10.00am – I came to the office. Although the outside door is open, the inside door is locked, thus I can’t enter.
10.30am – My co-worker Jason came. We then enter the office.
I remember last time that Mr Micheal asks me to add more props to my interior castle scene. I decided to use a plane attached with picture to save time. I search the net for several picture of statue.
Around 1.30pm – I go out to lunch
Around 2.00pm – I’m back to the office.
Suddenly, Ms Winny called my co-worker Jason. She asks us to come to the ground floor to pick up new sets of computer from Mr Micheal car.
Once we picked the item, we bring it to the office. Then we open up the boxes and install the pieces until the PC ready to be used. While I finish my job, Jason continue by installing some software to those PCs.
I continue working on the scene. The picture of statue that I get from the net needed to be cleaned before I can use it on the plane. I need to erase the background and save it as PNG where the alpha channel is stored. The alpha channel is used for the plane to register the shape of the statue. If I didn’t use the alpha channel, the plane will look square and will not follow the shape of the statue.
I add a plane of vase and chandelier light to the scene.
Around 4.00pm – I tweak the lighting of the interior castle to get as realistic as possible.
Around 6.00pm - I have finish render the test scene. Now its time to render the animation. The animation consists of camera move and zooming into a place where the character should be.
Around 7.30pm -The render isnt finish yet, and there is still about 50minutes remaining. Mr Micheal give permission to dismiss while leaving the computer on.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Cumulative log - Thursday 27 May 2010
10.00am – I came to the office.
I continue working on the scene that I left yesterday. It was the castle door. I was supposed to make it as grand as possible. I try to tweak the texture placement by using UVW map modifier in 3Ds Max.
1.00pm – I go out to lunch with my friend Azlan again, but this time I bring my co-worker Khabi along.
2.00pm – We go back from lunch.
After a few more tweaks, I render out the castle door. I’ve satisfied. I then start to work on the next scenery/background which is the castle interior.
To get more idea on the castle interior, I gather a few picture of castle, chapels and Taj Mahal
5.00pm – I try to positioned the lighting for the castle interior as realistic as possible. I continuosly adjust and render again and again to get the best lighting as possible.
Around 6.30pm – Mr micheal came to take a look of my work. He told me that the background that I made was okay, but I need to add more props to the scene.
Around 7.30pm – We dismiss.
Tommorow 28 May 2010 – Wesak day.
I continue working on the scene that I left yesterday. It was the castle door. I was supposed to make it as grand as possible. I try to tweak the texture placement by using UVW map modifier in 3Ds Max.
1.00pm – I go out to lunch with my friend Azlan again, but this time I bring my co-worker Khabi along.
2.00pm – We go back from lunch.
After a few more tweaks, I render out the castle door. I’ve satisfied. I then start to work on the next scenery/background which is the castle interior.
To get more idea on the castle interior, I gather a few picture of castle, chapels and Taj Mahal
5.00pm – I try to positioned the lighting for the castle interior as realistic as possible. I continuosly adjust and render again and again to get the best lighting as possible.
Around 6.30pm – Mr micheal came to take a look of my work. He told me that the background that I made was okay, but I need to add more props to the scene.
Around 7.30pm – We dismiss.
Tommorow 28 May 2010 – Wesak day.
Cumulative log - Wednesday 26 Mei 2010
10.00am – I’ve came to the office. Unfortunately the office is still not open.
Around 10.20am – Ms Winny informed me by phone that Mr Micheal is on the way to the office.
Around 10.40am – Mr Micheal came to the office. After Mr Micheal open up the office door, he then give me the key card so that I can use it when I want to go out for lunch.
I then continue working on the castle scene.
Around 11.00am – Mr Micheal go out from the office.
To increase realism in my render, I try to render a Ambient Occlusion pass, where it creates a grayscale output that is dark areas where light cannot reach while bright areas where it can.
This requires me to override all the object material into Ambient Occlusion material. Thanks to mental ray, this was easy as there is a function called material override where I just put the material I want, and all of the object will use the requested material.
After final checking, I then hit render.
I then turned on my next desk computer to continue on other things while the render running on my PC.
Around 1.30pm – I go out to lunch.
Around 2.10pm – I’m back to the office.
The render are still running. On the other computer, I search pictures for my castle door reference.
Around 5.00pm – I start building my castle door. Just like the castle itself, I use loft and Boolean method to get the shape that I want. I continue looking at the reference picture while building the door.
