THE GRAND MECHAJOUST

[jakerupert]

After a long time, I came back to a project of mine , that I had left , when I run into

too many difficulties.

So now I did some more tests for it with very promising results, since AM or better me with AM are now capable to render even

Full-HD sizes in a reasonable amount of time.

 

I am still not sure, if I should go with a toony "Manga/Anime" style or go for a 3D look.

 

Tending more to the later at the moment , while at the same time not wanting to do that much texturing work, I am testing procedural textures (materials)

and fake rim light for gaining a "non nude" 3Dlook .

 

critics welcome...

SumoSpeedlinesToon.mov

SumoSmallDark01.mov

[itsjustme]

I like it Jost! I think it could benefit from something that gave the impression of movement on the characters as they fly a little more though...like a fluttering banner/scarf/whatever. The speed lines do some of that, but I'm thinking that a human character would have some movement in their hair or something, which, robots wouldn't have.

 

Good luck on the project!

[jakerupert]

>I think it could benefit from something that gave the impression of movement on the characters as they fly a little more though...like a fluttering banner/scarf/whatever. The speed lines do some of that, but I'm thinking that a human character would have some movement in their hair or something, which, robots wouldn't have.

 

Maybe some Swoosh like stuff, that trail swords in games could bring the proper effect.

[itsjustme]

>I think it could benefit from something that gave the impression of movement on the characters as they fly a little more though...like a fluttering banner/scarf/whatever. The speed lines do some of that, but I'm thinking that a human character would have some movement in their hair or something, which, robots wouldn't have.

 

Maybe some Swoosh like stuff, that trail swords in games could bring the proper effect.

 

Whiz lines like the "Road Runner"...that would do the trick, I'm thinking.

[jakerupert]

Whiz lines like the "Road Runner"...that would do the trick, I'm thinking.

 

 

[itsjustme]

Whiz lines like the "Road Runner"...that would do the trick, I'm thinking.

 

 

 

Streaks might do the job for something simple.

[largento]

Nice looking robots, Jake!

[Paul Forwood]

If you are compositing layers you could render your animations with alpha and then create a Photoshop action to generate a sequence where all the coloured pixels are turned to white, or blurred and streaked. This image sequence could be composited behind your colour sequence, offset on a dynamic bone and treated to further effects if necessary. This would create a simple jetstream effect.

[TNT]

I like both styles.

The first thing I notices is the stars do not move in the background.

Maybe if the star field went by with different stars moving at different speeds so some look close and some farther away would add some feeling of movement.

Like the bots a lot.

[jason1025]

That looks so good. How did you create the after burner?

[robcat2075]

Those are looking good.

 

I think it could benefit from something that gave the impression of movement on the characters as they fly a little more though

 

I agree. In the absence of scarve or capes or hair, a fundamental thing to do would be to pose them like they are moving forward fast. Have them grabbing the hand rail and leaning forward or... being pulled back.

 

Anything but straight up and down.

[jakerupert]

>The first thing I notices is the stars do not move in the background.

Maybe if the star field went by with different stars moving at different speeds so some look close and some farther away would add some feeling of movement.

 

 

 

(Maybe I could add some watching marines in the foreground, that would give a feeling for size also)

 

But I couldnT loop the movie then anymore...

 

to animate it in the chor.

 

 

Havent done any compositing yet , though I have Magix Video Deluxe, I still have to get aquainted with all its features.

[TheSpleen]

your style is very unique.

I like it

[steve392]

This looks great ,I prefer the dark one

[jakerupert]

Further testing the overall look.

 

This is a mixture with metalic materials and toonrendering.

Maybe that`s it...

SumoSpeedToonSmall.mov

[jakerupert]

Another test of non-toon and toon look with some speedlines...

AntwortSpeedSmallS.mov

AntwortSpeedToonSmallS.mov

[pixelplucker]

You could simply map the stars on a sphere with the normals inward and rotate it. Make sure the rest of the scene is inside the sphere and shadows are off on it etc.

[jakerupert]

The jousting field with spaceships, mechas and humans,

all modeled scale to lifesize and put together in chor.

 

I was very pleasantly surprised that AM renders all that without complaining even in full hd.

 

The scales of the round artefact in the back is really huge as you can see

from the sideview.

PlatformTotaleSmall.mov

[pixelplucker]

Lookin pretty good, i would accelerate the camera coming in and then ease it so it doesn't abruptly stop.

[jakerupert]

You are completely right.

This was merely a simple test, if such a huge chor (file- and scalewise) would render properly at all

(and of the overall looks)

 

At the moment I am struggeling to add more then one constraint to an object,

so there may be some limitations in the further handling of the chor....

[jakerupert]

Spacebattleship TSS TERRREX delivering a full broadside...

TerrexBroadsideSmall.mov

[jakerupert]

.......

TerrexLasershotSmall.mov

[Robert]

I like your style, Jake.

 

May be it looks better to move the spaceship from right to left before shooting.

[jakerupert]

Maybe you are right.

 

I tried to simulate a hyperfast movement of the spaceship by stretching the stars in the background.

Doesn`t seem to work that simple....

[jakerupert]

That`s how this thing started 10 (sic) years ago.

 

Tried to create a simple shockwave "sink the ship" online game in Makromedias director.

SpacepanzershipTest120820.mov

[dblhelix]

this is reacting to the first image on the thread, nice work, the redwhite one in the foreground especially so.

an animator's answer to achieving motion is by looking at the body. even with robots as subjects, check if your story allows you to use their balance as a source of dynamics. the redwhite one is very compact and sturdy but the taller thinner ones could portray speed by posing their bodies "against the wind". really small changes might do the trick.

 

 

as to the other images, maybe you're developing a 3Dmingled manga style of your own?

[jakerupert]

Mechas outA

MechaOutToonSmall.mov

[itsjustme]

Mechas outA

 

I like that one the best so far, Jake!

[jakerupert]

Thanks a lot.

 

Here`s the mechas moving out.

The first one and most of the animation were done by Dade Bell,

a very creative modeler, who left AM a long time ago, great pity..

MechhaOutBToonSmallS.mov

[Robert]

What is the funny yellow thing on the floor?

[jakerupert]

that`s a mechanic service robot transporting a defective mecha`s head awayfor an overhaul...