Notes on thoughts and products and software from previous days:

Just got a note the other day from a company called  High Logic  that makes a really fine product called FontCreator (presently version 5.6).  They came up with a nifty little package called  SCANAHAND v1.0.  It is a three step process to create a .ttf (true type font)- you print out a template on which to create your font (you write or draw out your font in the template).  scan it into the software (the software reads your scan in OCR), and then save it and register it in your computer as a .ttf.  And it is in your own handwriting or drawn design.  I downloaded the trial, which would not let me print out or save the end product, but it impressed me so much I decided to buy it!  And $30.00 later and a key for the trial version in email later,.. and I am creating my own hand-written fonts.  If you want to create your own special display font or exclamatory font or even regular font to use as you see fit, GET THIS!  They hope to release a version that will allow larger font design spaces soon for $50.00, and I can't wait!!!  This is a really good software for anyone into truly creative thinking!   You can design use and share your own .ttf files!  Yes, there have been other softwares and such almost like this, but THIS is the most straight forward and cleanest interface with perfect end result software of its kind, I have ever seen!  Check out the example here:  font display.

UPDATE! UPDATE!

By some twist of Fate, I came into possession of an older Compaq ML350 G2 Server...  All I need now is to find some hotswap trays with some compatible discs.  The beast holds six trays, and though it is older and has only one of the two possible CPU's installable, hey it works!  Such things are still available I see on the web for about $1100.00 (for a complete server minus trays)... so I didn't do to bad getting it for free. With the proper upgrades I can forsee a big use for this beast!  with a couple of MyBooks plugged into my present box (at about 500GB ea.) I could conceivibly have a desktop render farm, enough to easily facilitate animation production of a full feature length.   IF you have WinXP PRO installed on your box, you can visit the AutoDesk USA site and download a Personal Learning Edition of the full Maya app..   However it does watermark everything and it is just for personal learning experience, but will give you a great experience with top of the line 3D software.  Check it out.  After all it is about the best out there.  The training manuals are available for download as well at the same site.  Which cannot be said for MangaStudio or AnimeStudio... Maybe I should sell my old 4x4 F250, and invest in a full version of MAYA!!! and SCREW the small stuff... MOOOOOAAAAAA HAAA HAAAA HAAAAA!!!!...  as he shuffles off into the dungeon/laboratory sniggling and mumbling and cackling away to himself!!!!

In February, after I just invested over a $1000.00(US) in software such as Adobe CS3 Flash Professional, smith-micro's (which was at one time 'e-frontier') AnimeStudio Debut and then 5.5 Pro, MangaStudio 3.0 (EX), iTinySoft'sTotal Video Converter, and hardware such as another 1GB of RAM so I could load out the present 754 board.., a SnapMusic Studio (the link is to the TigerDirect site), a new Cannon Scanner from Directron.com (a P.S. here Directron is a REALLY GOOD PLACE to go for build it yourself items!  I would also like to put in a plug for Geeks.com, I highly recommend them both!), an Addesso touchpad mouse, cables and discs and paper and drawing gear... OH! not to forget a new microphone!  I mean to say, I just got up to a level of technology that would allow me to have a true desktop production studio from animation and editing to sound studio and webproduction and my USB and RJ-45 connectoid within the motherboard fail!  Oh yeah, I forgot to list the new monitor... a memorex 19" LCD monitor/tv,.. that cost me about $330.00, and had to be replaced with a new one due to the first one losing the monitor screen (went totally black on me!!!).  and the new one has one pixel that is out, just left of center in the screen...   I LOVE IT!!!  I was so happy I coulda PLOTZ'D!!!

So anyway I got the matter fixed with a simple perusal of Directron.com's site... Found a 754 board for $26.00! and got a vid card for it (it was built to accomodate a 16x PCIe card) for another $60.00.  SO, I am back up and running with a temporary setup.  My future direction is toward a more updated chipset.

I am looking at an AMD 64 Phenom 9600 (presently the mid level quad core chip), with a second gen DFI MoBo and 8GB RAM with a PCIe eVga GForce 7300 512MB vid card (which I can swap out of my present set-up due to the fact that I got one in the rebuild).  I have the cooler fan and PS (500 watt with full 24 pin power adapter Phenom ready and SATA capable.  SO,.. I may be looking at upgrading my disk space to about 2TB and my RAM to a full Dual Channel 8GB by July or August. And maybe upgrading the Chip at that time as well by a couple of levels.   I will have to see what kind of funds I come up with between now and then!  Wish me luck!,.. eh? (Have revised my thoughts on this... more on that later...)

P.S. I realize I am sitting here talking of things that are totally irrelevant to the chaos in the world around me,.. and that are the dreams of folks who are into anime and manga creation.  But this is only part of my real life, and I know that the world can do without cartoons and comix (anime and manga) for all the problems we as a species face.  But trying to bring some joy and distraction from pressures of social upheaval and economic adversity is important as well.  And if it is the only thing I can do for the world at this moment... then I am happy to continue doing that!  I wish all of you well being and Peace!  For that is surely something ALL of us can use!