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Convert an RsScn to an AVI ?
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Convert an RsScn to an AVI ? // Visitor Area
Post by How? // Aug 11, 2008, 1:48am
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How?
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I've created an animated sequence. Are you saying that VirtualDub can read the tS RsScn file to encode it as an AVI format ? I have a WMV encoder, but it doesn't read the tS RsScn file to convert. Or...Do I have to save each seperate movement as a single stationary (non animated) picture to be placed in a precise sequence in Windows Movie Maker or as in a GIF in order to render annimation ? If so...what file format process is used to get my picture (the entire scene) into Windows Movie Maker to create my animation ? |
Post by Jack Edwards // Aug 11, 2008, 4:21am
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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You cannot convert an RsScn file to an AVI. RsScn is a 3D format. What you can do is have TrueSpace render out a sequence of still images (PNG format) to be loaded into Virtualdub then converted to an AVI which can then be loaded into windows movie maker.
To load the numbered stills into Virtualdub:
1.) Open Virtualdub
2.) File->Open video file
3.) Select the first image in your sequence and click open
Virtualdub will scan for files with the same name but a different number at the end and load them in sequence. |
Post by spacekdet // Aug 11, 2008, 6:30am
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spacekdet
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Model side can also render an animated scene direct to avi format if you wish to avoid a lot of fluffing about. |
Post by TomG // Aug 11, 2008, 7:32am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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A 3D modeling application like trueSpace creates and saves all the data that defines the 3D world - the geometry of the objects, the colors, how they surface responds to light, how they animate and move, etc.
Formats such as AVI or JPG or PNG or WMV are all 2D - essentially, they contain nothing but "this pixel is this color". They do not store anything about the 3D scene that made them (if indeed it was a 3D scene and not a video camera, regular camera, scan from a photo, drawing from a 2D application, etc).
3D applications take the 3D world and turn it into a 2D form in a process called rendering. The program renders (ie calculates, works out) what the 2D image would look like from a given location, looking in a certain direction.
Thus you load your RsScn into trueSpace, loading up the 3D world into the software. Then you ask trueSpace to render (calculate) that world into a 2D format like JPG or AVI that represents a single snapshot of the world. Just as a photo from your digital camera turns the real world in front of you into a flat 2D image.
For an animation, an application simply repeats the process of creating a single image 2D snapshot, each one representing a different point in time (like a movie camera captures a single snapshot to one frame for each point in time).
Your real-time view is a real-time render - your graphics card gets passed the 3D data from the program (whether it be a 3D authoring application like trueSpace, or a game), and it then calculated how the scene looks from a particular location looking in a particular direction - it renders it.
So you can't convert an RsScn into AVI, any more than you convert the tree you photograph into a JPG :) Instead you ask the software to render what it sees (work out what it sees) in the 3D world and create a 2D representation of it - just like your camera renders the real world in front of its lens into a 2D image.
HTH!
Tom |
Post by How ? // Aug 11, 2008, 5:02pm
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How ?
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That's what I wanted to here Jack (Thanks)!
In response to Spacekdet.......How can the Model screen side render an animated scene direct to an AVI format ? Where is this option ? |
Post by spacekdet // Aug 12, 2008, 6:36am
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spacekdet
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Right here:
14175 |
Post by TomG // Aug 12, 2008, 7:47am
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TomG
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Bear in mind that rendering to an image sequence and then compiling to AVI later is highly recommended. Virtualdub for instance is a free app that will do that last step.
1. Power outage or crash 3 hours and 59 minutes into your 4 hour render - with AVI, redo the whole 4 hours, the file is wasted. With image sequence, just do the last 1 minute.
2. Change the animation at frames 570 to 650. AVI redo the whole thing (or start slicing and splicing in a third party app anyway). Image sequence, just re-render those frames and recomposite.
3. After 4 hours, your AVI is finished - but the codec settings were bad for the middle part where there was a lot of action. Redo the whole AVI, 4 hours, all over again (And hope the codec settings work well this time...). Image sequence, just recompile using a different set of settings.
4. Someone wants the animation in a different format. AVI, back to re-rendering to the new format, or use a third party app anyway to convert your AVI (possibly adding extra compression if it was a lossy codec and not lossless). Image sequence, just recompile to the new format.
HTH!
Tom |
Post by How ? // Aug 12, 2008, 6:51pm
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How ?
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Does tS 7.6 have an option to create an image sequence from an RsScn or do I have to pause for each movement and create my own seperate image movement phase sequences ?