Around 7.30pm – Ms Winny dismiss me by phone. They still didn’t back to the office yet.
Around 10.20am – Ms Winny informed me by phone that Mr Micheal is on the way to the office.
Around 10.40am – Mr Micheal came to the office. After Mr Micheal open up the office door, he then give me the key card so that I can use it when I want to go out for lunch.
I then continue working on the castle scene.
Around 11.00am – Mr Micheal go out from the office.
To increase realism in my render, I try to render a Ambient Occlusion pass, where it creates a grayscale output that is dark areas where light cannot reach while bright areas where it can.
This requires me to override all the object material into Ambient Occlusion material. Thanks to mental ray, this was easy as there is a function called material override where I just put the material I want, and all of the object will use the requested material.
After final checking, I then hit render.
I then turned on my next desk computer to continue on other things while the render running on my PC.
Around 1.30pm – I go out to lunch.
Around 2.10pm – I’m back to the office.
The render are still running. On the other computer, I search pictures for my castle door reference.
Around 5.00pm – I start building my castle door. Just like the castle itself, I use loft and Boolean method to get the shape that I want. I continue looking at the reference picture while building the door.
Around 7.30pm – Ms Winny dismiss me by phone. They still didn’t back to the office yet.
Cumulative log - Tuesday 25 Mei 2010
10.00am – I came to the office.
I then come to Ms Winny office and asks permission to come back to the office late after lunch because I need to go to back. I told her that if I go out to lunch at 1.00pm, I might be back around 2.30pm. She told me that she will give the decision wheter to let me out early so I can go back to the office early or just let me go as what I’ve planned.
Back to my desk, I take a look of my yesterday render. Unfortunately it only renders halfway. The total length of the scene is 5 second but it renders only for about 3 second. I then re-check the settings and found out that I wrongly set the time range of the renders.
Although is that, it is still okay as I found out a few errors that only shows up in the render but not on the 3D scene. I quickly patch up the problems and re-render the remaining scene.
Around 1.00pm – Ms Winny told me that I can go as I’ve planned. I then go to the bank to settle a few things.
Around 2.30pm –I’m back at the office. Ms Winny and Mr Micheal are not in the office. According to my co-worker Khabi, they go out to take the company van from Kepong to here. They will have shooting tomorrow so they need to prepare the camera and props today.
My renders meanwhile are still running. I then turned on the computer next to my desk and try to do something else. I decided to research more pictures of castles that can be used as a reference for the scene that I’m currently working on.
Around 4.00pm – My co-worker Khabi and Jason go out for the shooting preparation. Only Ms Winny and me left in the office.
Around 6.00pm – Ms Winny told me that she needs to go out for other business related to tomorrow shooting. I’m the only one left in the office.
Around 7.30pm – Ms Winny give me permission to dismiss by phone.
I then come to Ms Winny office and asks permission to come back to the office late after lunch because I need to go to back. I told her that if I go out to lunch at 1.00pm, I might be back around 2.30pm. She told me that she will give the decision wheter to let me out early so I can go back to the office early or just let me go as what I’ve planned.
Back to my desk, I take a look of my yesterday render. Unfortunately it only renders halfway. The total length of the scene is 5 second but it renders only for about 3 second. I then re-check the settings and found out that I wrongly set the time range of the renders.
Although is that, it is still okay as I found out a few errors that only shows up in the render but not on the 3D scene. I quickly patch up the problems and re-render the remaining scene.
Around 1.00pm – Ms Winny told me that I can go as I’ve planned. I then go to the bank to settle a few things.
Around 2.30pm –I’m back at the office. Ms Winny and Mr Micheal are not in the office. According to my co-worker Khabi, they go out to take the company van from Kepong to here. They will have shooting tomorrow so they need to prepare the camera and props today.
My renders meanwhile are still running. I then turned on the computer next to my desk and try to do something else. I decided to research more pictures of castles that can be used as a reference for the scene that I’m currently working on.
Around 4.00pm – My co-worker Khabi and Jason go out for the shooting preparation. Only Ms Winny and me left in the office.
Around 6.00pm – Ms Winny told me that she needs to go out for other business related to tomorrow shooting. I’m the only one left in the office.
Around 7.30pm – Ms Winny give me permission to dismiss by phone.
