This is not the usual type of modelling that's presented on the forum, but I thought I'd share a few images from a CG animated short titled Melvin, currently in progress in the studio. It's essentially a short story about self-awareness and discovery, becoming the individual you want to be rather than remaining the anonymous stereotype that those around you expect you to be. First image is of Melvin himself, the main character.
MelvinConcept2Web.jpg
This next image is a work-in-progress opening shot of the city environment which will establish not only the physical nature of Melvin's world, but the emotional feel of the bulk of the story. Still a lot of detail work to do on the set, adding litter and so on.
MelvinCitySetWIP.jpg
The third image is the interior set, again with more litter detail to be added.
MelvinHallwaySet.jpg
Hi, Welcome to the forums, you've got my interest. I want to see more.
What software do you use?
Quote from: Bill Gill on May 25, 2019, 05:19:28 PM
Hi, Welcome to the forums, you've got my interest. I want to see more.
Thanks Bill, it's good to be here.
Paul
Quote from: Chris J on May 26, 2019, 04:22:04 AM
What software do you use?
As with all tools, software used is determined by the task at hand. There are six separate applications being used at this point in the project, some of which are proprietary, and as such, I'm not at liberty to reveal any specifics.
Paul
Beautiful renderings!
Quote from: Ray Dunakin on May 26, 2019, 01:25:53 PM
Beautiful renderings!
Thank you Ray!
Just had a glance through your website... didn't realize you were an illustrator. Your airbrush illustrations are very good. Are you still illustrating?
Paul
Paul-- I've been a fan of CG since its earliest stirrings and have bought more than a few not-so-hot movies because the backgrounds were so incredible. I certainly feel that computer rendering has a place here, and would love to see more of what you do. As an illustrator who was forced to learn to work on the computer back in 1996, I wonder if the same conversation still comes up-- a fellow-illustrator and I complained that we were doing better work than ever before, but in the end had nothing to hold or hang on the wall. Oh, well, that's where models come in...
And Ray-- I never got farther than the In-Ko-Pah, so never saw your illustration until just now. Very nice! I see a lot of Ray Gaedeke in your work. Do you know who he is? Studying his work on Lindberg covers when I was five years old sparked my interest in illustration! DF
Quote from: WP Rayner on May 27, 2019, 07:10:18 AM
Just had a glance through your website... didn't realize you were an illustrator. Your airbrush illustrations are very good. Are you still illustrating?
Thanks! No, I gave it up in the mid-90s when I started focusing more on game development.
Quote from: Dave Fischer on May 27, 2019, 03:10:53 PM
And Ray-- I never got farther than the In-Ko-Pah, so never saw your illustration until just now. Very nice! I see a lot of Ray Gaedeke in your work. Do you know who he is? Studying his work on Lindberg covers when I was five years old sparked my interest in illustration! DF
Thanks! I'd never heard of him, though of course I've seen his work on model boxes many times in the past without ever realizing it. I just did a Google search and found a bit of info about him -- he was quite an interesting and talented guy.
https://www.oldmodelkits.com/blog/plastic-model-kit-history/ray-gaedke-–lindberg-line-box-top-illustrator-artist-twirler-and-entrepreneur/ (https://www.oldmodelkits.com/blog/plastic-model-kit-history/ray-gaedke-%E2%80%93lindberg-line-box-top-illustrator-artist-twirler-and-entrepreneur/)
I built this one. -- Russ
Quote from: finescalerr on May 27, 2019, 11:55:39 PM
I built this one. -- Russ
I have one of those in my stock pile... may be inspired one of these days to build it.
Quote from: Dave Fischer on May 27, 2019, 03:10:53 PM
Paul-- I've been a fan of CG since its earliest stirrings and have bought more than a few not-so-hot movies because the backgrounds were so incredible. I certainly feel that computer rendering has a place here, and would love to see more of what you do. As an illustrator who was forced to learn to work on the computer back in 1996, I wonder if the same conversation still comes up-- a fellow-illustrator and I complained that we were doing better work than ever before, but in the end had nothing to hold or hang on the wall. Oh, well, that's where models come in...
DF
Thanks Dave... when I first started out with CG visualization, I used to feel the same way about it's transient nature, nothing to hold on to or hang on the wall. I printed out a few images, trying to come up with something that I felt was more tangible, but after years of doing commercial work, I've come to realize that the issue is no longer any concern to me. As long as the client is happy with the work, I'm satisfied. This animation project is a personal one and is radically different from my commercial work which I felt was getting a little stale and repetitive. This offers the opportunity to broaden my skill set and have a little fun at the same time... that is if unwrapping UVs can be considered fun!
Paul-- Sounds like we have all walked the same path regarding the transient, throw-away nature of contemporary graphics. A personal project gets you past the 90% mindset of commercial work, but not having a deadline enforcer can test your dedication! How long do you estimate your new project will take? Keep us informed of your progress-- I am finding this very exciting.
Oh, and here's the Ray Gaedke cover I found SO inspiring as a kid. Why it couldn't have led to a more lucrative career I can't say... DF
Quote from: Dave Fischer on May 28, 2019, 12:16:12 PMPaul-- Sounds like we have all walked the same path regarding the transient, throw-away nature of contemporary graphics. A personal project gets you past the 90% mindset of commercial work, but not having a deadline enforcer can test your dedication! How long do you estimate your new project will take? Keep us informed of your progress-- I am finding this very exciting.
Oh, and here's the Ray Gaedke cover I found SO inspiring as a kid. Why it couldn't have led to a more lucrative career I can't say... DF
Well I'm not in any particular hurry on this project Dave, but I'm guessing two-three years to complete including rendering. Animation is a slow and pains-taking process. Spent this past week adding details to the city set, which I think for now, completes it. (If you right-click the image and open in a new tab, you'll get a larger view.) Probably be some changes when I plot the camera track through the scene. There are also changes and details to be added to the interior hallway set to tie it in more closely to the city set.
MelvinCitySet.jpg
Next step in the process is to remodel the main character derived from the concept. The geometry has to be reworked completely so that the character can be properly rigged for animation, plus I then have to model the second version that presents his story-line transformation.
Completed more work on the City set for Melvin to add a little more drama to the image. Slightly different camera angle, changes to the lighting (street lights have been added) and increased the fog level slightly. There will likely be some more changes when animating the opening sequence camera movement through the scene.
MelvinCitySet1Dtop.jpg
Going to leave this for now and return to remodelling, rigging and texturing the main character for animation.
Definitely has a foggy mysterious/gloomy look.I know zero about all of this. Is the actual process you do to create a background scene similar to "painting" with digital paint/illustration software, or are there many other steps?
Quote from: Bill Gill on June 12, 2019, 09:46:26 AM
Definitely has a foggy mysterious/gloomy look.I know zero about all of this. Is the actual process you do to create a background scene similar to "painting" with digital paint/illustration software, or are there many other steps?
Thanks Bill, that's the effect I'm after, a cold, impersonal, and oppressive urban environment. This environment is actually a large 3D CG model, not a flat painted backdrop. The environment can be animated as well, typically lighting changes as time progresses, and as such is actually a character in its own right. The camera can track through the environment as can the main and supporting characters.
It needs a half-empty jar of chickenfat in the foreground. No urban scene is complete without one. -- Russ
Quote from: finescalerr on June 12, 2019, 12:02:04 PM
It needs a half-empty jar of chickenfat in the foreground. No urban scene is complete without one. -- Russ
:D :D Actually, if it were Fresno, it would need to be a dirty diaper!
This is latest concept study for the opening city set for "Melvin." I changed the camera angle and lighting to add depth, changed out some of the materials and textures... much happier with the overall feel now. There is still a lot of litter to add plus more material development, however the scene has become so render intensive, it won't work efficiently in an animation. So, I'm investigating PBR materials and Unreal Engine/Studio as an alternative workflow. Unreal https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/what-is-unreal-engine-4 (https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/what-is-unreal-engine-4) is one of the primary gaming engines and it is now being used in animation and visualization.
MelvinCitySetConcept.jpg
Wow! I love the lighting, very moody.
Quote from: Ray Dunakin on July 18, 2019, 10:04:16 PM
Wow! I love the lighting, very moody.
Thanks Ray... it's getting there, much closer to what I have in mind. This is now essentially a concept "sketch" of what I'm trying to create. Due to this scene's complexity and lengthy render time, it's unsuited to use in the actual animation, hence the change in my workflow to Unreal Engine. The learning curve is fairly steep and, though the underlying concepts and principles are the same, it is forcing me to rethink and change many of the CG practices and procedures I've been using for years.
I think it needs rows of overflowing rubbish bins and some rats.
Quote from: Lawton Maner on July 24, 2019, 06:43:50 AM
I think it needs rows of overflowing rubbish bins and some rats.
It does indeed Lawton, lots more rubbish and litter, oil drum with burning rubbish, broken windows and perhaps a flickering neon sign or two (bar/poolroom, massage parlor, that sort of thing). Those are all details I'll address in Unreal.
And it needs a bright yellow Wienermobile. -- Russ
And, a couple of people of questionable morals doing activities which civilization considers disgusting. One of them should be a politician.
Paul-- I seem to have stumbled into a Bermuda Triangle and have resurfaced here in October... How's progress on Melvin's animation? Things were sure looking good last-- um, JULY! I have gone back to teaching graphic design and have referred one of my students, whose main interest is in digital film, to this FSRR site to see what you are doing. How about an update? DF
Thanks for checking in Dave. I've been lost in some form of a work/life Bermuda Triangle as well for the past few months. At this point I don't have any tangible updates on the Melvin project as I've had to dedicate the computers to finishing up a couple other studio projects. One is a watch product animation which has just started rendering and will probably monopolize the animation PC for about two months. Here is link of the early "clay" pre-viz version of the animation. https://vimeo.com/249843553 (https://vimeo.com/249843553)
I began re-topologizing the Melvin model and realized there were some design elements that I was unhappy with, so have returned to the traditional sketchbook to refine the concept... good way to keep the juices flowing while the computer's tied up with the tedious process of rendering. I've also started experimenting with Unreal Engine thinking it might speed up the process of animating Melvin... as yet, the learning curve is still quite steep but it is very useful at creating environments incorporating forms from traditional 3D modelling apps.
Paul-- WOW! The watch animation is fascinating (but the screws just pop in... I know, I know-- sorry! Just a twinge of OCD.) Love it in the simplified color, very sculptural and graphically clean. Will it be rendered as metal in the end? Truly an outstanding piece of work-- I appreciate your dedication and skill. Thanks for showing it! DF
Thanks Dave. Lol, I'm OCD too...watch the screws closely... they do rotate as they explode (a little too quickly to see as the explode is fairly sudden, only 5 frames, 1/6 second) and rotate again at a slower speed as the Tourbillon is assembled, slow enough to see if you focus on the screws. The clay is very useful and I do it on all my renderings for the same reason that car designers often use clay models... it's an excellent way to test forms without the distractions and perception distortions that can happen with various colours and materials, test how the forms appear with lighting and, in an animation, test if the actions and movement are what is desired.
Yes, in the finished animation all parts are fully textured in photo-real materials: various golds, polished and machined steels, brass, and ruby for all the jewels. The real challenge in this project was animating the "breathing" hairspring. The inboard end is mounted to the balance wheel arbor which rotates both clockwise and counter-clockwise with the balance wheel while the outboard end is fixed to the Tourbillon frame and does not rotate relative to the balance arbor and wheel. The spring coils expand and contract (breathing) with the opposing rotation of the balance wheel while the whole assembly rotates around the drive wheel at 1 rpm. In real life the entire assembly is roughly the diameter of a dime.
I guess there's NOT a lot of time for the screws to seat-- yes, they DO turn! You can be justifiably proud of the action of the mainspring. That was certainly not a simple task defining the ever-changing dynamics of a spiral. Hard enough just to draw, much less making it move! Keep it coming... DF
Wow, that watch model/animation is terrific! Should be really impressive when fully textured.
Most satisfactory. -- Russ
Here is a link to the finished Haldimann Tourbillon animation plus a selection of frame stills which I completed in January. I had intended to post the link here earlier but have had to focus on other studio work and some distracting health issues over the past couple of months, nothing particularly serious but enough to force you to reassess your priorities.
And Dave, I took your suggestion and increased the frame sequences of the threading screws during assembly. You still have to watch closely, but it is easier to pick up the rotating screws!
Paul
I've seen worse. It's good to have you back. -- Russ
Stunning!
Outstanding. I was wondering where you went. Take care of yourself!
That's excellent!
Paul-- I have watched the new version a couple dozen times and am still finding more to see. My illustrator's hat is off to you. Also very interested in the Gnome 9 on your portfolio page-- I am right NOW drafting an Uberursel UR-II, the Gnome's twin, for a possible large-scale Fokker D-VIII. Your cylinder head detail is much more clear than any photo I have seen. Anxious for more! DF
Thank you gents, I appreciate the feedback... hope everyone is healthy and staying safe.
Quote from: Dave Fischer on April 08, 2020, 04:37:44 PM
Paul-- I have watched the new version a couple dozen times and am still finding more to see. My illustrator's hat is off to you. Also very interested in the Gnome 9 on your portfolio page-- I am right NOW drafting an Uberursel UR-II, the Gnome's twin, for a possible large-scale Fokker D-VIII. Your cylinder head detail is much more clear than any photo I have seen. Anxious for more! DF
Dave: I have a STEP file of the complete 9-cylinder engine which you are welcome to if it would be of any assistance to you. It's just under 55MB, so I could transfer it to you via. Dropbox if you're interested.
Paul
It's been quite some time since I posted on this project. I made some major changes to the main character a couple of years ago, but never rendered it as I had shut down the studio, due largely to the pandemic - business vaporized. Unfortunately the proposed animation for this character is not going to happen, but I decided to render the revised character, both for fun, and to get back up to speed on the CG process (bit rusty after a two-year absence) as I now have to complete a watch animation for a client that had been put on hold for almost four years due to funding issues and the pandemic. So here is Melvin in his revised form: (Note: This is a new version of the image published a couple of days ago. There were issues with rendition of the original image on more generic monitors that tend to have a more limited contrast and tonal range than my studio monitor, resulting in banding, especially in dark gradients. Something I forgot to test prior to uploading the first image.. still a little bit rusty.)
melvin0922b.jpg
Ol' Mel looks like a real, um, thing that somebody photographed. Not bad. -- Russ
Wonderful creativity, modeling and rendering. Sorry your Melvin project had to be scrapped after all.
I can attest to the extensive time and effort that goes into computer animation. Early in my graphic art career I worked on a simple animation relating to the medical field. It was of a series of blood cells twisting and turning to fit through a capillary and then expanding again upon exiting into a larger vein. Kind of boring really. Not much creativity associated with it.
Anyway, keep up the good work.
Thanks Russ and Stuart. I just uploaded a new version of the render to the previous post to overcome some rendition issues with generic monitors as noted in the post... so, you're not losing your short-term memory!
You are absolutely correct Stuart about the extensive time and effort required in CG animation. The technology has changed so much, just in the past two years that I had the studio shut down, which also complicates the process when trying to get back up to speed. It's so complex now, most CG artists have to specialize in just one technical discipline; ie character modelling, environment modelling, rigging, animation, lighting, material development, effects, compositing, and on and on. Just look at the credits for any current animated film or film with a lot of CG effects to get an idea of how many artist hours are required... it's staggering.
Quote from: WP Rayner on October 01, 2022, 02:47:03 PMIt's so complex now, most CG artists have to specialize in just one technical discipline; ie character modelling, environment modelling, rigging, animation, lighting, material development, effects, compositing, and on and on. Just look at the credits for any current animated film or film with a lot of CG effects to get an idea of how many artist hours are required... it's staggering.
Yep, and for CGI artists in the film industry it's long hours, unrealistic deadlines, and low pay.
Quote from: Ray Dunakin on October 01, 2022, 07:26:17 PMYep, and for CGI artists in the film industry it's long hours, unrealistic deadlines, and low pay.
Yes indeed... an employment relationship that can best be described as exploitative.
In that case I hope you are charging an appropriate fee for your work. -- Russ
Quote from: finescalerr on October 02, 2022, 01:04:38 PMIn that case I hope you are charging an appropriate fee for your work. -- Russ
Yes, I do, but I always negotiate with the client to arrive at a fee that's fair to both parties. As an independent (not a minion in a larger studio) I am selective about the clients and projects I will take on. If the project doesn't interest me or the client expects far too much for way too little, I won't take it on. The greatest insult is when a potential client asks you to do a free sample project to see what you're like to work with. I have a trenchant two word response to such a request.
Just amazing stuff - I don't understand much about it - but it's just fascinating - its some sort of magic it to me
Keep the good work up Im sure you know what your doing its fantastic !!!!!!!
Barney
Quote from: Barney on October 05, 2022, 02:03:59 PMJust amazing stuff - I don't understand much about it - but it's just fascinating - its some sort of magic it to me
Keep the good work up Im sure you know what your doing its fantastic !!!!!!!
Barney
Thanks Barney!
Hi Paul,
Just got done watching all of your video's in the last two days. I watched your Victory series and find it very fascinating with the techniques you used to build the keel.
I'm into model railroading but like to see how others use tools and techniques in their hobby interest. I've subscribed and will be following along on any future video's.
Bernd
Quote from: Bernd on October 07, 2022, 12:27:51 PMHi Paul,
Just got done watching all of your video's in the last two days. I watched your Victory series and find it very fascinating with the techniques you used to build the keel.
I'm into model railroading but like to see how others use tools and techniques in their hobby interest. I've subscribed and will be following along on any future video's.
Bernd
Thanks Bernd, I'm glad you find the channel interesting and thank you for subscribing, much appreciated. It will be a while before there's a new video. I've had to temporarily suspend work on the Victory. I have a client's CG animation to complete plus will be losing a lot of time in general over the next couple of months because of radiation treatments that require a lot of travel time.
I see you're in the Rochester area... an old stomping ground! Lived in Rochester and in the Finger Lakes region in the 70s and 80s. That's where I purchased the Victory kit. A buddy of mine ran the hobby dept. at Scrantom's and he ordered it for me. Long time ago now...
Quote from: WP Rayner on October 08, 2022, 07:21:29 AMI have a client's CG animation to complete plus will be losing a lot of time in general over the next couple of months because of radiation treatments that require a lot of travel time.
Good luck with the radiation! I just completed mine on Tuesday. I'm really glad I went that route, it's so much better than the other options I was given.
I command both of you to feel good, be healthy and robust, and live long and happily. -- Russ
Quote from: Ray Dunakin on October 08, 2022, 10:53:56 PMGood luck with the radiation! I just completed mine on Tuesday. I'm really glad I went that route, it's so much better than the other options I was given.
That's excellent news Ray, congratulations. My situation is not terribly threatening. I've been dealing with Basal Cell skin cancer for the past 10 years and MOS surgery has always been successful for me. They just lop off bits of my head every once in a while when another spot appears. At the last operation on an ear in September, they discovered that the cancer had travelled to the nerves, a highway to the rest of the body, hence the need for radiation. The oncologist is confident. He plans what he calls "superficial" radiation treatments, five days/week for four weeks. The downside is that the cancer clinic is 55 miles from us, not a huge distance, but when you factor in twenty plus round trips in a month, it has a significant impact on time in the studio and workshop as well as the household budget. Nevertheless it will be time and effort well spent and we are looking forward to getting it all behind us.
Quote from: finescalerr on October 08, 2022, 11:45:24 PMI command both of you to feel good, be healthy and robust, and live long and happily. -- Russ
Yes Sir! I have no intention of doing otherwise. Besides, if I were to expire prematurely, my wife would kill me... ;)
Quote from: WP Rayner on October 08, 2022, 07:21:29 AMQuote from: Bernd on October 07, 2022, 12:27:51 PMHi Paul,
Just got done watching all of your video's in the last two days. I watched your Victory series and find it very fascinating with the techniques you used to build the keel.
I'm into model railroading but like to see how others use tools and techniques in their hobby interest. I've subscribed and will be following along on any future video's.
Bernd
Thanks Bernd, I'm glad you find the channel interesting and thank you for subscribing, much appreciated. It will be a while before there's a new video. I've had to temporarily suspend work on the Victory. I have a client's CG animation to complete plus will be losing a lot of time in general over the next couple of months because of radiation treatments that require a lot of travel time.
I see you're in the Rochester area... an old stomping ground! Lived in Rochester and in the Finger Lakes region in the 70s and 80s. That's where I purchased the Victory kit. A buddy of mine ran the hobby dept. at Scrantom's and he ordered it for me. Long time ago now...
Paul,
Wishing you the best in your treatments. And I can wait till you get back at making videos. Allows me more time build models than watching videos that are very interesting.
Ah yes, Scranton's hobby section in downtown Rochester. Remember it well. It's to bad it's gone like other hobby shops in the area.
Regards,
Bernd
Quote from: WP Rayner on October 09, 2022, 04:57:36 AMThe downside is that the cancer clinic is 55 miles from us, not a huge distance, but when you factor in twenty plus round trips in a month, it has a significant impact on time in the studio and workshop as well as the household budget.
Yeah, that's rough. I count myself very lucky, living only a few minutes away from the only proton radiation facility in the entire state of California.