Work in Progress November 2009

The first in a new series of tutorials which will outline the creation of three characters and two vehicles. In this video, I share my sketching process for three characters and two vehicles.

TPD - November 2009 from Paul Caggegi on Vimeo.

The following videos will focus on one character (Tholemo) and one vehicle (the biplane). I will produce tutorials on full-body modeling (including head), full-body and face rigging, vehicle modeling, and finally a special video on producing the look for the web comic (procedural texturing, lighting and rendering).

My aim is to wrap up these tutorials in time to release the first panels of the new web comic (some time around May). I have a game plan, and I'm hoping to stick to it. Know that I'll be recording the creation of the other two characters and the sandboat modeling as well, but at this stage, I plan to keep them aside for release on the full set as a DVD mid-next year.

This month, I offer a couple of test formats for you to download and view (right click, save file as):

• WIP_091127.flv - 1280x720 (112MB)
  
• WIP_091127.mov - Large H.264 1280x720 (160MB)
  
• WIP_091127.mov - Medium H.264 854x480 (81MB)
• WIP_091127.mov - Small H.264 427x240 (32MB)

Please let me know if these sizes work for you. I've exported presets out of both FCP and Compressor. I've tested each of them, and they look good to me. I'll be curious to know your experiences and which formats suit your needs best.

The formats which seem to work best will be the format I plan to put on the DVD release.

I look forward to the feedback!

PS: Do you watch these videos on an iPod video and can only see things in 4:3? Well I found a solution for you to see the whole image (if you didn't already know). In your root menu on your iPod, select Video>>Settings. There you'll see an option "Fit to Screen". If it's set to "On" set it to "Off". You will now automatically letterbox any 16:9 content.



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Feedback Episode 11-09

Welcome to this month's feedback episode! On the whole, it was positive, and there was lots of it. I do have to give special mention to one or two good emails I received - one from Ignatio, and the other from David.

After the feedback, I rant a bit about the direction I'm taking with Character Development, and my reasons for doing so.

A couple of interesting books and a film which have inspired me this month:







I'm also interested in hearing your opinions on making my tutorials available in other forms. Have a listen to the podcast for details, and get back to me.

Worthy links to check out this month:

Michael J Dowswell
Wishtales
Marooned



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A Conversation with Matt Forcum 11-09

Matt Forcum is a professional Motion Graphics artist. He currently works at the Iona Group, and lectures in 3D character animation at Bradley University, Illinois. In his spare time, he works on a web comic series called Robot Beach, all about a Robot who dreams of surfing, and his adventures with his friends, a crab and a seagull. We speak about the strip, his short film project, Anabelle's Bistro, and many more topics of common interest.


Matt's personal blog can be found at www.houseofmove.com


The Robot Beach strip can be found at www.robotbeach.com



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