Overall I feel that my animation was a success based on the fact that I have never used 3DS Max prior to this module and really had no concept of what was achieveable in the 3D space at all.
In general I would say the overall quality of the final video production resolution could be a bit better, though this is also due to the limitations of the software.
The .flv version of the file wasn't good enough quality in my opinion so I created a .mov HDTV version which has worked a little more effectively.
On reflection, my idea is possibly a little bit safe. It is quite true to my initial storyboard drawings though the end result maybe isn't quite as visually appealing as other animations.
Though I feel i stuck well to my original ideas. Initially my idea was more expansive though after discussing with my tutor it was potentially a little too extreme for the brief and "biting off a little more than I could chew" for my first 3D animation.
The end result possibly suffered as a result of this in terms of visual aesthetics though it certainly was a lot more manageable, so I take this advice as a positive.
Maybe the first person concept inhibited my overall potential a little, though I feel it offers a different dynamic and take on the subject matter.
The positives that I take forward from the module are that I really like some of the models that I produced. I enjoyed manipulating the camera during the animation phase and I feel that I was able to stick to my initial concept quite well. The fact that I was able to continually reference the themes I had initially chosen and my ideas in the design phase continued through the entire body of work is quite satisfying.
The detail and texture element of the process was something that i immensely enjoyed exploring.
The negatives that I encountered were varied; firstly the main difficulty I found in transforming my paper ideas into visual reality were that some things didn't carry over quite as well as I hoped.
I struggled to make my final scene as effectively as I had planned. I hoped that I would be able to incorporate the final shot of the two bullet holes and the gun into a 007 look, it didn't quite work mechanically. I was a little disappointed I wasn't able to pull this off.
The snake movement in general could be better, really looking at it now the snake should probably continue to move throughout the entire scene, given more time this is something which I would attempt to rectify. Attempting to bone the snake proved quite a difficult movement to achieve. I spent a lot of time on it, yet I am still not entirely satisfied.
Given more time I probably would have introduced a biped for the hand movement, which may have improved the card turn element a little more effectively.
Overall, the final animation possibly could have been a little more realistic visually which might have exposed my potential with the program a little more, yet the overall feel was what I was looking for, so I'm very happy with my results.
Initially I had a few teething issues with editing the audio in Premier Pro, though I think I have succeeded with those difficulties now.
During the actual animating phase I spent a lot of time working to get the camera view right. When I bounced my final version, my rendered version would appear different to the actual camera window. This was rectified by testing a few different formats out while setting up a render. I did have to work on smoothing a lot of the transitions in the edit phase, though I feel that the development and experience with working with the key techniques helped make this more familiar.
In summary, I think my preconception of the animation medium was a bit stereotypical, in that my overall opinion before commencing this module was that everything "animated" had to have a cartoon feel with it. This module has changed that preconception for me. It has really opened my eyes to the potential of different animations and has given me the insight to appreciate on a much wider scale the amount of hard work and detail that goes into computer games and animated movies. It is amazing what can be achieved.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this module, which has completely surprised me in all honesty. Initially I felt that this was beyond me, I spent the first few weeks extremely frustrated, miserable and disheartened. I felt that my efforts were hopeless. So on reflection I am quite pleased with what I have managed to produce in quite a short space of time.
I will now also add the SEO techniques learnt in E-Business to this blog as I am quite proud of it as a body of progressive work. It is nice to gain a further understanding and appreciation of how elements of modules can be combined together towards a final creative package.
Wednesday 13 April 2011
Final Product
Live and Let Die
Above is the final version of my animation trailer for "Live and Let Die".
Above is the final version of my animation trailer for "Live and Let Die".
(The above video is lower quality in order to upload to blogger)
During the animating of my final piece, I compiled all the movement using the set key and auto key, by selecting all of the individual elements, and bringing them into the camera frame as required. This was all done in the Room Scene Environment in order to achieve the 1st Person Shooter effect.
I made the decision to compile the entire animation within the one environment as I feel it helped me visualise my idea. I extended my time frame to 750 frames which based on 25 frames per second, allowed me to work my final piece to the 30 seconds required for the assignment.
I extended it a bit further and changed the speeds in order to test how it would look visually as an end product.
The hardest technique used while animating was adapting the bullets to enter the scene when required. To achieve this I incorporated use of the visibility track within the dope sheet. This technique allowed the bullets to stay invisible within the scene until they needed to be used and appeared, this was set on a timeline with the controller assigned to on/off. Keys were added to switch it from on to off on the timeline.
