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Creating "Modern Times" (sci fi short) "Gravity" Style Animations

LeslieSOsborneLeslieSOsborne Posts: 54
edited December 1969 in Art Studio

The sci-fi short "Modern Times" by BC2010 is featured on the 'Animations' tab on the Daz 3D, Daz Products pages. The sci-fi short features live action (green screen) combined with 3D modeling (from surfaces to crafts and on set people (extras). The short itself is an impressive homage to old and new filmmaking. Lots of people have raved about it since it's release in 2010.

From a strictly 3D modeling and visual FX standpoint; what thoughts do you have on workflow and creating equally impressive visuals in either Daz Studio Pro 4.6 or Carrara? It's an HD world so thinking along the lines of 2k (or even 4k) resolution should be part of the equation.

What Daz Studio content would you/ or have you used?

What Daz Studio plugins would you or have you used? For example; I've seen some interesting Daz Studio Pro renders using the Reality (lighting) plugin.


RELEVANT LINKS
Daz Products
http://www.daz3d.com/products

Modern Times (sci fi short by BC2010)
http://vimeo.com/17631561

Behind the Scenes (the making of Modern Times sci fi short by BC2010)
http://vimeo.com/17761334

SOFTWARE USED for "Modern Times" (sci-fi short)
Modeling/Animation/Render: Carrara Pro
Matchmove: Syntheyes
Compositing/Motion graphics: After Effects
Edit: Final Cut Pro HD
Sound elements by Jim Pritchard
and Soundtrack.

Comments

  • FirstBastionFirstBastion Posts: 7,762
    edited December 1969

    I have to say, that is one spectacular piece of cgi enhances real-life footage. I actually had not seen it before, so it's a well hidden animation gem on that page. Incredible production value, good human performances, great camera placement, wonderful music and editing.

    The only two things that caught my attention as not meeting the incredible high standards of production value for the entire piece, were the models of the space shuttle and the lunar rover vehicle.

  • Steve KSteve K Posts: 3,235
    edited December 1969

    Yes, I recall seeing this, very impressive. Reminds me a little of "2001", especially the lack of dialogue (a feature, not a bug).

    I don't have much to offer on the workflow, just that trying to get those realistic human expressions/behaviors is probably more difficult with 3D characters.

    I'm curious, tho, it looks like it was done in Carrara, but your questions are more about DAZ Studio. Is there a problem with Carrara?

  • John SimsJohn Sims Posts: 360
    edited December 1969

    Any software is only as good as your skill and familiarity with that software. If you can do something with the software you have this may be better (and quicker) than striving to learn new software which may ultimately do the same thing better or easier ( when you know how to drive it).

    Output is key in deciding what resolution to produce something in. The higher the resolution the greater the render times or the more compromises you will need to make in the lighting solutions. If there is no requirement to 4K then don't increase the render burden just because you can.

    I use DAZ Studio, 3DS Max and HitFilm Ultimate because I know what I can do with them or what they can do should I need. My pipeline is a bit contourted as a result (I start with figures in DAZ and then export them to 3DS Max) and I have often wondered if I could combine those 2 stages if I used Carrara - but I don't have it or the time to invest to find out and learn enough to drive it proficiently.

    Equally, because of my familiarity with 3DS Max there are things I do there which might be more efficient in HitFilm but I'm not sufficiently proficient to easily make the change.

  • LeslieSOsborneLeslieSOsborne Posts: 54
    edited December 1969

    Steve K said:
    I'm curious, tho, it looks like it was done in Carrara, but your questions are more about DAZ Studio. Is there a problem with Carrara?

    FYI, BC2010 (the maker of the short) posted a reply on the Behind the Scenes replies thread stating that Carrara Pro was used. As a reminder; that link is included in my original post. If you look at the behind-the-scenes footage you'll recognize the Carrara UI if you're familiar with it. I don't have issue with Carrara Pro. In fact I'm considering adding Carrara to my 'suite'.

    I included the two additional Daz Studio specific questions because I use Daz Studio and want to better understand its capabilities.

  • Steve KSteve K Posts: 3,235
    edited December 1969

    losborne said:

    ... I don't have issue with Carrara Pro. In fact I'm considering adding Carrara to my 'suite'. ...

    Okay, thanks. I'm glad to hear that, I'm a big fan of Carrara Pro 8.1, it seems to do all I need (and probably a lot more that I haven't yet explored) in creating short animations with Poser type content. Way past Poser itself, at least the last version I tried before giving up on Poser after many years. I also have an older verson of Lightwave, but it is probably overkill for me, a non-modeler and owner of a vast collection of Poser content which works seamlessly in C8 Pro.

  • DPWDPW Posts: 267
    edited December 1969

    I caught, Modern Times, a while ago on Vimeo and thanks to your link, I got to watch it again. Loved it then, love it now. Absolute quality!

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