Raffe and Ralph Rock Out

In 2010, I crocheted this long-necked duo:

Raffe and Ralph

I recently re-created Raffe and Ralph using 3D software, so now they can rock to the rhythm:

Rock out with your neck out!

UFO sighting on 'Woomi Wins' anniversary

To celebrate the first anniversary of the Woomi Wins app, I recreated Woomi's UFO from posterboard and markers:

I attached star-shaped balloons to the UFO and visited this pier:

Then I released the WooFO into space:

 What happened next was out-of-this-world:

I hope you had fun interacting with Woomi during the premiere year of his app. Woomi Wins is still available in the Apple and Android app stores.

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as I explore strange new worlds and seek out new creations!

Woomi's R.A.T. (Robotic Area Tracker)

The R.A.T. (Robotic Area Tracker) maintains security in Woomi's IGWOO compound, and first appeared in the Woomi Wins app:

I recreated Woomi's R.A.T. in 3D, and made the following animation to show the R.A.T. on patrol!

Woomi's R.A.T. (Robotic Area Tracker) - 15sec clip looped for 1min

Woomi in 3D

While working on the Woomi Wins app last year, some drawings were tricky to animate by hand:

During those times, I wished I knew how to use 3D software. So this year, I've been tackling Blender, a free, open-source 3D creation program.

Initially released in 1995

Thankfully, there are many Blender tutorials online. Over the course of a week, I got a good grasp of Blender by following these 2012 video lessons from Neil Hirsig.

Blender is regularly updated, so watching newer tutorials will get you caught up with the latest techniques. I like these YouTube channels from Darren Lile, Sebastian Lague, BornCG, CGMasters, and XRG81

My first 3D animations were based on characters that MJ first created:

"Heavenly Howie Cloud" pillow by MJ

"Nacho Ordinary Girl" by MJ

Then I made a dancing bear named BooBoo:

These lovebirds first appeared in the Woomi Wins app, but they're flying in three dimensions now:

A video posted by Howie Woo (@woopix) on Feb 15, 2016 at 4:16pm PST

But the character I most wanted to 3D-animate was Woomi...

Here he is, sculpted in Blender:

Here's Woomi, equipped with bones for posing:

Here he is, learning to walk, run, then run out of breath:

Finally, here's Woomi dancing beside his app's trailer:

MJ was the dance inspiration behind Woomi's smooth moves. I tried to mimic her dance routine:

Working in Blender requires much dragging of dots, lines, and surfaces. But it's magical when 3D characters take shape and come to life, just like with yarn characters.

I'll continue to create fun 3D animations this year, and post them online. So feel free to follow my upcoming work on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

Woomi in 3D, 2D, and 3D again.

Thank you!

Behind the Wheel

Here are bonus photos from the previous "Woo on Wheels" post! Also, a PDF of last week's comic is downloadable here.

Old Man Woo races again

The official poster for the 1938 Woolen Hills Senior Care Home Grand Prix

Racer Woo with Old Man Woo in his "W" Racer car

Putting on my racer face

Old Man Woo's racer face

Old Man Woo driving fast and furiously

Motion-blurred: Old Man Woo

Motion-blurred: Howie Woo and Old Man Woo

Our racing helmets resemble fedoras.

Front view of the "W" Racer

Rear view of the "W" Racer

Presenting Old Man Woo in the "W" Racer

Mugshot of the Woo Crew: Shy Howie, Woomi, Howie Woo, and Old Man Woo

Here's a behind-the-scenes video about the construction of the "W" Racer and Old Man Woo:

Racing to the finish line

The secret to creating the above pic is revealed in more behind-the-scenes photos on the WooWork Facebook Page or on Flickr.

Thank you to MJ and Mom for helping photograph and videotape this project,
which took three to steer.

And thank you for visiting WooWork and participating in the grand race!

In Yo' Face, Facial Recognition!

I've been in hiding for the past five months. Specifically, I've been hiding my face...

Have you read the news about Facial Recognition systems? This technology uses cameras and computers to automatically identify people by comparing their facial features to a database.

Once limited to science fiction, facial recognition is now used by governments and corporations for everything from law enforcement to targeted advertising to social networking.

But I've emerged from hiding to share good news: I can fool facial recognition! Using cunning and crochet, we can reclaim our privacy!

I'll post how-to photos next week, after my nose heals. Until then, here's a video of my Anti-Facial Recognition System:

UPDATE - March 20, 2012

Despite the vision-impairment glitch, the Anti-Facial Recognition System offers these privacy-protecting facial expressions:

You can create those expressions with a blank mask and a handful of facial features:

Endorsed by Anonymous (Howie Woo)

Stitch velcro onto the back of each piece.

MJ recorded the FACE:REC video and helped make this project possible. We demonstrate how blank expressions are equally effective against prying eyes:

I hope this demonstration empowers us to protect our privacy and to apply brakes on the rapid use of facial recognition on our lives.

One day, I hope to upgrade the Anti-Facial Recognition System with a vision-providing, head-mounted camera that will identify nearby facial recognition systems by linking to a database.

In yo' face, facial recognition!

Behind the Bite

The recent video of the Cute-a-killer was shot over the summer, mostly during MJ's days off work. Along with operating the camera, MJ puppeteered the Cute-a-killer using marionette sticks (aka "fishing rods")...

MJ as Puppeteer

This behind-the-scenes video shows bloopers and outakes from the Cute-a-killer shoot:

I still feel anxious when I see the Cute-a-killer from its perch above my fireplace.  MJ was also shaken by the ordeal, and she drew this animation during her art therapy session:

Created using Inchworm Animation on MJ's Nintendo 3DS

Thank you for your multiple talents, MJ! And thank you all for the shared experience of encountering the Cute-a-killer!