Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2015 April 28

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April 28

a site that uses CAPTCHA

I was having problems with some software preventing websites using CAPTCHA from working. Now the maker of the software wants me to duplicate the problem while their software has a trace on. But now I don't remember the website that uses CAPTCHA. So, is there a website where I can easily use CAPTCHA? Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 03:22, 28 April 2015 (UTC)

Wikipedia uses a CAPTCHA if you try to post content containing an external link and you are not logged on. So you could test by logging off, then posting something like [http://www.google.com] to the Sandbox. --174.88.134.161 (talk) 04:57, 28 April 2015 (UTC)

Thanks - CAPTCHA works there, so the latest version of the software no longer has the problem I experienced. Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 05:08, 28 April 2015 (UTC)

Resolved

Animation Setup Requisite

Friends,

I need the ultimate help with this matter, please!

I’ve been advised to research 3D modelling (polymodelling/Polygonal modeling; I have but I don't understand; I'm not good in maths) 3D scuplting, animating, lighting, materials, compositing by user: 217.158.236.14. I’m unable some researches due to my internet usage limitations.

The help that I need is, the software’s I require in order to do the embolden things and the tools. If I know what to get/use, I’ll at least get/use/buy and treasure it for now…

User: 217.158.236.14 also suggested a 3D package (3dsmax, Maya, Blender, Modo), I have ‘3ds Max 2013’ 32|64-bit (not sure; working on 32-bit for now), ‘3ds Max 2015’ 64-bit and ‘Motion Builder 2014’ 64-bit (came free); got bumped because no one knew the OS version of it. I’ll be getting ‘Blender’ soon (after the 1st of next month) and still searching for Maya and Modo (no guarantee of what versions I’ll find including the OS version). I can’t use the 64-bit OS versions because my computer is on 32-bit. I’ll be getting a computer in the future which will be a 64-bit; in the future and God knows when this time will come…

Q: Can I use 32/64-bit file in any 32/64 bit software? In other words, can I use ‘3ds Max 2013’ 32|64-bit, do my work and transfer it to 32/64-bit in the near future, into the updated version(s)?

Since user: 217.158.236.14 suggested a 3D package, I’m guessing that a file can be transferred and fiddled around with using the 3D pakage. Correct me if I’m wrong please as I don't possess the knowledge.

Do I need anything else at all? I mean, Once I saw someone drawing with a pen and inputting data inside the computer with it… I’m guessing it could be something like a Wacom Intuos Pen Small Tablet (CTL480), what I might need too. Someone also stated that I can copy and paste my computer drawings or scan a drawing to the computer if I wish to create a 2D/3D/4D model(s)… I failed to copy and paste my ‘logo’ as well as a drawing into ‘3ds Max 2013’ and ‘AutoCAD LT 2015’ the other day, I don't know what's going on with it...

I’ve also heard that ‘Autodesk Maya 2008’ was used to create ‘Pirates of the Carrabian’ film, assuming that graphical illustrations were created as they were playing a video file. I’m also happy to take videos, whatever is the easy route to create animations…

I’ve also seen they use little cameras or digital dots (or something alike) and a green screen/wallpaper at the back, I don’t know what this is about, I tried doing a research a long time ago about this (the time when I found out about the ‘digital drawing input pen’), this is something I don’t quite understand well. I’m quite lost, I mean, if you guys could tell me the roots to take, I’ll follow those steps… Tell me know everything I need to know in order to create a good animation. If I have the knowledge now than I can keep this mind and use it now as well as in the future…

Regards

Mr. Prophet (talk) 19:05, 28 April 2015 (UTC)

Here's a free online class in 3D computer graphics: [1] (that one has ended, but you could watch for new ones there at edX). However, that is apt to be extremely challenging to somebody with no background in computer science or optics. I still urge you to consider "starting small". For example, creating a series of 2D images in something like Microsoft Paint and then stitching them together with ImageMagick as an animated GIF is something you could do now, versus after years of study. StuRat (talk) 21:59, 28 April 2015 (UTC)

I read the pages at a glance, sounds useful. I'm going out now, I'll read through the links after I come back/tonight...it might take a couple/few days to get the hang of it/understanding it... Thank you. -- Mr. Prophet (talk) 05:45, 29 April 2015 (UTC)

An excellent 3D modeling/animating/compositing package is '[blender (software)]' - it's 100% free and it runs on Linux, Windows and MacOS. There are a ton of free tutorials for blender online, and also a book you can buy.

3D scanners are at best a partial solution - they are somewhat able to capture the 3D shape of *some* kinds of object - but every one I've ever used (and there have been a LOT of them) have problems of one sort or another. They also generate an insanely dense mesh of data which makes for unnecessarily large files, slow software performance and makes altering or animating the model very difficult. If you want one of those, I'd suggest the Intel RealSense R200 camera - which is selling for $99 with some example scanning software...but there are plenty of others.

