Make Your Character Come to Life With Character Animation

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Creating your own cartoon character is a fun and exciting activity. Do you remember the time when you were a kid, when you just loved to draw cartoon characters along with the squiggles? There is no rule that you have to stop this hobby if you are still into it as you grow into an adult. If you want to engage in character animation, there are a few factors to consider. First, think of the word character. What do you want your cartoon to be all about? Imagining what your hero or heroine's character will be can help you get an initial idea and determine how your cartoon will look like. Start with the basic geometric shapes. Circles, squares and triangles are a good way to start your drawing. Then put in the details as you go along. Remember to include in your study drawings the different facial expressions of your character, like what it will look like when angry, happy or sad. Draw about five to seven initial drafts of your characters before going on to the next step.

Make Your Character Come to Life With Character Animation

Once you're done with your cartoon and you are satisfied with the initial sketches, then the next step is to write the script, which is the challenging part. It is important to have a script if your character animation will involve several cartoon characters and voice actors. The longer your animation feature is, the better your script will develop. It will help you in creating a solid storyboard, which is a small series of pictures and drawings of your complete animation. It will contain the highlights and important scenes of your plot. Your scenes do not have to be detailed, the basic sketches and rough drawings will do because the storyboard will just serve as your guide. You can even draw stick figures and simple geometric shapes for the background. With this, you don't have to necessarily record your audios in order.

There are several free or paid recording software available both for the Mac and PC platform. But since this is your first character animation, just go for the free or trial ones. You will also need a good quality microphone. A mic that can filter out background noise is a good choice but can be costly. Time your voice according to your animation. Or time your animation according to your voice. But it should be stressed that you should time everything. Otherwise, your animation will look like a dubbed foreign cartoon where the lips don' match the words!

Study animation various software and stick to the one that you feel most comfortable working on before looking for more advanced software. Of course you also have to consider the effects you are going to us like the background noise, music and the sound effects. Again, because you have a storyboard, you don't have to do the animation in sequence. You can go through the scenes and just arrange them when you're done. As easy as that, you can distribute copies of your animation feature. Remember to ask for feedback so that you can improve on your next project. Who knows, maybe one day you will be able to join the rank of the elite in the field of being a character animator?

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Create Your Own Virtual World With Online Gaming

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A major element of video game appeal is the visual eye-candy splashing across the television screen, but even this addictive imagery represents only half the equation. The remaining half is the magic of watching this realistic imagery coming to life before your very eyes. The animation controlled by a gamer is catalyst needed to escape into a different time and place - a time and place created by virtual reality.

Create Your Own Virtual World With Online Gaming

Imagine if you will the hypothetical three-dimensional visual world created on a computer through virtual reality. A player can enter this world, move about, and interact with objects as if you were really there. Video games such as Zelda, Halo, or Harry Potter are some great examples of games that give a player a taste of virtual reality. They allow a player to enter an environment and interact with objects but they do not allow a player to create a new environment, which is what makes virtual worlds unique.

Without a single ounce of programming experience, a virtual world can be created by anyone with an idea. The fun begins when you see that first idea come to life.

To begin, a plan must be constructed that maps your idea of what the perfect world, the craziest world, or the oddest world would be, the only limit is your imagination. Some virtual world software provides a template or 'starter' world which allows you to make additions and ultimately build the world of your dreams. A good example a template can be found inside Maxis' SimCity or SimTown games which provide pre-designed environments allowing plenty of space and opportunity to be shaped into a unique form.

Starting from scratch is always on option, of course, but this takes more time and requires more knowledge of how to add some of the features available in a virtual world. Whether you build a world from scratch or begin with a template, a world is built by adding objects and scenarios or deleting other objects until the user has reached a perfect balance and created their perfect world.

Online gaming is a great place to find examples of what you can build in a virtual world. Every available virtual world program offers sample environments for players to download and install into their own system. Some manufacturers will even sponsor contests, awarding the winners free upgrades. Other great resources for virtual world ideas are books (fiction, historical, fantasy, and futuristic to name a few) and science fiction movies.

Remember; Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will your perfect virtual world. Understanding that virtual gaming takes time is very important but there is no rush and this can be a relaxing hobby. Take your time and have fun. Don't fret over not knowing how to build an object or lay down a map - you will learn how these things are done in time the goal is to create a world of enjoyment, not frustration.