Cumulative log - Monday 24 Mei 2010
10.00am – I’ve come to the office
I check coit.uniten.edu.my for visiting lecturer list. Last week, Pn Aliza emailed us about this, but for the whole last week the list still not being uploaded onto the site. Today, the list is now up. I download the list. I found that my visiting lecturer will be Pn Asma. The only thing I know is that she is a lecturer in System and Networking department and teaches’ Advance Operating System’ subjects.
I’ve noticed that my classmate Azlan is taking his intern at ‘Persada Plus’, just besides my building. I then give him a call, and arrange a meeting at this coming lunch.
I then continue working on the castle.
1.00pm – I go out to lunch.
2.00pm – I’ve back from lunch.
After I modeled the tower for the castle, I continue tweaking the lighting. I add few more spot lights, aiming at the top of the mountain to simulate bright sun on them. I also tweak the texture UV map and placing plain billboard trees around the castle.
Around 6.30pm – I’m focusing on placing the camera and animating it. I start to render a few test scenes of the castle and its surroundings.
Around 7.30pm – After I set up the camera animation, It’s time to render the scene. It take about 23 hours to render, so I’ve asked Mr Micheal permission to leave my computer on. He approved it.
We then dismissed.
I check coit.uniten.edu.my for visiting lecturer list. Last week, Pn Aliza emailed us about this, but for the whole last week the list still not being uploaded onto the site. Today, the list is now up. I download the list. I found that my visiting lecturer will be Pn Asma. The only thing I know is that she is a lecturer in System and Networking department and teaches’ Advance Operating System’ subjects.
I’ve noticed that my classmate Azlan is taking his intern at ‘Persada Plus’, just besides my building. I then give him a call, and arrange a meeting at this coming lunch.
I then continue working on the castle.
1.00pm – I go out to lunch.
2.00pm – I’ve back from lunch.
After I modeled the tower for the castle, I continue tweaking the lighting. I add few more spot lights, aiming at the top of the mountain to simulate bright sun on them. I also tweak the texture UV map and placing plain billboard trees around the castle.
Around 6.30pm – I’m focusing on placing the camera and animating it. I start to render a few test scenes of the castle and its surroundings.
Around 7.30pm – After I set up the camera animation, It’s time to render the scene. It take about 23 hours to render, so I’ve asked Mr Micheal permission to leave my computer on. He approved it.
We then dismissed.
Cumulative log - Friday 21 May 2010
10.00am – I arrive at the office.
By referring to the sketch that I’ve made yesterday, I start to develop the castle basic shapes. I start by using simple shape such as cylinder and hemisphere.
While developing, I opened up 3Dsmax architectural book as a reference on developing the castle. In here, I learn how to use ‘Loft’ tools, which is pretty handy. We need to draw a spline of 2D shape that we want to make, and another spline for its thickness, height and shape of the borders. The origin of the ‘Loft’ words comes from the machine that spins while we create a shape of vase using clay.
I also use Boolean tool to cut thru the polygon to create shapes such as an arch.
1.30pm – I go out to lunch.
2.10pm – I’m back at the office.
I continue working on the castle.
Around 5.00pm – I asked my co-worker Jason his opinion regarding the castle model that I’ve made. He advises me a few thing such as the color of the dome, and also asks me to add a few towers around the castle.
Around 7.00pm – Mr Micheal check on my work. He told me that the castle looks small like a bungalow house. He also advise me a few things. One that I can remember is about comparisons of size, where if I want to make something look bigger, I must show something that we normally see it big such as trees, a whole lot smaller than the building. That way we can perceive the viewer eyes telling that the building is really big.
Around 7.40pm – We dismiss.
By referring to the sketch that I’ve made yesterday, I start to develop the castle basic shapes. I start by using simple shape such as cylinder and hemisphere.
While developing, I opened up 3Dsmax architectural book as a reference on developing the castle. In here, I learn how to use ‘Loft’ tools, which is pretty handy. We need to draw a spline of 2D shape that we want to make, and another spline for its thickness, height and shape of the borders. The origin of the ‘Loft’ words comes from the machine that spins while we create a shape of vase using clay.
I also use Boolean tool to cut thru the polygon to create shapes such as an arch.
1.30pm – I go out to lunch.
2.10pm – I’m back at the office.
I continue working on the castle.
Around 5.00pm – I asked my co-worker Jason his opinion regarding the castle model that I’ve made. He advises me a few thing such as the color of the dome, and also asks me to add a few towers around the castle.
