I’ve had several graphics freeware packages recommended to me by friends. This is my attempt to list them all, but I think I forgot one or two.

3D FREEWARE

• Blender — an all-purpose 3D and compositing package
  Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Solaris, Irix
• POV-Ray — a free render engine
  Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
• Wings 3D — a 3D modeler
  Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
• DAZ Studio — a Poser competitor
  Windows, Mac OS X
• Google Sketchup — another 3D modeler
  Windows, Mac OS X

2D FREEWARE

• Irfanview — an image browser
  Windows
• GIMP — an image editor
  Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
• Inkscape — a vector graphics editor
  Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
• Scribus — desktop publishing
  Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, OS/2 (!!!)
• Bullzip — a PDF printer
  Windows
• Project Dogwaffle 1.2 — a paint program
  Windows
• ImageMagick — a commandline image editor
  Windows, Mac OS X, Unix
• Pencil — a traditional 2D animation software package
  Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
• ArtRage 2.5 Starter Edition — another paint program
  Windows, Mac OS X
• HDR Shop v1 — free if used for non-commercial purposes
  Windows
• CinePaint — HDR image editor
  Mac OS X, Linux, BSD

I’ll have a table at SPX 2009 later this month, and I will have manga-sized versions of Lore, Vol. 1 for sale. However, I do not know if I’ll have new material ready for the convention. The past year kept me busy.

My “day job” is visual effects. I wrapped up working as a character rigger on Animal Armageddon in April. This summer I worked mostly on commercials. I created this skull-shaped, symmetrical water splash for this Tanqueray commercial:

I used RealFlow, LightWave 3D, and a ton of Python scripting to create the skull-splash.

It’s been some time since my last update. The past few months have kept me busy. I worked as a RealFlow artist on this commercial…

…and I fell behind on updating this site.

I will start posting pages from Lore #9-12 soon.

I compiled this list for a friend, but I would like to share it here.

ANIMATION INFORMATION

• Animation Archive - online archive of animation art
• Animation Meat - model sheets and notes from animation greats
• Animation Podcast - audio interviews with animation artists
• Bill Plympton: Advice to Students
• Bill Plympton: How to Survive
• Floyd Norman - gags and animation history
• Frank & Ollie - tips from two of the “Nine Old Men”
• Milt Kahl on animation - audio recording from another of the “Nine Old Men”
• Pencil Test Depot
• Richard Williams - video clips from The Animator’s Survival Kit - Animated
• SynchroLux - animation information and techniques
• TAG Blog - industry and art news
• Temple of the Seven Golden Camels - animation/storyboarding information

A nasty group that calls itself the Westboro Baptist Church announced their intent to picket the San Diego Comic Con this Thursday, July 22nd.

Geeks have positive ways to counter this protest, however. The awesome Phelps-A-Thon has set up a fundraiser to benefit The Hero Initiative and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. For every minute the WBC protests Comic Con, another dollar will be raised for the Phelps-A-Thon.

Kelly Sue DeConnick has planned a similar fundraiser where participants donate directly to amfAR and the Human Rights Campaign.

Whether one uses Phelps-A-Thon or donates directly to a cause, these are all excellent ways to counter-protest the WBC. I’ve made a flat-rate donation to Phelps-A-Thon, and I hope others consider donating as well.

Geeks counter-protesting the WBC at Comic-Con yesterday: