Creating a realistic butterfly

[twilight]

I think reference material is more important than modeling, texturing or rigging. Get some footage of real butterflies. If you can't find it anywhere try to shoot it yourself. Take some reference photos as well.
Rigging a butterfly is no big deal. The secret to a realistic animation lies not only in the movement but in its rhythm.
If you watch a video of a real butterfly frame by frame you'll see that's the most important.

Good luck!

[kromekat]

I agree - you will have to find some good documentary footage of the processes - emerging, drying out and flying etc! - there is bound to be some good stuff on this from various nature shows. Failing that, if you have a camera that can record at faster frame rates than normal, I'd suggest getting yourself to a butterfly farm and shooting some footage - and at the higher rate, you'll be able to slow it down and really see the wing and body movement. Whilst your there, ask the keepers for any recently deceased specimens that you could borrow to photograph or take and scan for the texture maps! :)

[wesware]

This could be a pretty intense project for sure.

You might want to consider storyboarding this with several cuts. Maybe creating several models of each stage that only have to be partially animated?
Creating a cacoon that splits and a complete butterfly emerges, stretches it's wings then flies away... doable.... but you might get better and more realistic movement with several models representing each stage. You might even save some time and hair with this approach.

Just a suggestion, and if the client goes for it.

[Andy1010]

Yeah, thanks for the advice. I think I will try to get some real butterfly footage for reference hear in the comming week. I think you guys are right when, you say it's going to be more complicated than I think. Well I will keep you posted as to how it is going. Anymore advice is welcomed. Thanks again

[Zendorf]

Funnily enough, I am also in the process of creating butterflies in Cinema, although just the flying part...not the cocoon stage. To get some reference footage, don't try and film some yourself, it is too difficult. It is unbelievably hard to track the flying motion....I know , as I have tried it with my DV cam. A better option is to download some of the free vids off the reference motherload that is www.bbcmotiongallery.com (http://www.bbcmotiongallery.com)

They have quite a few clips of butterflies, just do a search....

[JJ54]

You might try http://www.imageafter.com for hires textures

/Jim

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