[martok2112]

Finally, the first 15 minutes of BattleSTAR Galactica WARS is available to view at the link below. No action yet. Just establishing the story, but I hope you find it something to enjoy.

http://youtu.be/fFXGUdUKImI

[omegaman]

That's pretty damn cool Martok.

[martok2112]

Thankee, sai! Thankee, sai!

[Captain Tom Coughlin]

That was good! Nice work!

[Saquist]

It really was...

[martok2112]

Thank you, my friends. Most kind.
I am working on the second segment now, and I have to say, one particular passage in the segment has really turned out even better than I expected, thanks to some creative audio and video editing. Studying movie flow (something I've been doing passive aggressively...LOL.. even ever since I was a kid) has really helped too.

[Saquist]

Martok...are you using Sketchup?

[martok2112]

Hi, Saquist,

Not using Sketchup. But I can certainly understand why you'd ask that...(the cel-shaded look, which I'll explain in a moment) and I do have Sketchup...I just haven't really fully explored it. The programs I use in my pipeline are:

Blender -- To build ships and most sets.

3DXChange -- To convert Blender builds into use in iClone.

iClone 5 PRO (64 bit beta version) to do final assembly and texturing of my Blender builds, and to do my animations. I've been working with iClone ever since I discovered it as a demo on Magix Movie Edit Pro 16 (and that was iClone 3). The current version (iClone 5) has a "toon" mode that simulates cel-shading to give my animations a cartoony effect. There are TONS of other features it has including (after you purchase a certain add-on) a motion-capture feature that utilizes Xbox 360's Kinect camera. I've heard mixed reports on that particular functionality, so I've held off on using it.

I cannot take credit for everything that exists in my video though. Some of the set pieces are made by Reallusion developers (certain control consoles and corridor types).

Also, the Imperial Officer costume is partially made by a Reallusion certified content developer who created a Nazi Wermacht officer's uniform. I'm basically using the trousers/jackboots of that uniform. I had to make the tunic, hat, and rank insignia for the I.O. uniform myself.

Also, iClone has lip-synching capability. I record my lines on a portable MP3 recorder, and then just port them onto an external HDD. Then, as I animate my characters, and set up my scenes, I can import the audio to the appropriate characters, and the lip-synch feature automatically follows along. It is really amazing how rapidly I can get these scenes put together once all the pieces are in place.

And, I'm constantly building new sets and ships as scenes require.

When my scenes are ready to export, I export them in 1280x720 (Hi-Def 720p) AVI format (lossless frames). This results in what seems to be a choppy playback, but when I convert it to MP4 in an external movie editor, the playback and resolution is beautiful.

Oh, and I use Magix Movie Edit PRO MX (version 18, the most current version) for my mixdowns into MP4 format. (Upconverting to 1920x1080 --Hi-Def 1080p-- resolution.) The only thing that irks me is that I need to spend another 100 or so bucks if I want to get the version that will actually allow me to mix down audio in full Dolby Surround...and I may just do that, because I want my movies to be able to be played back on a Dolby unit, and for it to feel like a real movie.

[Roysten]

Great video Martok, am looking forward to the next segment!

[martok2112]

Thanks, Roysten.

If all goes well (work-schedule permitting) I may have part two up in the next week.