Self-directed Learning

Through the entire course of this trimester, I tried to research and work on tasks that would help me push my models to the next level while also allowing me to learn a lot more on my own. Not only with my models, but with my project in general. Below, are a list of self-directed tasks I learnt and how I implemented my research on my work.

PRISM Glass effect for EYES

Prism glass effect is caused when light passes through air and bends at different speeds, according to Isaac Newton (Papiewski, 2017, p.1). The Snell's Law determines the angle of refraction and therefore the index of refraction needed to create this desired effect.

In order to achieve the prism glass effect that causes rainbow colors on the lens, I had to play around with the dispersion settings in 3Ds max. I landed on a tutorial that explained the concept and here are the settings I had in 3Ds max after experimenting a little on my own.

The ABBE number is what allows the dispersion to create the rainbow effect. While also learning a bit more about reflections and index of refraction, I was able to receive this desired effect.

(See video reference above).

(Dmitry_Dmitriev, 2014)

Below are a few initial tests I did with this material effect on 3Ds max.

TRIPLANAR TEXTURE & CURVATURE MAPS

VRAY Triplanar texture map and curvature maps were completely new to me before this trimester. I experimented with both and learnt which worked better for me and which didn't. A detailed explanation of how these were used to texture my models can be read in my Week 9 blog. Below are rendered shots of triplanar and curvature maps used on my models.

TWIXTOR

Twixtor is a plugin created by RevisionFX that allows for smooth slow motion, used widely in the industry (Ward, 2014, para.3). It creates a professional look and feel to a slow motion clip and generates that WOW effect from the audience. I always love to push my project to achieve that WOW effect, rather than just doing it for the sake of completing it. Below is a video from my part of the film that needed me to use Twixtor.

RSMB - Reel Smart Motion Blur

This plugin is currently the best and most used motion blur effect used in the industry. This is because RSMB gives a very realistic motion blur effect that's wayy better than the pixel motion blur inbuilt in AE.

It allows for smooth motion effect and isn't as heavy on an after effect project file as pixel motion blur. Below are examples of the plug in used on my work.

Example #1

Example #2

(Spaceship in first shot motion blur was generated in 3ds max using VRAY camera settings. Spaceships in second shot used RSMB in AE)

For the above video, I also learnt how to create a fake camera shake in AE through this tutorial below:

(AdobeMasters, 2017)

Bullet Time Effect in After Effects

For one of my shots that needed a bullet time effect, I decided to do it in After effects rather than with the option I was provided in 3Ds max by my lecturer. Obviously, there wasn't any tutorials on the internet that could teach me this but I did gather a lot of references and researched through video tutorials on how to approach this concept.

Below is the final rendered version.

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Apart from all this, I still have a few more self-directed learning to accomplish as per my stated learning contract - Bike trail effect, smoke/dust effect, and whip pan effect in AE. All the above were extras that allowed me to enhance my learning experience in my project this trimester but the few that remain will need to be done once the renders for those shots are completed and and overall cherry on the cake effect before finalizing the film.

[Edited 10/05/2020]

The last remaining effects to be added to the shots weren't implemented because the shot looked busy in itself. The smoke effect didn't look good and was asked to be removed by my lecturer. Below are the videos with and without the smoke trail effect. The bike trail effect didn't make sense to be added as well since it can only be seen on the floor when the wheel starts to run. Since there was a carpet in these shots, it wouldn't look realistic to add it. The whip pan, however, was implemented.

With smoke

Without Smoke

References:

AdobeMasters (2017, MArch 26). How to Add Camera Shake in Adobe After Effects CC (2017) [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAF1x1J1GAc

ChaosGroup (2020) Curvature Map | VRayCurvature [help document] Retrieved from

https://docs.chaosgroup.com/display/VRAY3MAX/Curvature+Map+%7C+VRayCurvature

ChaosGroup (2020). Triplanar Texture Mapping | VRayTriplanarTex [help document] Retrieved from https://docs.chaosgroup.com/display/VRAY3MAX/Triplanar+Texture+Mapping+%7C+VRayTriplanarTex

Dmitry_Dmitriev (2017, March 3). Prism + Vray Caustics + Vray Dispersion + VrayEnvironmentFog tutorial [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr7-oY1aztk

Papiewski, J. (2017, April 24). How Do Prisms Work [blog]. Retrieved from https://sciencing.com/prisms-work-4965588.html

ProductionCrate (2017, September 5). Slow Motion Muzzle Flash - After Effects Tutorial [vidoe file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UCaRflduRo&list=LLop3M2R0fn0aFgXRriL3jLQ&index=9&t=928s

The Physics Classroom (2020) Refraction and the Ray Model of Light - Lesson 2 - The Mathematics of Refraction: Snell's law. Retrieved from https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refrn/Lesson-2/Snell-s-Law

Ward, C. (2014, March 25). Simulate Slow Motion Footage Using Twixtor [blog]. Retrieved from https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/simulate-slow-motion-footage-using-twixtor/