But *PLEASE* don't think this is easy. Learning how to made, texture, light, shade, render, animate and composite 3D objects takes years. You'll need to take one baby step at a time. Firstly, learn how to make cubes and cylinders and such. Then try to make a simple 'real' object...like a sofa or a table lamp or something. Then learn how to apply color to the surface ("texturing") and how to do digital lighting (is the surface shiney, bumpy, flat, cracked, etc?). Once you're comfortable with making 3D objects that look moderately real (figure 6 months to a year from now)...you'll be ready to start learning how to animate things. Animating people and animals convincingly is hard. Then, if you're into making movies - you'll need to learn about compositing, filtering, atmospherics, etc. If you're into making games or other interactive experiences, then learning to program is a major additional step.

SteveBaker (talk) 05:32, 29 April 2015 (UTC)

Points noted. The ultimate goal is to create a movie but did not realise that it will take so much time... I thought the words '3D/4D' suppose to make things easy...

Two/three days left to get Blender! An e-book/pdf or a site that provides step by step guide/tutorial would be helpful of this, from the basics/fundamentals to intermediate to mastery. Video links would also be useful but not now (I can archive the links now however).

Mr. Prophet (talk) 06:00, 29 April 2015 (UTC)

Okay guys, a Q (important): Is ‘tagging’ possible in the 3D world in order to create a 4D with a video file? E.g., is there a (any) possibility, whatsoever (anyhow), where you could create a 3D object/model (assuming that it is a 360 degree object/model) then insert it into a video (drag and drop/copy and paste/change/replace…) where say the character in the video is myself, moving…replacing me…tagging the 3d object/model with my arm to the 3D arm, eyebrow to the 3D eyebrow, lip to the 3D lip, and so on.

Issues: 3D lighting would be an issue and understandable, little (major) things like hair movement, wind blow movement (in a shirt, hair…), and so on, may need to be modified/amended as it needs to be done…and understandable; will be hard to do too…

Not a problem: Non-moving object/model (not an issue as long as I can tag it…). Sketching an imagination and inserting it in the video, as an extra…

Bottom line...No...none of the above. You'd need extremely sophisticated software - and probably a lot more than just a video as your source material. People who do this kind of thing for real employ multi-million dollar motion capture suites to do record the body positions in 3D - but they can't do fingers and facial expressions without additional equipment and probably a separate recording of the detailed stuff. There are crude ways to do a tiny fraction of what you want using a Microsoft Kinect or some other 3D recording device to capture depth information as you film your video - but it's a rocky path, it's not reliable, it can't detect small features like facial expressions, fingers and so forth, it's easily confused when one thing disappears behind another, it requires a lot of 'cleanup' by a skilled animator afterwards - and it's really not doable at all without a ton of graphics-geek-knowledge that you clearly don't have. Trust me - it's going to take years to learn how to do this - and there isn't much in the way of short-cuts. SteveBaker (talk) 14:31, 30 April 2015 (UTC)

Yeah I heard/read about kinect, a good mechanism.

Thanks btw, for your and StuRat's comments; meant a lot.

I'll still download Blender by tomorrow or day after, keep it installed or in my HDD so that I don't forget about it... I have '3DS Max 2016' (64-bit), 'ModionBuilder 2016' (64-bit), 'MudBox 2016' (64-bit), I'll use them in the near future for playing purposes, just to satisfy my desires... StuRat also provided me with some links, I've archived them, they'll be useful when I become free (in 20+ years time).

Thank you both (StuRat and SteveBaker), my mind is set free in regards to this matter, no problem I have at all in mind even if I rethink about it...

Dammit, I should've listened to Aspro when he tried to make me understand 'not to buy any CD's' unless its required or buy when time comes, otherwise I'll have a Library of CDs...

Mr. Prophet (talk) 18:40, 30 April 2015 (UTC)

You're welcome. BTW, I assume you were kidding about not having any free time for 20 years, but if not, note that all those tools will likely be quite obsolete by then. StuRat (talk) 16:14, 1 May 2015 (UTC)

No I wasn't joking, at least I have the tools and directions for now, and have concluded the matter in peace. I'll recollect the important tools once again before I leave the country with which I will have to stick by no matter how obsolete it becomes in the near future. -- Mr. Prophet (talk) 18:27, 1 May 2015 (UTC)

I can believe Mr. Prophet when he says he is fully booked up for the next 20 years. That is what it feels like when one wants to try everything. Write down every 'want' and desire, then prioritise them, (remembering to squeeze in a vacation here-or-there to see penguins in Antarctica and a trip to the Gombe Stream National Park to visit our cousins – they are only a couple of % points away from our own DNA). Oh boy are they relaxed. No checking their iPhones every five minutes. Puts life into context.--Aspro (talk) 20:45, 1 May 2015 (UTC)

Lmao.

Okay, thanks buddy, I’ll.

Mr. Prophet (talk) 04:48, 2 May 2015 (UTC)