The next step is to add characters with a unique history, odd habits, strengths and weaknesses; giving them goals or small tasks to perform throughout the game, thus adding a plot to your game.

To get started, look for RAD (Rapid Application Development) Tools which will help you bang a virtual reality game together in no time and with little difficulty.

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A Few Secondary Benefits That Solar Pool Covers Offer the Home Pool Owner

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Primary benefits of solar pool covers are:

• solar pool covers have built in solar heating properties and actually contribute positively to warming the pool water.
• They also prevent evaporation which is a natural process with a cooling effect on the water.
• They work very well with your solar pool heating system helping to maintain consistently warm temperatures.

Secondary benefits of pool solar covers are:

• A solar pool cover extends the length of your swimming season. For chilly locations, it will stop heat loss and retain the pool warmth generated by your pool heating system the previous day by preventing the usual nightly drop in temperature. If you are someone who loves an early morning dip, the water in your pool will certainly be much warmer than the water in your neighbor's uncovered pool.

• A solar pool cover drastically reduces water-loss caused by evaporation. Evaporation is a process that removes water from your pool steadily throughout the day. Those weekly or bi-weekly top-ups that you previously had to do become a thing of the past. Now, only infrequent topping up will be needed especially when the pool is being enjoyed to its fullest.

• Pool solar covers cut down on work around the pool because it prevents leaves, insects and other debris from falling into the pool. This will reduce the amount of pool cleaning you need to do.

• Pool solar covers save you money. Firstly, you will not be topping-up pool water levels as often, your water bill will definitely be lower. Secondly, your pool chemical bill will decrease. Evaporation constantly throws off the chlorine balance (or whatever pool chemical you use) in your pool. You have to monitor chemical levels constantly and keep adding more to ensure water hygiene is good. With a pool solar cover, water loss decreases to such an extent that you need to adjust chemical levels far less often.

• A solar pool cover will also improve safety around your pool. Even if your swimming pool is fenced, the gate can accidentally be left unlatched with potentially tragic consequences for small children and animals. it will provide an additional measure of safety giving you more peace of mind.

A solar swimming pool cover really does make a difference and is well worth the investment as it improves the overall effectiveness of your solar pool heating system which, and this is more to the point, will make for a great swimming experience even when the weather is cold!

A Few Secondary Benefits That Solar Pool Covers Offer the Home Pool Owner

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5 Myths About Writing Web Site Content

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The number one reason a Web site fails is because of poorly
written content. Words are what sell your customer, not pretty
pictures or animated graphics. Sure, a professional looking
Web site with good navigation is a must for a successful Web
site, but so is content.

5 Myths About Writing Web Site Content

However, the majority of people will hire a professional
Web site designer to create their Web site and then write the
content themselves. According to the experts, only 13 percent
of Web sites are written by a professional copywriter. The
rest are home grown. Why is this a problem?

Let's look at some of the myths about writing Web site content:

1) To create content, all I have to do is put the content of my
brochure and marketing materials on my Web site.

If only it were so easy. Unfortunately, the marketing materials
written for offline use do not directly translate into online
marketing material. The offline marketing materials are usually
too wordy and need to be rewritten to reflect the uniqueness of
online writing. It needs to be organized with navigation
considerations and text links for optimum use.

2) I know the most about my product or service, so I should be
the one to write the content for my Web site.

I actually heard a Web site designer say this to his audience
during a workshop. He encouraged them to write their content
because only they are the experts in their field.

I beg to differ. Yes, you know the most about your business,
but that doesn't mean you know how to best write about your
business. A good Web site copywriter will do an extensive
interview with the client and find out everything she needs
to know to write persuasive, mega-watt copy that gives you
the competitive edge.

3) I know what I want to say and I'm a pretty good writer; I
got A's in English when I was in school.

Good Web site writing is not just putting together a well
written sentence or paragraph like you used to do for an essay
in your English classes. Web site writing is like writing in
another language because you are writing for search engines
as well as humans.

Your content needs to be interesting to your human visitors
and written in such a way that you get high rankings with the
search engines. Not so easy to do for someone who's most
challenging writing has been English essays.

4) If I decide to hire someone to write my Web site copy, it
has to be someone who is familiar with my industry.

Sometimes my clients will ask me if I've ever written content
for a certain industry. They think I have to know all about
their industry to write about it.

