So since there was a movement to reimage the TOS with better effects, Why hasn't it been suggested or thought to reimage the Animated series with better computer images and motion capture tech?
Keep the actor's dialogs with new images....

I imagine the return on investment would probably not be that good. After all, in TOS the special effects per episode only amount to a few minutes at most. I'm not sure what you meant by "motion capture tech". However, each episode would have to be reanimated fully. Sure the cost of CGI has gone down while the quality has gone up. Unfortunately, I don't think the cost hasn't gotten cheap enough.

I imagine the return on investment would probably not be that good. After all, in TOS the special effects per episode only amount to a few minutes at most. I'm not sure what you meant by "motion capture tech". However, each episode would have to be reanimated fully. Sure the cost of CGI has gone down while the quality has gone up. Unfortunately, I don't think the cost hasn't gotten cheap enough.

I agree. The main sticking point with me, however, is the valley of the uncanny hasn't been crossed yet. Pure CGI imagery still doesn't come off quite realistic and I'd rather see the live action in the episodes presented as they would have looked if filmed in the 1960s with the same actors.

The only way they might be able to achieve something close is to use a lot of shots of every character from different angles to build up a catalog of realistic poses for the faces and use CGI for everything else.

The actors from the show would probably love to have their '60s images used since it would mean more money for them, I would imagine.

Frankly, I can't believe that with all of the talented CGI artists out there, that someone hasn't yet attempted this with the animated series - even in a test form.

Attempts at CGI reimagining of classic Star Trek live action special effects scenes ran rampant for years on the internet before it was "officially" performed by CBS Digital. In fact, I thought that some of the test CGI special effects scenes from the original series were better than what CBS Digital were able to accomplish in capturing the look and feel of the original series effects. Namely the tests performed by the folks at Eden FX.

Frankly, I can't believe that with all of the talented CGI artists out there, that someone hasn't yet attempted this with the animated series - even in a test form.

I do a lot of CGI and won't even touch a real human to animate or even render. That's a real skill and art to do that....and a lot of time and money.

there was a pretty good test clip out there with Spock 's image matched to a Joe Peschi rant.

Something like this should only be attempted once and I think theres still a bit to go before the tech is ready. If they can get past the "dead eye" look of the polar express era films

Something like this should only be attempted once and I think theres still a bit to go before the tech is ready. If they can get past the "dead eye" look of the polar express era filmsEarly buzz over the Disney/Bob Zemeckis CG-animated, motion-capture version of A Christmas Carol has been positive about advances in this sort of thing, specifically in regard to reducing the "dead-eyed" look of things like Polar Express. We'll see, come Christmas ...

Qapla'

SSB

Here's some tests I did about 2 1/2 years ago with Poser, Carrara, and some plug-in tools.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/bebruns/STCost1small.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/bebruns/STCost2small.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/bebruns/OrionWalk.gif

If someone had the time to devote to it, I don't think it be that difficult for an amateur to do something like this.

(Incidentally, the Orion Starfleet officer was done as a joke. I never thought we'd actually see it in a movie.)

Well, instead of a photo-realistic approach, what about just reanimating it to bring up the overall quality. Nice fluid motion, better backgrounds, etc. Or go the route of the Clone Wars series. Stylized characters with cool ships.

I would also make all the sound FX match TOS. And replace the music with something that has more TOS flavor.

I certainly agree that there is no reason to attempt anything approaching photorealism. The original IS an animated series, after all.

The problem with trying to replace the music is that the DVD soundtrack is already mixed. In order to keep the dialog and replace the music and/or sound effects, you would need access to the original mag stems (separate dialogue, music and sound effects tracks).

I thought that many of the "digitally enhanced" shots that CBS performed would have been more at home in the animated series' world than the live action, since the majority of those shots not only didn't approach photorealism, but looked more like video game graphics and less like anything considered 'state of the art' CGI.

Can't we just leave it alone! Star Trek TOS has been messed up enough already, with the CGI effects in the TOS episodes, and the (i'm getting sick) new re-invented movie.

I cannot agree more. You can see from my above posts my total disdain (with VERY few exceptions) of the "remastered" shots that CBS Digital did on the original live action series.

I am just interested in seeing a test done (of perhaps a few scenes) by some talented individual out there of the animated show. I had no problem with people (or even companies) doing tests of the original show. I just didn't care for the "official" work done. I think that it too should have been left well enough alone.

I guess I was aiming at an official retooling of the animation as they would have access to all those separate tracks. Assuming they still exist.

I haven't seen most of the TOS remastered episodes. I'm not against it, but I'm not that excited by it either.

The animated series could stand upgrading though. I too agree that the low return on investment will prevent it from happening.

I found this. Guess it will have to do for now.:rolleyes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBSf6ooInJg&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrekmovie%2Ecom%2F2009%2F08%2F26 %2Fgreat%2Dlinks%2Dghosbuters%2D3%2Dvia%2Dst09%2Ds he%2Dworf%2Dwarehouse%2D13%2Dtrekked%2Dagain%2Dkir k%2Dv%2Dalien%2Dmore%2F&feature=player_embedded
-Jim

I found this. Guess it will have to do for now.:rolleyes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBSf6ooInJg&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrekmovie%2Ecom%2F2009%2F08%2F26 %2Fgreat%2Dlinks%2Dghosbuters%2D3%2Dvia%2Dst09%2Ds he%2Dworf%2Dwarehouse%2D13%2Dtrekked%2Dagain%2Dkir k%2Dv%2Dalien%2Dmore%2F&feature=player_embedded
-Jim

That was great!

Well, instead of a photo-realistic approach, what about just reanimating it to bring up the overall quality. Nice fluid motion, better backgrounds, etc. Or go the route of the Clone Wars series. Stylized characters with cool ships.

That is probably why clone wars did what they did.

in CG, realism equals money. And to create more realistic people requires much more rendering time.
Not to mention motion capture if you really want realistic movement.

By stylizing the clone wars charactors the way they did, they save rendering time and a profitable side effect is a whole other world of action figures based on the same charactors.
Pure evil genious if you as me.

I wouldn't like to see the original animated series redone.
However, a new TOS animated series done in cg and stylized charactors would be a welcome thing.
All living actors could still provide voices.

...By stylizing the clone wars characters the way they did, they save rendering time and a profitable side effect is a whole other world of action figures based on the same characters.
Pure evil genius if you as me.

I wouldn't like to see the original animated series redone.
However, a new TOS animated series done in cg and stylized charactors would be a welcome thing.
All living actors could still provide voices.

Works for ME! Seconded!:wave:
Heck, Do it on one of the other Connie-Class ships, so you can create a new crew...

Be well.

Greg

I would say with the advancements in computers and everything else. People will be able to scan say Shatner and crew from episodes and re-create them with motion to new scripts.I mean they can scan all the bridge set lets say from all angles from all episodes and they would have 2D backround plate.Imagine a network host announcing."todays episode of Star Trek, guest stars John Wayne,Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe,next on channel 5".Only a matte of time.

I would say with the advancements in computers and everything else. People will be able to scan say Shatner and crew from episodes and re-create them with motion to new scripts.I mean they can scan all the bridge set lets say from all angles from all episodes and they would have 2D backround plate.Imagine a network host announcing."todays episode of Star Trek, guest stars John Wayne,Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe,next on channel 5".Only a matte of time.

Interesting thing.
About 30 years ago (when I was still living at home)
I think when "The Last Starfighter" came out.
I remember or the radio people talking about advancements in computer animation and that someday they'll be able to put John Wayne back into movies.
That technology is here now.

JeffG, if your reading, now the time to pop up your Daniel Craig and say a few words.
Blew me away when I first saw it.

What's possible is not an issue. ILM managed to convincingly put a young CG Schwartzenegger into "Terminator: Salvation". While it might be interesting to see what they could do with Trek in an animated or CG version, I'd just as soon say-let it go. How many versions and iterations of the same thing do we need?

Aside from the new films, which is already a done deal, if you're not bringing something new to the table, i.e. characters, ships, plot lines and such, I'd really rather not see the old sets, the old Kirk, Spock, McCoy, the old Bridge recreated in exact button for button detail. Wonderful. Those days, as great as they were, are over now. How long will it take to look forward and stop looking behind? I guess for me then, if you're not gonna do something new in the Trek universe-don't bother. Been there done that.