I need an elephant
 

All right, I need a very short (2-3 second) clip of an elephant that is completely void of background. I need to drop the elephant into a specific scene. If anybody knows or has a 3D (.obj is fine) model of an Elephant please contact me asap. This is for a short bit in the upcoming episode 9. Can't say anything more so don't ask :). I just need an elephant. Who can deliver it?

Paolo:

Have you checked Content Paradise for elephants?

Also, DAZ has this elephant morph set for sale:
http://www.daz3d.com/shop.php?op=ite...1879&spmeta=ab

Hey Jeff.
Yes, I did. The DAZ model is fine but I'm trying to find something for free.

The MN renaissance festival is coming up (stop by the fencing booth and say "Hi")...I can talk to the "trunks and humps" guys and see if I can get you access to the real elephants during the week (when the elephants are just lounging about)...you could either erect a bluescreen behind them or shoot them up against the side of the blue barn that stands where the elephants and camels spend their weeks during the run.

I always prefer real over CG elements...when possible.

I'm not sure if they'd do it for free, but it never hurts to ask.

Cole.
Thank you for the offer but I need the elephant today or tomorrow at the latest and, because of the context, the 3D model will be fine even if it's not too realisting looking.

I found you a free one:

3ds max:
http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPrevie....cfm/ID/206352

lightwave:
http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPrevie....cfm/ID/206353

you have to register to their site to download, but I'm sure it's also free... I haven't tried. Hope this helps...

Nick!
Excellent finding. I'm a member of TurboSquid and I serached yesterday but I stopped when I found a model that was almost $400. Excellent work! Thank you.
I haven't tried to load a LW model in Poser yet, I'll see if I can do a quick animation today. Now, if I remember well there should be an elephant sound clip in Soundtrack Pro...
Thanks again.

I'm all interested in your video now... can you post a clip when you're finished?

It's gonna be the next episode of "2nd Unit", it will be available friday night.

Poalo, if you can't load in Poser, download blender it's free (free as in beer) and I believe it has obj import from Lightwave and some great compositing tools including support for OpenExr and complete bones system for animating.

http://www.blender3d.org

the blender folks have done a really nice job on the interface compared to both the older versions and to other packages as well.

Hi Joe.
I have used Blender for a while and indeed it's a great piece of software. The problem is, I need to have the 'phant textured and placed in the footage for tomorrow at the latest. The LW model loads in Poser but i can't figure out how to apply the included texture. If somebody can figure it out I will be eternally grateful.

That's some kind of kink you got there Paolo ;-)

Well, you never know with the power of internet. BTW, there is still time... :)