For example: I've just created an animated sequence on my story board (timeline)....Is there a way for tS to seperate my movements into image sequences to be viewed in Windows Movie Maker since apparently you have to break apart your animation into seperate segments in order to recompile them again to get a lower grade representation of what you created in tS to be viewed in Windows Movie Maker.....Am I right: You cannot view your animated creation out of tS without having to break it apart into seperate movement segments ? |
Post by How ? // Aug 12, 2008, 7:25pm
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How ?
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SpaceKdet:
I don't have "Render To File" application......Where can I find it (and if I have to download this application, do I download it to my tS Library folder) ? |
Post by Jack Edwards // Aug 12, 2008, 7:39pm
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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If your RsScn file has an animation set up then rendering your animation to sequential images is simply a matter of setting the active view to the camera you have set up in the scene and using the Render to File icon. (There's no separate program for that, it's built in. ;))
Only one camera's view can be rendered at a time though. So if you have different cameras set up, you'd have to do separate renders for each camera that you wanted to create a render from.
Since this seems to be a common question, I think it might help if Tom could make one of his "Bitesize" videos to cover the topic of rendering an animation. ;) |
Post by How ? // Aug 12, 2008, 8:57pm
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How ?
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If someone could create a tS screen walk through of "Render to AVI" animation file, that would probably answer my dilema..............because the only way I can see accomplishing getting my animation project out of tS onto Windows Movie Maker is to:
1) Snip out each seperated motion sequence out of tS and combine them into animated JPEG sequences in Windows Movie Maker.
-or-
2) Apply a green screen background to my animated sequence inside of tS and video tape the computer screen. Then transfer my recording into a video editing program and play my version in Windows Movie Maker. |
Post by Jack Edwards // Aug 12, 2008, 11:22pm
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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LOL it would really suck to have to go through either of the two options you've mentioned, but fortunately rendering animation in TS really is as easy as clicking an icon. ;)
If Tom or one of the others doesn't beat me to it, I can post a video later today or tomorrow.
BTW, you should register to join the forums so that your posts would appear automatically and other users would be able to respond quicker. |
Post by TomG // Aug 13, 2008, 4:01am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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Registering for the forums is free, and highly recommended. It is the only way to get genuine support, and with it being free there's no reason not to sign up :)
If you have recorded an animation in the Animation Editor on the workspace side, or the Keyframe Editor on the Model side, then you can render it in one step - in the render window dialog, just tell tS you want to render an animation and not one frame (tell it how many frames you want to render too), and it will render the specified frame range automatically. It can either render it to a movie file like AVI, or it can render separate still images that you composite later in a third party app (the second is recommended). Either way tS will start with the first frame, and automatically keep going and render the next frame and the next while you sit back and watch, with no need for you to do anything in between frames to make it render again :)
HTH!
Tom |
Post by How ? // Aug 14, 2008, 12:11pm
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How ?
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None of my render options (inport or export) offer AVI formatting or look like spacekdet's picture. The icon he refers to says I need an offline renderer. Where is this option ? |
Post by TomG // Aug 15, 2008, 5:13am
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TomG
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Rendering to still images and compositing to AVI later is recommended anyway (search forums for large discussions on this).
The real-time renderer on workspace won't render to AVI directly, just to stil images (but that's better anyway, as noted above :) ).
For all your rendering needs, see this thread:
http://forums1.caligari.com/truespace/showthread.php?t=6193
HTH!
Tom |
Post by spacekdet // Aug 15, 2008, 7:57am
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spacekdet
Total Posts: 1360
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The icon I pointed out is in the Model side.
If it's asking for an offline renderer, you're clicking the Workspace one which works if you have VRay installed.
Ensure the Bridge is set to 'On' or 'Auto' and click the Model tab at the top of the window. Now the icon I have pointed out in the earlier illustration should be visible. (It may be in a different position for you, I've probably moved it into a custom configuration)
It's confusing as there are at least 3 sets of render buttons.
(I know, what were they thinking?)
One pair sets the 'state' of either 'render to screen' or 'render to file'.
One pair (the one you're still seeking) actually kicks off a render to file (or screen) using Lightworks render engine. This is for use on Model side.
The third is for Workspace side only, and will kick off a VRay (if installed) render or save what is basically a screen grab (termed realtime).
Tom is correct, many people prefer for a variety of reasons to render out frames and compile them after, but it's certainly possible and sometimes desirable to render straight to an avi format.
Watch Tom's bitesize vids and "it'll all become clear!"