Not true. Yes, there is a slight learning curve on my part
when I interview the client. But, it is never a problem.
In fact, it is often a distinct advantage because I can think
like their typical customer and not someone who is completely
knowledgeable about the industry. So, if a client tries to use
jargon one the Web site, I point out why it would be a problem.

5) I can't afford to hire a professional Web site copywriter.

Actually, the truth is just the opposite. One of the best
investments you can make is to hire a professional Web site
copywriter. How many sales are you missing because your site
content is poorly written? How many people are leaving your
site because they are bored?

Return on Investment (ROI) is a common term in business and you
need to look at the ROI of your Web site. How many sales do you
need to make to cover the costs of hiring a professional writer?

Last summer I was hired by a client who was dissatisfied with
the sales on her site. She was getting thousands of hits but
very few sales. As soon as I went to the site I understood why
her sales were so dismal, you couldn't figure out where to go
to buy the products because the site was so poorly written.

I rewrote her site so visitors could easily understand what she
was selling and how to buy it. Literally four hours after she
put up the new content, she was pulling in sales!

Get the visibility you need on the Internet by having professionally written Web content that dramatically increases your Web site traffic and sales.

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Retirement Gifts

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Retirement gifts are generally given by the management of an organization to a retiree as a token of appreciation for their services. Retirement gifts always make a retiree feel very special. Crystal glass gifts have always been popular retirement gifts. Many organizations give exquisite crystal glass items to their employees. These gift items include crystal glass clocks, crystal glass globe and crystal glass vases. Animal figures made of crystal and mounted on wooden platform also make unique gifts.

Retirement Gifts

Generally, colleagues and friends also give retirement gifts to the retiree during a farewell party. These gifts signify the feelings of respect and affection they have for that retiree. Gift baskets such as sweet baskets, tea and coffee baskets or fruit baskets can be a very good option. Personalized mementos that have the name of the retiree carved or embossed on it can also be presented to retirees. They are usually less expensive and easily available. Personalized crystal glass bowls and vases are a great alternative for trophies.

Figurines, coasters, and photo frames can be great impersonal gifts for a colleague or an employee. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made from various materials. Retirement gifts can also include a variety of brass articles such as brass figurines, brass desk clocks, and brass showpieces.

Close friends and family can gift a travel voucher to the retiree. This provides an opportunity for them to go away on a relaxing vacation. They can also give a gift voucher of a departmental store or a bookshop so that the retirees can purchase a gift of their choice. A good retirement joke book can also be a great gift for a dear friend who has just retired.

A wide range of retirement gifts is available on the Internet. Individuals have the choice of going through the product catalogue to understand the specifications and the price range of that particular gift. Individuals can place an order for a particular item online by specifying the product code.

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Top Five Places Not to Miss When You Travel to Kansas City

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Kansas City, Missouri - not to be confused with the other Kansas City, Kansas - is a vibrant and historically rich city that does indeed have many amazing places to see and things to do if you are visiting. Located roughly 250 miles west of St. Louis, set right on the border of Kansas, this city is one of the only cities in the United States that is actually positioned on two state borders, the Kansas side and the Missouri side. It is important to note that the Missouri side is where all of the fun and excitement occurs, from the revitalized downtown area, the many museums and the historical districts, not forgetting the rich history of this great city. On the Kansas side, the city consists mostly of suburbs and is actually lacking in any areas of real interest.

Top Five Places Not to Miss When You Travel to Kansas City

During the early 1800s, this city was a true staple to the wagon trains and settler routes that defined America. The city financially suffered during the Civil War but was later revived during the railroad tycoon revolution that saw thousands of stockyards populate the state. Today, the city boasts a mixture of cultures and ethnicities that have spawned a vibrant and exciting, newly revitalized downtown area complete with an astute mixture of arts, sciences, shopping districts and professional sports teams that have certainly earned Kansas City its own right as a destination, mid-western city on the US map. If you plan on traveling here, make sure to checkmark some of these must-see locations.

Kansas City Zoo: One of the largest and most complete zoos in the entire US, this zoo boasts an amazing two hundred plus acres of land that it sits on. It is so large, in fact, that they even have trams that take visitors from one end of the zoo to another, as it could easily take half an hour to walk to both ends on foot. The zoo offers animals from around the world and is so popular that the park sees nearly three quarters of a million visitors annually. Don't forget to hop on a guided train tour of the zoo, to truly enjoy all the exhibits that it has to offer.

