Chris,
Decent start but need more motion.

Here is one of Jamie's videos.
There is one guy I am trying to find in China that does some incredible vids with this program.

Here is a link that might be useful: Jamie's vid

Love the idea. For a 1st iteration/ proof of concept, I think you can do a lot with this.

If you keep it as a single pool, specific to a customer. how about showing the steps getting from a non-animated picture to an animated one, animated construction milestones, animated completion to a real world picture?

Adding some Symms like characters would be neat!

I love the dynamic way the house reflects, the sun, etc...

Night time shots with pool lights and landscape lights are sure to impress.

For a multi-customer demo, faster screen shot/scene changes and pool designs and people in and around the pool and Bar-B-Q areas.

Scott

My wife said the same thing about motion. Here is my thought. This would be presented to a home owner for the first time. The reason for the stills are to show each aspect of the design first. Then to pull it all together for the finish with the fly overs.

I believe Jamie is out of Austrailia and has been around for a while. I have not seen him on the SS forums for some time now. The guy you are probably refering to is Tobie Vise. He was in Asia but I believe he is now in California. Tobie is a pioneer in the video stuff. Some of his designs are incredible. We were both featured in the SS calendar in 2009-2010. Thanks for the feedback. In this economy you have to stand out and not by just a little.

Chris, As you know, I am very impressed with your expertise with SS and your adept design. The work you have done for me has been remarkable. Having said that, I agree with your wife an justaPB that the video stinks relative to your other skills.

I think it would better to not have the music (kind of Cheesy) and instead have you narrate the features of the pool and presentation. People who are looking at this want to buy a pool and learn about you as a builder...not listen to Jimmy Buffet. What would be really cool is if you encorporated some educational pros and cons of pool decision making that most people don't take the time to tell people up front...ie (salt water vs chlorine, different types of plaster, heat pump vs gas). I also prefer some pictures of your actual work included in the video with your project presentaion video.
thanks,
Clark

Lets put it into this scenario. I have already met with Mr/Mrs homeowner. I am on my 2nd visit with them. This would be how I present my design to them for the first time and that would be their house and their pool with their landscaping. Each video would be project specific so they could step into what could be in their yard. This isn't an advertisement video its a presentation video.

sceadu, with all due respect, you posted this to get feedback, but you don't want to hear it. Sounds like you're trying to justify your decisions, and don't really want to make changes. If I'm wrong, I'm sorry. But that's how it sounds to me...

yes, The computer drawing is great but as a homeowner I would prefer to have you narrate the features of your presentation with the computer generation and some real examples. The music is distracting and does not add much. However, I was unaware that you were going to be present when they viewed the video, so you can probably can narrate it yourself in person but if you put it in the video they can review it later on their own. the music would not sway my decision either way.

Terryibra,

Now you get what I am saying. I would be with the client to do the naration. That is the reason the stills are so long (30 sec) so I would have enough time to explain each still.

Angiedfw,

I do want feedback but It sounds to me like the people that have reviewed the video are thinking that it is an advertisement. I just want to convey the scenario. Picture me sitting at your kitchen table with this running on a DVD player or laptop and me walking you through it. Or even file sharing it with a phone converstion. That is how I plan to implement it. The naration is a good idea I will just have to get a program to Dub it in. This was the first time I have ever messed with the programs involved with making this video so I know I have some tweaking to do. The comments don't bother me at all, In fact it is the reason I posted it. I guess I am not getting the questions answered that I want answered. So I will come right out and ask directly.

If I showed up at your house with this video presentation to sell you a pool would it make me stand out better than any of the other design people you have met? Or is it a nonsense to a normal client?

All I can say is !!!WOW!!!
I think it'll come across well if presented on the second contact when you present them their drawing on video and paper.
If you present it on the first appointment I'm sure it would come across to me as a guy who is fixing to come back with a design and a much higher price than those who design a quick pool on a program like Splash at their dining room table.
I'd love to be able to use SS instead of our hand drawings we present. Mine reflect poorly compared to those who use SS drawings.That's why we carry a full photo album of different pools we've constructed to show them the look in real life, many folks can't see 3D on a 2D drawing.

I'm curious, how long does it take you to make a backyard drawing like the ones you posted in the forum here and this one? When you started using the program, how long did it take then, and once you make a drawing does the computer make all the 3d for you or does it take more time to enter that type of info?

See ya,
Kelly

Kelly,
There are quite a few designers out there looking for some extra coin. You can have your 2d drawings done by a profesional into 3D for way less then you might think. Of course you have to have PS. You can go to SS and post that you are looking for someone to do this, and you will get not less then 50 emails of willing designers.

What is PS?
I always thought these drawings I've seen from some of my competitors were Structure Studios.
And another question, what would I expect to pay for design services?
If it's something you feel you should keep off a public board you can e-mail me kelly@atlantispool.com
I seem to remember a member here who only does pool designs like these but doesn't build pools, do you recall his handle?

Thanks,
Kelly

Kelly,

quote"I seem to remember a member here who only does pool designs like these but doesn't build pools, do you recall his handle? "quote.

That would be me but I do both.

