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Akubra Federation...NOW IN 3D!!

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:31 am
by fatwoul
OK this is just for fun. No colour card here cos I was just goofing about.

Here's my hat following its rebash. The shape is slightly exaggerated because it is sitting on a cardboard jobby I rest it on at night, to keep its shape the way I like it:

Image

For those of you who've never tried these before, look at the image, and slowly cross your eyes until the front pinch of my hat merges together. Then the hat should look 3D. Kinda. Actually, I set the camera too far apart, so the 3D effect is a little too much, but it still works around the front of the hat.

If you can't get the images to overlap, try moving back from the screen. It tends to work better if you're sat further back anyway, and it doesn't screw your eyes up so much.

Oh, and if it makes your eyes hurt stop doing it! :D

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:37 am
by binkmeisterRick
fatwoul, would you mind reducing that image to no more than 600 pixel wide? It's making folks have to scroll across the page, which is even more painful when you're slightly cross-eyed. :lol: :wink:

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:50 am
by fatwoul
Done. I was thinking of it as two images of 400, not one of 800. Anyway, it seems to work better smaller.

Although it has to be said, I'm not sure how anybody can be using a resolution narrower than 800 these days. I didn't know you could even get monitors that small anymore. :wink:

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:53 am
by Michaelson
When it's a lowest bidder situation, you'd be amazed what a lot of us get stuck with when it comes to computer gear. :roll: :lol:

Now THAT is a neat effect. Hard on the eyes, but it works! :shock:

Regards! Michaelson

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:57 am
by Doctor_Jones
Great job on the Fed! Looks a lot better

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:59 am
by Ripper
I cant see in 3-D, well, unless it is really prounced. I have an optic nerve issue with my left eye.....it stinks... :?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:27 am
by indy89
Ha, that's rad!! Nice hat!

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:16 pm
by fatwoul
Michaelson wrote:When it's a lowest bidder situation, you'd be amazed what a lot of us get stuck with when it comes to computer gear. :roll: :lol:
Yeah I was only teasing. There are better things to spend money on; a TFT monitor can die after a year, but a good hat can last a lifetime. :D
Michaelson wrote:Now THAT is a neat effect. Hard on the eyes, but it works! :shock:
Glad to hear it works (less glad about the eye strain, of course). It's not something I'd advise people doing for extended periods of time, but it's basically the same technique they used to use in those silly Magic Eye pictures in the 90s, so anybody who could do those should be alright with these.

I'm very shortsighted, which I think probably helps with them. I can't see clearly further than about a foot and a half, but I can focus down to about 2 inches, which is closer than a "normal" person.
Doctor_Jones wrote:Great job on the Fed! Looks a lot better
Thanks! I think so too. Only snag is that because of the tight crease I put in the crown during the first bash, there is a remnant of that crease that I can't get rid of. I'm hoping it will fade with time, but failing that a very gentle once over with a slightly stiffer brush might do the trick.
Ripper wrote:I cant see in 3-D, well, unless it is really prounced. I have an optic nerve issue with my left eye.....it stinks... :?
Sorry to hear it. It's one of those things most of us take for granted, and when I've tried to do things with one eye shut its surprising how much more difficult they can be.

Does it help if you move your head side-to-side when looking at an object - not this silly picture, but real objects? A lot of animals with very large eys do that in order to intensify the 3-D parallax of something they are looking at.
indy89 wrote:Ha, that's rad!! Nice hat!
Thanks - I'm much happier with it.

Except for that crease...

Suggestions about that are most welcome. :D

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:20 pm
by Cowboy
WOW, I just had a seizure and need to go home......(Where I can play on COW until I recover)

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:30 pm
by Michaelson
Go sit in the Plymouth and listen to the radio while you recover. I'll bring the coffee Thermos directly...... :wink:

Regards! Michaelson

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:48 pm
by Indycop
:shock: although I don't know the story behind the plymouth, I do believe this is the first time I've heard of someone actually getting to sit IN the plymouth as opposed to underneath the plymouth. :!: :D

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:48 pm
by Harrison_Davies
Nice to see you r bash finally lol ... great job

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:09 pm
by fatwoul
Cowboy wrote:WOW, I just had a seizure and need to go home......(Where I can play on COW until I recover)
Heh. Heh heh. Haha. Mwahaha! MwahaHAHAHAHAHA!.

