Here's a thread for us want-to-be fan artists who can't draw! And for those who can, but would like a great visual-art gadget!
If you haven't tried the HeroMachine character generator, you're missing out on one helluva lotta fun! If you do gaming, or want to shape your own avatar or other character image, it's an essential tool if you don't have drawing skills. And if you use HeroMachine, here's a place to share your creations!
You can get a great overview at the Website, but here are some of the highlights:
~ Runs in any Web browser and with use of the free Shockwave Flash Version 6 (downloaded separately). ~ FREE download, or running on line, of Version 1, with three basic character poses. ~ $10 download of (stable) beta Version 2, now with one pose, but far more options for characters. ~ For both editions, in each pose, male and female variations and unique accessories. ~ Dozens of outfit, weapon, headgear, face, decoration, and background options. ~ Finished characters can be saved in (plain text) generating-code and by screen captures. ~ Full, automatic rights to use your characters noncommercially. ~ Links to Websites, Yahoo! Groups, and other locations for discussion and character archiving.
Jeff Hebert has created an astounding tool in V1, and V2 is already even better as to what you can modify. I've used both versions for the last year, and it's helped unlock my own Muses a bit.
Try it! And feel free to post your own images, and even the HM text code for re-creating them, in this thread. I'd also be happy to answer any questions about using the program that the HM Website or its resources don't discuss, so feel free to ask.
[ July 23, 2003, 06:55 AM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
From: Starhaven Consulate, City of Angels | Registered: Jul 2003
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Here's a screen shot of HeroMachine Version 1. You choose "dimensions" (style, pose, gender, such as Fantasy Humanoid Male) on the left, and "components" on the right that you modify by cycling through variations. The components appear as you change them on the model figure in the center.
(The program works by creating actual mini-movies in Shockwave Flash, which are run on top of the model figure.)
In Version 2, you have many more categories for the components, far more accessories, and can view them before they're applied. You have a broader color palette, with more controls, and can re-"layer" elements above and below each other to blend, hide, or emphasize them.
When you've tweaked everything you want, you can save the plain-text code that will generate it again in HeroMachine. You can also do a screen capture -- with IrfanView, Photoshop, PSP, or a similar tool -- of the image. (Shockwave Flash doesn't allow that directly, at least for now.)
Here's an example, from CoolCollecting.com, one of many HeroMachine fan sites. After creating and tweaking a rendition of Starfire ...
... HeroMachine v1 provides this code that you can copy to the Windows Clipboard (CTRL + C) and then save in a text file:
If you load that long text string (no returns within it) back into HeroMachine by copying it to the Clipboard, and then pasting from it (CTRL + V), HM will create the image once again.
You can, of course, fully tweak the image that you save in a screen capture with MS Paint, PSP, PhotoShop, or any other image editor.
[ November 17, 2003, 03:38 PM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
From: Starhaven Consulate, City of Angels | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I created this winged couple, both well-equipped with fire, in HeroMachine Version 2.
After tweaking each of them, I used Flash's "zoom" feature to view them in high resolution, and then screen-captured them with the free IrfanView utility.
They both were facing toward the viewer's right; I used MS Paint to copy, paste, and flop the man to face the woman, and then used Paint and PSP to make subtle adjustments to both characters' appearances.
[ November 17, 2003, 03:43 PM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
From: Starhaven Consulate, City of Angels | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
And this was the last one I tried my hand at. It was for a now defunct e-mail RPG with the Legion starting from day one. As you can see from the last two, I like the idea of Garth having a neatly trimmed beard. I do not like super-heroes who look like children.
posted
And Grey, thank you for starting this topic. I had basically forgotten all about HeroMachine. I used to have great fun playing around in it. I'll have to give it a try again.
Faraway Lad
Senator of the UP. Permanent Ambassador to the Court of Saint James
posted
I have a number of these I did a while ago. Mainly of LMBP members but I dont know how to post them here as I dont have any web space to link to
-------------------- Faithfull
From: Newcastle upon Tyne England | Registered: Jul 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Faraway Lad: I have a number of these I did a while ago. Mainly of LMBP members but I dont know how to post them here as I dont have any web space to link to
Faraway, you can e-mail them to me and I'll upload them so you can post 'em.
From: Utah | Registered: Jul 2003
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Faraway Lad
Senator of the UP. Permanent Ambassador to the Court of Saint James
posted
Thanks Scott. I'm at work at the moment but I'll get on it over the weekend
-------------------- Faithfull
From: Newcastle upon Tyne England | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Cool!!! Thanks Grey! I had misplaced the URL for that website. I had created a few original characters for some stories I'm planning on writing. Here's one I did of me:
I'll post the other characters in some follow up posts.
-------------------- "Hey Jim! Get Mon out of the Zone!! And...when do we get Condo back?"
From: Paragon City on patrol | Registered: Jul 2003
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-------------------- "Hey Jim! Get Mon out of the Zone!! And...when do we get Condo back?"
From: Paragon City on patrol | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- "Hey Jim! Get Mon out of the Zone!! And...when do we get Condo back?"
From: Paragon City on patrol | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- "Hey Jim! Get Mon out of the Zone!! And...when do we get Condo back?"
From: Paragon City on patrol | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
Hyperpath: Email this page to someone!
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