Is an FAQ for New Animators Needed?

I've been following the Animations discussion forum for about nine months, and I've noticed that many questions are repeated. Although we know we should search the discussion archives before posting a question, this doesn't happen as often as it should. With almost 400 threads, 2500 postings, and a minimal searching tool, it may not be realistic to expect a new animator to find the answer to his or her question in the archives.

Do you think an FAQ for new animators would help?

If so, I would like to work on this, but I'd like your help identifying common problems new animators encounter, developing questions which include synonyms to help novices recognize their problems within the FAQs, and locating good answers in past archives.

Here is a partial list:

1. Animation basics (Ulrika's tutorial)
2. Body part animating or not animating
3. Priority
4. Looping
5. Hovering and sinking avatars
6. Flipping and rotating avatars
7. Face and hand animations
8. Alternatives to Poser

Please post additions, comments, and suggestions.

Thanks, Pietro

Definitely yes, Pietro. Using Poser is so different than what many people are accustomed to that I think animations needs more hand-holding than other areas, like creating textures and even building. I.E. when you show someone how to build, it doesn't take a leap of consciousness to understand "To make a box, choose a box from the Create window and click where you want it." When you start talking about keyframes and priorities, it gets a bit more abstract.

Well, at least my eyes start glazing over.

If you start this, I'll help anyway I can.

Hi Pietro,

That's a good idea.
5 and 6 are concrete examples. What about this title?
"How to move and rotate the whole figure (or avatar)"

I'll also help you as much as possible.

Did anything ever come of this?

Thanks for a needed prod on this. Below is my first draft of this FAQ. Please review it. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Are any major/common problems missing? Are the questions clear and include synonyms to help noobs connect their problem with the related question and answers? Are better answers/explanations posted than the ones I included?

Pietro

- - - - - - - -

FAQ for New Animators (Draft 1):

1. OK, I'm a newbie. How do I create an animation?

See Basic Animation Tutorial Online at /52/58/17018/1.html.


2. Why isn't this body part moving in SL the way it does in Poser?!?!

See Animation Tip - Working with Frame 1 at /52/e4/27721/1.html.

And, Head Moving at /52/9a/19965/1.html

And also, Please Explain Priority at /52/5b/18121/1.html.


3. How do I make a pose stick/freeze or an animation repeat/loop?

See Making a Pose Stick at /52/f0/19841/1.html.

And, Looping Animations at /52/d5/16444/1.html.


4. OMG, my animation/pose looks great in Poser, but in SL, my av is floating/hovering above the ground, sinks into the ground, or is not flipped/rotated!

See When You Make a Laying or Sitting Pose at /52/f8/19023/1.html.

And, Floating Poses at /52/f6/16297/1.html.

And also, Animation Not Rotated Correctly at /52/e7/22803/1.html.


5. How can I make facial expressions or animate hands?

See Animating Facial Expression at /52/05/29129/1.html.

And, Hand Animations at /52/25/30328/1.html.


6. I just bought Poser 6, but when I try to upload my animation in Second Life, I get an error message that says, "Unable to read animation file can't get rotation values"!

See Poser Question at /52/06/79269/1.html, especially Seagel Neville's response.

Thnx alot pietro..for the archiving of the useful thread links..been a great help,
and thanx everyone.

Looks good so far

Here's a possible one to add (if it can be found :

How to make a figure actually move (i.e. "walk" a distance) in SL?

I do "walks" in Poser that move all over da place covering quiet a few meters... but... once imported into SL... my figure just walks in place sticking to one spot.

I need to figure something as simple as how to make 2 avatars stand X distance apart and then approach each other for a simple hug instead of idling in place with feet moving/walking along ... heehee.

Pietro,

Thank you for digging up these threads - I get asked the same questions over and over sometimes in world. I have been planning on adding some tutorial content to the SLUniverse.com knowledge base at http://www.sluniverse.com/kb/ but I haven't had the time. May I have your permission to include your posting as an FAQ (with credit to you)?

Of course you can include this FAQ. I hope that by developing and disseminating this information, we can keep the animations discussion forum more focused on advanced problems and development.

I've received a few suggestions for improving the FAQs for New Animators and will incorporate those changes into the final version.

I'd like to have this FAQ permanently listed as the first posting people see when they hit the Animations discussion forum. Otherwise, it will slowly work its way back into the archive, out-of-sight, and out-of-use. Noobs won't find it, and we will continue to see the same amin questions over and over again. I've seen some Linden messages like this, so I know it can be done.

Two questions:

1. Do you think this FAQ should be permanently listed as the first posting on the Animations discussion forum?

2. If the group thinks it should be listed first, does anyone know who I should contact at Linden Lab about doing this?


Thanks,

Pietro

bounce

Torley, I like and admire your positivity.

I am not an animator, but am interested in learning how to do more things in SL. This is wonderful FAQ as I browse thru it, so I'll give it a friendly bump so others may view it without having to puruse through the threads

Very nice source of information for newbie's like me. It is nice to see such awesome population support for the FNG's.

so THAT'S what i'm doing wrong! You have to start at 'neutral'? This is defenately need to know info for beginners!

I cant get poser so help me

Thanks Pietro! Tons of useful info in this FAQ. Bump.


Dark Udal, drive or fly to Cincy, Oh. (USA) Go to U.C. Ask anyone how to find Mt. Storm Park. Find the round temple, stand in it and face due south, walk 22 paces. Dig down one foot here. I have left you a $10 bill to get you started on your road to Poser ownership.

*nudge*

Required reading! I'd be even dumber than I am now without it...

Wish I'd seen this thread sooner. Great work!

Hey thanks for this FAQ. I'm just starting to do animations but I know how to use the forum's search function. I read the posts above and am so much closer to creating quality animations.

I have searched and come up with nothing - search seems to be word specific - therefore I am one of the culprits who posts a question that is irritating to you guys cos it's been asked before.
All I can say is YES!!!!
Please let this be a permanent link on the forums!!! I had a question, I came to forums, this caught my eye and my answer was here!
Thank you, thank you to the wonderful person who got this happening - keep up the good work!
God bless,
Bella
xxx