TransFormers Adventures on Planet Arus

Discussion in 'Transformers Funnies' started by Keith Prime, Feb 10, 2011.

  1. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    Sorry for the delay, again. My order got delayed 2 weeks for an unknown error at TFSource. :redface2:  & FedEx failing to deliver it on time once they had it. :mad 

    Anyway, I have my new figures & will start the process of slowly incorporating them into the story. The first will be introduce in not the next update (more on that below), but the one after. The rest must wait until Chapter 3. :p  One is a huge surprise, w/ some plot twists thrown in for good measure. :ev:  The other 2 are Prime Arcee & Ratchet, & will be introduced w/ the rest of the Prime cast (I have by then) in chapter 3 or 4 (where ever I have enough of a lull in the plot -- yes, from here on out, there is a resemblence to advanced planning... to a degree, at least for a while --to bring them in how I have planned).

    Due to the shipping delays, I've been trying to work out how to get Drift & Rattrap to meet up, & am finally ready to shoot (though, some of the details still escape me, & will until I improvise them during the shoot), so that will be the next update. I'm still not sure who Wreck-Gar will run into first, so he may or may not appear in this update. We are fast approaching the end of Chapter 2, which means faster updates in Chapter 3, since I won't have to deal w/ Cybertron. Much.

    Questions:
    1. Do you want dynamic angles like I have been doing? Or would you prefer shots I can more easily duplicate (mostly straight on from some direction), meaning a quicker editing phase & faster update?
    2. Wreck-Gar. I'll let readers decide if I should have Wreck-Gar meetup w/ someone this Update or hold off for another?
    This is a limited time interactivity offer, as I intend to start shooting tomorrow.

    Now, to familiarize myself w/ some of my new, future cast members.
     
  2. Omnus

    Omnus needs more time TFW2005 Supporter

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    My answer to both is going to be roughly the same thing, but I'll break it into the specific points.

    Dynamic Angles: I like these personally. I'm also willing to wait for quality. There are a million-and-one things I can do between the internet and real life, so I can easily occupy my time in-between updates. OTOH, if these are going to prove to be more trouble for you than you're comfortable with, I would just as quickly say go for the easy straight-on shots.

    Wreck-Gar: I love Wreck-Gar and properly done Junkions in general. The way you did Wreck-Gar's dialogue was spot-on. I would like to see more of that ASAP. However, I'm willing to wait for the good stuff. If it doesn't work to bring him in ASAP, then bring him in later.

    Basically, I'm always willing to wait for the good stuff. Take whatever actions you feel will deliver something that you're satisfied with.
     
  3. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    I don't bother w/ things that aren't comfortable for me. It just may take longer to do more complex graphics. I like consistancy in my shots, & sometimes that makes a few panels take forever to get right.

    I have a way to include Wreck-Gar here. It's just a matter of if I should just throw him in, or actually plan out his finding someone. & yeah, I intend to continue to paraphrase TV for him. Though, being a child of the 80's, some of the references may be obscure to some people. I have an oldie, but a universal goodie planned for when I introduce my TF: Prime characters.

    Oh, & my cell will need to be charged (I don't plug it in until it needs to be, unless I'm leaving & it's important to be fully charged) before I start taking pics, so I may not start shooting the Update until tomororw now.
     
  4. JBerryFTW

    JBerryFTW The new kid on the block.

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    Interesting... :popcorn 
     
  5. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    Sorry, I'm not done editing yet, but I thought I'd throw up a remixed Sig...

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    Still debating if this is just another teaser, or if I should keep it up for Chapter 3?

    Oh, & if you look close at the Decepticons, I managed to add in Thundercracker. ^_^
     
  6. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    Slag it! Bottom of page 5. :banghead: 

    Sorry for this huge delay, but a few more days (or less) & I should be able to post Update 32.

    Some of the delay was restarting Skyward Sword a couple weeks after finishing it, some of it was my headache acting up... Some of it was keeping track of The Oatmeal legal debacle...

    Part of it is the 3rd from last panel has over 30 reference pics I had to clip characters out of... That bit is now done... Now I just have to create the background (several more layers) & edit the .gif together... One of a few (the others are done)... Oh, & part of it was trying to come up w/ TV quotes for Wreck-Gar to say. Finding appropriate quotes when you have problems remembering quotes from shows isn't easy.

    Oh, & there are a couple panels after that last .gif, but I shouldn't need to clip any more stuff (did those panels' already, too), but I will need to create backgrounds for both, as the last 3 panels each uses a different angle.

    Update 33 should cut back to Op & Wheeljack.
     
  7. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    Update 32: Calvary Reunion

    Again, sorry for the huge delay. I put some effort in to try to make the wait worth it. Let me know how I did...

