Where I see myself: first thoughts

Short video, was testing out this type of stop animation using sugar and thought that I would apply my first thoughts on “where I see myself in the future” or where I would like to be. As you will see I’m struggling to come up with something concrete.

Houdini: Groups

Houdini has the ability to create little landscape snippets like this by using ‘groups’. Selecting the areas, with points, that would make up the “mountain” and the “sea” (in this example). ‘Grouping’ these areas and defining them separately allow you to; in the case of the mountain: pull the landscape up; and in the case of the Sea: lower the level.

These defining elements made with a ‘soft transform’ on each group. The colouring was then added. The colour has to be told which group to go to i.e Brown = Mountain Blue = Sea … to get the green base for the ground was simply not adding a specific group but being broad. The only thing to make sure with this is that the colourings for the mountain and sea sops are below the one for the greenery within the chain.

To finally smooth off the landscape some what use a ‘sub divide’ and define the attributes with this. For the final touches (shown on the image below) is the use of ‘paint’ which allows for colour to be brushed on.

Houdini: Curves and Revolve

1. 

The above, was created with a mixture of curves and a revolve, plus final touch ups at the end.

1. A free hand curve was drawn, keeping on the right hand side of the y axis.
2. A ‘revolve’ was attached to this curve which gives the rounded completness of the object.
3. With the ‘curve’ blue flagged and the ‘revolve’ pink flagged, the individual points of the orignial curve can be tweeked in order to get the final effect.

My output for this theory, as seen above and below is of a lamp.

Houdini: Trace

This shows the ability to convert a simple, external, black and white image, into a 3D landscape.

Houdini: Text

Text with an ‘extrude’, ‘transform’, ‘points transform’ and also a ‘soft transform. (above and Below)

1. Lay down text
2. Extrude and amend to your preferences (depth scale)
3. Select a letter/letters, ‘tab’, ‘transform’. Move around to meet your needs.
4. Select points and complete a new transform to change just parts of a letter.
5. Use the same process but select ‘soft transform’ for a differing effect the letters ‘C’ and ‘Z’ illustrate this in the above images.

AE: Cloud Titles

“Crazy Town” the film titles…. Moving through clouds effect. Layers of cloud images with an embossed text coming through. Fading in and out and background highlighed with lightening.

Houdini: An Intro

Quick video click of what ‘Houdini’ can do.

Some clips of animations that I quite like:

Big fan of animated water, love the ability to combine texture and movement.

Testing

Thought I would mess around with a different style while practicing background removal at the same time. Not a massive fan this image but I was going for something out of my comfort zone.

TV Idents: Some favourites of mine

Brilliant ident for the revamped UK Gold to G.O.L.D, for Christmas 2010. Clearly illustrates what the channel is about and what the audience is meant to get from it. Bright, colourful and direct.

Combined video of the 2008 idents for Sky 1,2 & 3. This uses one of the channels main US programmes to advertise the channel. Was used specifically before, during and after that show was being played.

Added this just because its so very simple, old school and as soon as i see it i automatically think of great shows (which it would open) such as ‘The Sweeney’. Looking back, I feel that it was successful in capturing ‘Thames’, the evidence of this is simply that of the above point, automatically thinking of all the ‘Thames’ programmes.

http://www.theidentgallery.com/player.php?id=ALIBI-2008-ID-BULLETGLASS-1

My faviourite tv ident is the current “Alibi” ident. Captures what the channel promotes and shows. Creates an air of… wanting to know more.

 

Background Removal: Layer Masks

First attempt at background removal using the brush tool and polygonal lasso tool. Then the introduction and use of Layer Masks to create some added effects to the image. Original image:

After:

Used an adjustment layer to change the Hue then used the brush tool to remove the areas i wanted. To get the golden effect I changed the layer type from ‘normal’ to ‘overlay’. The same process was then used for the feather and hair streaks just with differing adjustment layers and a return to ‘normal’ layer type. Finished with some skin touch ups.