Animation: How a lock works

[transformers0704]

Stianbl

EXCELLENT first of all and eye opening experience to see a cutaway its for people who cant visual whats going on side a lock. Great for people who are just getting into lock sport.
happy picking

[something_clever]

Excellent animations... Do you mind telling us what program you used?

[sfi72]

Excellent animations... Do you mind telling us what program you used?

I'm going to venture a guess, and say 3DS Max

[something_clever]

Thanks sfi72, that's what I figured too, since it's mentioned in the title of some of his other videos on youtube. But you never really know if someone uses more than one program depending on what they're doing or not. Especially if the person is a student and has to learn most of the available programs.

[jos weyers]

Stianbl!!!
What the *bleep*¿? This is just stunning.

How much work is it (not renderingtime, but actual work) to change these video's?
pickgun, bumping, picking, europrofile cilinders, euro configuration?

As instructional video's these are too good to be true!
Are we allowed to use it?

[JACKthePICKER]

this animation was very helpful gives me a mental image every time i pick i think it will help others too

[Stianbl]

Hey hey! =)

I's sorry for replying so late. As I'm taking 1 year in Australia to study I couldn't bring my computer or any of my locks/picks, thus stoping me from doing any more contribution while I'm down here..

But I want to let you all know that I really apreaciate your comments, and I'm very happy that you all like what I did =) I'm looking forward to get my hands on a good computer again and do some more work for the community as soon as I can, but I think it might have to wait another 6 months or so till I get back to Norway.

Right now I have 4 months summer holiday (yeah, thats a lot!), so I'm just traveling around. been in Indonesia for some weeks, and now I'm in South-Korea. I'll stay here some weeks, and then back to Indonesia for a month, and finally back to Australia for my last semester. =)

Hope you'll be patient and that you might give me requests on what to model/animate when I get back, as I'd love to do some more. =)

Now to answer some posts:
- - -

@Schuyler:
Sure. As long as you ask (as you did), and dont take the credit for the work yourself I'm happy to let you use it. =)
Spool/serrated pins: I'll be happy to make some work on this. In fact, I think security pins is so important to explain that it will be a priority when I get back to my computer. Then go on and explain the basic picking prosess in detail too, and after that maybe move on to more advanced methodes. Bumping will be coming too. But as I said, not yet =/ I need computer power to render these shots out, as it would take way too long time on a normal student laptop.

@transformers0704:
Thanks mate =) I'm really glad you liked it!

@something_clever:
Thanks. =) And yes, I did use 3ds max 2009.

@sfi72:
Spot on

@jos weyers:
I'm really glad you guys like my work =)
Hmmm.. The problem I have with animating the shots is that I have to manualy animate all the pins, which takes quite a lot of time. Not too much, but I'd say a good couple of hours to make a nice short animation of picking the lock. Not too bad, but it gets really boring. So I've been trying to find a way to automate it. To make the pins react to the pick thats inserted. If I manage to do this then I will be able to produse all sorts of animations for you guys. But then I have another problem. rendering.. Rendering a short clip takes a lot of time. days..
Heres a quick raking test I did: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wemp-8WD9dY
Note, I will remake the lock, as there are several faults with it. Pins are too long, and stuff like that.
But I made the model when I was learning lockpicking, and now I know even more. =)

And you may use these, yes. But only if it is non-profit. If it's for profit work then we need some sort of an agreement. =) But I'll try and make much more when I get back to norway in half a year. =)

@JACKthePICKER:
Thanks =)
the point is, as you say, to give a mental picture, so that people do realize how the basic lock works. This alone will make the picking much easier, as you now know whats happening inside while you work on the lock.

- - -

I'm looking forward to be able to post more animations and stills as soon as I get back to Norway. =)
Thanks for your support and feedback.

[gladysila]

What is the best animation software and graphics software that is used by professionals? It is for a half hour 2D animated show that is going to be for TV. And it should get jobs done quickly because the shows plots are some-what based upon current events. I think you could do 2D animation with 3D software and since because 3D software has better graphics. So, yeah, help me with this.

[Stianbl]

Well, there are two leading softwares. Both from Autodesk. Maya and 3D Studio Max.
I use 3ds max.

there are also a lot of other 3d software used, but a google search should give you more information about that.

Yes, you can render out 2d if you want to, with cellshading and stuff like that. But the software takes time to learn. A lot of time.. So unless you already got people who know the software you wont be able to produce anything for a long time.

If it's going to be only 2d then you might want to check out some other software thats easier to learn. I dont remember any now, but i do remember I used some cartoon softwares a while a go, for making 2d cartoons. Works well, and you dont have to learn all the new consepts within 3D.

[Stianbl]

I've got a request:

Could anyone do me a favour, and post me some pictures for ref?
I would like to give the lock animations another try, as I've got ftp and remote desktop connection to my computer back in Norway, and I'm soon getting my new core i7 laptop. This means I will be able to render and produse stuff a lot better now!

What I would like, is some ref pictures of a lock. this will be the base lock that all the animations in this "series" will be made from, so it must be a good and widly used lock that people are familiar with. Like the TrioVing lock i used for my animations here. Only problem is the scale is a bit off, and I aint got no locks on hand here now. The best would actually be if someone had a lock they could open, and get a picture with the key, all the pins, and the cylinder (and showing the hole distance and width in general).

Might be a lot to ask for, but I hope I will be able to produce some nice animations from it as a thanks =)

[femurat]

I think a Schlage SC1 kik is one of the most common locks. Here you can find some pics, if you need higher resolution pictures or different ones just ask.

Cheers

[Stianbl]

Thanks mate =) Quick response! =D

[drop dead fred]

thanks

[00bluebeast]

Simply amazing what software can do these days i thought it was real for a second till i looked at the title again, thanks and good job.

[greenman]

nice animation. pretty simple once you understand it