    Update 32: Calvary Reunion

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    Note 1: GIMP 2.8 (Stable Release) is out, & I recently upgraded to it. Unfortunately, I did so before finishing the last 3 panels, which did add, slightly, to the delay. I didn't expect it to be so different from 2.6.

    Note 2: As I mentioned, I had quite the difficulty w/ Wreck-Gar's lines. Let me know how I managed those as well, please.

    Note 3: Speaking of Wreck-Gar, as you can see, mine has succome to the dreaded handlebar defect. :cry  But, instead of moping about it, I incorporated it into the update. :D 

    Note 4: Yes, Thrust was shown. He went after Rattrap's group. He took the exit ramp, to avoid a battle he was fairly sure would at best be a draw. All 12 (6 for each group) remaining Cycledrones were slagged. I had intended to show all 6 that Rattrap & company slagged, but would've had to shrink the heros more than I already had to make room. If you count them, there are 12 + Thrust in the first panel, & Drift takes out 6 saving Wreck-Gar.

    Note 3: It's possible participation in a crossover may delay, or potentially interrupt, the start of Chapter 3. Fear not, I will still post Updates, but August may consist of Vector Prime's wandering of the Multiverse to prevent more damage than must occur. If any Funnies makers would like Vector Prime to visit their Alternity for an Update or 2, please let me know (whether by replying here, in the The Federation of Funnies Creators Social Group, or PM/ VM). If there's enough interest, I'll start a new Discussion in the FFC to discuss details.

    Note 5: Speaking of crossovers, I'm currently trying to get TFWC-Con 2 going, but so far there hasn't been much interst. If you are interested in doing a panel or something for the Con, please post in the TFWC-Con Backstage Group Discussion 2.

    Note 6: Next up, back to Op & Wheeljack's group. I plan to finish Chapter 2 before August, so hopefully I can wrap up these next 2 or 3 updates quicker than I have been.
     
  8. Saberfrost01

    Saberfrost01 元ロボ ダイユーシャ

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    I really want to know how you make these gifs :lol 
    I'll likly never use them for my comic but it's more a personal interest.
     
  9. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    Basically, each layer is converted into a animation frame when you save a file as .gif & select the option for animation. The Layers work w/ the bottom layer being the 1st Frame, & the top the Last Frame. I have to merge Effect & cropped out character layers so it works, but have started having 2 images open, one for editing, the other for pasting the Visible area needed for each frame (it's much simpler that way... & GIMP 2.8 now allows for Tabs like IE8+). There is another way, but I haven't figured out how to get it to work w/o more distortion; my images are probably too complicated for that method.

    When I'm doing updates that aren't so involved (ie. I don't have to create a background from almost scratch -- read "sometime during chapter 3 or later"), I'm considering doing a tutorial for it.

    I also intended to do a tutorial for editing one of GIMP's brushes into another (the Sparks Brush to produce proper sparks), but I may not have to do that now... GIMP 2.8 allows for the resizing of ALL the brushes now, including the previously fixed sized Sparks Brush (& you can make them down right TINY now), so I may not need to edit a new Brush... Still might, depending on a few factors:
    • If I find the resizing not good enough (a possiblity)
      • I've been using the Sparks Brush to stand in for sparks (rather than cheat like Pol & 'shop in an image of a sparkler), but don't like the Orb shape.
      • Also, it just so happens that making a Brush & making an animated .gif are almost identical, w/ the exception of file extention... so I had planned doing both in the Tutorial, whenever I made the time
    • I've been wanting to experment in making a new brush
    • People wanting such a Tutorial (for either reason)
    • As a means to get more acquainted w/ GIMP, now 2.8
      • Especially learning how brushes work, in case I ever decide to try to make one from scratch, to make repetitive effects easier
      • Explosions would be a good brush to make, eventually...
     
  10. Autobot1000

    Autobot1000 Daddybot

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    as usual impressive gifs there mate
     
  11. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    40th Page, 16,025 Views! :jawdropper: 

    Anyway, after some consideration on trying to figure out how to quickly wrap up Chapter 2 in a few updates, a challenge still not completely solved, I've started shooting the next Update. It will address an apparent typo noone has commented on (I'm surprised, but there are long gaps between posts... sorry :redface2: ) regarding the TARDIS.
     
  12. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    Sorry for the massive dealy. I had hoped to have finished Chapter 2 by now :( , but my computer has been having some issues since the Heatwave started.

    However, since I can't edit the Update I recently shot some of (due to how long that would take), I'll shoot an interlude type Omake w/ Prime characters (recently got a new 'Con), since I was going to incorporate them into the main comic eventually (will have to change an aspect that was going to be a joke at introduction, though), where I don't have to edit in Cybertron. Hope to get that up in a couple days or so.
     
