Try it for yourself for FREE

15 Day Trial

The VirtualStage Cast

Add your own characters

VirtualStage is easy to use

"Machinima is often hard to make. This tool is one of a very small number that might actually make it easy."
-Leo Lucien-Bay
Binary Picture Show

Help is just a click away

VirtualStage
Frequently Asked Questions

General

1. What is VirtualStage?
2. Who is it aimed at?
3. Is it machinima?
4. Can I download a full featured trial version?
5. What are the system requirements?
6. The voices take up a lot of hard disk space. Do I need them all?
7. What are the differences between the trial and the full Versions?

Usage

1. Do I need to be a graphic artist?
2. Is any programming or scripting required?

Characters

1. How many characters are there in VirtualStage?
2. Can I modify the characters' appearance?
3. Can I import my own characters?
4. I'm unable to create my own characters but I would like to use others. How?

Sets & Props

1. What sets are included?
2. What kind of props are included?
3. Can I import additional props?
4. Can I create sets that look like the rooms in my house?

Character Control

1. How do the characters move?
2. The character movements in the online demo look very stiff. Why?
3. Can the characters manipulate objects?
4. What about facial expressions?

Speech

1. How do the characters talk?
2. I already have some voices on my computer. Will they work?
3. Can I dub real peoples' voices?

Cameras

1. Can the cameras pan and dolly around the set?
2. How many camera angles can I have?

Scenes

1. How many scenes can I have in one of my films?
2. What happens during a performance?
3. How do I replay a scene?
4. Can I edit the scenes that I create?
5. I've already written my script, can VirtualStage import it?
6. Can I add sound effects?
7. Can I configure the lighting?

Distributing Movies

1. Some machinima products require the payment of royalties. Does VirtualStage?
2. Can I publish the videos I produce with VirtualStage on the web?
3. Is there a plugin or a player that my friends need in order to watch my movies?
4. Can I watch my VirtualStage movies on my TV?
5. What format does the generated script take?

Support

1. How do I learn how to use VirtualStage?
2. What if I can't make it do what I want?
3. I have a suggestion for a new feature. Will it be implemented?
4. I think VirtualStage is great. Is there anything I can contribute?

Our Usual Answers

General

1. What is VirtualStage?

   VirtualStage is an exciting new software application that enables people to create 3D animated films and dramas.

2. Who is it aimed at?

   We believe that VirtualStage will be of interest to a number of different people, including:

   • Those who want to start making their own 3D animated films with easy-to-use software;
   • Anyone who has ever wanted to see a play or film of theirs performed or who wants to create their own soap opera or sitcom;
   • Teachers and schoolchildren who are engaged in studies of drama, creative writing and media studies; VirtualStage can also be used by teachers and parents working with children to explore issues such as bullying and relationships;
   • Playwrights and screenwriters can use VirtualStage to help create their productions (VirtualStage generates a script or screenplay based on the the directions and dialogue they enter into VirtualStage) and to demonstrate their work to theatres, film and TV production companies;
   • Providers of corporate training can use VirtualStage to explore relationships between people. For example, it can be used to highlight different customer facing scenarios;
   • Animators looking to build a portfolio of human animations at low cost.

3. Is it machinima?

   According to the Academy of Machinima Arts & Sciences, "Machinima is filmmaking within a real-time, 3D virtual environment." whereas machinima.com define it as "filmmaking that uses computer games technology to shoot films in the virtual reality of a game engine".

   VirtualStage does not use a games engine - it has been developed specifically for creating animated drama - but it does enable you to create films in a real-time, 3D virtual environment using game-like technology. We like to think of it as machinima but we're not hung up on terminology. Bottom line is you can use VirtualStage to create films.

4. Can I download a full featured trial version?

   Yes you can. The trial period is for 15 days. The trial version has all of the features of the full version, however, due to third party licensing restrictions, we are unable to include some of the resources with the trial version. In particular, we are unable to supply any synthesized voices with the trial version. Nevertheless, the software will work with any voices that you already have installed on your computer.

   If you like the software, you must then purchase a full licence in order to continue using it beyond the duration of the trial. The full version of VirtualStage is supplied with voice engines from two of the world's leading suppliers of synthesized voices, hundreds of 3D props for creating sets and other useful resources such as image textures and sound samples.