You have discovered my plan to take over COW by rendering everyone helpless with brain seizures. BUT IT'S TOO LATE FOR YOU!

*More manic laughter*, etc etc.
Michaelson wrote:Go sit in the Plymouth and listen to the radio while you recover. I'll bring the coffee Thermos directly...... :wink:
Indycop wrote::shock: although I don't know the story behind the plymouth, I do believe this is the first time I've heard of someone actually getting to sit IN the plymouth as opposed to underneath the plymouth. :!: :D
You're not alone. If someone doesn't explain the Plymouth thing right this minute I will be forced to unleash more brain seizures upon you all!
Harrison_Davies wrote:Nice to see you r bash finally lol ... great job
Yeah sorry it's taken a while. I am much happier now. I know it doesn't really resemble your bash, but seeing yours from all different angles were really helpful in getting the crown much better. Thanks again, H_D.
Cowboy wrote:Can I smoke my cigars? Thanks in advance, and oh one more thing.....Instead of the thermos, can you break out the French Press jsut this once!!!!! I am really ill after all. :P
Talk about high-maintenance... :roll: :D

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:11 pm
by Michaelson
Indycop wrote::shock: although I don't know the story behind the plymouth, I do believe this is the first time I've heard of someone actually getting to sit IN the plymouth as opposed to underneath the plymouth. :!: :D
Cowboy holds special status. He offered me the use of his Winchester 94 one time during an especially rough time at the fourm. How can I NOT let him sit in the Plymouth now? :wink: :lol:

Regards! Michaelson

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:15 pm
by Indycop
Just don't start that music from " when mars attacks" that makes our brains explode :shock:

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:22 pm
by binkmeisterRick
Michaelson wrote:Cowboy holds special status. He offered me the use of his Winchester 94 one time during an especially rough time at the fourm. How can I NOT let him sit in the Plymouth now? :wink: :lol:

Regards! Michaelson
Heck, you could always borrow my 94, Michaelson. I promise I won't slobber on the seats. =P~

btw, fatwoul, that's really freaky on the eyes. :wink:

Re: Akubra Federation...NOW IN 3D!!

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 3:16 pm
by Dr.Seuss
fatwoul wrote:Here's my hat following its rebash. The shape is slightly exaggerated because it is sitting on a cardboard jobby I rest it on at night, to keep its shape the way I like it:
Image
Fatwoul: (There is something preventing me from using "Fat," or "Woul;" regardless.)

How about a side and back view of that creation? "Ordinary" photographs are fine. Liking the look.

Sincerely,

Re: Akubra Federation...NOW IN 3D!!

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:43 pm
by fatwoul
Dr.Seuss wrote:Fatwoul: (There is something preventing me from using "Fat," or "Woul;" regardless.)...
If it helps, people on other forums have ended up calling me "fats".
Dr.Seuss wrote:How about a side and back view of that creation? "Ordinary" photographs are fine. Liking the look...
I tried to do an "ordinary" photo but I just couldn't bring myself to it. So instead, and again just for fun, how about this:

Image

As I mentioned earlier, the hat - in particular the brim - looks somewhat exaggerated in these pictures because it is resting on the stand I keep it on when not wearing it. Once I wear it the shape relaxes a little. Once the shape takes I won't need the stand anymore.

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:52 pm
by Cowboy
BTW, nice hat! The color is great.

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:01 pm
by fatwoul
Cowboy wrote:BTW, nice hat! The color is great.
Thanks. I'm pleased with it. That's more how it looks under halogen. Under daylight its much darker - more chocolate.

Re: Akubra Federation...NOW IN 3D!!

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:25 pm
by Dr.Seuss
fatwoul wrote: Image
Alright, Fats (or Mr. Photographer):

That,...... is too much fun. How about offering something along the lines of a screen saver? I am still mentally sorting through the long/narrow appearance of the crown vs. the brim shape. Last question, what is the front pinch height?

I like it. (Anyone with an inkling the photo bar has just been raised?)

Sincerely,

Re: Akubra Federation...NOW IN 3D!!

