Animations And Animals

[Tasmanian_tiger]

I also posted this at ZT center, a question that popped up in my mind;

Hello, I know I have been very absent. I was just of ZT for a while. First it was ZT2 that got me, then other RL things and before I knew.. Anyhow, but that's for another topic.

My computer crashed (again) a few months ago, leading to the fact that I had to re-download quite some stuff (I had saved some, but..) My ZT love rekindled a little lately. Now, I was quite amazed with the changes in the ZT fan-landscape, though I recognized many 'old' designers and such. And, I started to download here and there.

Anyhow, I better come to my question: I saw some downloads, of f.e. AndOne, which I find amazely detailed, or (in the past) RSN, which I liked too. And, I saw recolors too. I opened some files in Ape, because, a question bumped in my head. Now, there is something, when I made animals, that made me break my teeth on it.. animations. I have this grazy pitbull thing, that makes me re-do every original animation (or nearly..) f.e. base, moose, me: fallow deer.

Now I see original animals, that basically don't do everything. Not saying they are bad or something. But suddenly, I wondered by myself, what is it in fact that other fans like?

The more animations the merrier?

Or doesn't it matter? I mean hereby, you don't see it anyway, that f.e. the shake animations are missing, all the non-essential stuff. Like, snorting, scratching, etc...

Hmm.. I just hope I don't bump any heads asking this.

[Komodo_342]

Well, unlike microsoft, we do not have the millions of dolars and thousands of employees to supply hundreds of animations for each animal.

However, I think, on average, the animals should have the walk, sit down, lie down, eat, and a few idle animations.

There should be atleast two animations for each phase- sitting, standing and lying down. atleast two of these six should display agravation.

usually that's enough to make it look good. Running is also nesicary. I myself am doing more on my current project, but this is on average what I think will make it look good.

Making original animals takes a lot of work- but they're definately more apreciated than the recolors, which take relatively no skill.

it's even more impresive when the animals have unique sounds. Basically, the more work you put inot hte project, the more people are going to like it.

Make something that you will enjoy working on. that will make it seem less tedious.

[jbl]

To be honest, I only download your animals because they are so high quality.

I love original animals, but I hate it if they don't move or only have 2 animations.
Problem is that practically everyone who makes totally new animals, just makes them in Paint, not in a 3D-program. It's almost impossible for them to create such a great animal like you!

And when you get bored with a certain project, just start another one, or don't do anything for a few days

[Tasmanian_tiger]

Again, I don't mean to bump any heads.  And yes, it is true, the company has more time (well, they do no else) and money to spend on it.  Very important.

Usually, I am not a recolor fan.  Don't know why, I just am not.  Very subjective based.  Though I do admire people that do it.  (I'm still not out how they do it.  Yeah, I admit, after all the tutorials. :lol )  I like original animals, when they just have 'it'.  I don't know, some just have.  Like RSN's Swamp Deer.  Though, of course I like many animations too.  But, I don't mind if they have less.  

Sounds.. never thought of them.  That's a good idea.. well, thought too.  I know RSN (I am now mentioning RSN, because in the time I was on a lot, I know he used them.  But I am sure, others did too. )  Guess I am not very sound oriented.  But, see, that's what I like about a thread like this.  When it pops up things I never think about.

Thanks, jbl.  Never realised that you liked my animals that much.

[Komodo_342]

I've never had to use a 3-d model for my animals. I do it the old fashioned and stupid way pixel by pixel.  :><

[Tasmanian_tiger]

I'm amazed what other designers do with pixels..  I once tried a horse.. which went very wrong.  It didn't look very horselike at all. :happy

[Snowstalker]

Sorry if this is off topic, but will you make ZT2 animals from scratch?

[Tasmanian_tiger]

It is not possible now.  The files are encoded in .nif format.  If I make an animal, I have to convert it to .nif format for it to work in ZT2.  .nif format isn't released by its producers and no converter (correction there exists one, an old one, which doesn't work for Zt2)..  Very frustrating..  Things I enjoy the most in ZT games is, playing + creating content...

[kai_engen]

this is also probably off topic butt some one should make a sucominus useing the spinosaurus files. just recolor and get rid of the spine.

[flamethrower]

Please stay to at least some degree on topic.  No more off-topic replies please. Thank you.