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Archaic Animation Software
3 years ago
So I recently rediscovered an old vector animation program that I had received as a gift a long time ago, called Anime Studio 8. For those who are familiar with Moho, this is essentially that but way older.
I got this as a physical copy when I was still an impulsive, impressionable kid, and I never got into it enough to activate the product then. Now, with a calmer temperament and a more refined artistic vision, I decided to pick this back up and try to make some stuff with it, only to find out that I only have access to a 30-day trial of the software and that I can't redeem the serial number because Smith Micro - the company that owned the software then - no longer supports the product. Go figure.
I've been weighing a few options for the past couple of weeks:
1) Since Anime Studio went on to become Moho with a different company, I can try to contact that company to see if there's any chance that I can unlock this old version of the program through them, or just upgrade to Moho.
2) Pending the expiration of the trial period, since it's a physical disc copy, I could try to cheat the system by uninstalling and reinstalling the program to get another 30 days. That is, if I don't mind the words "Free Demo" being plastered all over my work.
3) I've essentially finished modeling a vector of a generic Balloonosaur, and am currently in the process of rigging for easy animation. Now I'm unsure if I am even able to export just the vector graphics, but if I can, I could just import the vector model I made to a different, free and open-source animation program. If I'm not and I decide to switch over anyway, I'm gonna have to start all over from the beginning.
4) If I wanted to get dubious, since this version of the program can technically be considered abandonware at this point, I could see if I could get someone interested in software preservation to crack the program for me. I'd be walking on the legal chalk line if I went this route, but I have my arguments for doing it.
I'd really be interested to hear any opinions you guys might have, so I can make a more informed choice to continue on with this. I'm starting to get the hang of it, and I actually think I'm gonna enjoy doing it if I can continue.
See you 'round,
Elias
I got this as a physical copy when I was still an impulsive, impressionable kid, and I never got into it enough to activate the product then. Now, with a calmer temperament and a more refined artistic vision, I decided to pick this back up and try to make some stuff with it, only to find out that I only have access to a 30-day trial of the software and that I can't redeem the serial number because Smith Micro - the company that owned the software then - no longer supports the product. Go figure.
I've been weighing a few options for the past couple of weeks:
1) Since Anime Studio went on to become Moho with a different company, I can try to contact that company to see if there's any chance that I can unlock this old version of the program through them, or just upgrade to Moho.
2) Pending the expiration of the trial period, since it's a physical disc copy, I could try to cheat the system by uninstalling and reinstalling the program to get another 30 days. That is, if I don't mind the words "Free Demo" being plastered all over my work.
3) I've essentially finished modeling a vector of a generic Balloonosaur, and am currently in the process of rigging for easy animation. Now I'm unsure if I am even able to export just the vector graphics, but if I can, I could just import the vector model I made to a different, free and open-source animation program. If I'm not and I decide to switch over anyway, I'm gonna have to start all over from the beginning.
4) If I wanted to get dubious, since this version of the program can technically be considered abandonware at this point, I could see if I could get someone interested in software preservation to crack the program for me. I'd be walking on the legal chalk line if I went this route, but I have my arguments for doing it.
I'd really be interested to hear any opinions you guys might have, so I can make a more informed choice to continue on with this. I'm starting to get the hang of it, and I actually think I'm gonna enjoy doing it if I can continue.
See you 'round,
Elias
