Your SFM Experience.

[bipolar paradise]

Hey guys, I'm getting into SFM which is obviously a tedious task at first. I was just wondering how you guys have progressed so far with SFM.

What I mean is like how were you at 10-30 hours, 50-100, 100-250, etc. What were you making at this time and how would you compare it to where you're at now?

At the moment I'm at 50 hours, I'm making posters that I post to my Steam profile, I'm no good at making films though.

Will read through all responses, thanks!

[EmperorFaiz.wav]

Here's the story about a boy who discovered a new hobby and talent he'd never expected.

Once upon a time, 2012 exactly where people was wondering and questioning about the fate of the world, there was a boy who has a decent and properous life. He always curious on everything and trying to do anything he desired to the point where his parents still unsure about his dream but always encourage him to do his best for his future. As time flies, he managed to gains new talents such as being a saxophonist and better at TF2 but he thinks it's not enough, not at all. He hungers something unique, something different, something awesome beyond his expectation.

While he is busy searching for the uncertain dream, he usually enjoy watching Gmod videos full of goofy, supreb and mentally challenged moments. As the boy watches more and more, unfinished homeworks cloging up his backpack slowly, the final year exam is coming ever so closely, he remains calm and optimistic with his mission. His parents and friends are quite concern about his doing, not caring about the real challenge is coming upon him.

Suddenly, a mysterious news comes from the holy realm known as Valve arrives to his presence along with other millions people. The news giving him an explosive burst of unexpected revelation. He and others are not expecting this kind of announcement from the company they all know and love. It was Valve's latest magnum opus (which is not a game), Source Filmmaker, finally become available for public to use to their hearts desire.

The boy witnesses with his own unblinking eyes with awe as Valve has given him an opportunity he was looking for and his quest for new adventure begans. His mind suddenly flooded with ideas he was kept in his mind during his enjoyment watching Gmod videos long ago. He can see the potential of his new hobby. He starts spamming the download button immedietly to get SFM onto his own hands. Subsequently, he did it and starts exploring with confidence.

At first, it was hard and unforgiving as he getting used with the new and foreign enviroment but he doesn't give up. He learns slow and steadily, he seeks help from the friendliest forum he ever visited which also makes him more attached with the community and spends more time perfecting his animation skill to the point where his parents and friends are clueless and unable to catch up with his progress.

Later, the boy has finally masters the basics and manages to create an awesome video he dreamed off after more than hundreds of hours of excrutiating effort. He take a deep breaths and uploads the video to Youtube and as expected, the viewers love his work. He received alots of kudos from fans, sudden rise of popularity, exceptional criticisms and lots of positive encouragements. Of course, the boy is happy as ever and willing to do it again despites new challenges keep appearing. He attempts to competes in Saxxy competitions twice and failed but he is still going strong nevertheless.

Years later unfortunately, the boy spend less time making more videos and interacts less with his fanbase due to his new independent life in the university and focusing on his new hobby, 3D modelling. Despites the setbacks, his ethusiasm and love with SFM still not erased from his mind and heart. Thus, he spends time helping fellow newbies instead, shares ideas and efforts with his friends. Many people still questioning his apparent return.

The question is, will the boy continues uploads new video soon or completely ignore his ever expanding popularity? Nobody knows. Only time tells.

[Zappy]

I've been an awfully slow learner with Source FilmMaker (or else all my friends have just been really fast learners), so... Well, I'm pretty sure that at 50-100 hours, I still couldn't do much other than game mode recording at all.

And now I can almost make an acceptably-okay-looking walk cycle, if I spend enough time with it. (Plus I'm also reasonably good at porting rigged models to Source FilmMaker if I want to.)

...But I really need to do something better with my life than this. I've wasted more than 3923 hours on Source FilmMaker so far. I wonder why it's so addicting to me when I'm... like, 5x as slow a learner as others.
Oh, and if anyone's interested, I downloaded and installed it on day one of the public release.

[alprazolam consumer]

It really depends. I'm currently at 80-90 hours and I am comfortable with posters and some more simple animations. Other people could take more time, or less. You could begin making decent animations at 100 hours, or less, if you're a fast learner - On the other hand, you could need more than 500.

[Detonatress]

I was watching GMOD videos and saw The Adventures of Pootis Man 5. Then I saw SFMs in the related videos, which were way smoother in animation.
This was the first SFM I've ever seen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSsYTj9kCHE

I said "Ooh! So this is what that SFM my friend told me about can really do!" So I went to check out SFM's page and read that it can use custom models too, so I set on the road to train in animating in it, because in the future I plan on making an original series in it. I've checked Jimer Lins' tutorials instead of the official ones and ran across extract phonemes.

