project goal completions update

so far I have managed to reach these goals set out for my craft development :

- Green-screen Stop motion utilising after effects for digital animated backgrounds

- Completed a basic digital light animation test using trapcode form

- Completed a basic augmented reality test using google sketchup 3D architectural modelling software & an A.R. Plug in

- Completed basic 3D modelling of a scene in MAYA 2010

- rotoscoped a dance scene using Adobe photoshop, premiere pro and after effects

- Created & built a zoetrope style projector out of household materials & ingenuity that projects an organic animated dance sequence

- Modified this system to be used as a praxinoscope style machine where the physical animation is on the machine & created by persistence of vision

I have been looking at a plug-in for MAYA that may work with my other physical animated projects such as stop motion & the praxinosocope-esque device. there is a cheap plug-in called Cut-Out http://www.dunreeb.com/3dplugins/ that allows 3D MAYA models to be translated to cut out print outs to make paper 3d models without the hassle. this could be useful in creating backgrounds & characters for stop motion animation.

Babysteps into Maya 1: creating a background model from scratch

due to technical problems with CS4 I changed tact & started my first attempt at 3D modelling in MAYA autodesk 2010

there is some background information on the technical & mathematical practices that seperate 3D animation from other types of animation here explaining the basics & keyphrases (I myself am not a highly mathematical person so feel this may help!):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_modeling
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonuniform_rational_B-spline
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonal_modeling

I started by creating a new project and a new ground plane which is the ground foundation for creating 3d scenes



I then [using the 3D object tools] set about creating new, seperate polygonal primitive shapes for the sky/enviroment (a sphere)), buildings (cube) , roofs (cylinder). I then scaled, rotated & moved the shapes along the three XYZ axis' to modify the shapes to suit the building components. I turned on autoshading so i could see a preview of the rough 3D model while i worked.



I collected together the shapes into groups (e.g. cylinder + cube = house & roof) to create the houses & lamp-posts, then duplicated the houses to create a street.




I had only a stick like cylinder for my lamp-post so I changed the mode to single component tools, this meant i could manipulate the look of the shapes from tiny points (nodes) anywhere on the shape. Using this method I reshaped the cylinder into a more recognisable lamp-post shape



I once again used duplicate to create a street full of lamp-posts. I then created a NURBS (Non-uniform rational basis spline) shape. Using NURBS rather than polygonal 3D shapes gave me better ability to create complex un-rational 3D shapes such as an electrical wire for the lamposts running between the houses. I edited thses wires the same way as the lamp posts using component mode to manipulate the wire shape then duplicated that after using a NURBS fine shading preset to make the wires look more 'organic' & less 'building block-like'



Using the previous NURBS primitive shapes, single component manipulation & duplication methods described above I created awnings for each house in the street.

Zoetrope/ zoopraxinoscope

As part of my light animation test I have decided to invest some time into harking back to the original means of creating film through craft & light: the era of Zoetropes, Kinetoscopes & Zoopraxinoscopes!!

With the weather turning beautifully snowy I decided I wanted to make the most of the white background & reflective surfaces. as well as normal light painting I wanted something that would look organic & magical.
I have decided to create an approximation of a zoetrope. I will project light through a spinning disk of cut out images - (for example a walking cycle of a man). With the spinning motion of the disk of cut out shapes, the light will luminate through and project the images onto a canvas, the canvas in this case will be the white & reflective snow!!

I will build the zoetrope and the spinning mechanism out of household items, use LED/torch lights for my projector light, and if needed I will salvage an old canon 55mm lens to project the light source.

I will then add this to my final light animation test.

TOY STORY ZOETROPE



LASERLIGHT ANIMATION

basic computer animated light tests

I have completed my first basic baby steps into CG digital light animation. I used a light plug-in compilation, particularly 3D stroke & Form. these programmes are for 3D light drawing & computer generated light, smoke & particles.

-I created a new solid layer in after effects, and applied Form to it. I then created a base shape to animate.


I set different paramaters such as twist & disperse to change the flow, size & movement of the particles. these were key framed on the timeline.


Once I had the keyed settings I loaded up 3D stroke and dropped that on the layer. I then simply used the Pen tool in after effects to create a path for the 3D stroke to follow, I then changed the start & end points for the effect to follow and I had my light drawing effect.