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:47 pm
by fatwoul
Dr.Seuss wrote:Alright, Fats (or Mr. Photographer):
If I was a successful photographer I wouldn't have time for such frivolities as spinning hats. :lol:
Dr.Seuss wrote:That,...... is too much fun. How about offering something along the lines of a screen saver?...
Well, I think something like that would need to be based around a *proper* Raiders hat, not my twisted interpretation of it. Maybe by the time my AB shows up in May or so next year, I will have worked out a way to do it, and I can use that hat.
Dr.Seuss wrote:I am still mentally sorting through the long/narrow appearance of the crown vs. the brim shape...
Yes, it does look very long, but remember that is where the exaggeration is happening - the hat sits on a stand that distorts it, making it longer, and forcing the brim up more on each side. It also creates a sharp dimple in the brim at the rear, which you can see in the profile shots of the hat. I'm doing this until the sides have come in more, but they are already pretty snug now. As you can see from the front (and perhaps back) views, this slight lengthening is giving the sides and even straighter apprearance, and perhaps even a little reverse taper on one side.

When the hat is off the stand and on my head, the overall shape is less pronounced - the brim looks less warped and crazy, and the length of the crown lessens in favour of a little extra width.

I'm very happy with the look on my head, but I'm also kinda liking the warped look on the stand. :D
Dr.Seuss wrote:...Last question, what is the front pinch height?...
From the top of the ribbon it is exactly 3 inches. Distance from ribbon to centre dent at the rear of the hat is 2.5 inches, which gave the slope I wanted.
Dr.Seuss wrote:...I like it...
Me too - Thanks for looking and commenting. I think I can leave this hat alone now, at least for the time being. But now its even more comfortable. It really feels like my hat more and more every time I wear it. It feels like it belongs. Originally I thought it looked maybe a little tall on me (I'm only 5' 7.5"), but even that has grown on me now.
Dr.Seuss wrote:...(Anyone with an inkling the photo bar has just been raised?)...
You flatter me. :oops:

Of course, if any of the vendors here want pictures of their products taking, I'd be happy to do it for free. Just send me a hat. 58 Long Oval. :lol:

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:52 pm
by ANZAC_1915
I see you've kept the sombrero curl to the brim at the back --- if you look in the ROTLA Cairo and Nepal scenes it is a lot flatter all around. (There really should be more brim discussions.)

So your hat is about where mine is now (sigh) --- are you going for a ROTLA look or...?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 6:44 pm
by fatwoul
ANZAC_1915 wrote:I see you've kept the sombrero curl to the brim at the back --- if you look in the ROTLA Cairo and Nepal scenes it is a lot flatter all around. (There really should be more brim discussions.)

So your hat is about where mine is now (sigh) --- are you going for a ROTLA look or...?
Well, I may still work on the brim, but for now I'm happy. As I mentioned, the curl is an exaggeration, and when I wear it, that's really not so bad.

Also, the brim still has its snap, and really I'm no hurry to lose that, since I like the option of brim up or down - even at the front it's handy to be able to snap the brim up when I am working.

Incidentally, with the back snapped down the brim is much flatter, and perfect for when it gets really sunny.

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:05 pm
by Indycop
Are you going to post a pic wearing the hat? So we can see how much its changed since you first got it.

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 8:41 pm
by rhboyd
fatwoul.... just thought I'd let you know... I sent the rotating gif you made to the guy who's scultping the Indy portrait for Sideshow, and he was thrilled... found it VERY useful....

cheers,
-r!

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 8:48 pm
by fatwoul
Indycop wrote:Are you going to post a pic wearing the hat? So we can see how much its changed since you first got it.
Yep, just as soon as my sister takes one for me.
rhboyd wrote:fatwoul.... just thought I'd let you know... I sent the rotating gif you made to the guy who's scultping the Indy portrait for Sideshow, and he was thrilled... found it VERY useful...
The who? The what? I'd be interested to know what that is. :)

EDIT: I looked up what it is. Resin models, right? Well, the brim of the hat isn't really right. If your friend would like one of the hat brim down, or a larger version of this one, I can send one to him no problem.

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:04 pm
by Tennessee Smith
Hey Fats (guess that's the new name for you here also :wink: )

Great job on the rebash. I like the sides a lot. I'm still playing with mine to get it just right.

You'll have to show us how to create the image you made, it's sweet as can be.

-Erin

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:09 pm
by JoelM
Erin Jones wrote:You'll have to show us how to create the image you made, it's sweet as can be.

