animation softwares tend to suck?

[Crohns Racing]

One thing every animation software, including SFM gets killed by, is it being either so powerful, its too hard for anybody to figure it out, or its simple enough for somebody to get a simple grasp on how it works. But has so many limits that to make something simple would be pushing it to it's limits.
SFM really falls under the "so powerful its too hard for anybody to figure it out" side, I can see SFM's power, but every time somebody tells me SFM is easy I see it as a huge lie.
in all the time I had in SFM. I managed to make a pumpkin float in the air in the center of 2fort.
thats it.
While many other animation softwares are easy to use, almost any one of them simple enough to make something in less than 2 hours is VERY limited.
Like the popular Minecraft animation software, mineimator, after watching 1 quick tutorial I was able to figure it out, but I was VERY limited on what I could do, as I was restricted to the models that were only in minecraft.
To this day I have been yet to find an animation software that is easy to use, but am able to make something good enough to do something with. (most of my animations are kept in a file because they suck too bad for me to actually show)
So I beleive something needs to be done, to make a simple but powerful animation tool, and a dumbed down SFM looks like something that would fit.

I dont know guys, give me your thoughts.

[R234]

You expected to become a pro after one hour? Watching the official tutorials alone should last you about three hours, and they don't nearly cover everything.

SFM is relatively easy to use, but you have to give it a chance...

[The Faceless Gamer]

Ya, stuff can be hard. You just need to take your time

[Wilkins Coffee]

You got's to want it, man.
I'd rather have a ridiculously powerful tool with massive potential and spend maybe a week learning the basics than have a tool that any fool could use to make a stick figure move its left arm. But that's because I wanted to. I wanted to spend that week learning how to create a light and turn it on and off. I wanted to spend that week learning how to make a camera move, or make a character shake his head.
Sure it's difficult, but you got to be willing to push through. I've been working with SFM ever since it came out 3 years ago tomorrow.
Besides, SFM is kind of a shortcut compared to other 3D animation programs. I can't think of any other programs that let you build a scene, make cameras and lights, animate and render a project all in the same package.

[Crohns Racing]

Originally posted by SamSpielberg:

You got's to want it, man.
I'd rather have a ridiculously powerful tool with massive potential and spend maybe a week learning the basics than have a tool that any fool could use to make a stick figure move its left arm. But that's because I wanted to. I wanted to spend that week learning how to create a light and turn it on and off. I wanted to spend that week learning how to make a camera move, or make a character shake his head.
Sure it's difficult, but you got to be willing to push through. I've been working with SFM ever since it came out 3 years ago tomorrow.
Besides, SFM is kind of a shortcut compared to other 3D animation programs. I can't think of any other programs that let you build a scene, make cameras and lights, animate and render a project all in the same package.

...WHY DOESNT THIS GUY WRITE SPEACHES!?!?

[ConfederateJoe]

You kidding me?
I'm just taking a shot in the dark here, but I don't reckon you've ever tried to animate in other software before.

Dude, SFM is the easiest animation program out there and that's the fact my man!
Animation itself is hard and time consuming, and if you don't learn how to animate properly you'll be kicking yourself in the balls when you try to animate.

You could learn all about SFM in a week given a good hour or two a day, but learning to animate is something different entirely.

You just need to learn how animation is done, 2D, 3D, it's all the same in every program. Sure you'll be doing it a bit differently, but essentially, the art of animation boils down to a few techniques and workflows.

Sorry if I came off harsh.

[EmperorFaiz.wav]

You seriously dont have enough dedication on SFM. At least other SFM newbies willing to learn even though it's hard. I have a friend who just finished 3D animation diploma degree and he admitted SFM is easier and less complicated than other 3D animation softwares. He even called it 'poor man's Maya software' (joke). You should be thankful you have a chance to use SFM for free instead other expensive software except Blender. Friendly reminder for you that SFM is still in beta stage and its still needs more tweaks and upgrade on the software. Be patient.

[Crohns Racing]

just throwing it out there I actually do use blender and I found it easier than SFM.

[Wilkins Coffee]

At what? Animation?

[Crohns Racing]

generally anything really, I know you dont model with SFM, but making a world is way easier than hammer, making just quick animations (almost no lip or facial movemement)
so yeah, SFM is GREAT, its just a pain to use.

[Crohns Racing]

what im saying here is basicly, there is no animation software out there that is easy enough for somebody to grasp, but not so limited on what it can do.

[Wilkins Coffee]

How long you been at Blender?

[EmperorFaiz.wav]

Originally posted by grandtank:

just throwing it out there I actually do use blender and I found it easier than SFM.

I don't know much about how to animate in Blender (I used it mostly for modelling) and of course I know Blender is better than SFM in term of functionalities. Like I said before, SFM is still in beta mode. If you still ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ SFM is sucks, it's not the software fault, you just dislike it cuz SFM is not like what you expect it to be.

[Crohns Racing]

Originally posted by SamSpielberg:

How long you been at Blender?

TBH not that long.

[Zappy]

You literally have only used Source FilmMaker for less than 1.2 hours. I have used it for over 3000 hours. I still have stuff to learn*, and hopefully I still learn or improve every single day I use Source FilmMaker.

* At the same time, there are a couple of things I know how to do in Source FilmMaker that literally noone else knows how to do. At least 1 thing.

[sonosublime]

Originally posted by Vintage:

* At the same time, there are a couple of things I know how to do in Source FilmMaker that literally noone else knows how to do. At least 1 thing.

Sharing is caring!