The Device

[Rowan of Rin]

I really think you are underestimating yourself and this project: whenever I look back at all the pictures, I just shake my head in wonder, I really do!

Now, I have no idea what your story is about, but I can't help formulating my own So, I imagine either not finding a key, only a frayed piece of parchment with a drawing of the key, and the 'hero' has to make it himself or whatever, OR there was never a key, as THE DEVICE! (mwahaha) was never intended to be used, and the protagonist has to go on an epic journey to find a legendary locksmith to make a key.

Ah, I have a film running in my head as we speak, full of chases, daring escapes, kidnappings, airships, and lots of steam swirling around...I am having trouble resisting the urge to start making 'steam' sound effects...ppshhhht, pfoooo, fffstsssshh, ssfooooo.

Ok, I'm done

[Prof. Friedrich VonHart, PhD]

Thanks kind sir.

Much Obliged, Keep up the great work!

[Sneath]

thats a sick idea for a key O_o....
genius... and i know how to make a working lock and key, but slightly different. have each arm be at a different "height", like how a key has ridges, so when placed in the device, the arms would push down pins, but it wont work unless, like a normal lock, the pins are pressed the right distances down. which would be very hard to pick with standard tools.
dang i wish i could draw to illustrate it... and i have a way in mind that would make it harder to pick even if u had 8 hands... youd have to plug the key in and THEN twist it to open the arms out so the arms could swing under a small notch/overhand and press the pins.
:edit: i guess that would be sorta like a dead bolt or a latch... 8 lil keyed latches. if u dont make it, i will

[Sean Patrick O-Byrne]

Woohoo! I've made my mark on history with something so simple as finger room. I'm mighty proud now, yes I be  Keep up the good work mate.

¬P

[KinoOmega]

May be late, and I may have missed the info, but which program of the many out there are you using to render?

[Watson]

May be late, and I may have missed the info, but which program of the many out there are you using to render?

And to model haha.

[heavyporker]

May be late, and I may have missed the info, but which program of the many out there are you using to render?

 This has already been answered earlier in the thread.

[macmangan]

Hey ladies and gents, thanks again for your great responses. 

Rowan of Rin  -I love how you made your own exciting tangent of how it might go.  Actually, I now know the whole story and finished the treatment a bit ago.  I even have a very exiting rework on the key, which will now be called, the puzzle key.  I have a what seems to be, a cool new kind of puzzle box of rotating rings and certain pictures that must form.  Sadly that is probably to much info now.  So, in a very good and somewhat bad way, my partner has found an investor who loves the idea and the device.  Plus some of the other concept sketches that my partner did for other parts of the story.  That means the chances of actually making the movie have skyrocketed.  It still does not mean it will happen.  Now the script has to be written from the treatment.  One of the reasons it has a chance, its more story driven then effects driven, and most of the effects will be practical.  Of course, certain things have to be cg, mainly when the device(which is really the key to a much bigger device) starts working and also when certain portions of the bigger device moves.  Plus portions of the beginning, because it takes place in a time hat doesn't exist anymore.  So for the most part its straight forward shooting, and rellies greatly on the story and acting.  Sadly, this type of story isn't whats in demand now.  Its more E.T. Goonies, and the Last Mimzy kind of thing( not saying its of that caliber but has that feel of kids rising above it for an important reason). 

Anyway, so the bad side of it all is, I can't show new stuff were working on because of legalties and what not.  They weren't to happy that I've posted what I have, but its a good ways off, if at all,so its not to worry.  So its very exciting, but  I love to share my work.  I will say this though, in the beginning and end, there will be steam.  Oh yes, steam and lots of gears,levers and things.

As for the software i use, i did mention it, but i know it might be hard to find in all of this.  Its Cinema 4D.  Thats just what I use.  lots of great software out that does amazing work.  I use C4D because its incredibly artist friendly, at least as friendly as a 3d package can be. 

[heavyporker]

 I love C4D - I used it in college.

 The problem - a legal copy is @#$% expensive.

[Sneath]

congradulations! I hope this works out for you guys.
although we will miss the detailed updates...

[Commander Obadiah]

I say, jolly good show!

Commander C. Obadiah

[Rowan of Rin]

That is fantastic news, I really wish you all the luck in the world!
I personally think physical special effects look a lot more really, and..dirty, that is the only way I can explain it:)

I will miss the updates as well, I was hanging out for them..but bigger plans are at large, and once again, good luck! (and goodnight).

[macmangan]

Thanks guys, here's hoping.

Yeah, thats the up and down of it.  I might try and throw a few pics of the physical item up when it gets to that point, since its really already on here. 

I agree, the look of a physical object has such a great feel to it.  Thats why I thought it was great in Casino Royal they went back to quite a few physical effects.  Luckily, the only part that would ever be CG on the device would be the spinning rings.

We shall see if anything does actually happen.  Still a long shot.  I will throw a post up when things become solid or not.

[Rowan of Rin]

If you are going to have big spinning rings, I suggest you check out the movie 'Contact', which has fantastic CG of GIANT/b] spinning rings, very cool indeed.

[Wrath the Mad]

If you are going to have big spinning rings, I suggest you check out the movie 'Contact', which has fantastic CG of GIANT/b] spinning rings, very cool indeed.

See page 1. We are in agreement. 

[Rowan of Rin]

If you are going to have big spinning rings, I suggest you check out the movie 'Contact', which has fantastic CG of GIANT/b] spinning rings, very cool indeed.

See page 1. We are in agreement. 

Ah, beat me to it by 6 pages, I think that is a clear win
Not sure how I missed that.. I love that scene in the movie, so tense and awesome. And if you have good speakers, it causes the ground to shake
You also mentioned home-brew laser tag, got any instructions up anywhere? I have 0 knowledge of electronics, but I do like laser tag!