  13. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    Update 33: Prime Intermission

    Sorry again for the delays. :redface2:  But after I posted I was doing something w/ the Prime figs I currently have, so that I post an Update soon since the primary update is taking so long, things got unusually busy around here. :confused:  Family was over several days, then more computer problems (stupid heatwave; I think I have a work-around now)... Then it took a while to do the .gifs... But I've got it up now. :D 

    Update 33: Prime Intermission

    Universal Stream Trimax 812.7 Beta Alpha Zeta
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    Notes 1: I decided to try my hand at the Hot-headed Cliffjumper... as well as his relationship w/ Arcee...

    Notes 2: Yes, I had to do Ratchet's running gag. :lol  I actually thought up that Lego device JUST for that line. :ev: 

    Notes 3: I considered having Soundwave speak, but decided against it.

    Notes 4: All 3 Cons are quite awesome. I really like how Shockwave's aesthetics are perfectly balanced so that he fits in w/ both Prime & Classics. :D 

    Notes 5: The rupture of the dimentional boundary here will be important later... but I haven't yet decided which way I'll run w/ it.

    Notes 6: Yes, I managed to give Shockwave a gun mode. Actually, that's Turret mode... I also have a hand-held gun configuration I found. I'm debating allowing Shockwave to mass-shift so that Bruticus can man-handle him w/ a bit of GIMP magic.

    Notes 7: I borrowed the GroundBridge effect from TFWiki's page on it. I have a .png file saved, if anyone needs it.

    Notes 8: The Universal Stream designation Trimax 812.7 Beta Alpha Zeta is tentative. Others under consideration are:
    • Trinex 812.7 Beta Alpha Zeta (Trinex & Trimax were suggested by Sol Fury a year+ ago for the Prime Alternity)
    • Primax-Tyran 812.7 Beta Alpha Zeta
    • trying to find if one already exists for Prime; TFWiki doesn't list one
    Let me know which Universal Stream designation you like better, please. Also, if you know of either the official designation, or if one is already in use in the Funnies Forum, let me know.
     
  14. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    Sorry for my long absense, & my even longer delay in getting the next Update done, but I had to get a new computer, as my previous one is probably dying & I didn't want to risk losing my files. Now that I have a new one, & have most or all my files transfered, I can get back to editing the Update.

    I can't give an estimate to expect it's posting, though. :( 
     
  15. Gunnisberg

    Gunnisberg Give us your best shot!

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    Still waiting for voltron.
     
  16. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    Yes, sorry about that. Like Chapter ZERO, Chapter 2 got away from me. Voltron is scheduled for the first Update of Chapter 3... But I could move that up while I work on finishing Chapter 2, since 1) it would take less time (Arus doesn't require complete background created from scratch) & 2) that planned Update can be put essentially anywhere I want at this point w/o affecting plot.

    Maybe I should go on & work on that, since the current Update will still take a while yet to complete? What do my other readers think?

    I was planning on starting Chapter 3 as soon as I got the Autobots off Cybertron. That will take at least 2 more updates.
     
  17. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    Sorry for no updates in so long...

    I am so sorry for not posting anything for so long. :(  A combination of my sister being home a lot, dad being on vacation for a couple weeks a couple week's back, writer's block (so many Autobot plotlines to bring together), a friend needing help getting his computer to work & his PS3 backed up so he could upgrade the Harddrive (got the computer usable, but the HDD he picked may not have been PS3 compatible; now that Sony is releasing one w/ a half Terabyte drive, he just took the new drive back) & my head injury causing problems again have kept me either busy, not having the comfort or space to shoot, or otherwise not feeling like working on the complexities I had planned. :redface2: 

    Anyway, something just happened that may change what I want to do w/ the current update. I won that monthly giveaway again, & once again it has a Figma! One whose anime I am VERY familiar w/. So, I think I'll hold off a bit more on the update I have partially shot (the backgrounds may have been more ambitious than I am prepared to do), & instead start Chapter 3 early, bringing in Voltron, & something I'm sure everyone's been waiting for, & probably do another Prime update after that. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that I'll get the Figma (I won't know what I won until it gets here --which probably won't be until part way into November-- as there are other winners who pick before me), but there's also a Revoltech figure available, so hopefully, I get one (though, I listed the Revoltech 4th in priority). If Rei gets some help, I can do a bit more w/ T.I.M.E. than I currently can.

    Hopefully, having recently gotten both LEGO Batman 1 & LEGO Star Wars III: the Clone Wars won't delay things too much. Why do ALL the LEGO games have to be so much fun?

    Hopefully, everyone is on Planet Arus before Christmas...

