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Cardboard City, a Collab

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Cardboard City

Led By Morrowdays and Nicholas-Deary

The idea behind this collab is that various animators (you guys) animate city/urban life using only cardboard textures, mostly for fun, but also because that will give the final product a sort of coherency between parts.

By "urban", I dont mean that you should have gangsters shooting eachother or anything like that. This is meant to be a calm, peaceful collaboration. If you're at a loss for what to do, think of a nice neighborhood, with a park in it. Parts can just be scenic, they dont necessarily have to tell a story, or you could center it around a character on a walk, or a dog running around, or something like that, but remember, ONLY CARDBOARD!

This is geared slightly more towards the 'artsy' animators of newgrounds, but everyone is welcome to contribute, there's no hate here. <3

To break up this wall of text, have some SPECS!
24 Frames Per Second
700 width by 460 length
Only use Cardboard Textures

Nick and I have also decided to do the skies for all the parts afterwards, so unless you have some ridiculous part thats totally focused on the sky, leave it blank and one of us will do it afterwards, another consistency thing.

Rules

We'd love it if everyone would post previews of there work, but if you're the kind of animator who prefers not to until its done (me, sometimes) thats fine too, but be aware that you're more likely to do a better part, and be featured in the collab, if you do post previews, because other members will give feedback, which will improve areas of your piece.

Where you can find Cardboard Textures

Provided here are a bunch of links to various texture resources that have cardboard textures.
1 2 3 4

Co-Authors

Whats good is good, so Nick and I will choose parts that are either the most technically sophisticated, the ones we find most creative, and also the ones we just like best for none of the other reasons. One co-author spot is also separate from the rest, for more info, read below. :)

Co-Author for Embodiment

When we were thinking about what sort of vibe we were looking for, we decided to keep it relaxed and peaceful, sort of like if you were living in a condo on a high floor and you had a garden on your balcony. You'd look out and no one else would see you, and you'd tend to the plants in a calm manner and then go back in and have a glass of water.

Because I know thats sort of difficult to channel into an animation, the artist who embodies that feeling the best will get one of the Co-Author Spots.

Nick made a mini tutorial for people to use to help them learn to draw with cardboard in flash, and I think thats about it!

nick, thats your cue!

If you've got questions, ask them, and although its completely cheesy, HAVE FUN!

-Moro and Nick!


BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 7, 2008


Trace Bitmapping and Bitmap Painting tutorial
For this collab, it is important for you to know the necessary techniques needed to create abstract sceneray and characters. THE MORROW AND NICK WAY!

Trace Bitmapping
1)
Copy your selected image from the internet or other source.
2) Copy the image into Flash; select the image. If the image type isn't a bitmap (e.g. a movieclip) then copy it into Fireworks (or any other image program) and theN export it as a jpeg. or GIF and import it back into Flash. If the image in Flash was registered as a bitmap straight away, then that's great.
3) Select the bitmap and go to: Modify > Bitmap > Trace Bitmap
4) You will then get a small window displaying some numbers, this is the colour threshold and minimum area. Basically the lower the numbers you put it, the higher quality the trace bitmap will be, but the file size will also shoot up. Higher numbers will give you a more authentic look (more distorted from the starting image) and are more Morrow/Nick recommended, plus the file size wont be so big.

Recommended setup:
Color Threshold: 20
Minimum Area: 8

5) Press 'ok' and then you're done, you're now welcome to edit the trace bitmap image as if it was just a brush tool drawing.

Bitmap Painting
1)
Select the 'brush' tool and draw a quick drawing all in the same colour.
2) Select the whole drawing.
3) Look at the colour settings on the top right.
4) Go on the 'color' setting and go onto the 'Type' drop down menu.
5) Go down to 'bitmap'.
6) Select an image to be tiled onto your drawing.
7) Now your drawing will have your bitmap image painted all over it!
NOTE: Smaller images will be tiled more frequently while larger images will be tiled less frequently. So it's probably better to find an image that can be tiled well.

Cardboard City, a Collab


BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 7, 2008


Count me in guys. I'm not that artsy but i'll try my best.

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 7, 2008


I'll try to come up with something.

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 7, 2008


I join this collaboratoin.