Westport: An absolute must-see when you travel to Kansas City, MO. Perhaps the oldest historical district in the entire city, and in the state for that matter, some of the red brick buildings in this district are so old that they used to serve as supply outposts for settlers and pioneers. Aside from the history and the many preserved buildings, this district is adorned with a plethora of unique eateries, art galleries, nightclubs, boutique stores and cafes.

18th & Vine District: This is the number one place that you HAVE TO SEE if you find yourself in this great city. Fondly referred to by musicians around the world as, 'The Birthplace of Jazz,' this location was the stomping grounds of some of jazz's greats including: Charlie Yardbird Park, Count Basie, Joe Turner and Ella Fitzgerald, just to name a few. Places not to be missed include: American Jazz Museum, Horace M. Peterson III Visitors Center and Gem Theater. On an additional note, this is the top tourist destination in the city, so don't forget to mark this on your must-see list.

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: Experience some of the most famous art pieces in the world firsthand. Just to let you know about a few of the artist's works that you can see here, they include works by the following masters: Homer, Caravaggio, Monet, Titian, Rodin, Renoi, and many more. The museum offers several sections, including a real Egyptian tomb, a Chinese area and even a sculpture garden. An absolute Must-See!

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art: There are many different facets to this great museum of contemporary arts. From above, the building has been designed to look like a bird with spread wings flying. Inside, onlookers can enjoy some of the most prominent contemporary artworks in the world. From Herb Ritts, to Robert Juarez, if you travel to Kansas City, MO, make certain you set aside a few hours to peruse this great museum.

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Stinky Dog Breath - Ways to Combat the Foul Odor

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Your Dog's Bad Breath is Preventable and Treatable

Stinky Dog Breath - Ways to Combat the Foul Odor

Some people think that its normal for all dogs to have bad breath. However, there is really no reason why your dog cannot have fresh breath. If your dog suffers from bad breath, there's most likely a reason for it. Here are some ways to prevent bad breath.

Effective Tips for Brushing Your Dog's Teeth

Dogs need good dental hygiene as much as people do. They don't usually get cavities but they are prone to plaque and tartar (which is the ugly brown build up you see on some dogs' teeth). Plaque and tartar can lead to bad breath and more serious dental problems. You can keep your furry friend's teeth pearly white and remove plaque with regular brushing.

Brushing your dog's teeth is not as difficult as it may sound. There are special canine brushes angled to fit into their mouth. Some owners prefer to use small dental pads or rubber "fingers" that fit over their finger; you can then slip this little rubber piece into the dog's mouth to do the brushing.

There are also canine toothpastes. These toothpastes come in flavors that are designed to appeal to a dog's taste buds such as yummy peanut butter and beef. Most dogs consider these pastes to be treats so after you introduce them, it becomes easy to get your dog to open up and let you brush.

Brushing your dog's teeth is very much like brushing your own. The only real difference is that you will need to make sure you brush far in the back of your dog's mouth since dogs have such long, deep jaws. Make sure you brush on the sides the teeth well, too, since tooth decay also occurs in this area.

Professional Cleaning by a Veterinarian

Even with good brushing your dog will probably need to have her teeth professionally cleaned by your veterinarian at some point in her life. Good indicators that a visit to a veterinarian is required is if you notice your dog suffers bad breath regularly or refuses food. Bad breath is often an indication of a dental problem.

Fresh Mints

Your dog may also have bad breath if she's been chewing on some bad-tasting objects. Perhaps she found something foul in the yard such as an animal carcass or garbage. Maybe she likes to eat poop? You can try to get her to stop paying attention to these nasties but, in the mean time, it will also help if you give her some better-tasting treats to chew on. Good oral chews recommended by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, such as Canine Greenies, are available.

You can also give your dog treats for good breath. There are a number of treats that claim they improve a dog's breath. Some of them are mint-flavored or have other flavors that are more appealing to people. Try some and see if your dog likes them.

Most dogs should have pleasant breath as long as they don't have any dental problems. The exceptions usually occur when your dog has been eating something with a bad odor or taste. If your dog's teeth are fine and she has not been eating anything yucky, then you should consult your veterinarian as it is possible the bad breath is due to a medical condition.

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