Around 7.00pm – Mr Micheal check on my work. He told me that the castle looks small like a bungalow house. He also advise me a few things. One that I can remember is about comparisons of size, where if I want to make something look bigger, I must show something that we normally see it big such as trees, a whole lot smaller than the building. That way we can perceive the viewer eyes telling that the building is really big.
Around 7.40pm – We dismiss.
Cumulative log - Thursday 20 May 2010
10.00am – I’ve come to the office.
I continue going thru the tutorial of GroundWiz Lite. The plugins has the ability to import DEM files onto 3DsMax, but I need to learn the steps correctly.
Around 1.00pm – I manage to load the DEM files successfully. But there is some problem with navigation on 3DsMax. It seems that I can’t navigate properly. After a few check, it seems that the terrain is so huge, making it difficult to navigate. I then rescale the terrain.
After that, I create a camera and try to find the best angle. I cut the large terrain into several parts and rearrange the mountains. After I found a suitable proportion, I then applied GroundWiz material. I try to simulate ‘Grand Canyon’ rocky textures.
Around 2.00pm – I go out to lunch
Around 2.40pm – I’m back to the office.
I continue working on the texture.
Around 4.00pm – I start render the terrain. I dislike the color as it was too orange. I tweak the render exposure and lighting few more times to get the best render.
Around 6.00pm – I finally found the best render. The background however consist only the mountain terrains. I need to place the castle somewhere in the middle of the mountain. I then start to sketch down the basic shape of the castle.
After I draw, I asks my co-worker Jason for his opinion, and he said that the castle must be in round shape. It’s roof should be something similar to a dome. It needs to look grand. I then re-worked on my sketch again.
Around 7.30pm – We dismiss.
I continue going thru the tutorial of GroundWiz Lite. The plugins has the ability to import DEM files onto 3DsMax, but I need to learn the steps correctly.
Around 1.00pm – I manage to load the DEM files successfully. But there is some problem with navigation on 3DsMax. It seems that I can’t navigate properly. After a few check, it seems that the terrain is so huge, making it difficult to navigate. I then rescale the terrain.
After that, I create a camera and try to find the best angle. I cut the large terrain into several parts and rearrange the mountains. After I found a suitable proportion, I then applied GroundWiz material. I try to simulate ‘Grand Canyon’ rocky textures.
Around 2.00pm – I go out to lunch
Around 2.40pm – I’m back to the office.
I continue working on the texture.
Around 4.00pm – I start render the terrain. I dislike the color as it was too orange. I tweak the render exposure and lighting few more times to get the best render.
Around 6.00pm – I finally found the best render. The background however consist only the mountain terrains. I need to place the castle somewhere in the middle of the mountain. I then start to sketch down the basic shape of the castle.
After I draw, I asks my co-worker Jason for his opinion, and he said that the castle must be in round shape. It’s roof should be something similar to a dome. It needs to look grand. I then re-worked on my sketch again.
Around 7.30pm – We dismiss.
Cumulative log - Wednesday 19 May 2010
10.00am – I’ve come to the office as usual.
I continue research what I’ve left yesterday. I try to find ways to load the DEM data onto 3Dsmax.
Around 11.00am – Ms Winny asks me about the my claim report. I then stated to her that I failed to kept the receipt for the toll and petrol usage on the shooting day before so I couldn’t issued a claim. She then tell me it is okay, all I need to do is state down the mileage and toll and pass it to her. I then asks my co-worker Khabi on how to write the claim report.
Around 12.00pm – I’ve found a website which explains the step by step on how to download DEM data and load it onto 3D modeling software. The website also provides a link to where we can download the DEM data, which is different from what I’ve found yesterday. It’s a website of US government agency that specializing in Digital Elevation Models in the United State. Although it only provides DEM in the US region, I believe it is already good enough as DEM that I was looking for is ‘Grand Canyon’, a place in the US itself.
Around 1.00pm – After I managed to download DEM data, I try to load the file again in 3Ds Max. It was a hit and miss. Sometimes it load but once I navigate thru, it crashes the program. Other tries it fails to load at all. It seems that either I missed a step again or I totally messed up the whole process. I turn my focus onto finishing my claim report instead.
1.30pm – I go out to lunch.
2.10pm – I’m back at the office.
Around 2.30pm - I submit the claim report that I’ve made earlier to Ms Winny. I then continue researching to solve the DEM loading problem.