On my first day, I chose the Lakeside (or Egypt, the one with the control points) as a map and decided to record a few game mode takes. Then I put a Heavy in front of the camera, made him wave and used the extract phonemes to make him talk. The end result was a 2 second video on lowest settings, with Heavy saying "Heavy wins!" while waving at the camera, and a scout somewhere in the background, jumping on walls. I never posted that to Youtube, but I showed it to a friend.

I've watched more SFMs, and saw some notable ones of James McVinnie, The Winglet, DrClay999 and various Saxxies. Then I had an idea for a big movie, so I started out both training and working on the movie. But then I realized I still need to figure some things out.
This was my second animation, after around 100 hours:
https://copy.com/j84fDH47QvVaxybz
Then several other scenes from the movie, including this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTNGJEPLIkQ
Then, at around 300 hours (still related to the movie):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKz1uuJaorM

About 800 hours later, I took a step back and made a short to practice camera movement and try out LMMS for music making:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5afz3u9WlJ4

Recently, I've made an intro for someone, but it's too rushed (due to me being busy that week) and he wanted it to be pretty dark, which didn't give me much to do with the lights. Still looks like a step back to me though, but it was fun to do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTKKGKaeZaA

During these times I've also been studying Blender with Strashniy Velikhan's help and I've started to make my own models and modify a few TF2 ones, so that others may use them in their SFMs.
http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198097989700/myworkshopfiles/

I have plans for a Saxxy but not sure if I have enough time, what with our project to enhance Invasion assets (rigging the aliens and debris).
The main movie's on hold though, because everyone in the team seems to be busy with various other things, some don't feel like using SFM anymore...

[episoder]

my exp? i don't have any. when was day 1 tho? my first poster is from 19 july 2012. bunch of hours. 3 point a known phenomenom. a light map easily hammered. a couple stupid animations later. valve pin ups with clothes and without. a lil porn maker. now i'm doing mostly stupid props and collect a ton of models to maybe release when i get time to finish them. :D

[bipolar paradise]

Wow! Great responses making for a good read! Keep responding, thanks guys!

[bipolar paradise]

Originally posted by Detonatress:

I was watching GMOD videos and saw The Adventures of Pootis Man 5. Then I saw SFMs in the related videos, which were way smoother in animation.
This was the first SFM I've ever seen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSsYTj9kCHE

I said "Ooh! So this is what that SFM my friend told me about can really do!" So I went to check out SFM's page and read that it can use custom models too, so I set on the road to train in animating in it, because in the future I plan on making an original series in it. I've checked Jimer Lins' tutorials instead of the official ones and ran across extract phonemes.

On my first day, I chose the Lakeside (or Egypt, the one with the control points) as a map and decided to record a few game mode takes. Then I put a Heavy in front of the camera, made him wave and used the extract phonemes to make him talk. The end result was a 2 second video on lowest settings, with Heavy saying "Heavy wins!" while waving at the camera, and a scout somewhere in the background, jumping on walls. I never posted that to Youtube, but I showed it to a friend.

I've watched more SFMs, and saw some notable ones of James McVinnie, The Winglet, DrClay999 and various Saxxies. Then I had an idea for a big movie, so I started out both training and working on the movie. But then I realized I still need to figure some things out.
This was my second animation, after around 100 hours:
https://copy.com/j84fDH47QvVaxybz
Then several other scenes from the movie, including this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTNGJEPLIkQ
Then, at around 300 hours (still related to the movie):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKz1uuJaorM

About 800 hours later, I took a step back and made a short to practice camera movement and try out LMMS for music making:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5afz3u9WlJ4

Recently, I've made an intro for someone, but it's too rushed (due to me being busy that week) and he wanted it to be pretty dark, which didn't give me much to do with the lights. Still looks like a step back to me though, but it was fun to do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTKKGKaeZaA

During these times I've also been studying Blender with Strashniy Velikhan's help and I've started to make my own models and modify a few TF2 ones, so that others may use them in their SFMs.
http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198097989700/myworkshopfiles/

I have plans for a Saxxy but not sure if I have enough time, what with our project to enhance Invasion assets (rigging the aliens and debris).
The main movie's on hold though, because everyone in the team seems to be busy with various other things, some don't feel like using SFM anymore...

Wow! Thank you so much for such a detailed story! I hope you do get to finish that movie, it made for interesting viewing. Best of luck!

[bipolar paradise]

Originally posted by EmperorFaiz.html:

Here's the story about a boy who discovered a new hobby and talent he'd never expected.

Once upon a time, 2012 exactly where people was wondering and questioning about the fate of the world, there was a boy who has a decent and properous life. He always curious on everything and trying to do anything he desired to the point where his parents still unsure about his dream but always encourage him to do his best for his future. As time flies, he managed to gains new talents such as being a saxophonist and better at TF2 but he thinks it's not enough, not at all. He hungers something unique, something different, something awesome beyond his expectation.

