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Too bad I couldn't be there :'(. Thanks Azure and Gary for twittering. Looking forward to see more pics and videos!

[Idea]

Wow, this is really hard to decide. So many great entries!

Idea - oraxon
Atmosphere - Coda Frost. What I did like best here was not the foreground, but the smooth, long shadows in the background
Design - Darkdan
Composition - nihilyst
Functionality - A close one between nihilyst and anian but I'll go with anian here
Technique - nihilyst

Exactly, the second example with the pretty useless and overdramatic pause would make me want to skip.
This example would only make sense if the character, instead of making a pause, would turn to face the player. Pauses can be a nice thing to make dialogs more dramatic but they tend to be overused.

Too bad I can't be there. I hope you will keep us updated what is happening via newsletters or you might even tell us on irc what's going on.

Didn't know that, thanks.

AGS can import a series of images in couple of clicks now, so where do you save time?

Last time I tried this, it didn't work with alpha channel - also, in a 32bit color game it is kinda annoying to always have the messagebox if I really want to use alpha channel...

Harold and Maude?

I currently don't have the helpfile here, but I think you can check the current frame of the animation somehow. So you could wait until the correct frame and then start the new animation.

I once had alpha-channel related GUI problems and they were indeed solved by setting a completely transparent sprite as GUI background instead of omitting it.

I have to say that Queensland and the Whitsundays are very beautiful. And I don't think the flight there will be much more expensive than to the US Westcoast. However, I've already been to Australia and if I went there again, I'd rather go to an area I haven't been before. Another thing is the long flight. It takes me 2 days there and 2 days back. When I was in Australia I've been staying there for 4 weeks, but I'm not sure if I can get that many days off from work. Actually, things are changing in my life and I'm not even sure if I will have work then. But this also applies to the US, although I'd go there for less then 4 weeks of course.
So, I can't say if I will be able to come to next Mittens at all  :'(

The frame comes from his splendid graphic novel "Blankets".

You made me place an order 

Exactly, Snarky. One thing is the tool, the other the technique. I, for example, use Inkscape for vector drawings. The important part is that you get familiar with this completely different kind of drawing, namely working with vector handles instead of free drawing. That's why I linked you those two tutorials for portraits.
For a more basic approach on vector art in general I recommend this collection of tutorials http://inkscapetutorials.wordpress.com/suggest-a-tutorial/tutorial-list/ and there especially this one http://kalaalog.com/2008/01/13/how-to-illustrate-an-ornate-pitcher/ because it uses many of the basic techniques. I'm sure if you google for it you will also find tons of tutorials for Illustrator.

Vector art usually uses clean, straight outlines and areas of different color for shading and stucture. Your linework looks like you drew the lines with some kind of pen tool (i'm not familiar with Illustrator) but usually you will either smooth (simplify) them afterwards or draw it handle by handle. The crinkles on the shirt for example I wouldn't do with black lines at all but use a darker yellow.

Here are some good tutorials (she uses the path tool of PS but that's vectors too):
http://www.melissaevans.com/tutorials/vector-art-with-photoshop
http://www.melissaevans.com/tutorials/turn-photos-of-people-into-line-art

Interesting read, thanks!

[Darkdan]

Darkdan for best use of the shape. And also because it's a great drawing.

[musician]

I recently made some pretty good progress. The main rooms and GUI are done, now I'm creating the closeups and more animations.

But to finish this game I need a musician. So if you think you can create a tune that will fit the game and want to join the bakers team, PM me!

Ponch, das wird nichts. Du kriegst ja nichtmal Umlaute hin

I wonder where you would put Umlaute in the word library... ah, now I know: Bücherei!

[Idea]

Idea: oraxon
Atmosphere: Dualnames
Design:  DrewCCU
Composition: oraxon
Functionality: Ilyich
Technique: Ilyich

- "Talking" icons over the heads of each character

What about just using the talk view of the character?

Happy Birthday, Jospin and Noa!