To start our group project, we need to do the matchmove for the scene. In the Matchmove lecture, we had opportunity to use 3D Equaliser to track the camera movement and lens distortion of a scene. We also learned how to export the scene to Maya and Nuke.
In film production, camera tracking is used to replicate the camera’s movements and lens distortions from a previously shot scene. With this technique, we can seamlessly add computer-generated elements to the footage. Compared to Maya, 3D Equilizer is a more precise tool that creates fewer complications and allows for more precise placement of points within the scene. Additionally, it allows us to accurately simulate different camera and lens settings.
Working with the 3D Equilizer:
- Import the footage.
- Adjust lighting, gamma and contrast.
- Contrasty area corners are always good to track.
- Track the points.
- Calculate All From Scratch (Alt+C).
Our next step is to clean up by eliminating any faulty tracking points and adding more if necessary. This involves flattening the curve in the Deviation Browser and ensuring that all tracking points are within the shot. Additionally, we need to include specific camera lens details, such as distortion, and recalculate the points. Once this is complete, we can generate meshes in 3D Equilizer and export the scene to both Maya and Nuke.
More instructions:
Distortion grid:
- Shoot it with you plate.
- Use same lens and settings.
LensDistortion – analyses the source, calculates it using the grid/straight line information and tries to undistort the shot.
Redistort (LensDistortion>Mode) – back to original source (distorted view).
STMap (LensDistortion>Mode) – Exporting information using UV Maps. It’ll make a new layer, useful in 3D work in Nuke.
Whenever we’re doing matchmove/working in the 3D, the source image/video has to come undistorted and then we distort it back.
Edit>Preferences>Viewer Handles – It can change 3D navigation to Maya.
- Precomp: Denoise>Save the shot (Export the denoised shot.)>The shot can be used again later.
- Matchmove: CameraTracker Node.
- Roto out any extra moving elements (could be even a water puddle on the street) and connect it to CameraTracker with mask.
- After tracking:
Select 1 tracker>Right Mouse Button>Ground Plane>Set Origin.
Select multiple trackers>RMB>Ground Plane>Set to selected
Export>Scene+>Link output
Steampunk Project
Assets Moodboard: https://artslondon.padlet.org/rstolk0320221/assets-qlprzti9fol022nl
This week, the Look Dev Artists began dividing assets and selecting a specific design. To assist them with textures, overall mood, and consistency throughout the scene, I created colour palettes. I chose colours commonly associated with steampunk, such as brown and gold, and included a special colour, red, which was chosen by the group in our group chat. The red colour adds vibrancy to the scene and helps to connect the models more closely.
Bibliography:
3DEquilizer (2020) 3DEqualizer4 [basic] – 2D Tracking: Part 1. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bMpEa9cyU8 (Accessed: 17 April 2023).
3DEquilizer (2020) 3DEqualizer4 [advanced] – 2D Tracking: Part 2. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ8ysGX6lVo&t=1101s (Accessed: 17 April 2023).