Anyone know if there ate enhanced versions of the Dota 2 models? Like the ones from TF2?
If not, just a full model pack? I really don't want to download 8 gigs for the models.

Every time i click on the "Slow NPC Batman" model SFM crashes.. no error or anything
It just crashes every single time I click on the Batman model.
I wish there was another way, but this model is the only one I can find with a cape.

If anyone can help, either helping with the crashes or with the model, I'd really appreciate it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeMJ8U8_K4Q

Originally posted by Rantis:

Maya has the most direct pipeline to SFM

SFM was created for Valves animators who use maya so alot of the graph editor interface and hotkeys for SFM carry over to Maya.

I reccomend Maya because all you need to do to import models into maya is click the import button, it will load the .mdl with no problems. Exporting an animaiton or model is just as easy.
You can export animaitons from SFM as a dmx and load them in Maya. Since Maya has the most recent plugins you can do some pretty awesome stuff in it. You can send an animation back and fourth between SFM and Maya.

Animating in 3ds Max is probably the easiest, the gizmos are easy to grab, the keys are nice and color coded, and there are plugins for getting stuff in and out. in the old SMD format.

I don't have much experience with blender but I believe that Blender and Maya are the only two with DMX support.

No matter what you choose I will say, if animating is drawing then animating in SFM is like drawing in a bowl of pudding compared to more powerful apps.

That's my answer then :D
How I see it, I can have the best of both.. Just do animating in SFM and transport it with the models to maya
Thank you :D

Any of you think there's a way to export SFM models and animations and just import them in to Maya or 3DS?
That would be like the best of two worlds..

Originally posted by Totally Futile:

Have you tried key frame animating in SFM at all? If you want to move on to something more powerful like Blender or Maya it could be worth giving it a go. The Graph Editor in SFM is good for learning character animation basics as I'm fast discovering.

The Thomas Larson tutorials are where I started. I've now signed up to a subscription to Digital Tutors and I'm trying to learn Maya.

Here's Thomas Larson's graph editor playlist:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF85504FA269DC502

I'm still a total beginner and I recently finished off this walk based on the tips given from Thomas , Zach and another youtuber, Will Hurrell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoBFr2uSP_8

It's not much but I'm pretty happy with it considering I've come from a no animating / 3D background at all.

I'm not wanting to transfer because of lack of advanced animation. SFM actually does the best and easiest animations.
I'm wanting to change because I want more advanced lighting and model definition.
SFM is very nice, but it is a bother as well. It takes a lot for you to just find the model and the map compatible with what you want to do.. let's not even mention the HDR lighting

Originally posted by raptornx01:

Blender, maya, and 3ds, are all good alternatives. Blender being the only free one though. but the learning curve (on any of them really) is steep.

I've looked at many of them.. But I've been using SFM for a year now, and I don't really want to learn new animating style.
I like the SFM's "puppeteering" style. Which one of those are the most similar to SFM's?

SFM is very good and very easy to use and I really love it, but we all know that it's very limited, and not to mention that it crashes a lot as well.

I'm still not even close to being done with SFM, but if I or someone else in the future wants to update to a more advanced 3D animation software, what's a good and similar alternative to the SFM?

I'm talking to more of the similarity of the animation part and the models and the interface.
We all want an SFM for Source 2.. but we'll have to wait for some time until that is out.

Originally posted by Sync.:

Originally posted by Iceey:

I mostly use photoshop.. but I want to learn to use it in AE

Is there a Photoshop tutorial to accomplish this effect ?
I've been googling for this and I kept on finding AE tutorials instead. :V

You give me the AE tutorials
I just use a rectangle brush.. some layers I blur some I just turn down the opacity or put the layer on overlay
It isn't really that difficult

Originally posted by ASZ20:

I don't think it has a technical term, besides lens flare/glare?

It's something like that.. but I still can't find it