to fully customize your brother/sister into an amorphous blobby creature or a shark-man, as I did with the basic Hero model. I thought he would look sweet chewing on a kitten, but I didn’t want to spend that much time getting the kitty up to his mouth. Who has time for that? Click on modify and you will have full control to turn an ordinary human into our beloved little sharky here.
To the top again! The next button to the immediate right is consists of four squares stacked together. This is your animation button. This is where your sub-human creature comes to life. It’s very nice to see a sharkman do some kind of ghetto-hard street dancing, so that’s what I did. Ah, I remember kickin’ it with my homies on the block, watching the freak kids from the special school breakin’ down on cardboard outside. So many things seem to spark nostalgia, you know? Anyway, click on modify and you’ll see the option for Motion Editor. Go here if the basic moves isn’t good enough and you want sharkman grabbing his fishy crotch and moonwalking.
And now to put him in a scene worthy of his presence. Click on the next button on the right at the top. It should have a picture of a stripper dancing in a box. Okay, okay, I don’t know that that’s a stripper, but if they didn’t want me to think that they shouldn’t have made her look like one. Below these buttons on the bar that says TOOLS, you will see buttons that say 2D background, 3D scene, ect… I went with 3D, because I’m cool like frost.
I chose the laboratory-style platform, because I figured that maybe our little Sharky was the project of some sick science experiment to get rid of ADHD. So now our character is sitting pretty in his comfy metal room waiting on you too make things look even better. So lets add a little effect to the room around him with props and lighting. Click on the button beside “3D scenes” that says “Props”. You will see a variety of objects to drop into your show. I chose a robot dog that is made of metal so Sharky can’t chew it to death. The next button is camera angles, which isn’t hard to figure out if you play with it a little. And then there is “Light”. Let’s add a little effect to the room, and Sharky’s world is now a stage for his grooving.
Go to the next button at the top and you will be able to add particle and fog effects to your little world. I used the Cloud effect, which looks like those fog machines that replaced pyro’s back when music was still bad. And viola! We have Sharky getting jiggy wit it in his own little club for one. Now all we have to do is output the file to Video. Click the next button to the right at the top and you will have options of output for your file.
Normally I would use AVI file format for its superior quality, but since this video is going to the internet, I have to make it a smaller file. So I chose WMV, which is the standard Windows video file. Select your size and quality, and then click “Export”. You will be prompted to name your file and then you wait for the rendering to finish. When it is done the file will automatically play back for you. So there it is. A simple, yet powerful program built with the consumer in mind. Easy to use, and quick to learn. And if you want to go farther with it, you can do that too. Just be prepared for the learning curve to get a little bit curvier as you go…
With iClone, the learning curve is fairly gentle on even the most novice animators. It takes some time to get used to the interface and how things work, but once you have a small handle on it the rest is basically learning as you go. There are lots of ways to tweak and tune the models and have fun creating your own “digital me”. Here are some note-worth points I should point out on the use of iClone and it’s interface.
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A consumer quality 3D motion picture software for the consumer for under $200. If you are interested in creating the next Beowulf, with a much smaller budget of course, then this is the way to go. Creating your avatar is a step by step process. After you have molded your face to create a head model, you can add a body and adjust size from any basic angle. While this doesn’t give you absolute control over your character, it gives you plenty of leg room if you are looking to cut your teeth in 3D animation and experiment in animated motion picture.
The iClone software comes with a few 3D and 2D environments to place your model in, and a nice selection of dynamic lighting effects and particle effects. So you can place your model near a street light during a downpour and have the realistic yellow glow while the raindrops fall around him. And if you purchase the expansion packs, your imagination really is the limit. Now, my verdict is this. For the price and functionality of this product, the quality is outstanding. This really is the best of the best when it comes to consumer-driven animation software. But if you are looking to go big, and you are dead set on taking your movie to Hollywood, this software probably isn’t right for you. But if you are just looking to crawl before you walk, I would definitely recommend iClone. Now, go play. I’ll see you at your premier.
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