CAMERA PROJECTION

CAMERA PROJECTION

Camera projection can transform a 2-D image into a 3-D scene, complete with a moving camera and shifting perspective. 

This technique is mainly used to project textures or images on a geometry and it saves a lot of time in creating a realistic scene for a movie or a shot.

In this blog, we will try and use 3ds max and nuke's powerful tool set to add perspective and animation to a simple image and convert it into a 3-D scene. 

First, we will create a rough geometry inside 3ds max to match the image, and then project the reference image to give them depth and realism. 

The reference image we will use for this procedure is :

If we zoom inside this image we do not get the depth information or the feel that it is real

So in order to create depth let us start by creating a 3-D geometry in 3ds max

We match the view while creating the geometry and make sure the camera is aligned properly to the scene.

Here is a perspective view of the same scene showing the camera and the geometry

Now we export this geometry and camera to Nuke and use the Project3d node to project the texture or the reference image on to the geometry.

The resultant projection provides depth and projects the image on the 3-D object

The node graph in nuke after our complete composite looks something like below :

Finally we can see the 2-D image converted into a 3-D video which includes depth and realism, All thanks to camera projection

Hope it was a good learning experience.

Till next time, 

Keep Animating and Keep Learning!!!

3-D MATTE PAINTING

3D MATTE PAINTING

Ever wondered how locations and backgrounds in many feature films are created even when they do not exist in reality

The answer is simple:

Matte painting

(A matte painting is a painted representation of a landscape, set, or distant location that allows filmmakers to create the illusion of an environment that is not present at the filming location.)

But what is a 3-D Matte Painting?

Traditionally, matte paintings were made by artists using paints or pastels on large sheets of glass for integrating with the live-action footage

Paint has now been superseded by digital images created using photo references, 3-D models, and drawing tablets. 

Matte painters combine their digitally matte painted textures within computer-generated 3-D environments, allowing for 3-D camera movement

This allows for a realistic looking 3-D environment in which a the camera can move up to a 180 degree rotation

It is not easy to understand so we dive into this technique with a little example:

A digital matte paint is made of many images cut and put together, so we cut out and make a group of such images

 A good combination of these images and a little touch ups, 

and 

POOF!!!

we create our very own matte painting

The product is a complete background which can be used in a scene with a fixed camera

But what if the camera moves or is animated ?

We then create a 3-D Matte painting using Software like Nuke, Fusion, After Effects and so on

This software combines these images and produces a moving camera matte painting which consists of compositing principles like parallax , light information , depth to it

here we can see the composition in Nuke with all its node graph for the same scene but in 3-D

Here is a camera and single elements view which shows the placement of the different parts of the matte paintings at different positions to create 3-D depth

The result of our hard work in this composition is :

Stay tuned to work together on more fun projects and till next time I leave you with a fun quote: