When I Import Animations, They Are Distorted

[jakzun37]

in the animation editor, i can see my frames just fine - but, they are distorted (lines running thru them, looks 'interlaced' or something) when i run the game and in the preview

they only work inside the animation editor

i'm using .png files with transparency


and, when i try using an .avi, i can't make the black background transparent - or, that would work fine


multimedia fusion developer
version 2.0 build 241


thanks for any help

[jakzun37]

it's the demo version, BTW...

[Sarah]

Can you upload one of those pngs somewhere for us to look at? I import png files from TrueSpace and Poser without incident.

With the .avi, the black background needs to be solid black - not every pixel a slightly different shade of black. Then, in the import options window, click the Pick button by Transparent Color, move the colour picker icon over the picture, and click on the black area. This will select the exact shade of black that you are using for transparent.

[jakzun37]

thanks, Sarah

i figured out that problem - i was only using 256 colors. it works FINE with millions of colors


BUT, i have a new problem:


if i import 1 frame, everything is fine - if i import as an animation, everything is displaced and dragging things back into position doesn't work because none of the set functions work after that

if i leave everything displaced, the functions work (it just looks bad). i don't get it. if i only needed a still frame, i'd be happy but, i need the image to be animated

i'm working with the Solitaire game

[Sarah]

Great, for the 256 colour problem, if you look at the post for the latest build (245 beta) you'll find fixed under bug fixes:
- Picture editor : problems when using alpha channels in 256 color images.

For the animation problem, I'm slightly confused by the term 'set functions'. I'm guessing the problem is with where the hotspot is. (Use the Eye icon in the Picture Editor)

How are you creating the animation? Are you cropping the frames before importing them? For character animation, I import a numbered sequence of frames of identical size. Then I set the hotspot central for each frame. (Click on the Eye icon, look underneath it for the Quick Move buttons, ALT click on the central Quick Move button - this centralizes the hotspot for all frames in that animation).

Only after centralizing the hotspot do I crop the frames. (SHIFT +crop for all the frames in the animation).

[jakzun37]

thanks for that - i'll try the hotspot

i export the original image and animate it - so, the new frames are exactly the right size, etc.

but, the hotspot sounds like a good answer, i'll keep you posted

thanks so much for your time

[jakzun37]

by 'functions', i mean the gameplay. you have to click on a marble then, click on an open space to make a move

this works with one frame. with animation, the marbles are displaced but, the game still works

if i drag them back into postion, the game no longer works

[Sarah]

Look at where the hotspot is on the original unanimated marble. Make sure you set it to the same spot for your reimported animation.

[jakzun37]

boy, did your 'hotspot' suggestion work!


now, it leads to another issue - is there a 'global' command i can use to set all the hotspots of a series of frames?

as it is, i'm doing each frame by hand and it makes me skimp on the quality of the animation

looks great, tho

[falkon]

umm i think i get what you mean just press Alt+wherever you want the hotspot on the object (you can also press alt+any of the quick move places.