Ken Long
Combining the power of 3D / 2D artist and writer Ken Long uses Cartoon Animator to produce images for children’s books , creating wild and fanciful stories that move from his imagination to the screen.
In this interview, Ken talks about his passion for animation and the inspiration he takes from the great story tellers of the past.
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“When it comes to Cartoon Animator I like the ability to do work that would have, not so long ago, been beyond anyone without a Walt Disney type set up.”
Ken Long – 3D / 2D Content Developer
Q: Hello Ken, can you tell us about the work you’re doing with Cartoon Animator?
At this point I am not really using Cartoon Animator to produce any form of animation. I am however using it to render out scenes for the books I write for children. These books are published under the Elliseran banner. I render either a straight PNG file, or if I want to work further on the render then I export as a PSD file which gives me a great deal of flexibility in Photoshop.
I am currently working with some professional voice actors to produce a small sequence of 30 second cartoons based around satirical politics. These should be ready around late autumn this year.
Q: Why did you choose Cartoon Animator as the platform to create your content?
Flexibility. Ease of use. The ability to not just purchase existing content but make your own. This allows me and the people I work with the necessary scope to ‘custom fit’ the graphics to what is needed. The Cartoon Animator Pipeline version also adds to the total integration with Photoshop which I think …… no, I know, is essential.
Q: What is your favorite genre or theme to work with?
If you look at my books then the answer to this one is there. 🙂 I love fantasy.
For me when it comes to story telling – John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is what it is all about . Second to fantasy is SciFi followed by politics. I suppose it could be argued that all three come under the heading of fantasy one way or the other.
Q: Do you find the process of creating content for Cartoon Animator easy and enjoyable?
I like to produce stylized props, so have adopted the method of first making a 3D model. This is then textured and the results rendered out to a 2D prop. The advantage of this is I can easily make props with different angles. Also because the prop starts life as a 3D model I can easily build in the vision of depth. Then using Cartoon Animator engine it is easy for a character to ‘enter’ a room from another room in the background.
Q: What advice would you have for inspiring content developers that are looking to break into the Reallusion Marketplace and sell their content?
I’ve been selling 3D models on a number of platforms now for 10 years. For me there are a few simple rules.
- First look at what others are producing and what is selling. Always be as unique in your products as possible. If you simply copy someone else’s work the chances are you will be wasting your time.
- Aim high in quality. When your work is finished look at it again. Check it and re-check it until you are sure it is as good as you can get it.
- When you set your price look at what others are charging for similar products. But most important of all ask the community. Most systems that you are likely to make content for have community forums. Cartoon Animator has one. Talk to people on there. Ask questions. Get advice. It’s free.
Q: Do you have plans for future content in the works?
I have so many plans for future content. Currently I have a small number of packs ready to upload to the Reallusion Marketplace. These all follow a theme, Old Dungeon, Fantasy Town and so on. Where possible I always try to make my packs complete so the cartoon director can complete a whole scene or even a whole cartoon. However I must confess I never close the door on any work I complete and will often return with some more props I think may be useful.
What advantages do you find CTA4 gives you?
One word scope. To quantify that a little it gives me the ability to do work that would have not so long ago been beyond anyone without a Walt Disney type set up behind them. Finding and resolving issues is a simple process, and it’s honestly easier on Cartoon Animator than any other software I’ve used.
What projects have you most recently been working on? (Gives the chance to promote content)
Currently I am working on a number of themes. My Mushroom Village pack is available in the Marketplace. Also recently uploaded are the Fantasy/Stylized/Cartoon Buildings Pack and the Cartoon Vehicles Pack One. I hope to upload my Town Pack A in the next two weeks. This pack has over 160 props that will allow the creation of both indoor and outdoors scenes based on a stylized medieval/ fantasy theme.