5. What are the system requirements?

   Please check out the latest requirements here.

6. The voices take up a lot of hard disk space. Do I need them all?

   No, not at all. The voices that are included in the basic installation of the full version require only a small amount of disk space. There are additional high quality voices that you can optionally install and which do use a lot of disk space. However, you can choose to install any or all of these higher quality voices as and when you find that you want more options.
   NOTE: no voices are supplied with the Trial Version but any compatible voices that you already have on your computer will work with the software.

7. What are the differences between the trial and the full Versions?

   Briefly, the differences are that the full version is supplied with high quality synthesized voices, hundreds of 3D props for building sets, sound samples and image textures. For more information and a detailed comparison, please see the Features page.

Back to Top

Usage

1. Do I need to be a graphic artist?

   No, not at all. VirtualStage is aimed to be easy-to-use for the layperson. There are many software packages aimed at professional artists and animators that offer greater levels of sophistication and more special effects than VirtualStage (usually at a much higher price). Nevertheless, we believe that VirtualStage enables anyone to produce pleasing results.

2. Is any programming or scripting required?

   VirtualStage does not require any programming [by the users] and [playing on words] the only scripting is the dialogue and narrative related to the story. All of the actions of the characters are defined and controlled by the mouse or simple keyboard shortcuts.

Back to Top

Characters

1. How many characters are there in VirtualStage?

   In the full version, there is a total of twenty two character models. This includes the ten new high resolution models that appeared for the first time in Version 2. These new models exhibit facial expressions that show their emotions. There are five of each gender, including one boy and one girl. In addition to the new models, there are the twelve original models from Version 1, six male and six female.

   NOTE: Only the newer characters are included in the trial version.

2. Can I modify the characters' appearance?

   Not at the moment. However, we agree that this facility would greatly increase the range of possibilities for our users. Therefore, we are very keen to include the feature in a future release.

3. Can I import my own characters?

   Yes, you can. Naturally though, they must adhere to our model specification.

4. I'm unable to create my own characters but I would like to use others. How?

   We have begun the development of a range of add-on packs. These extra packs will include additional characters and props from a wide range of different environments and eras. This will open up many more possibilities for the settings of your dramas.

   There are 3D character and prop models available on the web. However, most of the character models may not be compatible with our model specification without adaptation. You will be able to find 3D modellers that do offer a bespoke service. Indeed, Dakine Wave can create models to your requirements. For more information, please contact sales@dakinewave.com

Back to Top

Sets & Props

1. What sets are included?

   You create the sets yourself. You can create either outdoor or indoor sets. Moreover, you can have any number of sets. The indoor sets are simply four walled rectangular rooms. However, by adding props, you can create irregular shaped rooms. Indeed, since you can add any props to a set - either those supplied with VirtualStage or your own 3D objects - there is no limit to the range of possible sets that you can create.

2. What kind of props are included?

   The full version of VirtualStage includes an assortment of props, ranging from lounge furniture such as TVs, coffee tables and vases through street items like bus stops, traffic lights and road signs, to buildings as diverse as houses, barns and even a nuclear power station.

   NOTE: no props are included in the trial version although you can still import your own.

3. Can I import additional props?

   YES, absolutely, so long as they are in the 3DS file format. In the full version, we have attempted to provide a range of props and buildings to help get you started but, of course, the range of possible scenarios that you may like to model would be impossible for us to cover. Therefore, it is fundamentally important that you should be able import 3D models that you either create yourself or purchase or obtain from the many excellent suppliers of 3D graphics.

   We do not want VirtualStage to impose any limits on your creativity; rather, we would like you to see VirtualStage as the stage on which you can create.

4. Can I create sets that look like the rooms in my house?

   You can use a digital camera or scanned photographs to create images of each of the walls of a room. VirtualStage lets you decorate the walls of a set with these images. Alternatively, you can 'paint' the walls in the same colour as those in your house. If you prefer, you can create a collage image of doors and windows in a graphics package and use that on the walls of your virtual set. The full version of VirtualStage includes a number of texture images that you can use on the walls, the floor, the ground and the skies of your sets.