Heres the finished basic test

ROTOSCOPING

This is my research into the different styles that can be achieved through rotoscoping over live footage - I will attempt several of these styles when I rotoscope my greenscreen footage of myself.

Watercolour painting effect

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvrnLlqQca4

Ink and paper storybook effect

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKIUHpyRk1I

Interpolated rotoscoping ie Scanner darkly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIu0NMDjtCI

Abstract expressionist style

http://www.blogger.com/goog_453129351

semi-Realistic style

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIT87On4ktU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi2U-Ewn-vQ&feature=player_embedded

3D Stop motion re-shoot

Despite my best efforts in Post production my original footage for my 3D stop motion shoot will have to be 90% scrapped & re-shot!
I have keyed out the greenscreen and started to drop the background elements in for the test, however the camerawork is beyond any post-production miracle. This has hammered home the point that its important to get it right 1st time on camera, and maybe also that the best form of control in a test is to do everything yourself including the camera!

* one shot has a part of the background not covered by the greenscreen in-shot - I cloned a part of the replacement foreground over the mistake which makes it slightly misaligned by millimetres



* the camera is unsteady and constantly shaking and moving the shot = I attempted to motion track the keyed out footage and the background image together constantly repositioning it to rectify the bad camera work, but the result is still sub-standard.

* because the camera was not being white balanced between changing positions or the changing of lights the colour of the puppets skin tones & the greenscreen change between certain shots = I did a curves adjustment in the colour correction menu in an attempt to match up the different colour shades however this made only marginal difference.

* Also because of the bad lighting there was slight shadowing round the puppets outline, keying became difficult to get to be incredibly accurate = I had to trim and feather the outline between the green background, shadowing and the actual puppet this led to slight bleeding-in between background & props/armature

Creatives Oath!

While researching light animation an animator for haitsu (Ipad light animation vid) stated they got their ehtos for their company from a creative advertising business in Japan - the manager had given them a creative code of conduct, I thought I would stick this code up to remind myself to complete this craft development module in the most thorough and innovative fashion possible!!

1. Create work for yourself; don’t wait for work to be assigned to you.

2. Take an active role in all your endeavours, not a passive one.

3. Seek out large and complex jobs. Trivial tasks debase you.

4. Welcome difficult assignments. Choose them. Progress lies in accomplishing difficult work.

5. Once you begin a task, complete it. Never give up.

6. Lead your fellow workers. Be an example for them to follow.

7. Set goals for yourself to ensure a constant sense of purpose. This will give you perseverance and hope for the future.

8. Move with confidence. Confidence gives your work force, focus and substance.

9. Find new solutions. This is the way we ensure satisfactory service.

10. When conflict is necessary don’t shy away from it or be afraid. Conflict is the mother of progress and the source of aggressive enterprise. If you fear conflict, you will become timid and servile


http://www.dentsu.com/

attempting light animation

As I have completed my initial Augmented reality test and I am halfway through with my stopmotion greenscreen & 3D test I am looking to start my light animation test mixing up light effects created with lighting shot on a camera recording at a slow shutter speed, composited with 3D computer generated light effects and patterns.

Computerised light animation

Plugin test - Trapcode Form from Rbelion on Vimeo.

Natural on-camera light animation

Light Animation from jyoti on Vimeo.

stop motion greenscreen & mixing with 3D

I have completed my test filming for my Stop motion Armature against a green screen.
I plan to :

-to key out the greenscreen in after effects



- to replace the background using still images and animation footage


- to insert 3D models into my scenery


- once at sufficient knowledge insert a 3D generated & animated character into the scene for the armature to interact with


# 3D BACKGROUND PROPS = Mannequin, Russian Doll, Escher stairs/images, dali elephant/ walking crescent moon
# Melt/liquify face as a layer on the realtime mannequin

Augmented reality test completed

I have completed my first test using augmented reality technology & 3D modelling

I have documented the step by step technique of how i created my AR test in a powerpoint presentation :

Ar presentation

View more presentations from ricardoblancodean.