Specifically this one (http://cdn.caligari.com/Bitesize/Offline_Rendering_LW.wmv) (Lightworks render)
and this one (http://cdn.caligari.com/Bitesize/RT_render01.wmv) (realtime render) |
Post by How? // Aug 15, 2008, 1:31pm
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How?
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Finally.....The vids show all !!! I had originally pulled the render buttons off of the library browser with still no luck in finding the elusive "render to file" box for AVI....but now I can finally find it !!! Just like my projects, I too am a work in progress !!! I can now save my JPEGs but am still having problems with rendering to AVI......when I hit render (in the "render to file box") nothing happens ? Is there a vid that shows a quick timeline (story line) sequence and render to file set up to see what I'm doing wrong ?
I also still have a dilema attaching skin to bones ?
Once again......I want to thank you all for your patience, understanding, and help...I was beginning to run out of ways to ask for the answer I was seeking (a picture is worth a thousand words)!!!
I have two other 3d modeler programs running, but tS 7.6 shows the greatest potential with a vast more options. I truely want to master this program (as best as it will allow), and I hope that the future updates will be made FREE as well.
With this said, I've decided to join your forum (with the questions I ask, I'm not sure if that excites anyone), but maybe one day I'll learn enough tricks to relieve some of you from the burden !!!
THANKS AGAIN !!!
Soon to be: Mr. 3d |
Post by Jack Edwards // Aug 16, 2008, 9:03am
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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Glad you found it. :jumpy:
BTW, rendering to JPG is not advisable since it is a highly compressed and lossy format. It degrades your image quality very significantly. Encoding to AVI further degrades the image. PNG is a much better format for rendering.
Also always keep your originals in PNG even if you convert them to JPG for web posting.
To render an image sequence, make sure you check the "save animation" box, and enter a frame range. |
Post by TomG // Aug 18, 2008, 2:57am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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You need to check that the Render To File is using animation from the correct source - you can choose workspace or Model side, so choose whichever one you used to record frames (workspace is recommended) otherwise the program won't "see" any animation.
Once you have told it to render an animation and where from, be sure the frame range is set to (if you choose 0 to 0, then only 1 frame will render for instance).
You'd need to change file format to AVI if you want to go straight to AVI, then be sure to choose and set your codec in that case. For an image sequence, as Jack says, PNG is recommended as its lossless (so you won't be adding lossy compression twice to your video, degrading the colors and quality twice).
Videos of that will come in time, but right now need to focus on finishing my VE set :)
HTH!
Tom |
Post by Mr. 3d // Aug 19, 2008, 7:55pm
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Mr. 3d
Total Posts: 747
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I rendered my 1st animation sequence in Workspace to my Desktop, instead of creating my personalized folder 1st. You can imagine my surprise when I went back to my Desktop to review what happened:p....tG I only rendered out 0-30 !!!
I'm still having problems with rendering straight to AVI on Model side:confused:......Nothing happens when I click the render button. I wish I knew what step I'm omitting:o?
By the way, THANKS for your time in creating the tutorial videos for everyone Tom !!! It explains what words can't display:cool:............... |
Post by TomG // Aug 20, 2008, 4:45am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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On rendering to AVI, be sure you have chosen the correct source for the animation - if you made the animation in workspace, clicking Render in Model side will most likely default to looking for Model side animations, which will be none, so it will only render one frame.
If you can post a screen grab of your settings when you open the Render To File dialog Model side, we could maybe spot the issue :)
Thanks for the feedback on videos! I hope to keep adding more, one on rendering animations is on my list to answer questions such as these that you've asked, so I hope they prove just as helpful as the existing ones.
Thanks!
Tom |
Post by Mr. 3d // Aug 20, 2008, 6:43am
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Mr. 3d
Total Posts: 747
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14452
14453 |
Post by TomG // Aug 20, 2008, 6:57am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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This is set to render animation from the Modeler - yet the use of tank girl suggests the animation was built in the workspace? Swap Modeler to workspace (first drop down box under the Animation category) and see if that fixes it up :)
This is supported by the fact that tS sees no frames with this setting (All Frames shows a range of "0 to 0" implying there is no Model side animation for tS to see and render). So again my guess is that the animation was done on workspace, and you need to tell tS to render workspace animation rather than Modeler animation. Let me know if that works!
HTH!
Tom |
Post by Mr. 3d // Aug 20, 2008, 9:57am
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Mr. 3d
Total Posts: 747
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Here's one with a simple slide movement in Modeler. This is how the Render box application represented it (with still no luck).
