seamless loop

[Christine]

I was able to duplicate the animation that is on the top of this page: http://www.rockmetalbands.com/home.htm

but I couldn't get it to loop without jumping. How did they keep their loop so seamless?

I know I'll feel stupid when I know how it's done, its simple I'm sure!

[pixelwit]

Use images made of tiles that repeat. It's been a while but I think the "Clouds" and "Difference Clouds" filter in Photoshop tiles automatically every 96 pixels.

-PiXELWiT
http://www.pixelwit.com

[Christine]

I'm sure that will do it! I was using the clouds filter to accomplish this, not taking into account the tiling. Thanks

[petefs]

zim, nice! : D

96 could be right, but my similarly rusted brain says powers of 2. Maybe my brain is turning binary, though... : (

Aside from the first response of 128 in my head, I'm guessing that pixel is right on this one : )

If you ever decide you want to simulate the effect with a photograph or graphic that isn't generated fractally and doesn't want to tile as well...a nifty trick is to use the offset 'filter' (can't for the life of me remember exactly where it is in the filter pallette) and offset it by half it's width horizontally and half it's height vertically. Then using your favourite touch-up tool (clone-stamp, 'healing' tool, whatever does the job right) make those edges blend together. It will obviously take some practice, but once you get the hang of it you should be able to tile just about anything seamlessly ^_^

[petefs]

oh man, pixel's surely a finer man than me, but I finally got something right today:
http://home.zonnet.nl/epragt/tutorials/photoshop/effects/seamlessbackgrounds/index.jsp.htm

just to save you some guess-work ^_^ enjoy

[Christine]

that's awesome! I'm proficient in PS so that shouldn't be a problem to get down. I will be working on this till I'm satisfied! lol...

BTW... Vol.1 (the first 9 episodes) of Invader Zim was just released to DVD if your not aware of it already.. . you can get a great deal on amazon!

[petefs]

yeah, I've got it ^_^ I've been a big fan of vasquez's stuff since JTHM ^_^ I'm from philly so he was just over the river, and when I saw he got a show on Nick I just knew it would be something special :D

[Christine]

have full collections of JTHM and squee... I actually heard that Zim was cancelled because Nick hated to work with him!!

You might find this pretty funny: http://www.rockmetalbands.com/home.htm

[Christine]

woops, wrong link!!!!! http://www.geocities.com/nineliquidheads/quiz.html

[pixelwit]

oh man, pixel's surely a finer man than me...
Ha! I got you fooled. ;) Not only are you right, but you're also a faster searcher than me. As soon as you offered a different opinion I started having doubts. Found a different tutorial and it was for 256 pixels. Now I'm trying to figure out what tiled at 96 pixels if anything.

Maybe 96 is a Kai Power Tools texture generator number?

-PiXELWiT
http://www.pixelwit.com

[petefs]

heh, I'll just have to let the youngun in me out tommorow morning and take it : ) ...wait, I am young. Woohoo!

And yes, it's unfortunate, but really...who would have thought jhonen would ever have a show on Nick? I mean, sure, they have a history of hiring lunatics *cough*John Kricfalusi*cough*geniusloon*, but it's just positively reassuring to know that kids are still being brought up right ^_^

[petefs]

hahaha, I was just going to leave it until tommorow but I spewed so much misinformed nonsense in another thread that I <had> to confirm it as quickly as possible :D

96, 96...I'm sure it's something good : ) KPT sounds reasonable. This time I'll leave you to the search though ; )

[petefs]

man, I really am overposting today, but we'll let it slide...

isn't 96 pixels a common bitmapped font size? 12, 24, 48, 96? I think so... : )

[pixelwit]

From the KPT2.1 help filesTiling options are accessed when you click on the Current Preview Window. They are:
Tile Size of Selection
Tile Size 96 X 96
Tile Size 128 X 128
Tile Size 256 X 256
Tile Size 512 X 512
Tile Size 1024 X 1024
I was wrong but at least I'm not crazy. Well not completely anyway.

Speaking of which, what are you guys talking about and at what point did the topic change?

-PiXELWiT
http://www.pixelwit.com

[Christine]

LOL!! it changed when petefs made a comment on my avatar! Its from Invader Zim, a cartoon that WAS on Nickelodeon, created by Jhonen Vasquez.

[pixelwit]

zim, nice! : D
Ahhh... now I see. It went by so quick I missed it. Thought it might be something you "hip" youngsters use to make fun of all the old "squares". But I'm "cool". I can "dig" it. Know what I zim? ;)

-PiXELWiT
http://www.pixelwit.com

[Christine]

ok... I know its not perfect, but I got the idea!
http://www.hennesseyproject.com/clouds.swf

[petefs]

lookin just about right :D

It's hard to tell through the clouds, but is that artwork by Yoshitaka Amano? It looks his style, though I can't place it : )

The link that you gave seemed to have created a parallax sort of effect by scrolling two layers of clouds at different speeds and different scales...I guess you probably figured that out, but in case you ended up struggling with it I thought I'd just fire it off! : D

[Christine]

yes, indeed that is Amano. He is one of my favorite artists... especially the Dream hunter work. I received his complete print book for my last birthday.... so awesome!

oh yeah, my anim did include multiple layers of clouds at diff speeds and trans. I am so right brained; that part of this flash stuff is easy!! its the scripting that makes me hurt... I need a best friend that is an actionscript genious I swear!

[petefs]

I'd tap Pixelwit -- he'll deny that he's a genius, but he's at least pretty derned smart at it...and from the looks of it, he's trying to be in with the young crowd ; )

I met Amano in NYC, and as with any artist of his caliber he was able to consistently pump out sketches of ultimate quality at an astonishing rate. The man is frightening : ) I'm a particular fan of his work in the oft overlooked Angel's Egg. Probably overlooked because it's one of the most depressingly difficult movies to watch ever made :P And of course Dream Hunter, any time one of the greatest modern artists gets together with Neil Gaiman...great things happen ^_^ I'm looking forward to that Dave McKean animated film that I've heard so little about, in fact.

[Christine]

I'm actually a displaced New Yorker! :) And oh yes! MirrorMask!!!! Dave is probably my all time fav; had the pleasure of meeting him at the San Diego Comic Convention and always have him sign my stuff.... At last year's con they did a whole panel on the movie.. it was VERY interesting... Of course Neil was there.

So you think Pixelwit will be my new best friend? heheh ;)

He probably wishes this thread would go away! :P

[petefs]

MirrorMask, that's the name! ^_^ I'm fabulously jealous -- did they show footage?

I'm a displaced honorary New Yorker -- in other words I'm from Philly and I spent more time in NYC :b In fact, when I go to see my parents, and really I do love them very much, but I always say 'I'm going to New York, and I'm going to drop in and say hi to my parents on the way' : )

on a side note, it seems I forgot how to speak properly. I think I need to take better care of my body, my brain is starting to go with it...

[Christine]

I actually grew up on LI, but spent Lots of time in the city... saw all my best concerts there... I've actually lost my accent since I've been gone for 5 years!

As for the Mirrormask panel, the only footage they showed was more like a making of; shots of filming.... and they talked a lot about the methods they (Dave and Neil) were using to create it.... shots of the main character... Dave's a pretty funny guy too.

Don't stress on the english; sometimes my brain and my fingers aren't and sync, and I get a good laugh at my own expense later on!

[petefs]

ahhh, the LIE...I used to spend a lot of time in park slope, and sometimes I just drove out on the LIE and explored wherever looked interesting ^_^ I can't wait to see the movie...do you know the approximate release date? It's listed as beingin post, and lord knows on a movie like that it could be in post for a loooong time :b

If pixelwit declines on being your new best friend, I'll try and take care of any actionscript problems you might have. I may not have his expertise, but I'm "hip", and I can "dig" it :D

[pixelwit]

I'd tap Pixelwit -- he'll deny that he's a genius, but he's at least pretty derned smart at it...and from the looks of it, he's trying to be in with the young crowd ; )

I just finished my Urban Youth Lingo seminar and have this to say, "Yo yo yo... self denying genius in the house y'all. The PixelMcShnizzleWit is hip to the shorties yo. Peace!" It's so eloquent it just rolls off the tongue.

I'm an equal opportunity offender. I inflict my ActionScript on anyone willing to listen.

-PiXELWiT
http://www.pixelwit.com

[petefs]

allright, that was copied and pasted to everybody in the office.

You've won this time, Pixelwit, but I'll be back! Again and again, I'll be back, and you'll be sorry!

[pixelwit]

:D

-PiXELWiT
http://www.pixelwit.com

[Christine]

too funny BTW.......................

I thought that the movie was supposed to come out this spring... guess not! Ok, just read that the principal photography will begin in Spring. Also read that it is expected to go straight to video...

[Christine]

oh, and thanks for the actionscript offer! you may regret it though.....

[petefs]

The only thing I regret was telling my sister to try the home-made dog biscuits we made when I was 7...they really did smell good, but that was mean : (