Matte Painting virgin

#1

Hello all,
This is my first attempt at a matte painting and was hoping for some help. I have a nice panoramic image thanks to CC on flickr.

I have stuck the castle on very roughly. My intention is to make a camera move that rotates along the scene, which is why I have started to 3d the scene.

I’m having a problem along the edges of the 3d model where the texture should be transparent. Is this the correct way to do this or should I extend the texture over the top of the model and add horizon detail to the model itself. Does this make sense to anyone? If I am going about this the right way, any ideas why I’m getting the black when it should be transparent.

Thank you all for you time. Hopefully some one will no where I’m going wrong.

Dan

#2

Hey Dan , did you create a mask for layer in photoshop?

#3

I was using gimp but yes I did create a layer mask for that layer, is this the problem?

If so that is easy enough to fix.

Just checked it with a new image and have exactly same result!

Am I going about this the right way?

#4

did you make sure to do some painting behind the projected layer? when i started the matte im working on now I noticed that I needed to do a lot of painting around seams. But other then that I am not much help as I am also just learning projections.

#5

Thanks for your help.
I’ve cloned the tree line up in gimp which has fixed my problem but this means I’m going to have to add the horizon of the hill in maya. Which I guess I have to do with flat planes and alpha channels. Once again thanks for your trouble.

#6

Interesting thread. Please keep us updated on your progress - so we can learn from your example!

Thanks.

#7

I suppose I should move this to a WIP forum but not sure which one 2d or 3d?

Or do I carry on with this as a WIP here.

Thank you all, for the help. As always CGSociety users are more than helpfull.

This forum rules.

Dan

#8

Dan, just to get this clear, are you exporting an image from Photoshop with the layer itself that is used as a transparency?
When i am doing this procedure (in Maya) i have one texture that i project as the texture itself (no transparency information) and one black and white image that i project as the transparency for that layer. Is that the way you are doing this? Projecting your transparency information seperate to the actual texture information?

Nick

#9

space-sprayer: As far as I can remember, if you create a PSD node to project on your objects, I think you won’t have problems with alphas. The thing is, when you try to export your image, the alphas get screwed up. especially if your image is on black or white.

#10

eyecon - Ive never tried projecting a PSD node onto an object before. When in Maya i project the matte painting first in the ‘colour’ tab which just projects the painting with no transparencies. Then i create a black and white mask layer and project that through the ‘transparency’ tab, which just leaves the areas of the painting that i want / need. Alyways worked a treat for me, and is very quick and easy. Ill look into the pro’s and con’s (and how’s!) of projecting a PSD node though.
Anyway, sorry we slipped off track, if the OP can give some more information we may be able to help further.

Nick

#11

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