CG Galactica - Page 4

Matador · January 18th, 2011, 10:42 PM

Well, I'm now doing some texture tests and so far I've come up with this. I only did the tunic. I took a picture of mine and that's what I used for the texture.

More to come.

This is my first CG Character I've ever made. I'm now experimenting with creating a bone structure.

martok2112 · January 18th, 2011, 11:13 PM

Looking good there.

January 19th, 2011, 12:08 AM

nice work on the tunic, looks the goods

cheers

Matador · January 26th, 2011, 10:16 PM

Here is an update...

I took a short break because of the flu... But I managed to get my character into the launch bay. Just for a test.

I'll be adding more guys and posing them later.

Also I managed to get a walk sequence in.

Cheers,

martok2112 · January 27th, 2011, 04:40 AM

NICE !

Matador · February 3rd, 2011, 05:17 PM

Well here is my latest update.

I managed to model a little pilot character and animate him. There were several ways to do this. I choose to create my character and merge him into this scene.
It took a bit of trial and error, but managed to figure it out and this is the result I got.

https://s833.photobucket.com/albums/z...ingBayTest.mp4

It's only a few seconds long, but took about 12 hours to render. The sequence seems pretty simple, but animating a character is a lot of work. Just creating the character, skinning, then merging him into scene took a lot of trial and error. But now that I've figured the best approach for this. I will be able to create more bodies in the scene, doing background stuff.

Apolloisall · February 3rd, 2011, 05:24 PM

Simply stunning, Matador!

martok2112 · February 4th, 2011, 01:07 AM

Very very well done

Matador · February 4th, 2011, 06:29 PM

Thanks... Appreciate the feedback. It's crazy the difference adding other objects to a scene, but getting a character into a scene and animating is a hole new ball game...
I really wish I could afford the time and money to take an animation course, but I'm really happy the internet is around.
I've met a lot of cool people here on this forum and on other forums. It's really nice when people take the time to help you out and offer help.
I'm really happy with the progress I've made so far.

So I just want to give a shout-out to all those that have given me feedback and help along the way.

Apolloisall · February 4th, 2011, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matador

I'm really happy with the progress I've made so far.

So say we all!
*ooops!* Wrong incarnation!

Matador · March 22nd, 2011, 07:41 AM

OK... Been a while since I posted anything. I took a short break from my project. But I'm back.

I realized I never added anthing on the nose of my Galactica... So I finally started adding some stuff to fix this.
I borrowed some ideas from the new Galactica series... Mostly just the communications mast and some other greebles.
Anyhew, here is what I have done.

Cheers,
Matador

Thunderstruck · March 22nd, 2011, 07:58 AM

Looking really good. Can I play with it?

btw I posted BSG TOS is back on NBC.

I also noticed, and do not recall seeing many outside lights on Galactica.
But there were a few scenes I have seen on the NBC, that I do not recall
seeing in any recent episodes I have watched.

am unsure if they have added, re edited or embellished some of the footage.

And to my recollection and of models seen, I do not for the life of me remember seeing any "outdoor" lights on the ship. But I did on NBC
channel.

Matador · March 22nd, 2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Queenhunter

Looking really good. Can I play with it?

btw I posted BSG TOS is back on NBC.

I also noticed, and do not recall seeing many outside lights on Galactica.
But there were a few scenes I have seen on the NBC, that I do not recall
seeing in any recent episodes I have watched.

am unsure if they have added, re edited or embellished some of the footage.

And to my recollection and of models seen, I do not for the life of me remember seeing any "outdoor" lights on the ship. But I did on NBC
channel.

Sent me a PM with your email and I can send you the file. It's a 3ds max file.
Yeah, I agree, I don't remember any lights or beacon lights on galactica, only the lights coming out of windows and the main engines.
I'll probably add some to my version, just for cool effects and also adding lights to the landing pods.

I don't remember hearing about TOS Galactica being back on NBC. I'll have to research that.

Matador · March 31st, 2011, 08:28 PM

Well here is my version of an opening sequence, if I ever got to produce my own Galactica show.

I put together some footage from difference scenes I've been working on. This is still a work in progress.

There is a quick scene that shows the guns moving around. But I haven't had a chance to add the laser effects.

Eventually I will refine the scenes with better shots of Galactica. But for now. Just pretend it's a Thursday night and your sitting down to watch another great episode of Battlestar Galactica.

Limerickcot · March 31st, 2011, 11:31 PM

Quite enjoyed that. Thanks

martok2112 · April 1st, 2011, 02:22 AM

Yes, that was very cool!

Apolloisall · April 1st, 2011, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matador

Well here is my version of an opening sequence, if I ever got to produce my own Galactica show.

*Applauds*

Yes, it was great. If it gets much better I may pass out.

maudib · April 1st, 2011, 01:01 PM

I'm studying your formation fly-along sequence with the camera shake. I was surprised how good it looked.

Matador · April 1st, 2011, 01:54 PM

Thanks for the compliments and for watching. It's crazy how much work is involved in creating scenes that are only a few seconds in length.

But it's all worth it in the end.

Like I mentioned, I'll be doing more refinements and putting some other scenes together, then adding effects... It's the rendering time that's the killer. A couple of those shots took two days to render.

Regarding the formation flying... There is a really cool tutorial on youtube that gives instructions on how to create that scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGcToM_DyKU

I used almost the same exact instructions to create that formation flying. The tutorial is for 3ds max and the guy talks really quick. So you'll probably end up pausing and rewinding a lot to take notes.

