I remember seeing 3D movie maker animations on YouTube when I was 11 and I wanted it so bad I begged my mom to buy me a copy off eBay for my birthday when I turned 12. I had so many ideas inspired by 'Johnny Samsonite' and 'Don't give Grandpa the Keys to the car'. That night on my birthday my mom got mad at my dad because he's a dead beat. Anyway, I really wish I found this game when I was a toddler because I'd just go crazy over it then rage quit because then go back to Pajama Sam.
I popped 3D movie maker into my Windows XP and tested if there was sound in it. It had sound. Eventually I was charmed with 256 colors and midi music orchestra fluttering in with the intro of a purple man named MacZee and him going through Imaginopolis the setting via a rollercoaster track ride to a theater with his friend. Then we start the software.
I instantly have a brain fart not knowing what I want to make. But there is a mode that gives you ideas.
The user interface is really dumb. You can't change scene without changing the music. The way people move around the characters is you have to hold down a button for several seconds just to make them talk or move. Don't get me started on the font because there is no way to change the duration of the text on screen as characters talk. It takes time to get used to with. Since this is a video game for babies there is voiced text on screen which makes it so accessible. But beyond that there is lots of exploring in this game. Even characters have slices of lore.
There is pack in movies. There are movies that range from let's go to dinner to full on horror movies about rats... We where spoiled with Media back then. What can I say?
Players can make horror movies and have there be blood on the floor made by a red sphere tool. Placing your characters in the fixed scenery of a haunted mansion interior or exterior.
Players could make there own interpretations of existing games, movies or sitcoms if the default cast look like them. (Like the Joker, Heavy Rain, or Perfect Strangers.)
If you think you're gonna make a music video, think again. You'll just at best make 40's talkies, comedic shorts.
The graphics are good, for 1995. I like the prerendered CGI backgrounds. I think they look so good. They have nice art style. Can't say the same for the characters though. All the characters look really stupid for the most part. Have a permagrin like they have mental problems. The fashion is decidedly early 90's. All of them have realistic textures for a skin which upscaled would probably be a nightmare. All of them are jerky, low poly and have limited animations. Oh yeah, good luck showing these dopes to the Sundance festival. Don't expect there to be an attack other than a kick.
But if you're smart you can make the most of it. We've evolved so much in CGI for the past decades in art and tech that 3D movie maker looks a little ridiculous.
Users will be delighted to an assortment of sound effects, midi files and can record their own voices. Or heck can even supply their own midis and songs. Just add Doom midi and you can pretend that you're fighting the bullies you've made in class or online . There are 300 songs and they all fit the scenarios. Be warned. There are no MP3 files.
Beyond that there are expansions like Nickelodeon 3D movie maker where you can use the greatest cartoon characters of all time and put them star in your animations. We talkin about The Rugrats, Rocko's Modern life , Ren and Stimpy, Stimpy, Ahh Real Monsters. You get the idea. These are probably better than the base game because it's just a complete overhaul of the original with all these Nicktoons added in. With CG backdrops and such. Then there is a Doremon expansion exclusive to Japan.
Mods can be accessed online for 3D movie maker. You can ad GTA characters, Sonic characters, Mario, you name it even a realistic gun or a modded character with the funny mustache man skin.
Before GoAnimate was a thing we had the 3D MOVIE MAKER!
