May have a bit of free time this month, so I think i’m going to have to enter.
(You finally got me Roberto)
Think I’ve got a decent concept in my head.
It’s going to be a not-so-pleasant type encounter.
CG elements composited onto a live action plate which I’ll shoot.
Don’t want to give away too much info as not to spoil it.
Good luck to everyone.
“shhhhh!.. did you hear that?..”
“yeah, it sounds like it came from outside…”
“right there! LOOK!”
“yeah! I see it!.. what IS that?”
“quick! get the camera!”
Ok, so I haven’t had nearly as much free time as I had previously thought.
Final Exams and running an Animation Festival tend to become full time jobs quickly. 
Anyhow, things have blown over a bit for the moment, so I’m gonna try to get back in this.
Heres the alien I’ve begun modeling which will serve as the star of the vfx shot:
He’s pretty much finished, gonna work on UVW mapping him now.
I’ll try to have an update by the end of the night.
Heres the finished UVW map, along with the Pelt Mapping seams:
3ds max’s pelt mapping features simply rock while I’m on the subject (This was my first real go with em).
I’ve made a pretty generic texture for now, since it isn’t going to make too much of a difference in the final product.
Anyways, onward to rigging.
Heres the finished rig, I’m using CS Biped since it’s not going to be too intense of an animation job.
Also because I wanted a chance to try out the new euler tanget curves biped now has.
Ignore the balerina pose - Just wanted to make sure all the joints were deforming well.
Next up is making a few simple morph targets for facial expressions.
I’ve got 2 final exam papers to write up by wednesday, so this is probably the last update until then.
More to come soon though.
Great stuff man! You really do this very fast and very good! 
I’m really looking forward to your furthur updates - how this project will continue! 
Good luck!
Thanks for the comments guys! I really appreciate them.
Here are those morph targets I promised yesterday.
Nothing too fancy since he wont be that emotive around the face:
The Alien is just about done… next up is to work on the animation / compositing elements.
I’ve got to put this project aside for the moment to focus on my final exams and the animation festival I’m organizing at my university this friday (If you’re in the Washington DC area, drop by!) - but I’ll try to post some more updates soon.
Quick update for everyone:
The first is a frame of the original source footage (Glow sticks in the ground for camera tracking purposes)
The second is a frame of the resulting clean plate (Glow sticks painted out)
The image sequence is about 1500 frames long :banghead: Lots of headaches along the way.
More to come soon, lemme know what you think.
Another update with some new footage!
Since the deadline is extended, I’m going to be able to add this shot to the final project.
Like before, the first pic is a frame of the original source footage (Glow sticks for camera tracking purposes)
The second is a frame of the finished clean plate (After the glow sticks have been painted out)
This image sequence is about 600 frames long… the next step is matchmoving the footage.
I’m going on vacation for the holidays, so there wont be any updates till after I get back.
But until then, any comments or crits are very welcomed - Happy Holidays to all.
Wow man! Your stuff just keeps looking sooo cool! You’re such a professional with your nice fluor-tape! :twisted: Also the way you painted out those markers looks réally cool!
Are you not concerned about the high level of video-noise? I think it will be quite hard to match the noise on your photography-plate with the CG-stuff?!
In every case I’m really looking forward, but first, take a good vacation! :bounce: Also have a nice and merry Christmas!
-Gijs
[edit:] I just checked your site and now I’m even more over-exited about your work! Your compositing skills really ROCK, mate! :buttrock:
Thanks for the support!
Yeah, I am a little concerned of the video noise, it looks acceptable on my monitor at home (a CRT), but when you see it on an LCD you realize just how noisy it is. There wasn’t much I could do about it in this low lighting situation - I used a Canon GL2 with 18db+ image gain, 1/30’th shutter speed, and a wide open aparture and thats as bright as I could get the scene when shooting… so it’ll have to do.
Plus, I am going for that crappy home-video handheld look anyhow. 
Ok, really quick update. Here are the matte sets for both of the shots.
The small green boxes correspond to each of the tracking markers, and the large boxes are the lights.
As you can see, the sets are pretty simple, since they’ll only be receiving shadows.
I’m working on matchmoving now, and having a hell of a time with it… :banghead:
So wish me luck, two weeks left!
Akin thanks for ALL your help
Here is the compilation:
(16 Megs)
http://www.savefile.com/files/9615694
(6 Megs)
http://www.savefile.com/files/9999678
(3 Megs)
http://www.savefile.com/files/9892187
-R
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