Otherwise it was just down to introducing the individual elements in the piece as required using the timeline, then adjusting the framing through the camera view in order to achieve the first person video effect.
When happy with my final efforts, the project was rendered down to a HDTV .flv file and imported into the Adobe Premier Pro software in order to compile and edit it.
Premier Pro:
I incorporated a 007 end shot that i created within photoshop to act as the credit detail.
Audio was compiled in Premier Pro also, I imported a few elements of audio from the film:
"The Lovers" theme was sampled as the main score of the animation.
Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmDEJNLkCoc
The "Live and Let Die" theme tune was taken from the James Bond Sountrack album.
(I own this album - but it can be seen as a reference below)
Reference: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Bond-James-Bond-digital-booklet/dp/B001YQNYSY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302700569&sr=8-1
A gunshot snippet was sampled and also the sound of a gun drop was incorporated.
Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPHbxJo562g
I sampled an actual piece of dialogue from the movie for the card reading element, which was all positioned in palce within the software, fades and levels were modified and here the animation was compiled as a final video.
Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1WT-Imiu3E
It was bounced down as a Final HD .mov and .flv in order to see which was better quality.
During the animating of my final piece, I compiled all the movement using the set key and auto key, by selecting all of the individual elements, and bringing them into the camera frame as required. This was all done in the Room Scene Environment in order to achieve the 1st Person Shooter effect.
I made the decision to compile the entire animation within the one environment as I feel it helped me visualise my idea. I extended my time frame to 750 frames which based on 25 frames per second, allowed me to work my final piece to the 30 seconds required for the assignment.
I extended it a bit further and changed the speeds in order to test how it would look visually as an end product.
The hardest technique used while animating was adapting the bullets to enter the scene when required. To achieve this I incorporated use of the visibility track within the dope sheet. This technique allowed the bullets to stay invisible within the scene until they needed to be used and appeared, this was set on a timeline with the controller assigned to on/off. Keys were added to switch it from on to off on the timeline.
Otherwise it was just down to introducing the individual elements in the piece as required using the timeline, then adjusting the framing through the camera view in order to achieve the first person video effect.
When happy with my final efforts, the project was rendered down to a HDTV .flv file and imported into the Adobe Premier Pro software in order to compile and edit it.
Premier Pro:
I incorporated a 007 end shot that i created within photoshop to act as the credit detail.
Audio was compiled in Premier Pro also, I imported a few elements of audio from the film:
"The Lovers" theme was sampled as the main score of the animation.
Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmDEJNLkCoc
The "Live and Let Die" theme tune was taken from the James Bond Sountrack album.
(I own this album - but it can be seen as a reference below)
Reference: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Bond-James-Bond-digital-booklet/dp/B001YQNYSY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302700569&sr=8-1
A gunshot snippet was sampled and also the sound of a gun drop was incorporated.
Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPHbxJo562g
I sampled an actual piece of dialogue from the movie for the card reading element, which was all positioned in palce within the software, fades and levels were modified and here the animation was compiled as a final video.
Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1WT-Imiu3E
It was bounced down as a Final HD .mov and .flv in order to see which was better quality.
Tuesday 12 April 2011
Model Evaluation / Appraisal
In the Order in which my models were created:
Model 1:
Tarot Cards:
The cards were the first model I had ever created using the 3Ds max software.
Although, they are obviously quite a simple model to look back on now, they were very important in the development of my ideas. I feel for my first model they were a very good place to start.
The cards created an insight into texture and the potential of the medium early on. They were also an important vehicle in the theme of my design, helping to create the underlying mystique/ santeria element of my animation.
Technically quite simple, though this model provided a good platform to learn a couple of techniques early on; multi/sub object material texturing and the use of a chamfer box.
I'm very pleased with how this model turned out. They became a key element of my animation and work well aesthetically.
Model 2:
Walther PPK:
This was quite a challenging model for me to create. Given more time I would still do a lot to improve it.
I do like the smooth style of it, I deliberately attempted to try and keep that element of style while creating the model, somewhat emulating the style of the era and the Bond computer games that I grew up playing.
I spent a lot of time on this model, as initially I over complicated it. I assigned too many segments and had to edit it a lot to eliminate a lot of stretching.
I attempted to add texture to the handle, I just couldn't really get it to look right, when I applied texture it made didn't really work in context with the rest of the model, so eventually I made the decision to abandon the texture at this phase. Perhaps I will develop it further now I have more experience.