    Once again, sorry for my lack of working on the comic :eek: ; but I promise that changes now... Motivation is nice. :p 
     
  18. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    Update 34: Prime Intermission II: Rampage Without Reason

    Just saw a broken image URL in the previous update. NO idea how that happened. :confused:  Fixed it after posting this, though. *edit* I went on & checked ALL my Updates, & that was the only broken URL. :confused:  /edit

    I am sorry for the major delay in posting an update. I didn't mean to take so long. In the interim, the house wound up kinda rearranged (just a couple rooms crammed w/ junk & some stray stuff here & there). Wound up using some of that to my advantage, though I had planned on using one of those rooms later... Good thing nothing was actually planned for that. :confused2 

    Anyway, I finally am back & got something for you. ^_^ It isn't what I had planned, so sorry... Voltron will either return for the next update or the update after (debating cutting back to the Prime Autobots, now that I can ;) ).

    Other delaying things were my head injury acting up a few times, my cell needing to charge or people being up & about when I was ready to shoot, trying to get the temporal mechanics of my comic to line up (sorry, some of the time travel WILL get a tad confusing, seeing as it allows for people to be in 2 places at the same time) & trying to figure out how I'll get out of the corner I had "written" myself into (the original plan for the main comic required possibly -- meaning, I haven't counted & it could be more -- 20 'Bots clipped out for a single panel, for Cybertron Backgrounds, for most of the panels in the update, & a joint firefight against a new branch of Shockwave's Drone Army -- that's probably the main reason: it was too ambitious & I wasn't looking forward to all the complex editing; I have worked out an effects saving cheat to get through some of that... So, expect a plain orange background when I do get to the Autobots meeting the Wreckers, finally...).

    However, working on this update I was having trouble shaping the tails for my speech bubbles (which I had been doing manually up until now), & that forced me to learn (& by learn, I mean fiddle w/ it until I got a result I could duplicate) how to use the Path Tool! I also experimented w/ a couple other new effects. See notes at the end...

    Anyway, after too long, I give you an


    UPDATE!!!!

    Update 34: Prime Intermission II: Rampage Without Reason

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    Notes:
    1. I had a friend read this over, & he says I nailed the Dialog for the Prime 'Cons, to the point of even reading an off screen & unintroduced character in the right voice. :eek:  Let me know what you think, please. If anything is off, it'd be nice to know up front.
    2. I'll be playing w/ the Path Tool more. It lets me shape curved lines for selection areas w/ more precision that free-drawing it. Took some time to figure out how it worked.
    3. The other effects I mentioned were the melting of Dreadwing's gatling cannon. I think I used an IWarp Filter, or something, for the first effect. But the 2nd was a Lava Filter! That will come in handy for Red Lion's Den! ^o^
    4. I'm still waiting for that prize. :(  They somehow forgot to E-mail me that I'd won (I PMed them as soon as I noticed) & didn't check the PM I sent (the PM contained which of the 10 available prizes I wanted). :confused:  It's due any day now, & if it's what I hope it is, it will change some of the plans I have vaguely mapped out (the uncertainty comes from me listing my top 5 choices, since I was to pick 4th -- did 5 out of habit: 5 winners). Anyway, eventually, someone noticed & got back to me. Hopefully, it got mailed this time...
    5. I intend to expand more on Megatron's speech about his Shadow Dimension being Fractured. It will be a central theme, so try to keep up. :ev: 
    6. Again, so sorry for the lengthy delay. I just got overwhelmed & a bit busy. Hopefully, it won't happen again.
    7. I am very sorry for how few updates I've posted this year. :redface2:  I just noticed how many when I was editing the first post to link here. I did not expect to only have 6 updates. :(  But such is Life. Even Pol has delays like this.
     
  19. Saberfrost01

    Saberfrost01 元ロボ ダイユーシャ

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    I would say that dialouge was spot on. And yes Grand Master Pol Does have delays like you've had. Life and time are two very creul beings.
     
  20. Keith Prime

    Keith Prime Advanced Engineer

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    FINALLY! I finally got the prize I won months ago! & it is the Figma I was wanting. ^o^

    I suppose since I promised Voltron, I should go on & actually post that Update, when done, as promised first... But I can more quickly get everyone to Arus after that now. ^_~

    I'm considering reviewing the 2 Figmas I have (won't be posted until the new one appears in my comic), if Pol will give me permission to post a Review in the Box. I'd try using a different camera (either my computer's or an actual, battery powered camera) for the review. But I doubt my integrated webcam would be usable for most comic panels (will be trying to get shots of faces w/ it though). The normal camera is out because I can't afford batteries for every 4 updates.

    *edit* Just realized that once I introduce this new Figma, those not familiar w/ the anime will have a limited time to go watch it before I start spoiling things. :(  Sorry. :redface2:  You can remain as in the dark as some of the cast will be, but things will start not making sense at some point if you do, & eventually I will have to have the cast investigate the weirdness that surrounds this particular Figma. THIS Figma I am very familiar w/ the character, so I will be sticking VERY close to the source anime. :ev: