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| "Winter has gone from the homefront and I'm doing my happy dance." |
My first issue: I think it's safe to assume that every designer isn't building their sets on the stage at the venue they plan to perform in. One of the features of the Stage Manager is the ability to 'mark' your stage coordinance so that every set you build and use at that venue will come out perfectly. The problem for me however is the z positioning, if I don't move it correctly my sets are either floating or sinking into the venue stage. It's an easy fix, just whip out the marker at the venue with the set and move it to the desired position, click on it to get the new coordinance. Unfortunately that's one extra step to set up when with traditional rez systems all you have to do is move the box until your set is where you want it. I'm sure in time I'll find a work around and won't run into this issue, at least I hope.
My second issue: The creators of this product recommend that you link as many pieces together as you can so it's easier to pack, but sometimes that's not possible for me to do. As I've said before and for those who have seen my productions, I'm anally descriptive with my sets, and it would not be uncommon for me to have 20 or more linked pieces that I need to pack and believe me when I say I am linking as much as I can together. Unfortunately, there is no feature that allows you to check your props to see if you forgot to script any of them for the rezzer. For now I have to write down the names of every piece I plan to pack to ensure that I'm getting the rez scripts in them which again, is time consuming and if you knew how busy my sl/rl is, you would understand why I like things simple and fast.
This feature that I am speaking of I have used with the AE Worx rez system and it's very nice. I have also used the Multi Scene Packager and I like that one as well because you can pick up the pieces as soon as you put the script in it. The Multi Scene also has a remote that you can click on to rez your sets but I like using Spot On better because I don't have to wear an extra hud to do it.
Another thing, I like to pack one set per rezzer although all these systems say they can hold a lot more. I feel like the more stuff you put in it the longer it will take to rez - with the Spot On system you can only have one rezzer on the sim while you can have multiple traditional ones out at the same time. I will now have to keep a notecard handy with the locations of my sets so I know where to get them if I ever want to use them again.
Would I recommend this system to other builders? Hell yea I would. I'm lazy and don't like taking extra steps but I would definitely find a workable solution to my issues. This system will rez your set quietly, no more pieces popping out into the audience for them to see. Other people can rez from your system with the right commands and the best part is the rezzing and clearing of your set using the buttons on the PD.
I asked Wild if she could talk to one of the girls at Spot On in hopes they can add a 'check script' feature into their system. I don't want to risk my idea getting lost if I ask because I have been told that I'm not the Spot On crews favorite person, and after my last experience with them, I tend to agree. Despite this very unfortunate situation, I continue to support them because they have great products.
Well I've yammered enough and it's 5am here so off to bed I go. I have a lot of work to do yet on my dance for the Autism event and if I don't have it completely show ready by the end of the weekend, I'm pulling it from the show. Toodles.
~D~
