This is the beginning of Helix, an open source animation program. I'm Mr Lange, I came up with the idea, everything about it, and I'm directing the project. I have over eight years of experience with all kinds of animation software. Flash, Anime Studio, 3ds Max, Maya, Blender, you name it. I'm also well experienced with any kind of graphics software, I'm a sound designer and a musician, and I have a bit of programming experience. Having worked with so much software, I've seen where all of them have distinct advantages, and disadvantages, and wondered why this can't have this, or why this doesn't do that. Over time I've narrowed down these observations to a science and realized some very important things. Programming is my weakest subject, though I do understand it well. I can read it, but I'm lousy at writing it. I can communicate effectively with good programmers. Robert is an excellent programmer and he's been working with me for a while now, with an interest and understanding in Helix and the grand idea of it and how it works. He is responsible for Helix's groundwork and will be creating a lot, possibly most of this program.

Helix is based on the Flash method of animation, while improving the system and defeating the logical problems and bottlenecks that existed in Flash. Helix will also work in 3d and feature more advanced animation tools. However, Helix forgoes drawing and modeling tools in favor of focusing entirely on the animation process. Software that already exists for 2d and 3d content production, such as Gimp and Blender, are already very advanced and matured for that part of the production pipeline. Helix intends to rely on external content to work with. For information on Helix and the theory behind it, please read the introductory articles recently added to the wiki.

We have decided now to move the project to Java. We are getting faster results this way both in program efficiency and development time. We can also do this without sacrificing any of the program's features or functionality. OpenGL is being used for the graphics, and we will likely be using OpenAL for the sound.

We are looking for active, interested, volunteering programmers to participate in Helix's development! It does not have to be for the entirety of the program. Any specific skills will be of help. Knowledge of Java, OpenGL or OpenAL, 3D graphics, or even just good math or trig skills. There are many simple things that can contribute to this project.

A lot of documents detailing the way the program will work have already been written, along with concept designs for the UI. I'm currently designing a rough draft of all the UI elements that can be printed into up to date documents for the program. In the near future, I'll begin uploading these documents.

We have a video presentation up now, though it is only the first in a series. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBjxdjPDVYM And the complete hypothetical Sonic animation by itself can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_98XNtI5p0

Mr Lange

Robert Hewitt

Kevin Rodriguez