   You can then try to match the objects and furniture in your room with those supplied by VirtualStage. It's unlikely that there will be a close match, so you will probably have to create the objects yourself using any of the widely available 3D graphics packages (which vary enormously in price). If you do that, you can import those objects into VirtualStage and use them just as any other prop. Props are simply dropped into a set and dragged into place using the mouse.

   Through the addition of the relevant props, you should be able to create a virtual representation of almost any real-life room or outdoor environment.

Back to Top

Character Control

1. How do the characters move?

   To have a character walk, you select the character simply by clicking on them with the mouse and then holding the middle mouse button down. They will walk for as long as you keep the mouse button pressed. Dragging a character with the left mouse button causes them to turn left or right. Simple. Nonetheless, the real power and flexibility of VirtualStage derives from the fact that you can define all of the actions and gestures of the characters - including their walk cycles. This contrasts sharply with most computer games which typically provide a fixed number of character actions. In VirtualStage, there are no such limits.

   VirtualStage includes an Action Configurator. This easy-to-use tool allows you to create new actions and gestures simply by positioning an actor's body at a number of 'keyframes'. The computer calculates the movement of the body between those keyframes. During a performance, you can call upon the actors to perform the gestures that you have created simply by selecting the action from a popup menu.

2. The character movements in the online demo look very stiff. Why?

   It's simply because we are a small company with limited resources. Our primary concern is releasing robust software that enables its users to create their own actions. All of our energy is channeled into producing the toolkit that will let you create smoother more sophisticated actions than those that we are able to produce ourselves in the severely limited time that we have available. Moreover, the person that created the actions actually moves like that himself and has modelled them on his own uncoordinated gait :-)

   From the results that we have seen others obtain, we are confident that the Action Configurator tool does provide an easy-to-use mechanism for creating a wide range of realistic human movements. In addition, VirtualStage allows you to import motion capture data and predefined actions that are in Biovision's BVH format.

3. Can the characters manipulate objects?

   No, not yet. Throughout the answers on this page, we have tried to emphasize the flexibility and power of VirtualStage is a result of its openness, its flexibility, and the effort to avoid any constraints. Paradoxically that desire to avoid any limitations with regard to the actions of the characters or the range of props that you can add to a set, creates a limitation of its own.

   In creating a game with a known and fixed set of character actions and props, it is relatively easy for the developers to have the character handle those few props (usually hand held weapons). VirtualStage lets you add practically any 3D object to a set, from a microwave oven, through a garden fork, to an airplane flight deck. Consequently, it is extremely difficult task for us to provide a generic mechanism by which users can define how the virtual actors can interact with an infinite range of objects. However, we do have some ideas of how we might achieve this and still make the toolkit easy to use. Watch this space...

4. What about facial expressions?

   We are delighted to say that the ten new characters, included from Version 2 onwards, do exhibit facial expressions which reveal the six basic emotions: anger, disgust, fear, joy, sorrow and surprise. In addition, they show the mouth movements necessary for lip synchronization when they talk. They blink aswell. The twelve original characters also included in the full version can also blink and have a simpler treatment of lip synchronization.

   The introduction of the new character models is incredibly exciting for us because we see facial expressions and emotions as fundamental features of a filmmaking software package that is focused so heavily on drama and human relationships.

Back to Top

Speech

1. How do the characters talk?

   The full version of VirtualStage provides a number of synthesized voices from two of the world's leading suppliers of voice engines. The trial version will work with compatible SAPI4 and SAPI5 voices that you already have installed on your computer.

   In the application itself, you type the dialog to be spoken by the actors - the performance is paused while you think/type. Pressing the return key or the commit button causes the software to convert your text into spoken words. The actors' lips are automatically synchronized with the speech.

2. I already have some voices on my computer. Will they work?

   If the voice engine is SAPI 4 or SAPI 5, the voices should be picked up automatically by VirtualStage which will make them available for use by the actors.

3. Can I dub real peoples' voices?

   Yes. VirtualStage now includes the facility for you to record and use real voices. As good as the synthesized voices are, and the sound quality from those included in the full version is outstanding, artificial voices do not yet have the full range of inflexion of real voices.