Once again, thanks for watching... There is more to come.

Thunderstruck · April 2nd, 2011, 02:40 AM

That was Great !!

And don't I know it- render times on some can kill your motivation LOL.

Took me a moment to figure out it was a video too

Really loved those interior shots. The Engine Exhaust lights (vipers)were too cool too. The launch bay launching. All great.

MAkes me want to keep making CGI BSG shorts. I really need to learn more to create better scenes.

Also, watched some of that tube link. Have 3ds but have not really used it or get into it, I cant get past all the symbols. But the basic principals are
the same as c4d, I just think C4d is easier to learn and use.
Not to mention it loads up 10x faster and typically renders a lot faster
even on this 8 year P4 Dell.

Again, Nice stuff, should be on tube,vimeo,daily imo.

Matador · April 4th, 2011, 09:55 AM

I'm currently working on refiniing my title sequence.

In one of the scenes in the sequence, there is a shot of the laser canons firing.
all you see is movement, but no lasers.

Well I'm currently working on adding that.

One frame at a time. The process is tedious, but I'm getting there.

Here is a preview of it.

Still working on it... Stay tuned.

Thunderstruck · April 7th, 2011, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matador

I'm currently working on refiniing my title sequence.

In one of the scenes in the sequence, there is a shot of the laser canons firing.
all you see is movement, but no lasers.

Well I'm currently working on adding that.

One frame at a time. The process is tedious, but I'm getting there.

Here is a preview of it.

Still working on it... Stay tuned.

Am curious, 1 frame at a time? how are you doing this?
app? that seems too tedious.

I have been using standard emitters (with a shaped visible light)in C4d- have not tried using AE for it but am also looking into using the Thinking particle system also in C4d. I am still just beginner at this but doing it 1 frame at a time?

That really just does not seem to be an effective way of doing it. are other ways also using geometry.

Matador · April 8th, 2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Queenhunter

Am curious, 1 frame at a time? how are you doing this?
app? that seems too tedious.

I'm using a program called FXlab Pro.
https://fxhome.com/effectslab-pro

I exaggerated a bit... It's more like setting start and stop postions and then going back a few frames to make sure that the laser effects goes the correct direction.

It's a post production type thing.

I thought about just modeling laser beams and putting them into the scene, but I really like the laser effect that the fxLb pro produces. Plus I can match it up with some of the lasers I use for my live action shots.

Honestly I haven't really done much research into creating laser fire for my scene. I'm sure there is a much easier method... I'm just using tools I currently have an know.

Thunderstruck · April 8th, 2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matador

I'm using a program called FXlab Pro.
https://fxhome.com/effectslab-pro

I exaggerated a bit... It's more like setting start and stop postions and then going back a few frames to make sure that the laser effects goes the correct direction.

It's a post production type thing.

I thought about just modeling laser beams and putting them into the scene, but I really like the laser effect that the fxLb pro produces. Plus I can match it up with some of the lasers I use for my live action shots.

Honestly I haven't really done much research into creating laser fire for my scene. I'm sure there is a much easier method... I'm just using tools I currently have an know.

lol, I am sure there are easier ways than I am using too-
am experimenting with the thinking particles and I just now think I got
it set. with these, they will emit lights(lasers) exactly where the null-emitter is, unlike the regular emitter, was random and increased speed really made it hard to use.

I try and do it all in app (c4d) till I learn of using post effects or compositing methods. for myself, making it all in 3d in a physical way
is really the only way I know how to do it.

so this way no matter how the object moves, or whatever the speed of it or the speed of particles it will be right on. will have a vid- or gif on Galactica Max thread soon of it.

have not heard of that app.

keep it up. look forward to more.

Matador · April 9th, 2011, 07:31 AM

OK, so here is the new version of the title sequence... Really the only change is that I added the lasers to the laser canon sequence.

Hope you like...

Just click on the picture below to see the video.

People were emailing me and telling me that they didn't know it was a video. So that's why I added the "click on the picture to see video" thing.

Thunderstruck · April 9th, 2011, 11:45 AM

Am not getting, seeing any video just Photobucket page...

Matador · April 9th, 2011, 01:17 PM

I posted it on youtube too.

So try this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmo_qzp2v9g

Matador · April 13th, 2011, 08:56 PM

Here are some stills of my Galactica. I meant to post them a couple days ago, but my photobucket site was down for a couple days.

Finally up and running.

Here is the massive Ion propulsion drives.

I found a cool video on youtube that shows an Ion drive test.
https://youtu.be/GIg6pWwezEU

Here is a video of an ION drive on a Viper.
https://www.youtube.com/danakinobi#p/u/9/6c1o6q7z078

Apolloisall · April 13th, 2011, 09:02 PM

Hey Matador, real nice, but why the red stripes on the head section? Is it a different Nova class?
Whatever- it's better than I could do in yahrens of Cinema 4D classes!

Matador · April 14th, 2011, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apolloisall

Hey Matador, real nice, but why the red stripes on the head section? Is it a different Nova class?
Whatever- it's better than I could do in yahrens of Cinema 4D classes!

Consider it artistic expression...

Honestly, it was an accident... I was actually experimenting with texturing and I sort of fell in love with the look and stuck with it.

I thought I had seen this on the original model, but I must have just imagined it.

I just wanted to put my own spin on it. If I was making a serious TV series, I probably would focus more on the actual detail. I do plan to make some short web-a-sodes and maybe have some of my friends do some green screen stuff. But all in due time.