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 8, 2008


Maybe I'll join, but can you set up a deadline, please? Summer?
Oh, and what about music or background sound, are you adding music, shall we add music to our parts, shall there be music at all?

>T

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 8, 2008


Count me in.


OMG FISH

BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 8, 2008


Hey, Morro/Nick!
I think I'll join this one, will be pretty fun and interesting, so count me in!
Is it okay if I use the Pixel tool?


BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 8, 2008


We don't have to necessarily use the trace bitmap technique, do we? If not, I'll try to cook something up.


Latest Blog Entry - thx

BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 8, 2008


At 3/8/08 07:29 AM, idiot-monarch wrote: We don't have to necessarily use the trace bitmap technique, do we? If not, I'll try to cook something up.

No no, if you've got your own method thats fine too!

tommy with questions

Hehe, summer? well I guess that is only like, 4 months away. When this seems to be wrapping up I'll call a deadline which will probably be some time in June, we wont rush you ;)

Also, you can use the pixel tool, but make sure it looks good :)

As for music/sound effects, I know you and your brother love both, but leave your part without music so that Nick and I can add some in at the end. Use all the sound effects you like though!

Im just going to clarify this for people who havent joined this:
Animate a scene of calm peaceful life using cardboard textures

G-Force, Willobeen, unEpic, Tommy, Volit0, Bobby444, G-F-D, and Idiot Monarch, glad to have you aboard!


BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 8, 2008


At 3/8/08 09:45 AM, MorrowDays wrote: Im just going to clarify this for people who havent joined this:
Animate a scene of calm peaceful life using cardboard textures

I was under the impression that we could also depict a busy urban world (probably should've read the first post more carefully). I'm good either way, though.


Latest Blog Entry - thx

BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 8, 2008


At 3/8/08 11:28 AM, idiot-monarch wrote:
At 3/8/08 09:45 AM, MorrowDays wrote: Im just going to clarify this for people who havent joined this:
Animate a scene of calm peaceful life using cardboard textures
I was under the impression that we could also depict a busy urban world (probably should've read the first post more carefully). I'm good either way, though.

mostly by peaceful and calm I meant not violent, do whatever you feel inspired to, just... not violence :)


BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 8, 2008


It sounds interesting. I'm pretty weighted down right now with my own projects.
I like these kinds of "artsy texture" flashes. And Morrow and Nick are like the kings of them.
That alone make my want to join.

In spare time I might get a chance to work something out.
But I wouldn't write my name in stone. I still have some solo projects to wrap up, and stick in the portal.
Good luck with tho collab though.


GAH!

BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 8, 2008


At 3/8/08 02:20 PM, Goat-Man wrote: It sounds interesting. I'm pretty weighted down right now with my own projects.
I like these kinds of "artsy texture" flashes. And Morrow and Nick are like the kings of them.
That alone make my want to join.

Well, I hope you get round to making a part for this :D


BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 8, 2008


I'll might join, but I have exams right now. I love worling with textures!


"What kind of idiot would quote himself" - Gatling

BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 8, 2008


At 3/8/08 05:27 PM, Gatling wrote: I'll might join, but I have exams right now. I love worling with textures!

we'd love to have you, you did some great stuff in the face collab. good luck with your exams!

yes, worling with textures gives me the most amazing happiness.

BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 9, 2008


At 3/8/08 05:39 PM, MorrowDays wrote:
yes, worling with textures gives me the most amazing happiness.

That's working with textures lol! I saw how you already did a part with cardboard and other textures in it in the Face Collab and I love it!


"What kind of idiot would quote himself" - Gatling

BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 9, 2008


At 3/9/08 12:25 PM, Gatling wrote:
That's working with textures lol! I saw how you already did a part with cardboard and other textures in it in the Face Collab and I love it!

haha, yeah, but worling is just such a fun word. seriously, it can replace work AND roll!

lets worl!

anyways.. um. yeah, on a more serious note, I started working on the intro/menu, and its been kinda fun. Really guys, working with textures seems a lot more satisfying that working with just colors, I dont know why, but it does seem more fun.
I dont want to say the intro/menu is at an early stage, but it isnt finished yet either, so if you've got improvements and suggestions, go for it, lets here them!

Nick did the preloader, I'll probably reposition it so it has more attention on the stage.


BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 9, 2008


This looks beautifully put together and I really dig on this idea. But my only problem is I can't seem to draw much inspiration from your rules. So what I wanna see is something you guys have in mind. If that's possible? Or maybe if someone else has a preview first. I'll stay tuned.

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 9, 2008


This sounds really cool. This is the first collab I've seen that kind of leaves it wide open to you. I really like the idea of doing something different and I think this would be something that I would have to really try and push myself to make something presentable. No way I'm just throwing something together for this.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, I'd love to be a part of this! Great idea!


AS: Main

Don't read this sentence.

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 9, 2008


If I have the time, I'll most likely give this collab a go. We'll see though. Just save me a spot. :)


BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 10, 2008


I may decide to join. I don't exactly understand though... is it something like this?

Cardboard City, a Collab


BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 10, 2008


At 3/10/08 03:41 AM, SkySausage wrote: I may decide to join. I don't exactly understand though... is it something like this?

you've got the idea, I think. :P
basically you draw what it is you want to draw and then fill it a cardboard texture, lines and all. so you should fill that grey line you've got with cardboard too, so it looks completely cardboard. or to make it look more cut-out-ish, you could remove the grey line all together.
BUT ITS NOT UP TO ME PEOPLE, REMEMBER, keep everything on the stage cardboard, except for the sky, which you can leave blank, because nick and I will fill it in once you send it to us. (just send the fla up on savefile and then link it please)

sounds great guys, theres a part saved for rudy, a part for chillidog, and handsome jake, there's a preview of the intro I made in the post just above yours, maybe you can take something from that? I know Nick is working on a part right now too, and I think he'll post previews, so yeah, hope you stay tuned, it'd be nice to have you.

Moro


BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 10, 2008


I don't feel like buying any stock. Just use this link. You may be required to join deviantart to attain some of these (legally that is), but if you're on NG and not on deviantart, I'd be suprised if you weren't an artist.

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 10, 2008


At 3/10/08 09:43 AM, HandsomeJake wrote: I don't feel like buying any stock.

okay, thats fine.

Just use this link. You may be required to join deviantart to attain some of these (legally that is)

hmm, I'm not absolutely sure if its a problem or not, we arent making any money off using other peoples textures, and all the ones I linked to are photo libraries, mainly from stock photo sites. Hypothetically, if the issue became that it was their photo, then I suppose they'd have to credit the cardboard manufacturer of the photo they took, which is never done. i think the guideline is that when you alter/transform something pre-existing, you can use it freely as long as its non-commercial. so basically, since those photographers took a picture of the cardboard that wasnt made by them, they can use the photo for whatever they please because they took the picture, just like we can use the texture because we arent using the photo as a photo.

Did that make sense? Sorry for being so longwinded folks.


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Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 10, 2008


At 3/10/08 10:50 AM, MorrowDays wrote:

Sorry for being so longwinded folks.

It's fine. Just have my own preferences.

I got some time to work on this at school today, so I made my first little piece of scenery. Guess I was inspired after all! That intro's actually pretty nice.

Link to it!

Tell me what you think? Does it embody what you want to get across?

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 10, 2008


Link to it!

Tell me what you think? Does it embody what you want to get across?

YES! yeah, really nice work. I dont know what you're planning on doing with it from there, but it looks really nice and I love it.


BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 10, 2008


At 3/10/08 01:27 PM, MorrowDays wrote:
Link to it!

Tell me what you think? Does it embody what you want to get across?
YES! yeah, really nice work. I dont know what you're planning on doing with it from there, but it looks really nice and I love it.

It's being used in this way. I'll probably touch it up later, but I'm thinking it might make a nice intro? Let me know.

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 10, 2008


At 3/10/08 02:25 PM, HandsomeJake wrote: It's being used in this way. I'll probably touch it up later, but I'm thinking it might make a nice intro? Let me know.

That looks great!

I think I'll give this collab a try. It's a really good idea.


BBS Signature

Response to Cardboard City, a Collab Mar 10, 2008


At 3/10/08 02:25 PM, HandsomeJake wrote: It's being used in this way. I'll probably touch it up later, but I'm thinking it might make a nice intro? Let me know.

That's a beautiful part right there!


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