larryb123456

@ jaclaz: "I am the REAL duck smiley, not your silly jaclaz duck emoticon/smiley !!!" "Quack, quack !!!" "And don't you forget it !!!" "Good-bye !!!"

@ jaclaz (and other interested compatriots): On the other forum I mentioned in my last Post, this is my avatar: To make it, I downloaded the chimp-with-a-gun image (i.e., "Picasso"-stole it), cropped it, re-sized it, and made the simple 8-frame GIF by adding the LBBL. L and B are for larryb123456 B and L are the letters LB sees when he looks in a mirror. And when you put it all together, you get LBBL. I really like the simplicity of this image. (And that chimp is one bad mamma jamma !!!)

@ jaclaz: BTW, on reboot.pro, I liked your Location: The Outside of the Asylum. On another forum I'm on, I give my location as: 10 kilometres beyond infinity. (I thought that one up myself. Note the European spelling of "kilometers".)

@ jaclaz: Thanks for taking time to write your Post. That's correct. I have no choice since I have *only* Windows XP installed. Clearly written. Really, I'm kind of surprised that people would put such effort into a "graphical experience" that would be in effect only during booting (if I understand you correctly). And, also, this graphical experience would be much, much less an experience than what would be available once booting was over (as in fooling with Photoshop, making animations, or simply "surfing" the internet, etc., etc., etc.). With me the "plain text" booting I have is just something that I want to be finished ASAP. Even if some graphical experience booting was there, I'd still want it to be finished ASAP.

I wish I lived in FUNKY TOWN, but since I don't, I just have to be content to listen to this song and that song 50 to 100 times a day.

@ jaclaz: At reboot.pro, may I suggest your having: with many, many thanks to the animated GIF creator, who is an international man of mystery that prefers to remain anonymous. Or, more to the point, that prefers to remain anonymous". But it's your Post. So what you have is fine by me, if you like it. Can you explain, in Forrest Gump lingo, what the animated GFXboot is all about ? (In the meantime, I'll research a little online.) Your screenshot seems to be *highly computer technical*, and I don't know anything about computers. Personally, if I put my energies into additional "learning", I think I'd prefer to know how to make video userbars.

Thanks, jaclaz, for that very nice acknowledgement at reboot.pro. The MSFN link you Posted there opens with my invitation to make avatars and signatures for others. I really wouldn't want to do that for reboot.pro members -- (as explained in the next paragraph) -- and I wouldn't want them to get the wrong idea from the link. As you've noticed, my recent (i.e., since the distant past) efforts have primarily been geared toward making animated userbars, where I, myself, can determine the subject matter and try different things (as I did in my last Post) to suit myself. If you think your reboot.pro link won't take me away from those efforts, please leave your Post as you made it. Otherwise, say, "The creator of this animated GIF is an international man of mystery who prefers to remain anonymous". Or, more to the point, "The creator of this animated GIF prefers to remain anonymous".

I really like watching basketball, college preferably -- (especially the University of Kentucky) -- rather than the pros, but I saw a graphic I liked for the NBA. I cropped it top and bottom and made the following userbar from it, http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa403/larryb123456/AniMS012sec60frames255colors350x19pxOOED239KB.gif This is a frame-by-frame animation: 60 unique frames, 0.12 sec display time per frame, 255 colors, 350x19px, 239 KB. The image is scrolled vertically at the rate of 3px per frame. The background is a 3-frame animated GIF. I made the background animation from the GIF below. Resource.3-frame.GIF(250x250px), 212 KB, http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa403/larryb123456/Resource3-frameGIF250x250px.gif To make the background, I simply re-sized this GIF to userbar dimensions, 350x19px, saved each of the 3 frames as a .psd file, and added the same ellipse layer and medium-blue scanlines to each frame. The result is shown below. 3-frame.background.GIF(350x19px), 18 KB, http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa403/larryb123456/3-framebackgroundGIF350x19px.gif I like the way this background "activates" the userbar.