While he is busy searching for the uncertain dream, he usually enjoy watching Gmod videos full of goofy, supreb and mentally challenged moments. As the boy watches more and more, unfinished homeworks cloging up his backpack slowly, the final year exam is coming ever so closely, he remains calm and optimistic with his mission. His parents and friends are quite concern about his doing, not caring about the real challenge is coming upon him.

Suddenly, a mysterious news comes from the holy realm known as Valve arrives to his presence along with other millions people. The news giving him an explosive burst of unexpected revelation. He and others are not expecting this kind of announcement from the company they all know and love. It was Valve's latest magnum opus (which is not a game), Source Filmmaker, finally become available for public to use to their hearts desire.

The boy witnesses with his own unblinking eyes with awe as Valve has given him an opportunity he was looking for and his quest for new adventure begans. His mind suddenly flooded with ideas he was kept in his mind during his enjoyment watching Gmod videos long ago. He can see the potential of his new hobby. He starts spamming the download button immedietly to get SFM onto his own hands. Subsequently, he did it and starts exploring with confidence.

At first, it was hard and unforgiving as he getting used with the new and foreign enviroment but he doesn't give up. He learns slow and steadily, he seeks help from the friendliest forum he ever visited which also makes him more attached with the community and spends more time perfecting his animation skill to the point where his parents and friends are clueless and unable to catch up with his progress.

Later, the boy has finally masters the basics and manages to create an awesome video he dreamed off after more than hundreds of hours of excrutiating effort. He take a deep breaths and uploads the video to Youtube and as expected, the viewers love his work. He received alots of kudos from fans, sudden rise of popularity, exceptional criticisms and lots of positive encouragements. Of course, the boy is happy as ever and willing to do it again despites new challenges keep appearing. He attempts to competes in Saxxy competitions twice and failed but he is still going strong nevertheless.

Years later unfortunately, the boy spend less time making more videos and interacts less with his fanbase due to his new independent life in the university and focusing on his new hobby, 3D modelling. Despites the setbacks, his ethusiasm and love with SFM still not erased from his mind and heart. Thus, he spends time helping fellow newbies instead, shares ideas and efforts with his friends. Many people still questioning his apparent return.

The question is, will the boy continues uploads new video soon or completely ignore his ever expanding popularity? Nobody knows. Only time tells.:special:

Don't ignore your popularity! Popularity from filmmaking is my current dream! Great story btw, thanks for the reply!

[Opel Manta 400]

I started using Source Filmmaker about a year and a half ago. It was a very time consuming assignment as I had to go through lots of tutorials, only to be able to learn some basics. Then, I had to learn some more tips and tricks on how to make animations smoother, make SFM run faster (disabling the ambient occlusion), what's the best way to render your project etc. My pc had broken at some point, so I had to start all over. Even with my 400+ hours of SFM, there is still a lot to learn. Just like grinding in Gta or Cod to get some nice items. But so far I'm satisfied with my SFM knowledge, and I think all the hard work will pay off. In fact, it's already slightly beginning to pay off itself by uploading stuff to Youtube and monetizing videos. Just have to be careful so I don't interfere with any sort of copyright. Taking everything into account, I think working in SFM is a nice adventure where you don't have to move from your chair, if you have time for it.

[The Custy (ON GAMING HIATUS)]

My experience started late last January. I put in 1000 hours in less than a year. I currently have 1190+ hours. Not really much seeing lots of others but its still a substantial ammount. Anyway, i started trying to do too much. I wanted to do half life 2 work only. I ignored tutorials and tried to learn my own way. It worked but, hindered my progress greatly. I then started to use the community as a way to get help, as well as help others. My greatest animation i have ever completed does not exist. I find all my work to be crap except for my posters. But, i try hard and i dont give up. I love help from others and i love to help people as well.

[Serra, The Bonkle Fox]

horrible! the map never shows up when i load it!

[bipolar paradise]

Originally posted by The demoknight deputy:

horrible! the map never shows up when i load it!

Depending on your computer you may have to wait a substantial amount of time.

[Pyrelancer]

Hard to explain really. I just picked up SFM from the blue and started making posters with it.

I've grown a lot into making still frames and posters. Animation wise? pfft. Nothing on that train yet. Well, maybe a bit, heaven forbid anything that I can be proud or brag about though.

I'd be getting somewhere in animations if I spent more time on it, but real life keeps getting in the way. Not much I can do about that there.

[Nine Inch Males]

The pain, the pain, the pain, the paaaaiiiiiinnnn.

[Piano]

I am at 100 hours () and I mostly have been working on FNAF SFM. Shortest response. xD