This blog post about creativity resonated with me, thought I would share... I don't agree 100%, but he seems to know what he's saying most of the time. Its a little reminiscent (and maybe influenced by) the Sunscreen Speech, but that's not necessarily a bad thing

I forgot to mention before, that one of the best resources on available game engines and development systems is DevMaster.net - check out the forums and the engine database - very helpful!

I haven't tried it, but Baja Engine is a Mac & Win game development environment (donationware) - it uses LUA scripting for game logic.

Another cross platform (freeware) tool is Panda3D - it uses Python for game logic and development and you could definitely use this for a platform game.

A good freeware option for converting a sequence of images to an AVI file is VirtualDub . VD will read in a sequential series of images - you just select the first file in the sequence (under File>Open Video File) and it will load the rest of the sequence in order. Then set FPS and apply any filters...

and for those that want to play in 3D there's Structure Synth...

I found this delightful little programme called Alchemy yesterday. The website describes it this way: "Alchemy is an open drawing project aimed at exploring how we can sketch, draw, and create on computers in new ways. Alchemy isn’t software for creating finished artwork, but rather a sketching...

If you want to play with creating interactive 3D scenes, 3DRad is now completely free fro commercial and non-commercial use! Until a few days ago it was $159 to purchase. Don't know why the sudden change of direction, but at this price I am willing to try it out again.

Danimal wrote:The manual that came with AS5 was actually an HTML file, not a PDF or printed manual. I'm not sure if you can still download AS5, but if so the manual came with it.

You can download the full AS 5 STD for free: viewtopic.php?t=13913

I have this, but I don't know about the legality of passing it on...

I'm not sure how long this offer is available, but SM have an offer of a free copy of AS5 (std by the looks of it) available and also a 60% discount on AS6 Debut (sale price $19.99) - http://my.smithmicro.com/freeanime/

Thank you

The site looks great and the tutorials full of useful information. I signed up tonight!

I just think it looks a little crowded there in the bubble. Maybe shrink the A a little and add a bit more of a psuedo 2.5D aspect to it... of course, if it also indicated that I am a piece of user-friendly software, that will enable you to create wonderful and exciting things in the new and excitin...

Crazytalk v6 - This looks like a big improvement over the previous version, if only they would add vectors to the workflow they would have a killer app... One thing they have added that is intriguing is limited head turns (quite limited though - maybe 5-10 degrees at most). Video demos: Talking pai...

Banjar, ...snip -- I get the feeling we are RIGHT on the verge of seeing a definite product split along the hobbyst/professional lines in that regard. Maybe, but that's a big call, from Mike personally, and more to the point, SM in providing $$$ to the development of the program. I would love to th...