[SFM] Envelope

Important description stuffs ahoy.
After nineteen months in development and five - count 'em, FIVE - catastrophic computer failures, I am pleased to present my latest Essefem short.
I learned a lot while making this project, particularly in the field of audio design. Thus this video is offered in High Dynamic Range™ - many volume and a good set of headphones are recommended.
Music credits, in order:
Grinspoon - Signpost
The Glitch Mob - Animus Vox
Drive A - Are You Blind?
Dash's vocal performance and motion-capture courtesy of Zanna Nicole.
A note on the wings. I started this project with the normal pony model, but I quickly ran into the same problem I had with my last video: the wings on the stock models just aren't expressive enough. The giant wings are a stylistic choice, and while they may look silly to those used to the normal pony models, it allows me to much better communicate Dash's intentions and manoeuvres, as well as the turbulence associated with high-g aerobatics. I lament the lack of an aerodynamic tail for added affect, but I couldn't make one that didn't look totally awkward (my headcanon deals with that though).
I was inspired by people who draw the ponies in their own style different from the show, particularly those who use more realistic proportions. Truthfully, ponies' wings would need to be much larger anyway to generate enough lift, but I choose to believe that it's pegasus magic at work. The same magic that lets pegasi control the weather also gives them the ability to manipulate air pressure about their body while in flight, continually creating tiny high- and low-pressure zones that act as virtual control surfaces. Thus eliminating the need for a proper tail. Ironically, I've always imagined Rainbow to have noticeably narrower wings than most pegasi, which is what gives her such incredible speed.
As for the funny lighting and obvious skybox, there's nothing I can do about that.

[@ko5686]

Her wings popped out and almost jumped outta my chair

[@kimemory]

Same

[@PWingert1966]

I want a Dashie Collectible with a full wingspan like this!

[@RolaiEckolo]

8 years later and the animation on this video is still insane. Seriously, so organic and flowing. The speed feels real. And the sound design, wow! Please tell me you're still animating!

[@ThatGrayCartoonPony]

One of the best SFMs I've seen for a long time now... :3

[@Goatmeal]

This is so impressive! In sound, animation, and rendering effects.

[@rainbowdashie3236]

haha! you can put as many "no flying", signs as you want but if you think for a moment that it would stop Dash, man you need a serious reality check.

[@zachwhacko]

How to Train Your Dragon: Rainbow Dash Edition

[@Night_from_GT_asia_2]

Is she Rainbowless

[@fanunion913]

@@Night_from_GT_asia_2 Well, yes, but actually no.

[@Glorymoon97]

How to Train a Rainbow.

[@Yuriz_207]

@@Glorymoon97 I was thinking the same lol

[@argodaemon]

Well, that just blew me away. Beyond amazing! I loved the stylistic choice with the wings. You have a good eye. ^^

[@christianrhansen1990]

Pawsome

[@athena9221]

Subcribe to the rainbowdash pic Sry your name is hard

[@RepentInReprise]

Omfg! It's Argodaemon! Ahhhhh! Fangirl scream!

[@daringdash7610]

+Argodaemon hello

[@happy_pills3229]

OMG THAT WAS SOO AWESOME

[@Ferexes]

2:03 amazing

[@zzguacgmail2094]

That was amazing

[@legomanrob]

brilliant audio

[@mastervule1844]

Epic :D

[@StarlightStream]

""EPIC YEAH XD" XD

[@MickeyCuervo36]

sunset shimmer Hi Sunset! Loved that vocal solo at the end of the flick. Need more songs from ya! XD

[@BlackGryph0n]

Nice Animation! And great job on the voice Zanna! You really sound just like RD! :-D

[@nowiknowwhatishouldnamemys8855]

The wings just killed it for me...

[@rfbrown8309]

This video is really amazing. I was wondering why Zanna was recording grunting sounds the other day.

[@KGhaleon]

Ethan Richards eh, if I can suspend my belief with flying ponies I can suspend my belief with giant wings.

[@rfbrown8309]

The correct phrase is "suspend your disbelief".

[@RolaiEckolo]

All the famous awesome animators should know that this guy is now in their league... er... has been for a little while now actually.

[@ltrs1212]

Holy. Shit. HOW MANY YEARS has this been out and I'm just now seeing it at 3 AM.. on a Monday.

[@CoreyTaylor556]

I love Dashie but when she flared her wings out my first thought was "Damn Dash your wings are WAAAAY too long for your body"

[@buck9200]

DUDE. SAME.😦😦

[@theherobrineseeker]

You read my mind.

[@elianadunigan2915]

Their actually the right size she needs to really fly.

[@hermionerose4889]

same

[@JalilBustamante]

Actually she wouldn't be able to fly with her original wings... It's physically unnatural and illogical. Those wings have the correct size for a horse (or pony) to fly.

[@tenchiofJurai67]

I for one welcome our new, oversize,-rainbow winged overlord! Those wings were actually pretty awesome. XD

[@letseathay8727]

Me too! I love those wings! I think they look pretty badass, and the way they move in the wind is amazing. Also the sound effects and voice in this are awesome! Hopefully if I watch this enough times I'll have a dream later that I can fly like that.

[@krakk9906]

OMG DUDE THAT WAS THE MOST EPIC MLP VID I'VE EVER SEEN!(another reason why RD is best pony :D)

[@haydenmarroquin5634]

hayden

[@T0M50N]

The audio in this really makes it.

[@PacificPenguin]

those wings were honestly laughably gigantic, but I love, love, love everything else about this! well done!

[@PacificPenguin]

***** you're probably right, but they just look crazy huge compared to the closed wings.

[@strevor79]

They are 2 evolutions to the flight of a bird 1st is if a bird lives in open spaces its wingspan in wider and its tail-feather is shorter. 2nd bird that evolve in canopies or forest tend to have shorter wingspan and longer tail-feather for maneuverability.

[@argodaemon]

While they were very large, as the description stated, it allows a lot more expression. If they were smaller, they would have been harder to notice and the feel of the push from each flap provides the viewer with a more immersive experience. I think it was awesome, but I also love abstract works. :D

[@PacificPenguin]

Argodaemon you're right, it's just the huge wings were largely unexpected.

[@argodaemon]

Pacific Penguin lol "largely"

[@Guus]

OMG THIS IS LITERALY THE BEST SFM IN THE WORLD !!!! auto sub activated !

[@OiItsGubbi]

I'm in love with the wings

[@OiItsGubbi]

And the Hoove sound

[@jilliandooley8689]

oli man : your flying fireman...... fireman: woooooohooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!! my flames are boosting me up! fiiiiiire!!!!

[@aprilforbus575]

Me tooo

[@MickeyCuervo36]

Woah!! Okay, not only was the animation great, and the voice actress outstanding, this really FELT like I was flying right alongside her! That's something not a lot of animators do well. Flying isn't weightlessness, it's riding currents and being able to generate lift. It's like they say in Toy Story, falling with style. There's a weight to it, and I think you captured that beautifully. Some of the animation did seem to clip frames a bit, but I chalk that up to the SFM engine more than your animating ability. I don't think it was designed for high levels of detail.

[@gya_ann]

Your a brony ? XD

[@BiscuitCatProductions]

I've watched this video so many times and if I had to use ONLY ONE WORD to describe this... it's BADASS. I love how... _real_ it feels. The emotions are so human, the way her eyes focus and refocus sometimes, the way when she flaps her wings for the first time, you can see her steady herself on the ground. It's so incredibly well made and thought out, and I can't help but absolutely adore this.

[@FizzleFX]

love the massive momentum - buck it - not even blockbusters get it that right!

[@TheJohnLytleShow]

loved it, her wings reminded me of what her sonic wings would look like. now that is going to be the image I think of for RD's sonic wings, lol

[@drag0nemper0r97]

I feel like if whoever animated this worked with Argodaemon, they could really make some unfathomable works of art. The animation could be smoother in certain parts, but I'm not complaining. It's a well done, great video.

[@hartsfire5706]

4 years and I still come back to this video, it rocks.

[@day5209]

I love the motion for the wings. It wouldn't look nearly as cool if they were show style. Also, they look more realistic.

[@passion4ponies345]

Wow, this is so different from the usual SFM, I really really loved this

[@RomanKudrenko]

This is definitely gonna be one of the top pony videos of September, I'm sure about that.

[@BolttheSuperPony]

This should totally go in the Top Ten Pony Videos of September list!

[@yng_scrolls]

These is are the Rainbow Dash she have other hooves and wings!

[@autumbreeze1129]

Okay. That. Was. AWESOME! And i really gotta hand it to Zanna. I thought sounded exactly like Alisha Ball's Rainbow Dash voice

[@2007excalibur2007]

Hoooolyyyy fuuuuuuuuck~~~ Just what I needed to kick start my morning. :D

[@Scyrina]

Woah great one and great animations! Looks freaking epic!

[@thesixofus5429]

I am beyond amazed :OOOO I love the wing style! Everything about this was perfect 👌

[@Verbose_Mode]

Woah. I... I felt that. I FELT that! I fly gliders, and am moving toward an acrobatics permit, but... that's what it feels like.

[@1964corvan]

i forgot how awesome this is! needs more views!

[@alexanderhorton5673]

This is amazing! I loved the voice, animation, and flight sequence!

[@nagafawkes2449]

That was soooooooooooo amazing! Soooooo beautiful! You did a good work to animation, sounds, effects and cam move! It's just A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I'm in love! That was my dream to fly like you did and this video made me the sentiment to feel in the air!

[@The_Foreman]

I both love and hate the wings. They seem abnormal because of what we are used to but they are a much more realistic size for carrying the weight and size of a horse. Not a fan of the under wings coloring. If anything it should be on top and bottom as feathers aren't generally different colors on each side. I'm glad I put my headphones on for once as you did a great job with the sounds. My only issue would be the bird that practically explodes from our face. I assume its coming from behind and we would have heard something before it got to the back of the head. Lastly is there is quite a lot of animation jitters. The eyes twitching about and sometimes awkward steps. A little more motion tweening (don't know how that works in SFM) should have made it more smooth. Over all great animation and will be recommending to friends :P

[@hennak.3051]

oh my god the speed it's feel-able. awsome work!!

[@unnamednewbie13]

So...awesome. Apart from the quality hard work done on the wings, I particularly enjoy the flight sound effects. She looks like she's having a blast.

[@ruzz117]

well, i just want to say... shut up and take my money

[@keyonasimms1522]

that is show me to say to Rainbow Dash

[@keyonasimms1522]

that is just so me to Rainbow Dash

[@user-tz9pd3vf2n]

I just remember that I was 8 years old and I loved watching this

[@EpicZooJetu]

love the camera angles you used!

[@rikamoriko1243]

AWESOME!! DUDE U SHOULD REALLY MAKE MORE VIDS LIKE THIS!! ITS AMAZING

[@Roulden]

Fantastic work. The audio was top notch and had the desired effects, the expressions through out were great and felt naturual, and the camera scenes had great placement. Your work paid off, and I hope whatever your next project is has less computer failures.

[@danielbergmann4330]

AWESOME. i'm really, really impressed by how well the flight worked out, you can really feel the g forces on the loops, and the contrasting weightlessness in the stall. you sir did a much better job than a lot of full length, full budget proper Hollywood movies...

[@Nibenni]

Simply jaw dropping... Amazing job mate!!!

[@BikerDash]

That was freakin incredible! The animation was very fluid with a strong sense of realism to it. (not taking into account the ungodly high G's that RD had to be pulling in some of the maneuvers... but that would be canon for RD) Overall, the level of detail was outstanding. The only thing I felt off about while watching was her wings. They looked too big in my opinion, but even then, they were done fantastically. Little details, such as the strain during the high speed turns, and the contrails... 10/10 for all of this!

[@dashypie8885]

That was one of the most epic sfm animations I have ever seen!

[@themanthelegendjaycefingta3735]

The animation for this is literally fantastic!

[@shadowspector3611]

Dude, this entire thing was the definition of awesome!

[@TheCentriole]

This is classic fandom kino and I never tire of coming back to watch it again.

[@jetpegasuslegacy579]

Damn, this animation is so cool, so was the back ground music. I seriously love this animation it's so uplifting and inspiring. Man, I really think I should listen to that BGM the next time I exercise.

[@TaceoCinema]

I'm not a huge fan of flying scenes in SFM but I appreciate the amount of detail and thought you put into the animation and particles. I also replayed the scene at 2:00 quite a few times because of it's amazingness. p:

[@ToneyPony]

This is extremely well put together. The animation, action, music, sound effects, camera angles, pacing, and a few surprises for the viewer. This is genius work. Also, 'dose wings. Awesome.

[@TsuriaDragon]

Wow that was amazing I love the detail of her wings look awesome being huge and rainbow feathers you busted a well deserved video nineteen months whoazers thank you for making this animation I'm inspired by this :D

[@novacolonel5287]

This makes me feel free. Thank you.

[@dianahills1366]

Holly shiiit this vídeo is F*cking amazing!! Those wings thou!!

[@finalframe8223]

i love the song "are you blind" it's stuck in my head now. Great! The animation is glorious as well.

[@PeacePetal]

You mean, she's actually flying instead of just magically hovering as her tiny wings go up and down? LOVE IT!!

[@thegrimcritic5494]

Goddamn, this is smooth! Loved every last second of this video. The wing size was a bit off-putting, but I didn't mind it one bit. The video moved much like a parkour/bmx/skateboard montage, and I think that's a perfect way to depict how RD must experience flight in the way she does; flashy, yet stylish. Love it!

[@sparkybrony3807]

This has honestly blown me away. Her tail whipping around in the wind from her traveling, her head, just like a fighter pilot doing maneuvers, the g-forces pushing around. Her eyes constantly moving. All this is far more realistic than most people would realize. I've watched it at least four or five times, I've gotten my kids to watch it. This is beyond epic. In fact, there are no words. Keep doing this. I can see you were straining the abilities of SFM, but DAMN!!! It was awesome!

[@derpcast3432]

I cannot put into words how awsome that was!!

[@jelizagodinez2031]

Man those Wings are awesome

[@-DRIP]

this was very impressive, very few flying sfms ive seen that feel and look natural, even the little grunts she gives

[@xXDeadSlayerXx]

very like it! never saw any animation have so mich action! well done!

[@coppercore6287]

Mind. Blown. The wings are hilariously large, but hell, you made them work pretty well all things considered. THIS! This is how Rainbow Dash flies, end of story. I don't think I've ever seen anyone else capture her very essence like you have here. I'm loving about every second of it! Needs more of this! There are several little glitches and technical issues here and there, but SFM sometimes has its limitations and other issues, so I get that. Also, good selection of music!

[@Powerless001]

fantastic! those wings were brilliant!

[@Emilia-ih5ew]

Wow! This is possibly the best sfm! I really like the style you choose for the hooves !! L y

[@appledashrainbowxapplejack6505]

This is sooo awesome!!!!

[@DEUS_VULT_INFIDEL]

That was fuckin' awesome. Most other stuff I've come across is just about Rainbow screwing up and crashing, honestly glad to finally see some glorious aerial action. And the wings were pretty awesome, too. Big wings are cool.

[@TBDComic]

I ave to admit I'm impressed. Everything involving wings here was astonishing and I love the rainbow feathrs to bits. Buck. Frikken. Yeah

[@amazingronnie]

I watched this once seven years ago and it's just recently been on my mind, I just had to watch this masterpiece again.

[@chriscofer6237]

holy shit that was great work and so much detail on the hooves and why the 4 feet wings overall great job i have never seen a pony vid this detailed in my life

[@EpicZooJetu]

Awesome Video loved it! music was a great match

[@3dsflameredness]

MOST IMPRESSIVE! nice choice of soundtrack btw, i also loved the little "treasure planet" bit u had her do :D

[@grimm6207]

they should really add the design of the wings into the actual show

[@berns5794]

Let's wait until she becomes an alicorn or some sort of a high or royal position idk, or overpowered chances huer

[@ajcable3614]

WOW...I'm absolutely blown away by this. The amount of effort you put into this video is so easily seen through those quick, fluid motions. The way the SFX match so perfectly with the motions. And those wings, my god those wings are BEAUTIFUL. The amount of expression portrayed JUST through those wings just...it's honestly just amazing. And the little things, the vapor trails coming from the tips of her wings as she performs those high g turns is something so many would miss. You have some serious talent, and I can't get enough of this video. Absolutely outstanding job!

[@NarrowKilla]

DYNAMICS ! ACTION ! PONEY ! WOOSHH! this is just overpowered with epicness , i can touch the coolness of teh video!

[@SaigneurGuerrier]

I'm seeing and hearing the 19 months, congrats !

[@tokitok2104]

Certainly rainbow dash has experience with the real aerodynamics rules. But by the way.... That was amazinig, this huge wings was kind of weird but movie is still awesome.

[@thunderboltrodriguez6521]

Awesome video. You are a rlly good animator

[@GrifMoNeY]

This looks amazing. SFM will always have its shortcomings, but I love the changes made to the RD model and I agree with your reasoning. In the show, whenever she did aerial maneuvers it always looked...arbitrary and effortless. In this video you really put forth the effort to show how they could actually be performed with pegasus wings.

[@springtrapafton3314]

This video was so awesome :D

[@DerekPetersonLives]

I didn't know that SFM supported bump mapping. Very immersive video, had me swaying with the camera like gaming in the late 90s :) And you know you did a good job when you get Argodaemon to give a comment like he did! You earned another subscriber

[@CubeCubedProductions]

I really love the emphasis you put in on her straining to hold her wings out when recovering from a dive. Made it seem so much more realistic!

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

I still love this so much

[@torquevonthorne948]

Holy shit. Thanks Gaben to give us Source Filmmaker, so we can feed our brains with such animations. I salute you and your skillz, most honorable SFMer.

[@benbraceletspurple9108]

This took a lot of work I bet . It was a great job. Very realistic take on how the ponies would fly in real life, including a realistic wing size, and hooves.

[@ignasanchezl]

Being an RC pilot myself plus knowing lots about aerodynamics I was like: What was that 50G turns or what. Nice audio, legit wing size and well animated movement. Plus the wingtip vortices and the negative G Loops where nice too.

[@Stupchek]

that was amazing! this makes the other videos in the top 10 pony videos of the month cringe worthy compered to this! I really loved the the more fastpased facial expression and the camera movement! This is my favorite sfm video ever!

[@DashDashGo]

This just insanely amazing!

[@Andrea-ck4fn]

Amazing for my fav pony!

[@antonlongbow5122]

At first I was like the movements could be smoother, then she took off and the illusion of speed was flawless. Few minor things aside this is a beautiful piece right here. I wish I had a rig that could handle SFM.

[@DiegoAlanTorres96]

Reupload it in 60fps PLEASE

[@michellehart6219]

Great job!It must of took hard work!I hope your proud of your self for making that amazing animation!!(P.s I felt like I was right beside Rambow Dash!I absolutely loved the sound effects!

[@TaffenFelspar]

Turn And Burn! Dashie has the moves!

[@moonlightstar9865]

the voice of RD is amazing good job

[@annoyingdog1055]

What the frick happened to this channel and animator!?!? His/her work is amazing! Wherever you are, you need to persure this unless you have other things going on in ur life I totally respect that, but serious! It's incredible, I remember this video ever since it came out and I'm glad I came back to look at it!!

[@BolttheSuperPony]

This is fully awesome!!! Rainbow Dash has an impressive wingspan.

[@EpicZooJetu]

after this video being stuck in my head for the last week I needed to watch it a few more times :)