Creating a 3DO animation

• A simple animation (ANIM) is one file consisting of 3DO cels and information about the frame rate.

• A streamed animation (SANM) is an animation which has been prepared for weaving by the 3DO Data Streamer's Weaver tool.

How to create an ANIM file with the CCM

1. Open DeBabelizer.

2. From the File menu, choose Batch, then Save Simple from the submenu.

3. Specify the file or files in the left panel of the dialog:

   If you're converting a series of frames, click on New, then create the batch list using the dialog that appears.

   If you're converting an animation or QuickTime movie, create a batch list consisting of a single file.

   Note: You can follow the corresponding steps to create a SANM.

   

   Figure 1: Dialog for saving a simple animation.

4. In the right panel, click on Auto Naming Options and type a name for your animation (see the figure above).

   Note: When creating an animation from a list of files, make sure to supply a single new name.
   

   

   Figure 2: Dialog for specifying auto-naming options.

5. Click on the Set button in the Save: region of the Batch Save Simple dialog to specify the directory for the 3DO animation.

6. Bring up the Type pop-up, choose 3DO, and choose the desired type from the submenu.

7. Click DO IT to start the conversion process.

   If you've selected Anim, the following dialog appears next:

   

   Figure 3: Dialog options for a 3DO animation.

   If you select Single CCB, the CCM saves one CCB for all frames in the animation. This is usually preferable for uncoded cels.

   If you select Add Header, you can then determine the frame rate.

8. Check "Skip this box" unless you want to make changes for future frames.

   Note: If the dialog has been used before and the "Skip this box next time" box was checked, hold down the Option key while clicking DO IT to override.

   Next, you are prompted for the cel type. You will see the CelWriter dialog.

   

   Figure 4: CelWriter

   You can currently save 16-bit and 8-bit uncoded cels and 6-bit, 4-bit, 2-bit, and 1-bit coded cels with the CelWriter CCM. Note that 8-bit uncoded cels are rarely desirable, since you have no control over the palette.

   Note: To save an 8-bit coded cel, use the Coded-8 CCM discussed in Creating coded cels with the 3DO CelWriter.
   

9. Select the cel type you need, then check the Suppress Dialogs box unless you expect to make a different selection for the next frame.
   • DeBabelizer saves the first file, reporting progress in a dialog.

   • When DeBabelizer gets to the second file, you are prompted for a new name.

10. Click Replace All to create one animation file containing all the frames in the list or the QuickTime movie.