AnimationMaster >-2-> Flash

OK, Here is the pop quiz, I have Martin Hash's ANIMATION MASTER, which I can render to .TGA, .MOV and Quicktime. To get the 3D work out of there and into FLASH, I have 2 opptions (that I know of) #1: I can save to .TGA and take each frame apart in fIREWORKS (first I have to convert each file in FREEHAND 9 from .TGA to a .PNG file), Then I can take the background out of each frame, or what ever else I want to do to it. Then import each file frame by frame in to FLASH And Very Rich in textures ( SWEET ), But so much work !!!!) Every one of the Macromedia programs has batch processes, I don't know how to tell each one of them to tear apart the files and then put them back together I have to do it bit by bit !!! Now #2: I can save to QuickTime, and open it with ( A program that I found on FlashKit (but I don't know the name of the program) That will convert it to a .SFW file (Which at this point I can not import that file in to FLASH)( ah but wait, it's not over yet, another program that I got from FlashKit SWIFF BROWSER, will take apart an .SWF file so that I can then convert that file to a file that can be opened in FLASH. This way is also a whole lot of DAMN WORK !!! Does any one have another way to do this that I don't know of???? Is it possible that I am crossing new frontears for the first time? ( I dout it )or is it that I am that not up to current events to know that someting will open work done with ANIMATION MASTER and will publish to some thing that can be opened up in FLASH? can it be that hard? "Beuller..., Beuller..., Beuller... Farris Buller"

Oh how I love how that software runs on the Mac.
Anyway, I have and use Animation:Master as well, there is a easier way, but limits polygon/mesh count, which is mention in #1. You could use a high mesh count with it if you want, but it would either..........
A.Crash all the time or
B.Take 3 days to render one thing


#1.With Swift 3D, you could just bring what you have made into Flash via Swift 3D which costs about 150$, not bad.

#2. Yes you have to do it frame by frame unless you use that Flash vid.swf converter thingy. Without Q #1's software or the success of vid.swf working this seems to be the only way.

#3. Do you own Photoshop or another program that supports Alpha channel images? Also are you using Version 8.5 or 8.0 A:M?

#4. Assuming #3 is a Yes, then save that beatiful .TGA(Targa) rendered image with Alpha(check that little Alpha box), as a Alpha Targa.

Make sure your background is a solid color just in case Animation:Master does something crazy in the save process which is known to happen. So great, you have this Targa Alpha channel image...right??! Open Photoshop/Graphics Stuff
and open your rendered Targa image. If in photoshop go over to your box, which by default is to the right,and in it it has tabs that say; Layers, Channels, Paths, select Channels and select the RGB layer and go up to the top of the screen where the menu bar is and pick Select, then from the bottom of the list, select "Load Selection". OK just cut and paste in a new document that you selected transparent background/canvas, it now has a Transparent background. When you save it save it as a "Photoshop Document"(.ps,.pd)The only way I have found to keep the transparency and Image quality is to import it into Fireworks then export it as .swf. So you'd have to do each frame.

If you are using something else other than Photoshop, If it is Fireworks it works just like Photoshop, almost things are sorta in different spots. If no then just make sure the Alpha channel is not selected and proceed.

Hope that helps and if you are using a Mac with A:M hope it works better than it did on the 3 I tried it on or just keep saying "Serenity now, serenity now"
http://board.flashkit.com/board/


[Edited by boxcrash on 01-13-2001 at 11:31 PM]