Once I had created the 3D model and installed the Augmented reality plug in to use with my webcam - I printed out a coded marker for the camera to register the 3D model onto




Once i had printed out my A.R. Card I had my completed test, heres the result:

Augmented reality test

I have decided to add an attempt at creating a piece of Augmented Reality technology to my craft development practical work. With looking at the way current trends are going, the increase in consumer products using AR, and with most big media companies looking to making moves into this area I feel it will be important to learn the very basic steps of how the technology works.

Augmented reality manifests mainly in Apps or advertising and utilises Webcam interfacing, 3D animated modelling and targeted information streaming over an interface.

here is an example from the largest AR comapny in the UK: Hidden creative


To create my very own example of an AR enabled product i will first use a free downloadable 3D modelling tool: Googlesketch to create the 3D content
http://sketchup.google.com/product/gsu.html

I will then use an AR media Sketch upo plug in - this plug in product will alllow me to set virtual markers for the 3D model. these markers will be set on an object (ie a piece of card) which when shown in front of a webcam will bring up the 3d model, this will then move along with how the card moves.

I will post up my resulting test soon!

turning actors into animation - greenscreen

I have shot some greenscreen footage of myself which I intend to use for several animation tests using different methods.

I intend to use the Maya 3D modelling motion capture method I posted previously. to see how effectively I can digitally replace and manipulate an actor without the thousands spent on mo-cap suits & equipment.

I will also do some more traditional digital manipulation without 3D modelling, using digital rotoscoping.

I feel doing several different test using seperate methods of animation and manipulation will enrichen my craft development & allow me to come out of this module with a good grounding in al forms of animation whilst sticking to the brief of researching and applying myself to a certain style or craft.

I will post the test up on this blog once I have completed them.

plan of action

as I am quite interested in mixing live action & animation in a 3dimensional space, I am going to do some simple experiments in 3D modelling and movement with MAYA. I will chart my progress from being a beginner in the software to whichever state of knowledge i end up with by the end of the module.

I am also looking to attempt a form of 3D light animation - projecting it onto surfaces in a real enviroment and using stop motion animation and/or After effects CG light effects to give it contrast& movement, hopefully something similar to the iPad light animation video previously posted.

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/light_streaks/
http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/light_streaks_2/

http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/products/all/knoll-light-factory/

I will also attempt several more traditional forms of animation in a 3D space, this will include shooting a stopmotion armature puppet in a 3D greenscreen set, as well as rotoscoping a live action actor against a greenscreen background.

I am making contact with several visual effects and animation companies in Leeds & manchester to further my understanding of the types of projects these companies do, what their personal experiences are, and to increase my networking links into the industry

rotoscoping using cs4

this will be the method i will use for my rotoscoping animation tests using a mix of after effects, photoshop and illustrator - so I can use the actors footage as a base, use illustrator to create a new character on top of the footage and photoshop to add visual flair, then manipulate it all together in after effects to have the finshed rotoscoped technique

OR
to get a sanner darkly interpolated rotscoping style i can use this example:



"I used Adobe After Effects. Each color is a "solid layer", and each shape is an animated mask using the pen tool. just layer them the way they need to be, you may have to use the same color more than once; for example, the black around the eyes is a different solid than the black over the lips. it's very time consuming, but it does look pretty cool in the end."

motion capture with maya

because of my student status and the fact that most motion capture is done at dedicated studio's with the highest spec software, mo-cap suits and stage space, this places limitations on what i can actually possibly achieve with getting experience with motion capture.
I will try to get some time and experience with an independent motion capture studio but if this doesnt work out then i could have a back up amateur option using Green-screen, costume and the possibilities of MAYA.

AREAS OF INTEREST

Rotoscoping


Mixed live-action/greenscreen animation


puppet animation & puppetoon


prosthetic manipulation




mask replacement animation

Angry Kid: Spin the Hammer
Uploaded by jazzique. - See more comedy videos.

2D computer animation


Motion capture


basic 3D Computer animation


3D Cel Shading


light animation

Making Future Magic: iPad light painting from Dentsu London on Vimeo.

pinscreen animation

armature

some good behind the scenes footage from two of the biggest stop motion animated films of the last decade. I will be doing stop motion animation using similar methods and materials as part of my final year film 'Fracture'and will use some of my initial tests as part of my craft development.