I do like how the model works visually, though I admit it could be improved with a little more detail in order to make it more realistic.
This model helped me learn the concept of modelling and allowed me to understand the concept of the space, so I'm quite grateful for that experience progression.
Model 3:
Snake:
A few techniques were attempted while trying to create the snake element. I really like the use of texture in this model and I think the materials selected are quite effective and realistic, especially the underbelly.
The snake became more of a "theme" item rather then a key object in the animation, I wanted to use it as it is a recurring element from the movie. Initially I had different ideas of how it could be incorporated more effectively, like sticking a knife through the snake on the table etc... Though in the final version I just allowed the snake to travel across the table.
Using bones in the snake was quite a difficult effect to achieve, it took a lot of edits to get it "nearly" right. I don't know if I was working with the bone technique entirely correctly but I persevered. The movement of the snake was changed a lot. It goes to show how difficult a potentially simple animation like the movement of a snake "slither" can be quite complex.
Again I suppose the final result is visually a little cartoon like, which could possibly be improved with further work?
Model 4:
Voodoo Doll:
The Voodoo doll was something that I wanted to create for again for the mystique/ santeria element of the animation.
I have always been interested in the concept of voodoo and it is a prominent theme throughtout the Live and Let Die movie, so I attempted to create that aura. Hopefully it helps for the final decoration and adds some detail to my room scene.
I really like this model, it is possibly my favourite. I compromised a bit of the detail that I would have liked to add, simply because it is a background item rather than a core model.
I think the buttons look great and the texture works quite effectively. I would have liked to have improved the detail in the threading, but could try that in the future.
It's a little bit of a shame that it has become merely decorative. It was a reasonably simple model to produce, again perhaps I have been a little reserved in my modelling, but it is a learning curve and I am quite happy with the success of this model.
I could have potentially made this model a little darker or scarier, maybe he looks a little too friendly. The pins could be made more realistic. I did work on the specular levels, but feel they still could be worked on a tiny more to become more authentic.
Model 5:
Knife:
The knife was the fastest model I made throught this module. It was literally made as a means to attach the doll to the wall. It was simple and served a purpose. I didn't want to spend too much time on it as it was not really going to be seen.
In retrospect I probably could have added more detail to it, though it wasn't necessary for this animation.
Model 6:
Room Scene:
The room scene was created from simply creating a large floor space and adding walls. It was made considering that my final animation was going to be in the style of a 1st person shooter, so I deliberately made it open plan.
Textures were added to the floor and walls in an attempt to represent a similar room sourced from the movie.
I added the "day of the dead" skull artwork and voodoo doll again to continue the santeria theme.
I re-created the table and chairs several times in order to try and achieve my platform for the base of my idea, I made candlesticks to provide another visual dynamic.
I imported all of my models into this space and began to plan my animation structure from within this environment.
Although possibly a little safe, it is quite a reasonable representation of the room taken from the movie, so I am quite pleased with it. I suppose given more time I could have incorporated more details to add, but I wanted to focus on the artwork, the candlesticks, table and chairs as I felt they were all important elements for my final idea.
Model 7:
Hands:
The hand was the hardest element to model. I attempted to model this item several times before I had any success at all. Though when I did finally achieve this result I felt that my confidence within the 3ds max platform grew.
In my earlier attempts I was using far too many segments, and my polygons were getting stretched. The model became far too complicated. I sat back, started it again from scratch, scaled it down to very few segments, and began to pull and drag the vertices. It just started to click.
I feel that this model really helped me understand the concept of modelling and improved my skills and patience levels immensely.
I made a copy of the original hand, and applied bends to the fingers in order to adapt the hand so that it would be able to hold the gun effectively.
Model 1:
Tarot Cards:
The cards were the first model I had ever created using the 3Ds max software.
Although, they are obviously quite a simple model to look back on now, they were very important in the development of my ideas. I feel for my first model they were a very good place to start.
The cards created an insight into texture and the potential of the medium early on. They were also an important vehicle in the theme of my design, helping to create the underlying mystique/ santeria element of my animation.
Technically quite simple, though this model provided a good platform to learn a couple of techniques early on; multi/sub object material texturing and the use of a chamfer box.
I'm very pleased with how this model turned out. They became a key element of my animation and work well aesthetically.
Model 2:
Walther PPK:
This was quite a challenging model for me to create. Given more time I would still do a lot to improve it.
