Conclusion and reflection

My final rendered 3D compositing scene has been handed in and i think i learned a lot from this project. Mainly knowing how to track a scene and how many trackers you need was challenging. also the lighting/shadow which i unfortunately wasn't able to put in the final scene since i ran out of time, was interesting since i did absorb from tutorials how to achieve a convincing shadow and lighting for the 3D model and the live scene.

Initially i was going to track a scene from a film called Sense and sensibility but in the end i just found it difficult, so i decided to use my own recorded clip to make things easier and it definately made the difference.

The foundation was there for me to build on and i intent on doing this project again in my own time.

Final Rendered Scene

This is my final 3D compositing scene.

Test Playblast

Tracking my clip!

So i started tracking my clip and looking at it, it shouldn't be too hard to track. I think probably six trackers should be ok. Besides i did lay down some black scraps of paper, about six so it can be used as reference points for maya live to use.

When i started tracking the clip initially there was no problems and i had a good stable track of the scene. And as you can see from the picture i decided to use the little scorpion model since it was the most simplest rigged character out of all the other ones.

My own live action clip

This is my own live action clip that i am going to use and as you can see i have put down 9 black marker dots on the table so i can track it more easily. The shot itself pans round a bit so its not too dull but overall its a simple scene that i can now be able to use.

changing my live action clip

I have decided that i am not going to use the Sense and Sensibility film clip but create and use my own live action footage.

The reason for not using the Sense and Sensibility clip is because the footage was really difficult to track and i couldn't figure out a way round it. And since i'm running out of time regarding the deadline for this assignment, i've chosen to create my own clip which would be easy to track and use.

3D rigged Models for Maya

Since i am going to produce a 3D compositing scene, my next task was to find a pre rigged 3D maya model. I think i am going to keep my options open and probably look for some 3D object props as well as character models. I found some free downloadable rigged models on a website called Creative Crash, its a really resourceful website for animators.

Here are some snapshots of the models that i downloaded which i could possibly use for my compositing scene.

The first model is a Dog which isn't doesn't look that bad.

2nd Model is a Dinosaur. It wouldn't really fit into a period film like Sense and Sensibility but it would look interesting from 3D point of view.

Next model is just a simple scorpion ball creature. Quite small and plain but is very easy to animate since its been rigged simply.

And the last model is Wall E from the Pixar Movie. Looked pretty cool and would be funny to have in a live action scene and paying homage to it in someway.

If i do pick any one of these models then they have to be textured by myself as they don't come textured automatically from the website. I'm also going to experiment and animate and see which one fits the scene nicely to begin my composition.

Video Tutorials on Maya Live 3D Tracking

Steve Crocker demonstrated some tutorials on Maya live and how to track a moving scene so you can place your 3D model in sync with it.

As well as taking in Steve's tutorial, i also looked at the web searching for some alternative tutorials.

I found a couple and they seem really helpful and enough for me to use to finish my compositing scene.

Here are the links below that i have been checking out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l4enkIrufI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssa5LYXs5K0

Sense and Sensibility film clip

Looking for a Film scene

The brief states that we have to find an existing film scene from a movie that is not too visual effects heavy and basically use that clip to produce our 3D compositing scene. There is also the option of making my own live action film scene. But for now i want to use a scene from a film and i have been looking at some films.

Here are the three choices that i narrowed down and looked at.

After looking at all three films and anaylysing which scene could be possibly used, i decided to use sense and sensibility as my choice of film. The reason being is that it didn't have any visual effect shots and there were scenes in there that had lots of potential to be used as a compositing scene. The other two films, Rambo and Scorpion King were good films but in the end there was too much happening in the scenes, making it action and VFX heavy.

Brief & Schedule

A quick summary of this term’s project. With Steve Crocker: Mondays and Wednesdays ANI09207 Industry Exercises 2   For this project we will be building on your existing animation and compositing skills. You will be introduced to Maya Matchmove camera techniques, lighting, advanced UV editing and modelling and have opportunities to improve your rigging and animation skills. To make it all manageable you will first be introduced to project management and tracking software.  You will be working to create a short sequence mixing live action with Maya derived animation or props and buildings.  There are two aims for this project: first to enable you to plan and execute a project in a productive manner, thus enabling you to make the most of the time constraints on this and all future projects. The second is to improve your 3D or 2D animation and or modelling skills and enable you to show those skills off in an engaging and entertaining way.  In order to achieve the above you must choose a short clip from a film and composite in your own animated character, props or buildings. Perhaps you feel that Four Weddings and A Funeral would have been better if there had been more gorillas in it. Or that Titanic would have been better with giant sea monsters. This is your chance to put things right. The clip you use must, when composited, show at least 30 seconds of your own work. Do not choose any animated films as you will have to match or better the existing characters in the film. I can guarantee that the animators working on that film would have had a lot more time than you have for this project. So keep your choice to a live action film.  For next week!  Next week you will present a proposal for your project to a small group and negotiate your final brief with me. .  So to be ready for next week’s class you must write your own version of the brief, working within the parameters covered in the introduction above, and prepare for next week’s peer presentation by choosing a short video clip and making a story board. Plus write an explanation of the choices you have made for your project and how it will help to develop your software and animation skills.   Thanks, Steve. 

This is my schedule for Industry Excercise 2 and hopefully i will keep on track as i have planned it.