@ jaclaz and dencorso: Thanks for your kind words, dencorso, and again a *big thanks* for "Facepalm". If you look at the animation, you can see what a big part of the story that is. But any success of the Duck emoticon project is definitely due to a MSFN team effort: I'd say mostly to jaclaz for his screenplay and his *compacting* of the scenario yesterday. To me, that made all the difference -- in speeding the story along and eliminating "irrelevant" emoticon boog-a-loo. I really didn't do all that much. I just ripped off -- either in part or totally -- existing emoticons. But I guess that makes me a "good artist", for as Picasso said, "Good artists copy, great artists steal."

Loved the 1st Spoiler image. "I-T" would have been what a Forrest Gump kitty would have said. As far as the 2nd Spoiler, the red dots were easy to remove. It just took a little Clearasil. A sincere statement of appreciation, such as this, makes all my hard work worthwhile. (But don't let this comment be an incentive for you to think up another animated GIF for me to make...lol...lol...lol...lol...lol...!!!)

@ jaclaz: Here you go. Duck,Turkey! (lol) jaclaz.DUCK.EMOTICON_FINAL: http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa403/larryb123456/jaclazDUCKEMOTICON_FINAL.gif Just "OK " and not "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" ? Perhaps (?) "OK " in Italian translates to "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" in English.

@ jaclaz: First off, I didn't read through your verbiage avalanche in your last Post. I think your earlier comments about "compacting" the GIF were excellent, and I came up with a good solution by eliminating frames (and adding 1 frame) to arrive at a 107 frame, 48 KB version. I solved the problem of L and R being "active" in the same frame(s) by having L move upward *as soon as* R left the scene. Here, I have presented 3 different versions. They are identical except for the speed at which R exits the scene moving right. Here, D = display time per frame, and, of course, a greater D means that R is exiting more slowly. (Angry, red R entered the scene at D = 0.10 sec.) Please let me know which version below that you want to use, and I'll remove the red registration markers to get the final version. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- jaclaz.DUCK.EMOTICON_02, D = 0.20 sec http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa403/larryb123456/jaclazDUCKEMOTICON_02.gif --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- jaclaz.DUCK.EMOTICON_03, D = 0.15 sec http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa403/larryb123456/jaclazDUCKEMOTICON_03.gif --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- jaclaz.DUCK.EMOTICON_04, D = 0.10 sec http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa403/larryb123456/jaclazDUCKEMOTICON_04.gif ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The problem with your suggestion is that we would have L and R onstage in the *same frames* moving with the different display-time sequences that each emoticon is based on. In a given frame, we can have only 1 display time, so your idea won't work. And I'm not going to redo it to try to make this scenario. Overruled! Also, IMO, it's best that R is onstage by himself while he is exiting the scene, because then full attention can be given to him. Similarly, IMO, it's best that L is onstage by himself while moving upward into the arena, because then full attention can be given to him. Unbelievable, jaclaz !!! If you check back a few Posts, you'll see that this scenario was your idea. Remember that I then said I liked that solution a lot. If I can make this by simply *eliminating frames*, I'll do it. Otherwise, I won't do it, and this project will be over. I think I can do it though by simply eliminating frames. I'll let you know my result.

I didn't make a visual storyboard as I mentioned in my last Post, because all the items had already been presented. Also, I didn't make isolated component GIF parts A, B, C, etc. because they would be confusing because there would be a herky-jerk because there wouldn't be a closed loop. What I did do was make the complete animation, 143 frames, 154x38px, 59 KB, jaclaz.DUCK.EMOTICON_01, http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa403/larryb123456/jaclazDUCKEMOTICON_01.gif This will be all the work I will do on this project, except for very, very, minor changes. What qualifies as "minor" will be determined by me. Ignore the red dots, because they are red registration markers which will be removed in the final version. Some comments, so you can look for certain aspects of the animation: L and R enter the stage energetically and at the same rate (i.e., display time per frame = 0.10 sec). L exits the stage at the same rate after his mocking. After R misses with the brick, he exits the stage moving very slowly -- (i.e., display time per frame = 0.20 sec) -- because he is sad. After R misses with the brick, he is momentarily still red-faced/angry and the first question mark shows up in this mindset. Then the transition to golden face takes place with the next question mark showing up. (This looked much better than going immediately from red face with no question marks to a series of two question marks over a gold face.) When L re-enters the stage moving vertically upward, slowly, to the "Kilroy" position and looks right and left to establish that there isn't another brick coming, he then moves very quickly up to his "base position". No need for him to continue moving slowly after the Kilroy evaluation. I spent a good deal of time adjusting the frame display times -- (independently) -- and I don't think the animation above can be improved much in this regard. As far as changes to my animation, frame display times will be all I'll do. If you want major changes to this GIF, perhaps Tripredacus can oblige, because he does frame-by-frame animations.

