3D Model (Craft/ Ship)

Below is the complete flying hovercraft design as a 3D model in Maya. This is the model I initially created for the Animated Environments project. It's initial function was to become a futuristic dump truck. The dump truck is meant to have wheels, however for this project I deleted them and discovered that when deleted this vehicle then looked rather like some sort of shuttle craft. I was really pleased the way this model turned out and was close to the initial concept sketch. I believe that this model greatly improved my modeling skills as creating this model only took half a day as experimentation helped me to understand the way verts work and how to easily manipulate them to create the shape that I wanted. I also believe that I am now competent with the Extrude tool.

Wireframe of Ship/ Craft

Polygon Mesh of Ship/ Craft.

Occlusion render of Ship/ Craft

This render type was something I learnt to do in the Environments project. I love the way the Maya emphasises the form and structure of a model using light and shadow.
Below are various simple texture renders. I experimented with a few different textures so that I could determine an effective finish to the model. I was not too bothered about the textures as I was depending on both light and distance to obscure any detail in the final product. I did not think planar UV mapping would be necessary as i do not plan for any close up animations within the film clip. In theory if I can get the lighting just right and imitate the lighting in each shot of Open Range then I believe the model will look good enough. I have discovered that lighting can make a poorly textured model look great.

This is the texture I used for the top render. This was a texture finish that was more dirty and weathered.

Below is the texture I used for the middle render and was found on the internet. It is of a section of a bulkhead door design. I thought this texture looked quite interesting as there is a lot of weathering and detail. For this texture I was trying out a more clean texture and introducing a little more colour as I thought that perhaps a black finish would have been too much and would have looked odd in the Open Range Footage. The texture when applied to the model looks too symmetrical and vibrant, which would probably render the model out of place when imported into the original footage.

Here is another texture found on the Internet. This texture was used in the bottom render. For this texture I was trying for a more industrial & weathered finish. This is probably my favourite texture as it will probably be the easiest to merge with the overcast sky of various shots of Open Range. This grey finish will look far more convincing within the Open Range environment.

3D Model (Building/ Structure)

Here is a simple building design I did for the Environments project. I decided to use this model in this visual effects project as I determined that both premises were alike. In addition I intend to place this model in the distance of various shots of Open Range therefore you will not see too much detail. In Adobe After Effects I hope to lower the opacity of the targa sequence thus giving the impression of distance haze and will also create the illusion that the structure is part of the environment and as a consequence will blend in.

Wireframe of Building.

Polygon Mesh of Building/ Structure.

Occlusion render of Building / Structure.

Simple texture render of Building/ structure.

I believe the texture here really came out well. I am not too concerned about texture stretch as all I want to do is introduce some colour to the model.

I used the texture above to apply on to he surface of the 3D building model. I found this texture on the internet and is of the side of ship paneling. I found this texture particularly interesting because of its detail and weathered appearance.

Sketches & Concepts

Here are some simple concept sketches I did for the environment project. I decided to use these designs and include them in this project as-well. The top sketches could be used to build a 3D model of a structure/ building that could be featured in the background. The bottom sketches could be used to create a 3D model of the ship/ craft that would be hovering overhead.

I wanted to use these designs so that I could save a little time modeling and kill two birds with one stone.

Futuristic Building Design Research

Here are some images I found on the internet I looked at for inspiration for building/ structure designs. I wanted the buildings to seem futuristic yet intriguing to the viewer. I wanted to add something to the environment in the background of the original clip so that I could create something visually interesting.

Ship/ Craft Design Research

Here are some futuristic craft designs I found on the internet that I used for inspiration. I have some idea of what I want in terms of design. I want the craft designs to look technologically advanced.

Storyboards

I have studied each shot of the movie clip of Open Range, from composition to camera placement and movement. This entire clip consists of hand held camera shots. So compositing may be a challenge and some tracking will be required using the Maya Live plugin.

Below are the storyboard for the chosen clip.

Below are more storyboards of the same clip. In these boards I have analysed each shots potential regarding visual effects. The writing in red indicates that there are far too many variables/ obstacles or problems that would make the introduction of visual effects very difficult. For example if the camera is moving to much then extensive tracking is needed. Some shots do not have appropriate tracking positions, others do not provide sufficient masking opportunities for objects to pass behind as various subjects/ objects are out of focus.

Writing in green indicates where I have analysed shots which have good opportunities to include visual effects. For example, these shots do have sufficient tracking points or are static enough to import 3D structures or animated flying craft. These shots may also

have plenty of sky space which is excellent for placing and animating hovering vehicles.

The Storyboards above indicate where I shall place my 3D structures and hovering vehicles within the environment and. I have also illustrated certain vehicle paths.

Chosen Clip

I have chosen a movie clip from the film Open Range (2003). The clip is basically 75% of chapter 4.

The reason why I have chosen this clip is because I think it may be quite a challenge to composite objects within this clip. The main reason is that I had an interesting idea of merging a western/ cowboy genre with science fiction. I think if I carry out this idea well I could create a very comical yet interesting short animation incorporated within a film clip. I shall merge the old with the ultra new making this scene a little more interesting. My idea was that I could build 3D futuristic structures/ building within the environment with futuristic craft flying overhead whilst the two cowboys/ horsemen seem completely oblivious to a futuristic world of technology around them.

Kinda like Star Trek meets Once Upon a time in the West.