Hello

[doomsdaydvd.com]

Hello

My name is Ralph and I'm a graphic designer/PT film maker. I just got the demo of MOHO, and am very impressed. I'm working on a full-length feature and am as impressed with the cost of the full version.

Just wanted to intoduce myself,

Ralph

[T]

Welcome to the forums... I think you're going to like Moho a lot.

[doomsdaydvd.com]

I've been trying to do some things with MOHO, but I'm so used to Flash that I'm not sure how things work. But I am optimistic. I'll try the tutorials. I'm glad they're included!

After trying Blender, I was discouraged - there's a VERY steep learning curve.

How would you rate the learning curve for MOHO for a user coming in from using Flash? I'm very familiar with the workings of Flash.

[jorgy]

I would say that moho is similar to flash, and perhaps even a bit easier. However, there aren't any libraries, but there are things that make it easier such as bones. I think you'll get up to speed very quickly with moho.

[doomsdaydvd.com]

So, there aren't "symbols," then? Or is there an easy way to use the same "character" over and over again?

I guess I'd just modify the original file over and over again if I wanted to re-use the same character. Does the program use "keyframes" with "tweening" - or does it just follow what you've done at certain frames and assume a tweening instance for you?

[jorgy]

So, there aren't "symbols," then?

Not in the same sense as flash.

Or is there an easy way to use the same "character" over and over again?

If you save your character in a separate file, you can import it into other files, and accomplish about the same thing.

I guess I'd just modify the original file over and over again if I wanted to re-use the same character. Does the program use "keyframes" with "tweening" - or does it just follow what you've done at certain frames and assume a tweening instance for you?

Yup, keyframes are standard and moho will handle all the tweening.

[myles]

So, there aren't "symbols," then?

Have a look in the Object Library directory/folder for examples of Moho "libraries".

Or is there an easy way to use the same "character" over and over again?

You can import any top layer (and its sub-layers) from any .moho file - good for backgrounds, props, character parts (such as the sample mouth sets) and fully rigged characters.

Any animation for those layers will also be imported (good for walk-cycles and other actions), but this can be cleared very easily (Animation menu, Clear Animation From Layer) if you just want to re-use a character from a file you've already created.

I guess I'd just modify the original file over and over again if I wanted to re-use the same character.

You can do it that way too if you wish.

Does the program use "keyframes" with "tweening" - or does it just follow what you've done at certain frames and assume a tweening instance for you?

Anything you do at a certain frame creates a keyframe automatically on the timeline. Smooth tweening is the default interpolation from one keyframe to the next (there are other interpolation alternatives like ease in, ease out, ease in/out, linear) . Step interpolation is the same as no tweening - one position is held until the next keyframe, then it snaps to the next position.

You can change the interpolation on individual keyframes (i.e. between that keyframe and the next), a whole animation channel (e.g. bone or layer rotation), or the default interpolation of all new keyframes.

Regards, Myles.

[doomsdaydvd.com]

Wow - this message board is really helpful! It puts all others I belong to to shame!

It's weird - I just need to do the tutorials. I grab a hold of the shape selection tool, and it doesn't move anything. I also tried to apply a gradient to a shape, and although the shape is labeled with a gradient, I don't see it. Test and experiment, test and experiment......

[myles]

It's weird - I just need to do the tutorials.

The tutorials are an excellent introduction to the basics of using Moho. They will help you get up to speed very quickly (if you do them, not just read them).

I grab a hold of the shape selection tool, and it doesn't move anything.

Slight jargon mismatch.

The Select Shape tool is more a "fill and outline modifier" tool. Moho differentiates between geometry (points and lines) and shapes (filled and/or outlined portions of geometry).

For example, you might have two geometrically separate circles which are the same "shape" (fill and outline), or a figure 8 shape which is one line but 2 separately filled "shapes". It doesn't quite match common usage of the word "shape".

To move your geometry, select all the points with the Select Points (or [G]roup) tool, and move them with the Translate Points tool.

I also tried to apply a gradient to a shape, and although the shape is labeled with a gradient, I don't see it.

Alas, gradients (and a number of other render-based effects, such as soft-edges) only show up when you render a frame or export an animation.

They won't show up in a working view or preview render.

Fortunately, a frame render is relatively fast and painless (Ctrl+R on Windows)

Regards, Myles.