-Erin
That's pretty awsome alright

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:24 pm
by rhboyd
fatwoul wrote:
rhboyd wrote:fatwoul.... just thought I'd let you know... I sent the rotating gif you made to the guy who's scultping the Indy portrait for Sideshow, and he was thrilled... found it VERY useful...
The who? The what? I'd be interested to know what that is. :)

EDIT: I looked up what it is. Resin models, right? Well, the brim of the hat isn't really right. If your friend would like one of the hat brim down, or a larger version of this one, I can send one to him no problem.
No no... not a resin kit... this is the official 1/6th scale figure from Sideshow Toys... I know the guy who's sculpting the head. It was shown in a crummy photo taken off a slide from the San Diego con... posted in the Indy4 forum... a larger version would be great... and whatever else you'd like to share. I'm not at liberty to give out his info, but if you send it to me, I'll forward it off!

Cheers,
-r!

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:39 pm
by fatwoul
Well, it's fairly straightforward.

Here's what you need:

* Camera you can set to expose manually - it's not essential, but a camera that exposes automatically each time you take a picture might vary slightly as you take each picture, so the resulting GIF would be a bit flickery.

* Tripod - You need to keep the camera in the same place throughout, for the rotation to look smooth.

* Turntable - allows you to rotate the hat smoothly about a fixed axis, which again helps keep the animation smooth.

* White sheet or card - also not essential - depends whether you want to cut the hat out of its background like I did. A background of a fixed colour - white, grey or black are good - makes that easier.

* Photo editing software - if you've used a tripod, and you don't mind leaving the background in, this isn't necessary.

* GIF Animator - there are loads of these free on the internet. Most of the have a trial period, but when that runs out, just look for another to evaluate. If you like one, go ahead and buy it.

1) Put the turntable somewhere steady - a table, etc - and put the hat centrally on the top of it. If you want the hat to sit in a certain way, make a holder for it with card, or rest it on a cushion. Whatever works for you. Rotate the hat around and make sure you're happy that it rotates in a natural-looking way, around its midpoint.

2) Set your camera on your tripod. It's easier if you shoot from above brim level. try to fill as much of the frame with the hat, but rotate the hat again and make sure it doesn't get cut out of the frame - this is most likely to happen during the profile shots of the hat, where it is probably going to be longer across the image frame. Choose an exposure that correctly exposes the hat. The background doesn't really matter. Use an aperture of f/8 or so, to ensure that as much of the hat remains in focus as possible. Once you've set the camera up, you won't be changing anything about it, so make sure you're happy.

3) Gradually rotate the hat on its turntable, taking a photo each time you do so. How smooth the animation is going to be will depend how small the graduations are. I used about a dozen, but obviously 20 or 30 would give much smoother results. Try to keep the graduations roughly the same size, to avoid the animation looking jerky.

4) Put the pictures onto your computer. Whether you decide to leave the backgrounds, or get rid of them is up to you. Just remember not to alter any of the brightness or colour settings of any one image without doing the same to the others. If you exposed right to begin with, you shouldn't need to do that at all. Resize the images to the size you want the animation to be. Don't get too ambitious - large frames will take ages to load and annoy people!

5) Make sure to save all the images in some kind of number order. When you get into a GIF animator, it will ask you for the images you wish to animate, and the order, so it makes this stage much easier. Most free animators have a wizard that takes you through the creation of an animation, and they all vary, so this stage is up to you.

Save your GIF, and dump it somewhere online. Photobucket lets you load animated GIFs, but some image hosts don't.

I think that's about it. If I missed anything out or anything is unclear, PM me and I'll re-word it. Sorry if it's a bit wordy. I tend to get carried away with this stuff on account of it being my trade.

If mods think this will be of interest or use to any of the other sections of the site, go ahead and link it, or copy it somewhere else.

Hope that helps.

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:49 pm
by fatwoul
rhboyd wrote:No no... not a resin kit... this is the official 1/6th scale figure from Sideshow Toys... I know the guy who's sculpting the head. It was shown in a crummy photo taken off a slide from the San Diego con... posted in the Indy4 forum... a larger version would be great... and whatever else you'd like to share. I'm not at liberty to give out his info, but if you send it to me, I'll forward it off!
Ah OK. Well, I'll see what else I can get you. Obviously, without getting all anal and uptight about my work, it has its own copyright like any other work, so since the sculpting is for commercial purposes I might not be able to help much without extending this person a copyright waiver.