   With the synthesized voices, lip synchronization is done automatically. With real voices, you have to do the lip synchronization manually but, to help you, we include a choice of tools on the installation disks of the full version.

Back to Top

Cameras

1. Can the cameras pan and dolly around the set?

   Yes. You can use either the arrow keys on the keyboard or buttons on a control panel. The control panel even lets you control cameras that are not currently providing the 'live feed'. You can control the movement in six degrees of motion, that is the usual three directions and around the three axes of rotation. You can even zoom the camera lens to wide angles or use the telephoto setting. You can adjust the sensitivity of the movement to make the speed of the camera moves suit your own taste.

2. How many camera angles can I have?

   You can have as many cameras as you like. Usually you will position the cameras before you perform a scene, along with configuring the lighting and posing the actors. However, you are still able to add extra cameras during the performance - and even during the replay - if you find that you need them. Switching cameras during the performance or the replay is straightforward, you simply select the camera you want from a drop down list.

Back to Top

Scenes

1. How many scenes can I have in one of my films?

   You can have as many as you like. In fact, we encourage you to have many smaller scenes rather than fewer long ones. It makes editing easier. You can easily manage the running order of the scenes. You can create scenes with the same setup as others, enabling you to perform different 'takes'. The facility is there for you to create 'continuation scenes', that is scenes whose initial setup is based on the final places of actors and cameras from the preceding scene.

2. What happens during a performance?

   During a performance, you direct the actors to perform the actions and gestures that you have previously defined simply by selecting those actions from a popup menu. You can direct the actors to turn or walk using the mouse. Single key presses trigger the emotional responses. You can pause the action for thinking time. Indeed, the action pauses automatically while you select an action or type in the actors dialogue. When you commit the dialogue, the actor will speak the words using speech synthesis. You can switch between cameras to obtain different views of the set, from close-ups of the actors to panoramic views of the whole scene.

3. How do I replay a scene?

   You can replay any scene or even an entire production (our generic term for an animation, film, soap, sitcom, play or drama) within VirtualStage simply by pressing the replay button. The actions, gestures, emotions and speech of the actors and the switches between cameras are recorded during the original performance and are used by VirtualStage to re-enact the scene. You can replay the scene as many times as you like. You can even add new character actions or dialogue that were missing in the scene's original performance.

4. Can I edit the scenes that I create?

   VirtualStage includes a Timeline Editor that does so much more than is possible in a real-life 'cutting room'. Not only can you cut out parts of a scene and change the order of events, you can even change the words spoken by the actors and add new actions or gestures. In fact, we recommend that mannerisms and emotions be added after the initial performance - either during subsequent reruns of the scene or using the Timeline Editor. It is these smaller scale human gestures that help make virtual reality appear more realistic and brings the characters to life.

   During the initial performance, you should focus on creating the story and the spatial moves of the actors around the set. The smaller gestures, the actors fidgets and facial expressions, can be added later and so add that extra vital touch of realism.

5. I've already written my script, can VirtualStage import it?

   We do recognise that this would be a very useful feature for those writers who would like to continue writing at the keyboard or dictaphone but who would like to use VirtualStage to view a virtual rehearsal or performance of their play or screenplay. At the moment, all we can offer is the facility to copy & paste the actors' dialogue into VirtualStage. This isn't satisfactory to us. Therefore, with Version 3, we have made some important changes to the workflow that will enable us to develop the facility to import scripts in the near future. If you need this feature, please bear with us.

6. Can I add sound effects?

   Yes, you can play wav files. You can play them once, loop them any number of times or even play them indefinitely. You can also adjust the volume so that sounds can play in the background.

7. Can I configure the lighting?

   You can control the direction and the colour balance of the lighting enabling you to obtain a range of lighting effects, for example, the reddish glow of a sunset or a neon lit street scene.

Back to Top

Distributing Movies

1. Some machinima products require the payment of royalties. Does VirtualStage?

   No, anything you produce with VirtualStage is royalty free. Good luck - we hope your movies make you a lot of money. Of course, we could be persuaded to accept donations :-) and we would always be grateful if you would list us amongst the credits. However, there is no obligation for you to do so.