I do like the smooth style of it, I deliberately attempted to try and keep that element of style while creating the model, somewhat emulating the style of the era and the Bond computer games that I grew up playing.
I spent a lot of time on this model, as initially I over complicated it. I assigned too many segments and had to edit it a lot to eliminate a lot of stretching.
I attempted to add texture to the handle, I just couldn't really get it to look right, when I applied texture it made didn't really work in context with the rest of the model, so eventually I made the decision to abandon the texture at this phase. Perhaps I will develop it further now I have more experience.
I do like how the model works visually, though I admit it could be improved with a little more detail in order to make it more realistic.
This model helped me learn the concept of modelling and allowed me to understand the concept of the space, so I'm quite grateful for that experience progression.
Model 3:
Snake:
A few techniques were attempted while trying to create the snake element. I really like the use of texture in this model and I think the materials selected are quite effective and realistic, especially the underbelly.
The snake became more of a "theme" item rather then a key object in the animation, I wanted to use it as it is a recurring element from the movie. Initially I had different ideas of how it could be incorporated more effectively, like sticking a knife through the snake on the table etc... Though in the final version I just allowed the snake to travel across the table.
Using bones in the snake was quite a difficult effect to achieve, it took a lot of edits to get it "nearly" right. I don't know if I was working with the bone technique entirely correctly but I persevered. The movement of the snake was changed a lot. It goes to show how difficult a potentially simple animation like the movement of a snake "slither" can be quite complex.
Again I suppose the final result is visually a little cartoon like, which could possibly be improved with further work?
Model 4:
Voodoo Doll:
The Voodoo doll was something that I wanted to create for again for the mystique/ santeria element of the animation.
I have always been interested in the concept of voodoo and it is a prominent theme throughtout the Live and Let Die movie, so I attempted to create that aura. Hopefully it helps for the final decoration and adds some detail to my room scene.
I really like this model, it is possibly my favourite. I compromised a bit of the detail that I would have liked to add, simply because it is a background item rather than a core model.
I think the buttons look great and the texture works quite effectively. I would have liked to have improved the detail in the threading, but could try that in the future.
It's a little bit of a shame that it has become merely decorative. It was a reasonably simple model to produce, again perhaps I have been a little reserved in my modelling, but it is a learning curve and I am quite happy with the success of this model.
I could have potentially made this model a little darker or scarier, maybe he looks a little too friendly. The pins could be made more realistic. I did work on the specular levels, but feel they still could be worked on a tiny more to become more authentic.
Model 5:
Knife:
The knife was the fastest model I made throught this module. It was literally made as a means to attach the doll to the wall. It was simple and served a purpose. I didn't want to spend too much time on it as it was not really going to be seen.
In retrospect I probably could have added more detail to it, though it wasn't necessary for this animation.
Model 6:
Room Scene:
The room scene was created from simply creating a large floor space and adding walls. It was made considering that my final animation was going to be in the style of a 1st person shooter, so I deliberately made it open plan.
Textures were added to the floor and walls in an attempt to represent a similar room sourced from the movie.
I added the "day of the dead" skull artwork and voodoo doll again to continue the santeria theme.
I re-created the table and chairs several times in order to try and achieve my platform for the base of my idea, I made candlesticks to provide another visual dynamic.
I imported all of my models into this space and began to plan my animation structure from within this environment.
Although possibly a little safe, it is quite a reasonable representation of the room taken from the movie, so I am quite pleased with it. I suppose given more time I could have incorporated more details to add, but I wanted to focus on the artwork, the candlesticks, table and chairs as I felt they were all important elements for my final idea.
Model 7:
Hands:
The hand was the hardest element to model. I attempted to model this item several times before I had any success at all. Though when I did finally achieve this result I felt that my confidence within the 3ds max platform grew.
In my earlier attempts I was using far too many segments, and my polygons were getting stretched. The model became far too complicated. I sat back, started it again from scratch, scaled it down to very few segments, and began to pull and drag the vertices. It just started to click.
I feel that this model really helped me understand the concept of modelling and improved my skills and patience levels immensely.
I made a copy of the original hand, and applied bends to the fingers in order to adapt the hand so that it would be able to hold the gun effectively.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths:
I feel that my ability to come up with creative ideas, has been a strength throught this module. My enthusiasm to learn has also proved to be a strength.
Working within 3D Max has given me a greater vision of what can be achieved as a production package on a larger scale. I genuinely feel that I have gained a greater appreciation for the 3d medium, this module has made me think a lot more about what can actually be achieved working with animation and has given me a wider respect for the volume of work and energy that is put into an animated movie or a computer game. A strength that I can take forward is that I feel confident in having learnt more about the realism of visual animation.
The positives I take with me from this module are that; intially I came up with some good creative ideas. I take a great deal of satisfaction in the fact that I have achieved a reasonable final animation effort that I can be proud of while learning and using a program that I had absolutely no experience in using to date.
It has been exciting embracing a new software in Autodesk 3Ds max. I am actually quite impressed with some of the models I created and on the whole I found the module very enjoyable, which if I am entirely honest at the beginning of the 12 weeks, I didn't expect.
Weaknesses:
Patience. My biggest ENEMY!!!!
At first when I began to come to terms with using the software and creating models, I got frustrated very easily. I found it very difficult to find the patience for the calm, controlled movements that are required for 3d modelling. This was hard to take at first, as others were excelling around me and I was struggling.
Perhaps I wasted a little time at the beginning of the module in respect to this. I was completely confused at first. I wish that I had learnt the skill quicker and more fluently from the outset. It took me a while to understand the concept of the 3d space and possibly my final results suffered a little as a result?
My idea was possibly a little unconventional in relation to others. My vision is a slightly different take on Bond, comparitively to the general explosion, action filled vehicle that is normally associated with 007. Maybe it wasn't the correct direction in terms of excitement.
Opportunities:
The basis of knowledge this module has given me is an excellent platform to build upon. I am very grateful for that.
My understanding of what can be achieved has completely opened my perception to what is possible working within the 3d medium.
I take from this module a feeling of confidence that I genuinely would be interested in extending my knowledge and application in this field. Which has actually come as quite a pleasant surprise to me.
Threats:
Here come the excuses!
I say that somewhat tongue in cheek, as it is not so much an excuse as a current unfortunate reality. Though I do feel I have had some challenging personal issues to deal with in the last year which have potentially not enabled me to commit the hours that I genuinely would have liked to aid me to be more proficient within the software and enbrace it a little more.
Paper Notes:
I feel that my ability to come up with creative ideas, has been a strength throught this module. My enthusiasm to learn has also proved to be a strength.
Working within 3D Max has given me a greater vision of what can be achieved as a production package on a larger scale. I genuinely feel that I have gained a greater appreciation for the 3d medium, this module has made me think a lot more about what can actually be achieved working with animation and has given me a wider respect for the volume of work and energy that is put into an animated movie or a computer game. A strength that I can take forward is that I feel confident in having learnt more about the realism of visual animation.
The positives I take with me from this module are that; intially I came up with some good creative ideas. I take a great deal of satisfaction in the fact that I have achieved a reasonable final animation effort that I can be proud of while learning and using a program that I had absolutely no experience in using to date.
It has been exciting embracing a new software in Autodesk 3Ds max. I am actually quite impressed with some of the models I created and on the whole I found the module very enjoyable, which if I am entirely honest at the beginning of the 12 weeks, I didn't expect.
Weaknesses:
Patience. My biggest ENEMY!!!!
At first when I began to come to terms with using the software and creating models, I got frustrated very easily. I found it very difficult to find the patience for the calm, controlled movements that are required for 3d modelling. This was hard to take at first, as others were excelling around me and I was struggling.
Perhaps I wasted a little time at the beginning of the module in respect to this. I was completely confused at first. I wish that I had learnt the skill quicker and more fluently from the outset. It took me a while to understand the concept of the 3d space and possibly my final results suffered a little as a result?
My idea was possibly a little unconventional in relation to others. My vision is a slightly different take on Bond, comparitively to the general explosion, action filled vehicle that is normally associated with 007. Maybe it wasn't the correct direction in terms of excitement.
Opportunities:
The basis of knowledge this module has given me is an excellent platform to build upon. I am very grateful for that.
My understanding of what can be achieved has completely opened my perception to what is possible working within the 3d medium.
I take from this module a feeling of confidence that I genuinely would be interested in extending my knowledge and application in this field. Which has actually come as quite a pleasant surprise to me.
Threats:
Here come the excuses!
I say that somewhat tongue in cheek, as it is not so much an excuse as a current unfortunate reality. Though I do feel I have had some challenging personal issues to deal with in the last year which have potentially not enabled me to commit the hours that I genuinely would have liked to aid me to be more proficient within the software and enbrace it a little more.
Paper Notes:
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