Around 4.00pm – I found a plugins for 3DsMax called GroundWiz. It’s a plugin to create a texture for terrain using procedural method. Procedural method means that it uses mathematical calculation to create the texture based on slope, altitude and percentage instead of a bitmap images.
I found that GroundWiz has the capability to load DEM file too. I start downloading the free version of GroundWiz, called ‘GroundWiz’ Lite. There are however some limitation in the ‘Lite’ version, such as maximum resolution of 800x600 only when rendered using mental ray, although there is no limit when using standard scanline renderer that comes with 3ds Max.
I start by going thru the tutorial that comes with the ‘GroundWiz’ Lite. It was a breeze. I now know how to apply the procedural texture onto terrain. I also learn that we can use multiple layer of textures to simulate real life terrain, such as base color, soil, sand, grass and snow layer. We can determine exactly where we want to put such layer on its respective order. This is critical as for example; snow must be on the highest point of the terrain or mountain, while grass must not grow on top of the snow. We also want to make the snow thickness varies and at some point we can still see the soil or ground. This increase realism and make the terrain looks believable.
Around 7.00pm – Ms Winny hand to us our allowance by cheque slip. Mine is RM300 only.
Around 7.30pm – We dismiss
I continue research what I’ve left yesterday. I try to find ways to load the DEM data onto 3Dsmax.
Around 11.00am – Ms Winny asks me about the my claim report. I then stated to her that I failed to kept the receipt for the toll and petrol usage on the shooting day before so I couldn’t issued a claim. She then tell me it is okay, all I need to do is state down the mileage and toll and pass it to her. I then asks my co-worker Khabi on how to write the claim report.
Around 12.00pm – I’ve found a website which explains the step by step on how to download DEM data and load it onto 3D modeling software. The website also provides a link to where we can download the DEM data, which is different from what I’ve found yesterday. It’s a website of US government agency that specializing in Digital Elevation Models in the United State. Although it only provides DEM in the US region, I believe it is already good enough as DEM that I was looking for is ‘Grand Canyon’, a place in the US itself.
Around 1.00pm – After I managed to download DEM data, I try to load the file again in 3Ds Max. It was a hit and miss. Sometimes it load but once I navigate thru, it crashes the program. Other tries it fails to load at all. It seems that either I missed a step again or I totally messed up the whole process. I turn my focus onto finishing my claim report instead.
1.30pm – I go out to lunch.
2.10pm – I’m back at the office.
Around 2.30pm - I submit the claim report that I’ve made earlier to Ms Winny. I then continue researching to solve the DEM loading problem.
Around 4.00pm – I found a plugins for 3DsMax called GroundWiz. It’s a plugin to create a texture for terrain using procedural method. Procedural method means that it uses mathematical calculation to create the texture based on slope, altitude and percentage instead of a bitmap images.
I found that GroundWiz has the capability to load DEM file too. I start downloading the free version of GroundWiz, called ‘GroundWiz’ Lite. There are however some limitation in the ‘Lite’ version, such as maximum resolution of 800x600 only when rendered using mental ray, although there is no limit when using standard scanline renderer that comes with 3ds Max.
I start by going thru the tutorial that comes with the ‘GroundWiz’ Lite. It was a breeze. I now know how to apply the procedural texture onto terrain. I also learn that we can use multiple layer of textures to simulate real life terrain, such as base color, soil, sand, grass and snow layer. We can determine exactly where we want to put such layer on its respective order. This is critical as for example; snow must be on the highest point of the terrain or mountain, while grass must not grow on top of the snow. We also want to make the snow thickness varies and at some point we can still see the soil or ground. This increase realism and make the terrain looks believable.
Around 7.00pm – Ms Winny hand to us our allowance by cheque slip. Mine is RM300 only.
Around 7.30pm – We dismiss
Cumulative log - Tuesday 18 May 2010
10.00am - I came to the office.
I continue searching the required material for my next scene on the net. My next scene requires me to model a scenery of desert, and I’ve decided to create a valley, much like a Grand Canyon in US. After a couple of reference, I opened up 3Ds Max and start modeling.
Around 1.00pm – I go out to lunch
Around 2.00pm – I’m back to the office.
I’m researching on how to create a valley as my attempt to model one end up miserably. After a few search on some 3D forum, I found that we can download a real scientific data called ‘ Digital Elevation Model’. It is an information of the earth crust levels around the worlds that is captured by the satellite.