@ jaclaz: I did away with the "quote boxes" in thisPost. So, all comments are to be understood as you writing. FACEPALM.(with.frown.&.no.arms) approved! After L re-enters the scene vertically upward -- (after having ducked down out of the picture) -- the emoticon smiling/mocking sequence will be: (Yes, it's best to eliminate as many frames as possible.) The "kilroy" checking to see if it's safe to come up is perfect. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next, I'm going to make a "visual storyboard" Post with each step numbered. These numbers will correspond to my folder numbers in which I make each step. I'll probably put together a few related steps rather than just 1 static or animated GIF at a time. I think I'll start with R throwing the brick and L ducking, because this is the hardest part of the GIF (i.e., hardest in the sense of coordinating the throwing with the ducking and establishing the length of the GIF).

@ jaclaz: Your comments about 6R#2 are now moot, thanks to dencorso and Facepalm -- (which is now a closed case !!) -- but I'll respond anyway. Recall that I said I'd color 6R#2 in *to improve its kind and quality* and make it match the other emoticons. It's *clear*, to me at least, that the right arm is "static" to support the emoticon. I could have eliminated the right arm completely -- easy to do. I could have eliminated both arms and just left the left palm. So, is this correct? After L re-enters the scene vertically upward -- (after having ducked down out of the picture) -- the emoticon smiling/mocking sequence will be I wasn't sure if you wanted to use this one. It's 10 frames. If you want to use it, I'd just run it 1 loop. And finally, OK, I will not use the #3R character. It's just too much work anyway. I will use instead. That way, I can transition into 4 more smoothly and use the expression that the rock thrower has (i.e., mad looking left) and also his arm throwing motion. I absolutely refuse to introduce a wall -- (again, your image didn't post) -- with its associated transition problems. If you insist on a wall, get someone else to do this small project. Thanks. My "disappointed, going away" image was obtained from this image -- I think, I'll check it out. (I just eliminated frames where the emoticon was moving left). I'll use the best GIF. Again your images don't post. Is this what you are saying here? After 7, L exits the stage moving left (as a static face, which is looking left and smiling). Of course, at this point the stage is empty. The stage stays empty for a certain number of frames, and then L, whistling, re-enters the stage from the left, to bring us back to where we started, at 2. I like that solution a lot. Thanks, but I made one for the "stopped and looking around" part. See my Post # 445. The vertical motion upward after this GIF is straight-forward. So, it looks like the production scenario is about complete. My next step will be to just present all the GIFs (static and animated) in a Post numbered (in the order they appear in the play) with minimal verbiage. I'll include all the "transition" static GIFs for your approval. This will be the visual "storyboard". I need to try to keep the total number of frames below 200 (i.e., 2 Photoshop files, since 100 frames is the maximum for a file in PS 5.0), because my animator acts unpredictably when opening more than 2 .psd files. For example, if I input files in the order A, B, and C, it might order the frames as B, A (after reversing frames), C and, of course, this is an unusable mess. The animator does fine opening 2 files.

