Matte Painting - A bit of my current process on the Armory

Hey guys - I just wanted to show a quick and dirty version of how I'm using Maya and C4D to create my 3D models what I do exactly to put them where I need them.

I model everything in Maya since it's what I first learned and have been keeping up with it as it evolves.  I haven't found anything else really that makes modelling easy so I just stick with it.  As you can see here I have my cargo train model that I'm going to put into the matte.  Everything is named properly and cleaned up - history has been deleted and everything has been centred since it's not going to be animated.

Here I have my UVs layed out and ready to be textured.  Not the best job, but depending on how close we are going to see the model or what it's going to be doing depends on how much effort I put into the UVs.  since this train will be static and you'll only see one side, it's a very quick UV job.

I have now imported my model into C4D.  Like all CG programs, some have their pros and some have their cons. I like C4D's easy texture building aspect and it's a nice program of keeping everything simple.   Now that I have my model, I duplicated it as needed.  I did a dirty job of texturing using my prior cargo textures (will be changed later) just to get a nice visual of what to expect. 

Finally, putting it together in photoshop. This is an actual 10 second shot but for now I'm building the still as a reference guide for when the footage is good to go.  Placed the train in its proper position and bam, just like that.  I removed the straps from the train as they were way too white.. and after seeing a few trains go by at yesterdays music video shoot, I didn't see too many trains with straps.

Here is the progress so far:

Matte Painting - Progress on the Armory today!

Here's a bit more progress done for the day.  Finished texturing the cargo containers, rendered out some temp stills of the cargo and banners just to see what it would look like.  Next up is to model the train.  I'm thinking about whether or not I should model the blimp. Might be a bit much - we'll see.

Here is the before and after pics (so far) - still a WIP.

Matte Painting - Dystopian Armory Matte Painting - Banner Simulation

A bit of cloth simulation testing today.  Trying out a few variations to see which I like and would fit in the matte.  I also included a rough textured quick rendered Cargo box.

Dystopian Armoury Matte Painting - Banner simulation tests from Jimmy Kounios on Vimeo.

Matte Painting - Dystopian Armory Progress

A bit more into the concept of the Dystopian Armory.  Plan is to remove the fence by placing 'cargo', a train and possibly rebuilding the building in 3D to cover it up.  Due to the perspective, painting it out wasn't going to happen - for me at least.   I got rid of the idea of having a giant ship up there, but possibly adding a blimp instead. 

Here are some progression shots of the 'concept'.

Matte Painting - Dystopian Armory

Since I'm on some down time while waiting for approvals and more shots to come in for Tall Man, Richard and I decided to use the new Sony F3 to film some stuff and just have something to do while we wait.  We both started off doing some face replacement work on each other but I have gone a separate route into something I enjoy quite a bit, matte painting.

other than a few idea kicking around this is something bigger than my last completed matte - the post apocalyptic down town Regina.  That was just a pure still image turned into a matte.  This time I'm working with a 7-10 second clip.  The difference is pretty clear so far. 

I'll be doing some 3D tracking and from there will be painting out a ton of stuff, adding CG elements, and looking into sky replacement with Vue/Ozone.  The shot is hand held, and Rich walks through it.  Should be pretty fun to work on in my down time!

Here is the very first rough idea I mapped out.

Random - Cats

Been very busy lately unfortunately.. but in a good way I guess.  Work, more work, doing work around the condo to get it ready to sell is kicking my ass.  However I'm pretty happy with myself as I have begun to actually cook food for dinner's and now that work is closer to my pad - I walk to work and back now.  A good 20-25 minute jaunt, but it's nice.

Been working hard on these set extensions for the movie Tall Man, and now we got to a couple of the more important structures to build.  I chose to take on the mine building... No reference other than screen shots from the movie. So lining it up has been a bit of a challenge but other than that - shes looking pretty beast.  Can't show anything really yet - but here's a teaser!

Unfortunately since I've been busy with work, setting up Fatal Seduction project, amongst other things - I havent had time to really get back into drawing.  while waiting for a render today I did a couple thumbnails I'll try and get too down the road...

And one last bit - My cats. Love them.  

So here we have Humphrey on the left - age 1 and some.  He was adopted about a year ago after a friend moved to Toronto and couldn't take him with her.  He's all about licking the face early in the morning...

Titus - age 2 and some, which if I had favourites - he would be mine. He is a little trooper. When we picked him out from the humane society he was fairly skinny and concave.  Needless to say he's filled out and then some.  He's had a few problems along the way that required a $3000 surgery on his tummy and has some bad gingivitis which will surely cause problems in the future.  But hey - he purrs no matter what!

And then Zeus on the far right - age 3 and some.  Our first cat, and is definitely my wife's favourite.  He plays fetch and enjoys a good play fight once in a while.  He sleeps like humans (on his back) and meows at you if you say his name.. I think he's advancing quite nicely.. 

Random - RED Epic 'Tattoo' short

check out the new short released by RED called 'Tattoo'.
Very very nice.

http://nofilmschool.com/2011/05/watch-reds-short-film-tattoo-screened/