2. Can I publish the videos I produce with VirtualStage on the web?

   The third party license agreements, that you must accept in order to use VirtualStage and which cover the voice synthesis engines, state that you cannot distribute captured audio from the synthesized voices either publicly - including posting on the web - or for commercial gain without a full commercial license obtainable from the suppliers of the voices.

   You can obtain a commercial license from Wizzard Software.

   An alternative way to distribute your captured videos or post them on the web is to use recordings of real voices.

3. Is there a plugin or a player that my friends need in order to watch my movies?

   No. The route that we recommend for you to distribute your productions (with the caveat above regarding the synthesized voices) is to capture the replay of your production scenes using video capture software, such as Fraps. This lets you capture the video, usually in avi format. You can then use one of any number of video editing suites to further edit the video and convert it to different video formats depending on your intended use. For example, you could create DVDs from the captured video or convert it to one of the compressed, streaming formats for delivery over the Internet.

4. Can I watch my VirtualStage movies on my TV?

   Yes - we've done it ourselves and they look great! You must capture the VirtualStage replay using video capture software, for example, Fraps. You then import the captured video, which is most likely in avi format, as you might obtain from a digital camcorder, into a video editing suite - possibly the one you use to edit your camcorder recordings. You should then be able to create a DVD or (S)VCD, if you have DVD/CD writer on your computer, which you can play on a DVD player hooked up to your TV.

5. What format does the generated script take?

   VirtualStage can automatically generate a script or screenplay based on the directions you give to the actors and the dialogue and narrative that you enter during a performance or afterwards with the Timeline Editor. The script can be saved either as a plain text file or as a HTML page. Most major word processes, including Microsoft Word® and OpenOffice®, can open these files and convert them to other formats, if required.

   Playwrights and writers can use the script as the basis for a new play, film, sitcom or drama. In this way, VirtualStage offers an entirely new way for writers to work - one whereby they create and develop their productions in a visual and interactive manner.

   Teachers can use the generated scripts to assess a students' creativity; indeed, VirtualStage offers a new route to encouraging students to use their imagination, to create stories and to write creatively.

Back to Top

Support

1. How do I learn how to use VirtualStage?

   Hopefully, you will find VirtualStage easy and intuitive to use. Nevertheless, to get the most from the software, you should take time out to learn all of the features. To help you, there is a comprehensive Help system that includes a number of walk through tutorials, designed to get you up to speed as quickly as possible and which will help you to familiarise yourself with all aspects of the software.

2. What if I can't make it do what I want?

   First, check the Knowledge Base to see if there is any information related to your issue. If not, please contact the Dakine Wave support staff who will respond to any problem that you may encounter.

3. I have a suggestion for a new feature. Will it be implemented?

   The very least we will do is consider it and discuss it with you. We are extremely grateful for all suggestions and take each one of them very seriously. We want people to use our software and so, if your request improves the usability and usefulness of VirtualStage, there is an excellent chance that it will be included in a future release. Indeed, we have already incorporated many features and enhancements that have been suggested to us by our users.

4. I think VirtualStage is great. Is there anything I can contribute?

   There are many ways that you could help us. Here are just a few:

   • Provide us with feedback by emailing support@dakinewave.com;
   • Submit actions and gestures that you have created so that other users can download them and import them into their copy of VirtualStage;
   • Tell your friends, family and colleagues about VirtualStage;
   • Recommend VirtualStage to your children's school, to your corporation's training provider, to your local software supplier;
   • Allow us to use movies that you have created with VirtualStage on our website to promote the company and the product - we will, of course, give you full credit;
   • Let us know if you show your films at film festivals; we would love to hear about it and would be very grateful if you would mention us in your credits;
   • Donate any character or prop models that you own the rights to (and will retain), so that others may use them in their productions;
   • Post links to our site on your website; mention us in discussion forums, newsletters and magazines;
   • Suggest Dakine Wave to anyone looking to invest in a bright, young, innovative company.
   Thank you for your support.

Back to Top

Safe Harbour Statement

This document includes many 'forward looking statements'. These statements express our hopes and intentions for developing VirtualStage software. However, many factors may impact on those plans and future events may differ materially from the plans expressed here. Dakine Wave expressly disclaims any obligation to fulfil the statements made.