Programs and pipeline - What Ive learnt

Programs:
Maya

• Blendshapes
• Mental ray
• shading networks
• rapid animation
• live footage in maya
• render layers for live footage
• producing HDR images and light spheres
• creating custom rig for arm
  

Matchmover

• setting up shots for MM
• camera tracking
• object tracking
• MM pipeline
• recording camera attributes (Live footage camera)

Zbrush

• zbrush maya pipeline
• producing hi poly mesh with normal mapping
• zbrush workflow

AFX

• Particle system

COMPLETED SEQUENCE

This is the final rendered out sequence with audio. The addition of the cell sequence has given the piece a slightly sinister edge which I think compliments the style.

Im happy with most of the piece with the exception of 2 aspects. Firstly the animation of the actual arm is ok, as I only had time for 2 drafts of each shot, that is draft 1, the initial block out of the motion and draft 2 being a clean up of the block out. Secondly, the simulation of a hand cranked camera i think could have better been accomplished if I was able to pull every 3 frame from the entire production which would have given me, I suspect, a more staggered motion as authentic footage from the era isnt just slightly accelerated but has a randomness to it also.

Overall Im quite happy with the outcome, especially as there was much to learn in the project not only realising a quite difficult concept into existence, but making sure the pipeline between all the different areas came together without sacrificing the outcome of the final product.

Draft - cell mutation sequence

This is the PB of the sequence that will precede the shadow wall shot. The movements are relatively successful with most attention going towards the cell moving in an organic non uniform manner. The keys were placed in a way that shows the cell initially being shocked and a reaction, then a delayed mutated response to the attack.

Cell animation screen shots

Heres are some production shots of the cell mutating with an emphasis on the look being through a microscope. The thing to the left in shot 2 is a tiny piece of wire that comes in to zap the cell to initiate a mutated response.

Draft 2

Draft 2 is more in the direction I was heading, with more input into the story, and the change of musik as significantly altered the mood of the piece, which is quite surprising. Its still missing the cell sequence and the change to shot 5 and shot 1 which will be done today.

Blend shapes for cell mutation sequence

These are the 5 different blendshapes done in zbrush for the cell mutation sequence.

These different shapes will be used along with a basic 3 joint rig to give the impression of a cell floating and mutating inside a liquid, which will be further expressed using a basic particle system.

more to follow.

Draft 1 - with audio

This is draft 1 with rough cut of audio, and with the time stretch (80%) adjust layer added to further simulate a hand cranked effect, which after applying it realised my animation is 20% shorter!

Originally Ive intended to ad a micro scope shot of a set of cells mutating (using blendshapes) but im not sure if time will permit.

I think this is 70% the quality I was looking for so im not entirely unhappy with the results.

This project has furthered my interest in the field of cg and live footage.