Re: Theme for 2007 AVA?
 

I am not completely sure but unfortunately maybe their focus is shifting away from FIRST seeing as they took regional prizes away, and that they are a bit late in updating their website when the game has been released and students are already starting on their submissions.

Pavan.

Re: Theme for 2007 AVA?
 

I've been seeing this since the start of the removal of regional wawrds.. actually, even before then I still had that idea due to the non-influence it had to the regionals I was a part of. It just didn't seem to be a big part of the competition.

I have a bad feeling about this :(.

Re: Theme for 2007 AVA?
 

Really, please don't get too worked up about this. We start our season the minute the broadcast ends and we turn to the people next to us with a sudden flow of ideas.

The rest of the world begins their work on Monday morning at the start of business hours.

Even if Autodesk doesn't consider it as urgent as we do, and even if they're wrong to do this, it's not unreasonable to wait until Monday.

Don't forget that Autodesk still doesn't have to do ANYTHING for us if they don't want to--they've already given us FIRSTbase, free copies of expensive software, and training materials--even if they've had some shortcomings this year, it's not like they're giving up on FIRST.

Re: Theme for 2007 AVA?
 

I'm not really getting worked up.. I'm still going to do the animation just as continued.. I'm just having bad feelings in the long run... and over here right now as I type, we're getting worked up with the design of the robot. It happens, so worry if I act that way. Let's have fun this year, and good luck! Can't wait to see all of the animations this year. :)

Re: Theme for 2007 AVA?
 

yeah, the AVA has never really come across as a major focus of FIRST... so I'm not really surprised that we don't have a topic yet. Besides, they haven't given us a deadline either as far as I know, so it really doesn't matter how long they delay announcing the topic as long as they give us a reasonable time period to work on it.

Re: Theme for 2007 AVA?
 

Well, I've had some thinking done... and with that state. I made a big decision, to make the animation display meaning that will hopefully impact FIRST to get people interested in 3DS max again. I feel that eventually, if they're not going to take interest in this field of FIRST, it will eventually diminish and become non-existent. That really is my fear, and thus I am going to try and make this animation count, this animation is one that feels like my whole life is at stake, because this is about my life really. I'm sorry for going to deep, but thinking about this too much well, I'd rather not go to this in detail, but this matter truly does concern me, and my animation which I already got an idea exactly what to do, will reflect on this. It's a bit of a reminder actully. and will hopefully be done to the best of my abilities. Do note now that this is a personal issue with me now, as I make this animation, but don't worry about me now, you all got your animations to do, don't you? :). I hope everyone does well, as I wish for all of you to participate with the 3DS max animations, as well as the rest of FIRST robotics!

Edit: This idea, even if I had no issues with anything right now, is one that will touch people's hearts anyways, It's not something offensive at all if you're thinking, but it's actully one everyone will love! :)

Re: Theme for 2007 AVA?
 

Go to it bro!

We decided to go head first into our animtion and work our butts off. We have to get it done before design phase is complete so then people can help with the robot. Our animation doesn't show the game field, or an intire robot in it. Manly everthing has a symbolic meaning. The trees for example are actually the first symbol, there is a round one, a square one, and a triangle one.

I had an amazing dream one night and I thought it would make a awesome animation. Its kind of a mix bettween Dr. Suse, A Nightmare Before Christmas, and The Neverhood. Really wild, I think you'll all enjoy it when it is done.

Re: Theme for 2007 AVA?
 

That's a great attitude!
Good luck to all of you!
Jane

Re: Theme for 2007 AVA?
 

I felt exactly the same way when I found out about the going-away of the regional awards and other changes this year. At first I felt like FIRST as a whole sort of pushed me aside to focus somewhere else. But later, I figured that I can't change anything, so might as well go with the flow, right?

And the flow says, make a good animation for the heck of it, and who cares about the awards? Just a bunch of circumstance and fate.

Re: Theme for 2007 AVA?
 

I think another way to say that would be to make the best animation you can in the spirit of FIRST. Think less of the frustration that is presenting itself and more about the inspiration you can create. It is hard to do right now but dig deep, you can do it.

Jane

Re: Theme for 2007 AVA?
 

Well.. with all of these ideas and motivation being pushed here... It questions me, puzzles me, "Is autodesk and FIRST making us think the way we are thinking right now, and to have us be very motivated into making dramatic animations because of it?". I mean, when I was walking home from our first day of designing after the kickoff, this whole idea came into my head, and the whole thing felt really motivating, like if it was completed, it would be something that would deeply touch people's hearts, show the best of FIRST, and have a good spirit of heroism. Now I hear other people are having some sort of similar things going on, and plan to make really good and deeply motivating animations or what not.

You know, I believe this is the year where we are going to see the best animations ever created for FIRST robotics, I can just feel it. In the end, I believe autodesk wanted us to feel this way, who knows what will happen. What I say about this, keep that motivation with you ALL the way. I never really got to submit an animation for our team before yet, because of incidences, but now I immediatley am having the storyboard done today, and start on the character creation right after, while teaching some new recruits (finally! :)) the basics of 3DS max, have them do some rooms which I can texture and light after, and just... wow, you know.. I really do think this is their plan, and I thank them because of it. Everyone, keep the spirit up, this is your year to make the BEST animations the world of FIRST has ever seen! This is what we all want to do in the end, to show them that we animators will not stop working, that we will keep on going on, making these animations. That's how I feel, and it motivates me a lot. I'm sure you guys understand where I'm coming from.

Have fun, and keep with the spirit of FIRST, and make these animations the best ones ever! We all grow and learn, let's show 'em what we've learned!

Re: Theme for 2007 AVA?
 

the few, the proud, the animators.

Re: Theme for 2007 AVA?
 

Hoo-ah!