The data is in ‘DEM’ format and to load it onto 3D modeling software such as 3Ds Max, we need a special tool, plug-ins or software that is capable to convert such data to a readable format.
I continue research on how to get the data and how to use it in my scene.
Around 5.00pm – I finally found a website which provides such data freely. I try to download it. It takes a few minute before I can get the file. Once done, I try to convert the file using a convertor program that I download from the net.
Around 6.00pm – I failed to load the file in 3Ds Max. It seems that I missed some crucial steps as I’ve still not have enough knowledge to use this method.
Around 7.30pm – We dismissed.
I continue searching the required material for my next scene on the net. My next scene requires me to model a scenery of desert, and I’ve decided to create a valley, much like a Grand Canyon in US. After a couple of reference, I opened up 3Ds Max and start modeling.
Around 1.00pm – I go out to lunch
Around 2.00pm – I’m back to the office.
I’m researching on how to create a valley as my attempt to model one end up miserably. After a few search on some 3D forum, I found that we can download a real scientific data called ‘ Digital Elevation Model’. It is an information of the earth crust levels around the worlds that is captured by the satellite.
The data is in ‘DEM’ format and to load it onto 3D modeling software such as 3Ds Max, we need a special tool, plug-ins or software that is capable to convert such data to a readable format.
I continue research on how to get the data and how to use it in my scene.
Around 5.00pm – I finally found a website which provides such data freely. I try to download it. It takes a few minute before I can get the file. Once done, I try to convert the file using a convertor program that I download from the net.
Around 6.00pm – I failed to load the file in 3Ds Max. It seems that I missed some crucial steps as I’ve still not have enough knowledge to use this method.
Around 7.30pm – We dismissed.
Cumulative log - Monday 17 May 2010
10.00am – I came to the office.
I continue working on the destroyed city scene.
Around 1.30pm – I go out to lunch
Around 3.00pm – Mr Micheal come on to my desk to check out my work. He advised me a few thing about the background, and told me to fix the noise on the green screen footage. He then told me that after this scene, I need to work out on another scene. He then asks my co-worker Jason to gave me the new scene. He then explained to Jason in Chinese what he wants and then Jason re-explain to me in Malay.
I copied the scene file onto my ‘pendrive’. I then back on my desk and continue fixing the remaining problem on the destroyed city scene.
Around 4.30pm – I finish working on the destroyed city scene. However the render take an hour to complete. I then search the net for suitable material and ideas for the next scene.
Around 5.00pm – I go the Jason desk to ask him a few things about the next scene that I’ll be working on. For this scene, I need to make scenery of inside an enemy base. While most of the scene for the movie is destroyed and looked abandon, the enemy base should look perfect with greenery and gardens around the base. Mr Micheal, sitting next to Jason then comes to our conversation. He told me a few details on how the scene should look like. He also told me that I need to make an establishing shot.
Establishing shot is an introductory scene before the actual scene come in, usually to show the audience the location of the character. In this case, I need to show a contrast between the destroyed world, the desert where the base is at, the surrounding of the base where it is much livelier and green, and finally the base of the enemy.
Around 5.30pm – I start to draw a sketch of the enemy location in Photoshop using my graphic tablet.
Around 7.00pm – I show to my co-worker Jason the sketch. He advised me a few things about my sketch. I fix the sketch according to his direction.
Around 7.20pm – Mr Micheal take a look at my sketch. He then asked me to change a few things, such as the height of the cliff where the base will be at. He then dismisses us. I take a note of his words.
Around 7.30pm – We dismiss
I continue working on the destroyed city scene.
Around 1.30pm – I go out to lunch
Around 3.00pm – Mr Micheal come on to my desk to check out my work. He advised me a few thing about the background, and told me to fix the noise on the green screen footage. He then told me that after this scene, I need to work out on another scene. He then asks my co-worker Jason to gave me the new scene. He then explained to Jason in Chinese what he wants and then Jason re-explain to me in Malay.
I copied the scene file onto my ‘pendrive’. I then back on my desk and continue fixing the remaining problem on the destroyed city scene.
Around 4.30pm – I finish working on the destroyed city scene. However the render take an hour to complete. I then search the net for suitable material and ideas for the next scene.
Around 5.00pm – I go the Jason desk to ask him a few things about the next scene that I’ll be working on. For this scene, I need to make scenery of inside an enemy base. While most of the scene for the movie is destroyed and looked abandon, the enemy base should look perfect with greenery and gardens around the base. Mr Micheal, sitting next to Jason then comes to our conversation. He told me a few details on how the scene should look like. He also told me that I need to make an establishing shot.
Establishing shot is an introductory scene before the actual scene come in, usually to show the audience the location of the character. In this case, I need to show a contrast between the destroyed world, the desert where the base is at, the surrounding of the base where it is much livelier and green, and finally the base of the enemy.
Around 5.30pm – I start to draw a sketch of the enemy location in Photoshop using my graphic tablet.
Around 7.00pm – I show to my co-worker Jason the sketch. He advised me a few things about my sketch. I fix the sketch according to his direction.
Around 7.20pm – Mr Micheal take a look at my sketch. He then asked me to change a few things, such as the height of the cliff where the base will be at. He then dismisses us. I take a note of his words.
Around 7.30pm – We dismiss
Cumulative log - Saturday 15th May 2010
10.00am – I arrive at the office. However the office is still not open. I decided to wait at the corridor.
10.20am – My co-worker Jason came. It seems that Mr Micheal and Ms Winny not coming to the office. I and Jason are the only one in the office.
I then continue my work.
1.30pm – I go out to lunch
2.00pm – I’m back to the office.
Around 5.30pm – Mr Micheal came to the office.
Around 6.00pm – Mr Micheal came to my desk to take a look at my work. He spots a weirdness of my scene, where the perspective seems a bit off.
7.30pm – We dismiss
10.20am – My co-worker Jason came. It seems that Mr Micheal and Ms Winny not coming to the office. I and Jason are the only one in the office.
I then continue my work.
1.30pm – I go out to lunch
2.00pm – I’m back to the office.
Around 5.30pm – Mr Micheal came to the office.
Around 6.00pm – Mr Micheal came to my desk to take a look at my work. He spots a weirdness of my scene, where the perspective seems a bit off.
7.30pm – We dismiss
Cumulative log - Friday 14th May 2010
10.00pm – I came to the office. I noticed that my co-worker Khabi is not around. After asking Jason, he told me that he has something to do at his college.
I continue working on my matte painting background. I search the net for suitable material and references.
About 12.45pm – I go out for Friday pray.
Around 2.40pm – I’m back at the office. I continue working on my background.
The re-construction of the scene background is more complex than I anticipated. Because of the viewing angle, it is so difficult to find suitable building to fit the scene. Plus, the building needs to look abandon. I found that by searching ‘Earthquake’ and ‘Demolition’ in Google brings up a few numbers of wrecked building pictures which is suitable for the abandon theme. However, as I said before, the view angles are critical to accomplish the job.
Before this I use a perfect looking skyscrapers and building, and mark a few burn and cracks to make it look abandon. It seems that this method is not too realistic and cartoonish.
Around 6.00pm – Sometimes when I get bored or when I out of idea, I came to my co-worker Jason desk to check out his work. He scene is far more advance. He use a particle system in 3Ds max to do a meteor effects. He then render out the animation and import them into After effects. He then composed the animation onto the scene.
His method gives me idea to put in some animation into my background scene. Our company has a collection of special effects video, such as smoke, explosion, fog/mist, blood and more. I decided to use a fire effects and put it onto my background scene. It looks like there is a pile of rubble that gets burned after being hit by a meteor fragments. The effects can’t be added in Photoshop, so after a few tweaks on the background, I then import it to After Effects. There, after I sets up the camera and the layers, I then put the fire effects.
Around 7.30pm – We dismissed.
I continue working on my matte painting background. I search the net for suitable material and references.
About 12.45pm – I go out for Friday pray.
Around 2.40pm – I’m back at the office. I continue working on my background.
The re-construction of the scene background is more complex than I anticipated. Because of the viewing angle, it is so difficult to find suitable building to fit the scene. Plus, the building needs to look abandon. I found that by searching ‘Earthquake’ and ‘Demolition’ in Google brings up a few numbers of wrecked building pictures which is suitable for the abandon theme. However, as I said before, the view angles are critical to accomplish the job.
Before this I use a perfect looking skyscrapers and building, and mark a few burn and cracks to make it look abandon. It seems that this method is not too realistic and cartoonish.
