not necessarily, just do ur preliminary research.

Employ woteva assets u can access to develope ur background stories- dat will take a bit of work n time, and is best handled by a point man.

Get ur story tight, artists r replaceable- concept developers r not.
When ur story/script is ready, shopping 4 talent 2 graphically depict it is easy. A well prepared script can even generate income or draw investors.

Goodluck.

Mind, d above r just my opinions- not necessarily fact.

nah. its not impossible!
my thots r, given the volume of work involved in doing it right- someone HAS to pick up d tab.

i doubt it will work as a 'free' collaborative effort.

well, almost any race have their own peculiar folk lore, and there r similarities in some concepts globally.

Most western heroes were products of events or movements of their times and were inspired by various current events like wars, women activism, industrial revolution, the space race etc.- not african folk lore.

The graphic part is d easy part, wot guarantees acceptability lies in the research, conceptualisation of d story behind d xter.dats tuff work!

DC Comics actually have an extensive genealogy of every hero in their universe outlining relationships and traits dats even more detailed than ur family tree or mine. Imagine dat level of attention to detail!

been really busy lately.
didn't want to leave unfinished projects tho, so back to the exercise . . .

ah. dats a much beta modification to both your topic n your contents.
Constructive comments are always a plus, and should be sought if possible.

if u r going for photo-realism, then, u need to study the way light behaves in the real world a bit more.
the render looks a little flat cos of inappropriate lighting n materials- same for the water droplets.
u might need to map various channels to achieve a more believable look.

good luck n well done!
would love to see a sample animation.

lol
'stunning' is a bit of an overstatement.
nice work, if u asked for comments/critique, the contributions would help ur game.

just a thot
i know these logos r free, but anything worth doing . . .

when working on logos, let us think about the company, the service they render, any client specifications as to colour/ font etc, and most importantly avenues to be creative in our depiction.

for example: Heritage Hearts - 2 H's offer a lot of creative possibilities.
One time Properties, nice, simple work @ Osasp. the number 1 enclosed in ur circle already suggests the edge of a house with a roof overhang. u can exploit that creative angle.
its the little things that differentiate 'good' from 'truly amazing'.

also consider the medium the logo would be used in. a lotta logos featured here will look inappropriate on say, call cards, for example.
employ vector graphics when possible, as ur output form.
if text form part of ur logo, customize it and choose something distinct.
ideally, every aspect of the logo should be customized for ur client.

good job fellas.

imagix_studios@yahoo.com

thanx man

@ayox
there have been 3 releases since maya 8.
Maya2011 is the latest purchasable version, i dont think the 2012 is officially out- but its priced at about 3500 USD so its not an option 4 me for now.lol

@x
yeah. Ive kinda discovered that d most useful shortcut tips in most 3d apps r tucked away in some obscure corner-most help files dont even mention em.lol

the day they fuse will be a nitemare for me.
hate wot they did with the maya interface in the 2011 release.

the dark look is my primary dislike in max and they now forced it on us in maya.
(atleast most other max-ish features can be turned off by the user if desired- but not this one!)

i think it detracts rather than adds to quality when one major vendor owns all the top apps for any sector in the industry.
maya has motion paths that u constrain objects to, but this new feature gives u the ability to interactively and intuitively edit animation without the graph editor.
u say max has had that 4 a bit?

kool
how come theres a strong wind in all ur animations?

i think uve gotten d hang of that particular effect, why dont u ease up on it n work on other aspects.
i may be wrong, but its kinda the first thing that leaps out in all ur samples ive seen so far.

@solomon
a link to ur demo reel/website will help prospective students believe u are proficient, and also know if wot u are offering is relevant to their current skill level.

Just a thot.
Goodluck

@ jidesp

08023289217

post ur probs here, n i'll see how i can help.
i move around a bit, am outta lag at d mo.

@worldbest
if this works, lemme know where to upload it.
can have him do a range of sample motions if u gimme a list.

wot extension do blender files use?- .blend?
may have to download blender n fiddle with it a bit, dont know how it handles animation.

i rendered him with the wireframe so u can see his vertice placements.
his polycount is less than 4k, we can up d details if needed.
i intended to use the texture to simulate most of the details- (havent gotten to texturing him yet)- pending ur teams approval.

again i dunno wot game props he will use, so i skipped those.
after today, my next free window will be by the weekend.

@qunle
an insult would be, if i called u an arrogant prick whos so full of it that he doesnt know how to express himself without antagonising others. But again,that mightnt be an insult- just the truth.

True knowledge and expertise causes one to be humble and tolerant of others efforts, cos the more u know, the more u are aware of wot u dont know. If u are so knowledgeable and care for d project, u could have commented earlier since d flaws were evident to u from d start.
Personally, u come across as seeking veneration by impressing ur superiority, and that sucks! It doesnt mean u dont have valuable contributions, just crappy communication skills.
I am not a programmer, so theres no need 2 trade 'achievements' with me or call me a novice.
This is about attitude.
I too, have followed d thread n when i have a contribution, i will make it in a civil manner and not conduct an autopsy on a living chap.

@ worldbest
wot u will find more easily online are preset motion-captured data that u can apply to your models - not animated models.
u need some 3d animation know-how tho, to apply them to ur model and they always need tons of tweaking. creating custom animation always works better for me.

i am currently heavily engaged, so cant fully sign on to ur team, but if u clearly describe wot u need, i will see wot i can do by way of help.
d pertinent questions would be:

what kind of model do u need?
do u have a 2d representation of him? (2 determine looks, personality, stature, props etc)
what actions will he carry out?
what format do u need the model saved in?
what format do u need the animation saved in? animations are usually saved in .fbx format to make it accessible across the major 3d apps- like Max or Maya. i dont have programming skills so i dont know how u integrate an animated model into ur game engine (hence the newbie questions, lol)
do u have a poly limit for ur character/model?

answer those n we can at least start.
u should hit the graphics/video section and make ur requests- thats where the 3d chaps hang.

well done man!
i think its a first.

@ worldbest
there r tons of free models online.
U can also get free mocap data online.

if the animation involves either human characters or other objects that u manipulate as if they have a personality (eg. a talking or dancing book)- then that involves character animation.

if it largely involves either manipulating text, graphics to give the illusion of motion,that falls more under motion graphics.

if the animation has characters that behave naturally as in the real world (no exaggeration) that would be classed as realistic. (eg.
Final Fantasy)
if the characters animations are very exaggerated, it could be stylized and/or cartoony. like where the character stretches unrealistically or squashes into impossible sizes/shapes.

the rough full production process would be something like this:

conceptualisation (creating d idea in ur head)
story/ script writing (writing it out)
concept art (visually creating the characters in ur animation)
storyboarding (creating a 2d visual representation of ur entire storyline)
creating sound to match ur story
modeling (creating the xters in 3d)
texturing (making the xters look real)
rigging (setting the xters up 4 animating)
animating (self explanatory, lol)
rendering (generating final images for compositing into the final output)

post production would involve:
editing the clip
composition (combining and treating the images for best look)
adding any special effects
re-recording or mixing the sound
and compiling into movie format.

these r broad steps and each of the steps is typically undertaken by a specialist in that area (for best output- even tho u find individuals with skills in 2 or more areas. i guess it depends on ur budget)

phew. i am done!

will b very busy from monday, so decided 2 start.
This is obviously unfinished. Gatta sleep. Been on it for 3hrs.

D 200kb limit is killing all d details.
Will outline process next post.

@ xothermik
lol. this is 4 relaxation- gives d brain time 2 recharge.
Shouldnt take too long, was waiting 4 more participants.
Wont work on it 4 more than a day tho.

Stil waiting 4 ya mail.

@ ugo
is dat a wip or d final thing?

08023289217

imagix_studios@yahoo.com

would b nice 2 make d info public tho. U never know who u will attract.

@ ugo
good start.
couldnt wait for more ppl 2 sign up, huh?

a brief xplanation of wot uve done so far including the software(s) used would be nice.
good going.

any more interested?

bro, contrary to how i may sound- i am not trying to cut u down.

the cg industry in nigeria is in its infancy stage. hence, it is important that it is nurtured d rite way.
mediocres/incompetents making loud claims hurt all of us who are trying 2 b professional - n true mentors r hard 2 find.

u definitely have skill, find out wot area it lies in n focus on it. d animation world is a vast terrain. (as i'm sure u know)

judging from d progress u have posted, from ur interpretation of ugos earlier image planes, to ur model of d second chap, and attempt at texturing it- ur strengths may not b modeling or texturing.
if those r ur areas of interest, then u should b studying tutes seriously.

u say doom3 xters werent done by amateurs, i agree- so does dat mean ur an amateur?lol 

an average competent modeler will turn up any of d two models in 12-48 hrs (4get texturing)
we r yet 2 see ur xter animation, but seriously, the way u raised xpectations with ur initial offer, anything less than 'outstanding' only hurts u, n any reputation/credibility u may b trying 2 build.
thats my lesson 2 u. make claims u can deliver on without d need 2 explain! so always work with the worst case scenario.

keep ur old work n constantly review them, they serve as milestones 2 ur progress.
contrary to ur opinion, nigerians dont care about ur beginnings, in art- it's ur portfolio that counts.

if u have a good and 'defendable' demo-reel, ppl will listen 2 u.
u just have 2 b professional and prove dat u know wot u r abt n dat u know ur onions.

for example: if dis forum is a stage, n represents a skeptical audience, d question is- do u think u have won believers?

when undertaking a 'job', take as much time as u need realistically to do ur best, and dont post anything 2 d public until its relatively ready-especially when it is to serve as an advertising tool.(unless u expressly state dat its a training or personal development exercise)

i downloaded an e-book on how 2 put 2geda a professional demo reel/portfolio, if u r interested. it has valuable marketing tips.
u could google on ur own too.

well, all that is my unsolicited advice.lol
goodluck bro.

looking forward to seeing ur clips.

@ ifyalways
hilarious pic on ur profile.
where on earth was it taken!

thats a very vague request, pls give more concrete details. (or else u will get a 'yes' from everyone)

is it 2d animation?
is it 3d animation?
what is the style, realistic, stylized, cartoony?
does it involve character animation or motion graphics?
what is the duration of the animation?
when is it due?
can u post a brief on the storyline?(if any)
are u talking about handling only the animation or do u mean the sound/post production as well?
are u looking 4 animators, or someone to sublet the entire job to?

there are several components to a finished animation, it normally requires a team of mixed talent.

avoid ambiguidity in your post, n make it as detailed as possible to effectively communicate your needs.
that way, we understand better and only the suitable indicate interest.

thanx.

@ vertexroya/wannatry

this is a public forum and you've bragged about performing a service- u have to make good on ur claim.
people are watching, remember you also advertised training services (for a fee)- so u have to impress prospective students, or at least show proficiency in the field.

u haven't done any so far.

i would have suggested u spend more time learning, before undertaking training, or wasting any 'students' hard earned money (or putting urself under the public spotlight)- but in the event that i am wrong, we are still waiting for output.

kool.
so thats 2 so far:

ugo_2u
OKX

im also with u on the first sketch- so that's also 2 votes so far.

sample6

sample5

sample4

sample3