@ dencorso: Thanks again !!! Here are 2 versions of Facepalm, an 8-frame GIF: FACEPALM.(with.frown.&.arms) FACEPALM.(with.frown.&.no.arms) @ jaclaz: Which version of Facepalm do you want to use ? Here's my 6-frame Kilroy that I made. This is where L *stops* when he's re-entering the scene, upward, to look around -- (after ducking out of the picture to avoid the brick) -- to make sure that there is not another brick coming: Next, I'll try to respond to your Post.

@ dencorso: BEAUTY !!!!!!! Many thanks. You just saved me a lot of work and headaches. I'm going to modify it to eliminate the big smile and keep it frowning. I'll Post it when finished. It shouldn't take that long.

@ jaclaz: The emoticon immediately below (10 frames) is in the same category as (at the bottom of my last Post) and it could follow it in the animation if you so choose. To me, it expresses triumph and celebration. I like it. It's funny. FYI, I made it from the 22-frame GIF below by deleting frames. As far as the Kilroy image GIF, I should be able to make a good one myself. That's what I'm going to do next.

@ jaclaz: Please read this over carefully. When this (i.e., steps and emoticon characters) is approved, I'll start on the animation. Of course, once approved, there will be no changes. The animation will take a lot of work on my part. I'm not going to show the GIF where L demonstrates that he's doing something sarcastic, naughty, snappy, provoking, catty etc. *in the direction* of the right side of the stage. No need to since we're not going to use it. 2. The first scene opens with L (4-frame GIF) onstage by himself. L tries to look innocent/indifferent/detached by whistling as if he didn't do anything unseemly at all. 3. R (a 24-frame GIF) is obviously upset/angry/exasperated at L and enters the scene (from the right) in that state of mind. FYI, Imade this GIF from a 170-frame GIF by deleting similar frames. 4. Suddenly R extracts a brick and throws it towards L. L keeps whistling -- (while R is throwing his "hissy-fit" in 3) -- up to the frame at which the brick first comes into view and then he stops whistling (i.e., assumes a "static", maybe scared face). I'll use the GIF below to get the throwing motion. I'll use the GIF below to get the brick. I'll use the horizontalI "swoosh" lines if I can. I guess I'll have to make the length of the GIF relatively large so that the brick will have room to move horizontally. The hardest part of the GIF will be coordinating the horizontal brick travel with the vertical ducking. 5. L, who was only seemingly minding his own business but actually very attentive to the movements of R, quickly ducks -- (in the form of the static face in 4) -- thus making the brick miss him. The brick ends its trajectory outside the scene on the left. L ducks by disappearing downward completely out of the scene. All this in 5 is basically identical to the *throwing/ducking part* of the original GIF I made, ducking.jaclaz.GIF. 6. R is # 1 surprised I made a 2-frame GIF from the 2 static images directly below. The 2-frame GIF is below. (Ignore the red dots. They are just registration markers, which I'll remove in the final GIF.) # 2 frustrated and disappointed (i.e., "Darn it!") at having missed his intended target. I made an 8-frame version from the 18-frame GIF shown above by eliminating similar frames, to get the result shown below, but I think the 18-frame GIF should be used, because "Darn it!" is an important part of the story. Of course, I'll have to color in the yellow on each frame to match the MSFN golden yellow color. If this coloring turns into too much of a chore, I'll use the 8-frame GIF. # 3 R exits sadly the scene on the right I'll piece together something to look like the GIF below. (It's "jerky" at one point, because I eliminated all frames where the emoticon goes to the left) 7. L renters the arena moving upward (i.e., the opposite of how he ducked out of the picture) -- (tentatively at first, and looking around, because he doesn't know if R is going to throw another brick). I need a good GIF of a wide-eyed emoticon looking left and right when he's stopped in the Kilroy position ( http://www.kilroywashere.org/001-Pages/01-0KilroyLegends.html ). Can you all help me out here, because I couldn't find a suitable GIF? When he's sure another brick isn't on its way, he has a large smile on his face and then having successfully avoided being hit. Then he mocks him explicitly, Then the GIF loops back to 2. So, as I see it, we need a "neutral" face animated GIF after the mocking one to last "quite a few frames" before we see the whistling GIF, else the mocking GIF will be interpreted as being part of 2 -- which is what you don't want.

@ bphlpt: Yes, still friends. I was not having a bad day. I was having a fine day until I saw your Post. What set me off was the *sheer volume* of your (convoluted, IMO) verbiage, with the implication that I should try to read it, sort it out, and maybe respond to it. That, in itself, would have been a great, unasked for, unnecessary addition to my workload on this project. Also, your "contribution" to the "Duck project" was way, way overdue. Remember when I suggested to dencorso and jaclaz that they get together in PMs and work out the choreography? That would have been the time to for you to put your 2 cents in. The additional work of inserting the "sarcastic, naughty, snappy, provoking, catty etc." GIF would be minimal. Of course. That's the way it should be because this is his production.

Many thanks for that clarification. Yes, it's important to me that it's fun (or at least not agony) because I can then try to make the GIF in a more relaxed, creative state of mind (and also try to make it good, rather than just throwing together a bunch of sloppy steps). the "sarcatic, naughty, snappy, provoking, catty etc." already happened BEFORE, in #1 (and as said I know how to make that quite well). OK, OK, OK, OK, that's clear and I'll do it your way, of course. But I found a great GIF showing L demonstrating that he's doing something sarcastic, naughty, snappy, provoking, catty etc. *in the direction* of the right side of the stage. I'll show it to you, just so you can see what I was visualizing/thinking. Horror upon horror, you might change your mind and decide to do it my way. (lol) No, no, no !!! It's "Get two stones with one bird." Such pornography is not suitable for the MSFN forum !!! As I mentioned in an earlier Post, my next step will be to show you component GIFs A, B, C, D, etc.

@ bphlpt : I *ignored very, very, very, very, very, very quickly scanned your Post* because jaclaz had already approved everything in his Post # 429 (except for my question concerning 2 in Post # 430). I say this because my mind and efforts are *already set* in these directions, and I'll be damned if I'm going to ping-pong all around following jaclaz's *additional* whims -- (and he knows this, since I've said before that once items are approved and I put effort in, there is no going back, no re-dos, etc., etc.) -- or comments from the MSFN Peanut Gallery. I have a great idea: Since jaclaz said in his Post # 429 that this is a "small project" -- (how he can say this I haven't a clue since I don't think he knows the intricate details of putting together an animated GIF) -- you, jaclaz, and dencorso could make the GIF yourselves. If this helps, my animator is Jasc Animation Shop version 3.11. +2, +3, +4, +5, +6, +7, +8, +9, and +10.

It is clear that we know 2 different Karnac The Magnificents. I had the World Police Authorities investigate and, indeed, your Karnac is an imposter (i.e., one who engages in deception under an assumed name or identity). Thus, my previous conclusion in the indented text under 1 in my Post # 427 (i.e., even Karnac The Magnificent in a million years could not have deduced that from what you said in 1 through 7) still stands, unaltered. With regard to the second paragraph in your Post, there's no need for you to get so *defensive*. I was just casually throwing out a few ideas with the signs, etc. OK. 1 does not belong in the scene, so we start with 2. I'm still not clear on what you want. Is this below OK for 2 ? (If not, write out precisely what you want.) 2. The first scene opens with L onstage by himself. Then L demonstrates that he's doing something sarcatic, naughty, snappy, provoking, catty etc. *in the direction* of the right side of the stage. Then L tries to look innocent/indifferent/detached by whistling as if he didn't do anything unseemly at all. With regard to your point 6 (i.e., surprised) I'll use much better emoticons. The squeezing emoticon is interesting, but I'll use the ducking down out of the picture and re-appearing as I described earlier. I want to have all the steps in this production animated, if possible. My next Post will be to *isolate* all these steps, individually, and show them visually as A, B, C, D, etc. for you to see and approve. Then I can make the final animation as A + B + C + D, etc.

@ jaclaz: I await your *complete, finished* feedback on my last Post. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."