Around 6.00pm – Sometimes when I get bored or when I out of idea, I came to my co-worker Jason desk to check out his work. He scene is far more advance. He use a particle system in 3Ds max to do a meteor effects. He then render out the animation and import them into After effects. He then composed the animation onto the scene.
His method gives me idea to put in some animation into my background scene. Our company has a collection of special effects video, such as smoke, explosion, fog/mist, blood and more. I decided to use a fire effects and put it onto my background scene. It looks like there is a pile of rubble that gets burned after being hit by a meteor fragments. The effects can’t be added in Photoshop, so after a few tweaks on the background, I then import it to After Effects. There, after I sets up the camera and the layers, I then put the fire effects.
Around 7.30pm – We dismissed.
Cumulative log - Thursday 13th May 2010
I was given an off yesterday by Mr Micheal and Ms Winny (Wednesday 12/5/2010)
Yesterday around 10.00pm, Ms Winny SMS me telling that they will only arrive to the office at 11.00am today.
11.00am – I arrive at the office. I continue working on the abandon city background. Yesterday I’ve found a picture of back alley, and I thought it will be a great idea to do place the character on there. I assemble the elements piece by piece.
2.00pm – I go out to lunch with my friend Jason and Khabi
About 2.45pm – we’ve back to the office. Before lunch I’ve already imported the background that I made in Photoshop onto After effects. I’ve then setting up the green screen footage and place it on the scene.
About 4.00pm – Mr Micheal come to Khabi’s PC and ask him to take a look of a DVD. He loaded the DVD and plays it. It was a sample portfolio DVD of Chinese Special Effect company, named Big Fatt. The company assists quite a number of Chinese movies; one that I knew was the Storm Riders. It shows a scene of the movie, and then it shows the effects breakdown of the scene in details. Matte painting, 3D effects and blue screens are used altogether in most scene. It was a spectacular to see that the matte painting they used was flawless, we can’t see it until they shows us the breakdown.
About 4.45pm – The shows done. We continue to work.
About 5.00pm – Mr Micheal take a look on my work. He tolds me that the taller building at the back seems okay, but the back alley seem unmatched with those building theme, and asks me to change it. It’s not that he disagree with the back alley elements, he says that the back alley seems too real while others looks much fantasy. Mr Micheal keep telling me that my background should look more fantasy than realistic. He then told me that he will be searching for samples to show me what he is expecting. About 10 minutes later, he calls me to his office, showing the sample picture from the net on his monitor.
I analyze the picture carefully while Mr Micheal explains to me the details of what exactly wrong with my work. After that I came back to my desk and start revamps my work again. I back to the original Photoshop files again.
About 7.30pm – We dismissed.
Yesterday around 10.00pm, Ms Winny SMS me telling that they will only arrive to the office at 11.00am today.
11.00am – I arrive at the office. I continue working on the abandon city background. Yesterday I’ve found a picture of back alley, and I thought it will be a great idea to do place the character on there. I assemble the elements piece by piece.
2.00pm – I go out to lunch with my friend Jason and Khabi
About 2.45pm – we’ve back to the office. Before lunch I’ve already imported the background that I made in Photoshop onto After effects. I’ve then setting up the green screen footage and place it on the scene.
About 4.00pm – Mr Micheal come to Khabi’s PC and ask him to take a look of a DVD. He loaded the DVD and plays it. It was a sample portfolio DVD of Chinese Special Effect company, named Big Fatt. The company assists quite a number of Chinese movies; one that I knew was the Storm Riders. It shows a scene of the movie, and then it shows the effects breakdown of the scene in details. Matte painting, 3D effects and blue screens are used altogether in most scene. It was a spectacular to see that the matte painting they used was flawless, we can’t see it until they shows us the breakdown.
About 4.45pm – The shows done. We continue to work.
About 5.00pm – Mr Micheal take a look on my work. He tolds me that the taller building at the back seems okay, but the back alley seem unmatched with those building theme, and asks me to change it. It’s not that he disagree with the back alley elements, he says that the back alley seems too real while others looks much fantasy. Mr Micheal keep telling me that my background should look more fantasy than realistic. He then told me that he will be searching for samples to show me what he is expecting. About 10 minutes later, he calls me to his office, showing the sample picture from the net on his monitor.
I analyze the picture carefully while Mr Micheal explains to me the details of what exactly wrong with my work. After that I came back to my desk and start revamps my work again. I back to the original Photoshop files again.
About 7.30pm – We dismissed.
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