Well Chris...I don't know about you guys, but it makes me wanna sit out in the sun and enjoy an ice cold margarita.. No, no, no, but seriously.. the still shot are too long. I like the slower overhead moving shots. perhaps you you implement a moving ground level shot as if you were walking around the pool/outdoor kitchen to present all of the other features that stand out and narrate your way through the moving video. all in all , not bad.. much better than the penciled drawing we were first presented.

As a physicist with some engineering background, I have to say these sorts of presentations cause me to wish I had discovered a theory to make time move faster. A couple of 3D graphics are enough, then I'd prefer a discussion, video or text document explaining why to up-size (or not) a filter, right-sizing a pump, etc.

I guess what I'm really saying is the presentation has to be geared toward the audience, something that should be established in the initial contact.

Here are my comments from 3 perspectives.
(1) Potential Pool buyer
(2) Graphic designer
(3) Business owner

(1) As a prospective client: If this came to me on a first round, as impressive as it is, I might be thinking about "what is this going to cost me" and not focusing on what you are saying and showing. It's almost too good if that makes sense and shows your skills as a designer and an illustrator however on first design walkthrough, I want to see our pool ideas (on paper) and hear more about you and how you are going to make my backyard pool come to life.

(2) As a graphic designer: I am very impressed with your skills and feel that if you take this much time before I even pay you anything that you take great pride in what you do. Well done!

(3) As a business owner: I too "used" to make very elaborate mock ups and designs at a bid only to realize that my cost/hourly/daily/ rate etc. had to be made up somewhere. I typically included that "design time" into a project so they paid when we won but it was a lot of lost time when we did not. Of course this is a completely different industry but I think it still applies.

Long story short, everyone (the buyer) has a different idea what is important to him/her and you will win some with this and lose some with this. You might want to take it on a case by case basis to qualify the client to see if something like this would excite he/she and go from there.

All that said, who is it we can call for getting a 2D done in 3D? How much might it cost (if itÂs not included in the process).

Agree with others that stills are too long...I'm not patient enough to watch all the way to the end. For me a slide show option would be more appropriate. I always wonder why people at Disney are videoing stuff like Cinderella's Castle...hello...it's not moving! I digress...I would have LOVED to have the virtuals as a slide show. Have loved the designs you have posted and if I ever move will be contacting you about designing my next pool just based on those. Mistakes were made with my pool design that could have been avoided with this type of virtual. I'm challenged with visualizing from 2D to 3D. Bottom line...just use a slideshow.
Judy

This is good feedback!

Its hard to be sure if a customer understands a 2D drawing. Most will say they do even if they don't. Blueprints and plan views are like a foreign language to more people than you think.

When a customer understands the plan well enough to take your pencil away, your communicating. Giving them the mouse is the 3d alternative.

Wow I loved it. For a presentation after I met you for the first time, I would certainly be impressed. I have seen computer programs at the pool show, but honestly its beyond our business budget, we don't do pools. Being in sales for hubby, I find clients(especially women) cannot envision projects, photos work wonders for me. This kind of presentation would be a deal-maker in my book. Can you explain a bit of what PS and SS are? Thanks, Barb

I LOVE the way the water in the pool is flowing!! That really helps me as a customer visualize the pool...not too keen on the music, Jimmy Buffet is the king of beach but not when I'm trying to make a business decision.

I don't like the "break up" transition of tiles breaking off..a fade in may be better, the break up of tiles gives me the impression that my dream is 'shattering'...but I'm a very visual person and subconsciously that transition doesn't give me that "unveiling" mode.

I would like for a presentation like this to be done by just flipping the screen as you need to when you're done talking about specifics...if you're giving them a product to show to their friends and family I would have the screens on a 4 second screen, they could always back up or speed up or freeze the screen.

I would even start out with a check off list at the beginning highlighting what they requested in this build and how you addressed each issue...that shows you're really focused on helping their dream become reality.

If they are uncertain on coping/pool color/decking, maybe adding in what the option would look like, for many it's hard to visualize. I think the presentation is amazing and if only my brain could produce this without me having to learn a whole PS system!! :) Great work!!

Tara

Barb,
Structure Studios is the company,
Pool studio is the program.

Go into support, and check out the member picture gallery.
Lots of awesome work.

Here is a link that might be useful: Structure studios

I liked the video a lot and would definitely be impressed.

However, my frame of reference is that I've had 1 pool built with nothing more than the PB walking around describing how the pool would take shape. My current pool is in a home that we purchased with the pool already there.

My first thought was, "I hope the clients aren't averse to alcohol!" I actually like the water sounds from the other linked video better.

While some scenes seemed a bit long to someone who's not involved in the project, I could envision the clients seeing this for the first time needing to have that time to really look at everything and say, "Oh look, there's where that nasty old shed will be coming out," and "See, that looks every bit as good as a big boulder type of waterfall," etc.

quote My first thought was, "I hope the clients aren't averse to alcohol!"

LOL, I was thinking "party atmosphere" and all I could come up with on a short notice was Buffet. I have been researching some other music from classical to steel drum but havn't found a perfect piece yet.

Dont forget to send Buffet his royalty check for using his music.
I wont tell if the other millions dont.