Returning from the break, I dove into a new project: Artefact, guided by Serra. The challenge was to create an engaging user experience. As an aspiring environment artist, I aimed for stunning visuals and compelling compositions. Serra suggested a playful concept: a Star Wars blooper reel. In this story, stormtroopers, Darth Vader, and other characters are actors who unwind at a pub after a long day of shooting.
To achieve realistic animation, I used Vicon motion capture and created the terrain in Houdini for the establishing shot, honing my skills in procedural modelling. This technique allowed for highly detailed and customizable landscapes. The scene was assembled in Unreal Engine 5 (UE5), known for its speed and powerful capabilities, and the final compositing was done in Nuke. The process of procedural modelling in Houdini was incredibly intuitive once I grasped the underlying math and logic, and I was thrilled with the geometric foundation I created.
For the character animations, I booked a Vicon motion capture session. My friend, a Star Wars enthusiast, acted out the shots, including stormtroopers standing guard and interacting in a pub. Despite some initial challenges with the hip movements in the mocap data, Serra and I identified the issue, and new exports were provided. Cleaning up the animations, particularly the intricate finger movements, was time-consuming but rewarding. The characters dancing and interacting brought life and realism to my environment.
Creating the pub scene was a critical part of the project. Using Quixel Bridge assets, I built the structure and set a warm, inviting atmosphere with detailed props and moody lighting. After some layout adjustments and rendering challenges, I resolved issues like noise on metallic surfaces and selected appropriate royalty-free music to match the vibe. Through this process, I refined my technical skills and learned the importance of attention to detail and problem-solving. Now, with the pub scene complete, I look forward to sharing the final product and continuing to explore the nuances of digital art and animation.
This is the Showreel: