"Point Lobos, California", Image ID: theb0011, Historic C&GS Collection, Photo Date: 1967, Credit: Captain Albert E. Theberge, NOAA Corps (ret.), URL: http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/historic/c&gs/theb0011.htm, Publication of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Adminstration (NOAA), NOAA Central Library (http://www.lib.noaa.gov).

Virtual Aikido

The beautiful art of aikido makes its debut into the digital realm. Students and instructors can now study basic forms from the god's-eye view of 3D digital imaging environments. In what is almost certainly a first in the world of aikido, Still Point Aikido Center introduces Aikido Poses 1: Basic Postures.

Aikido Poses 1 is a set of 11 single-figure poses. Basic sitting and standing postures are included, two tumbling poses, plus a standard set of wrist-stretching exercises. Beginning students and instructors of aikido and other martial artists will find this set of tremendous value for study. Each pose has been meticulously crafted by a professional aikido instructor with over two decades experience in the art, assuring fidelity and fine attention to detail.

Aikido Poses 1 was created within a 3D application called Poser. Poser is a modeling program for the human form (although animals and fantasy creatures, props and backgrounds inhabit the Poser world as well). For students and teachers of aikido, Poser is like having your own life-drawing and photographic studio, with complete control over lighting, setting, props, models, and even gravity. Animation is also possible within Poser.

Aikido Poses 1 contains the following Pose sets:

  • Break Fall
  • Hanmi (Migi)
  • Kotegaeshi Undo
  • Nikkyo Undo
  • Sankyo Undo
  • Seiza
  • Shikko
  • Shizentai (Migi)
  • Shizentai
  • Ukemi (Basic)
  • Za
with more Poses on the way for future releases.

Purchasing and Downloads

Follow these three steps (if you already own your own version of Poser, skip the first step):

1) To use Aikido Poses 1, you will need to download a free demo version of Poser. Go to

http://www.curiouslabs.com/article/archive/64/

Follow the links for Poser 4 & Pro Pack until you get to the page where you can download the Poser 4 Pro Pack for your platform. Even better, support Curious Labs and buy the full version of Poser.

It is strongly recommended that you keep the Installer application, as the demo expires every 30 days and will need to be reinstalled.

2) Download the free Aikiko Character Pack here:

Nudity
The details of the human form are best viewed free of clothing. The images included are renders of the 3D virtual model Aikiko, who is very anatomically correct. The Aikiko character ships without any clothing included.

Viewers who are sensitive to nudity are advised to reconsider before proceeding.

DO NOT INSTALL THESE FILES UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THE INCLUDED READ ME FILE!!!

3) Purchase Aikido Poses 1 at Renderosity for $16.75. Go to:

http://market.renderosity.com/softgood.ez?Who=Phospheros

You will be asked to become a member of Renderosity, but it costs nothing and they will not spam you or sell your information.

That's it! Once you have download all the packages, take them one at a time and follow the installation instructions supplied with each archive. It will take a bit of effort to configure everything and get it up and running, but consider it another form of shugyo. We are building something new and exciting here, and we are very pleased to have you be a part of it.

If you need help, feel free to contact us via email. Please put Aikido Poses 1: Help Me! in the subject line.

Thanks!

R.A. Robertson
Still Point Aikido

Copyright 1996-2002 Still Point Aikido Center