Here's an added question: Can I create my movements in the Workspace and bridge over to apply it in the Modeler "Render to File" application box to convert to AVI ?
14458 |
Post by TomG // Aug 20, 2008, 10:14am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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In this latest one, you have created the animation in Modeler, but have set the animation render dialog to look at the workspace, reversing both from last time :)
The key is that you must set the source for rendering to the same one you created the animation in - in the previous example, you needed to change source from Model to workspace, and in this latest example you need to change source from workspace to Modeler.
HTH!
Tom |
Post by TomG // Aug 20, 2008, 11:34am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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Bitesize updated with one looking at rendering animations
http://forums1.caligari.com/truespace/showthread.php?t=6193
HTH!
Tom |
Post by Mr. 3d // Aug 20, 2008, 11:52am
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Mr. 3d
Total Posts: 747
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Sorry about the picture confusion: I know exactly what you're saying........but this is my problem:
It doesn't work the obviously correct formatted way. This is why I keep addressing this issue !
In the 1st picture, Tankgirl was just posing (as was made in Workspace) but that was not part of the animation. Besides that, I have tried every option that seems with in reason to get the animation that I create in Modeler to Render out in AVI.
In the 2nd picture, I showed how only the Workspace option selected under Animation gives a reading of "All Frames"...even though I created in Modeler (this at least shows some type of life:p)'
In this picture (#3) I'm showing the obvious input option under the Animation box.........but this doesn't work-------which is why I keep
bringing this question up: I could only surmise that there was a preliminary step in the creation of my animated sequence that I'm leaving out ?:
All I'm doing is attaching Tankgirl in the modeler space, setting my keyframes to the desired positions in the alotted timeframe, I test run the animation, and then go for "Render to File" to convert to AVI....Sounds like an easy enough operation to me;).
Yet, I can't get it to work........and that's the least on my query list !!! I want to get this settled so I can move on !!!
14465 |
Post by TomG // Aug 20, 2008, 12:00pm
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TomG
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Try following the steps in the bitesize video and see if that works out for you. If you want to animate Model side, then simply use the Model side Keyframe Editor (not the workspace Animation Editor which you will still see at the bottom of the screen), and then change the render option to Modeler rather than workspace.
That is one important point - the Modeler animation is done in the KFE in Model side, it opens inside the Modeler 3D window. If you use the animation window at the bottom of the default layout, you are using the workspace side still and recording the keyframes workspace side - however if you edited the scene on the Modeler side, there is no guarantee that the keyframes will be recorded.
If this doesn't help, I'd request a step by step from you - tell us exactly what you do, as that will be the only way we can find the problem in the workflow (if you can screen cap a video, that would be the quickest and easiest).
HTH!
Tom |
Post by trueBlue // Aug 20, 2008, 12:06pm
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trueBlue
Total Posts: 1761
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I just tested the Chair scene from Workspace and rendered an animation from Model and confirmed it worked.
Mr. 3D: Are you naming your "Your name.avi"? |
Post by TomG // Aug 20, 2008, 12:11pm
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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In case there is confusion on the recording tools for making an animation in the Model side, here is a screen grab. Use the icon up top to open the Scene Editor, which has the KFE (Keyframe Editor) window in it.
You can use the recording tools up top left in the Modeler window, or the ones in the Scene Editor / KFE, to record your keyframes. You must use these transport controls, and these record buttons - do not use the ones down below as this is the workspace Animation Editor and quite different (if you use it, you will be recording workspace keyframes and not Modeler keyframes).
I would not use Tankgirl on the Modeler - Tankgirl is rigged with a workspace skeleton and this can cause all sorts of issues if you try to manipulate the object in the Modeler. To animate tankgirl, you should use the workspace side recording tools. Trying to animate any object with a workspace skeleton in the Modeler will not work well and is to be avoided! You can animated in the workspace, then just swap to Modeler in order to render (as done in the Bitesize video sample).
HTH!
Tom
EDIT - PS I see workspace keyframes set in your screen grabs, so I suspect this is the issue, that you have edited a scene (using a workspace skeleton char) in the Modeler, then recorded in the workspace Animation Editor. Chances are since this is a rigged character, the edits in the Model side will not record properly in the workspace AE. I'd suggest using a non-skeleton object if you want to record Model side, and you must then use the Model side SE and KFE to record, not the workspace controls at the bottom.
Alternatively, just swap to workspace and use the AE there at the bottom, it is a much better system than Model side! Then you need only swap to Model to render, as per the bitesize video. |
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