New: Animation Overrider @ FORM
Hmm, it seems like my motif for the week is attempting to present in still images things that really need to be seen in action. Today’s full-motion item is FORM designer Zabitan Assia’s new “Animation Override V.1″. Built upon the foundation of Zab’s previously available line of poses (using Ziggy Puff’s ZHAO-II HUD Animation Overrider), the FORM AO includes 22 poses and animations to customize every aspect of your avatar’s movement, including one stand pose and one animated sit pose that are only available with this AO. All AO operations are conveniently controlled via the discreet FORM-themed HUD, at lower right in this picture. The lower “FORM” button enables and disables the AO; the upper “MENU” button activates the control/configuration menu at upper right.
A demo stand is conveniently stationed in the shop, so you can try out any or all of the AO’s poses and animations. I’m including here pictures of a few that are new for this AO, so you can see what some of them look like. Keep in mind that some of these are animated, so they’re far cooler than they look here.
Pictured above: three of the stand poses and the “three-point” stance from which you stand up after landing. At top: another stand.
This is the first time I’ve used a HUD-driven AO–the only other I’ve used is controlled via chat commands. The HUD took some getting used to, and to be sure both methods have their strengths and weaknesses, but I’ve come to like its convenience and the fact that instructions to my AO don’t go out in open chat.  I won’t be telling my friend (who shall remain nameless) who has announced that “HUDs are the Devil!”
Pictured above: getting ready to jump, flying up, hovering (this pose bobs up and down slightly in mid-air), and landing from flight. Below: flying.
I’ve been wearing this AO for several days now, and all in all I think it’s a great set of poses and animations that work well together. If you like Zabitan’s overall gritty-tough style, or if (like me) you’ve cobbled together your own AO using some of his other stand and sit poses, this might just qualify as a no-brainer. The ZHAO-II AO unit itself is fully customizable, so if you like and want half or more of the included animations, you’re saving money by buying the set. Zab’s animations are also available individually for L$100 each, if you just want to build your own AO, but remember that the FORM AO contains some exclusives that aren’t available separately.
The “official” ad artwork is shown here, so you can get at least a glimpse of the other included poses and animations. But I encourage you to visit the shop and demo them for yourself, so you can see how they look with your own avatar “wearing” them.
Get your own FORM AO for L$1000 at FORM at The Block (Varado 149, 141, 31). Be the first on your block!Â
I bought one of these AOs for my alt and then had to go back and get one for my main av.
The only thing I’m not happy with is the overly-macho walk. Other than that, I think it’s a great AO and I enjoy using it.
This is one of the better, complete AOs available. The walk, as mentioned, is a little too macho-swagger, but I think male walks are another area where there are few quality items available.
I’m very pleased with this AO and only really have two minor gripes, the lack of a running animation and the fact that nearly all the standing animations are stooped postures with the head held down. I’m really hoping FORM release a batch of add on animations with more upright poses!