Whats more important really is that my hat is far from screen accurate - in fact its not accurate at all - so I'd be worried if a sculptor for an official figure relied on it too heavily. What you really need is for one of the guys with a screen accurate hat to do an animated gif specially for you.I know of at least one other photographer on here in possession of an AB who might be willing to help, but I'd need to ask them first.

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:34 am
by mufflowne
it works!

just checking, this is a fed, not fet dix right?
Gorgeous Bash my man. :lol:

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:43 am
by Harrison_Davies
Ok - I'll do an AB one for ya..... :wink:

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:55 am
by Captain Ron Solo
I like the hat, and I dig the 3-D effect. :tup: Does the hat look like that when you wear it, though? I have a JP that has a beautiful LC brim swoop when hanging, but when I put it on, the shape of my head flattens the brim out considerably. :(

Ron

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:28 am
by fatwoul
mufflowne wrote:it works!

just checking, this is a fed, not fet dix right?
Gorgeous Bash my man. :lol:
Nope it is a dlx. I know the colour looks more like the mid brown, and I of all people should be getting the colour right, but I decided to lighten the pictures because how my hat normally is, its quite dark, and the shape details didn't really show.
Harrison_Davies wrote:Ok - I'll do an AB one for ya..... :wink:
OK Cool, I've got the pics and I'll see what I can do. Might take a bit, because right now I am swamped with work I was supposed to have already done. :oops:
Captain Ron Solo wrote:I like the hat, and I dig the 3-D effect. :tup: Does the hat look like that when you wear it, though? I have a JP that has a beautiful LC brim swoop when hanging, but when I put it on, the shape of my head flattens the brim out considerably.
Alas, when the hat goes on my head, the brim does flatten some. The shape remains, but it is much less prominent.

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:32 am
by Cowboy
But where are the pics with it on you???? Can you do that in 3D?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 2:47 pm
by Captain Ron Solo
Yeah, I'd like to see that! :)

Ron

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:07 pm
by fatwoul
Cowboy wrote:But where are the pics with it on you???? Can you do that in 3D?
I could, if someone else did the pictures, because I'd need to stand in the same place.

The problem is that I hate - hate my profile, and in order to do a rotation of me wearing the hat, I'd have to look at my own profile a lot, which I really can't see happening. :lol:

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:14 pm
by Captain Ron Solo
I'd rather see the side-by-side eye-crossing trick with you wearing the hat. :)

Ron

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:27 pm
by JerseyJones
First nice bash that has made me nauseous !? :o

Cool !

Ken/JJ

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 5:24 pm
by fatwoul
Captain Ron Solo wrote:I'd rather see the side-by-side eye-crossing trick with you wearing the hat. :)

Ron
Oooh OK I could try that. If I get the 3-D wrong it could make me look like I have a big(ger) nose.

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:44 am
by binkmeisterRick
As requested, let's get this thread back on track, please. :wink:

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:49 am
by Cowboy
binkmeisterRick wrote:As requested, let's get this thread back on track, please. :wink:
Well, we were all commenting that this thread is no good without seeing it on his head or tombstone, pumpkin, etc. So Fats, get with it would ya??? :P

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:16 am
by fatwoul
Cowboy wrote:
binkmeisterRick wrote:As requested, let's get this thread back on track, please. :wink:
Well, we were all commenting that this thread is no good without seeing it on his head or tombstone, pumpkin, etc. So Fats, get with it would ya??? :P
Haha yes, you're absolutely right. Once I have finished working on these equestrian photos, catalogue photos, more product photos, building a website, and doing H_D's AB animation, I'll get right on it. :lol:

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:31 am
by Michaelson
Good, that will fill your morning, so we expect to see photos right after lunch today. :-k :lol: :wink:

Regards! Michaelson

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:11 pm
by fatwoul
Michaelson wrote:Good, that will fill your morning, so we expect to see photos right after lunch today. :-k :lol: :wink:...
Why I oughta... :x :D

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:19 pm
by Michaelson
:rolling:

Regards! Michaelson

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:42 pm
by Indycop
:D ok its after lunch where's the PICS :?: :!: :roll:

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:45 pm
by Michaelson
Uh, IC, care to join me under the Plymouth now? 8) :lol:

Regards! Michaelson