Toxic mushroom
Ahoo-Daria-Jaeyong-Anna DIGD601VFX_Short film
Ahoo-Daria-Jaeyong-Anna_DIG601VFX_Breakdown
We produced a short video showcasing a virtual computer-generated creature as part of our first-semester group project.
Together, we developed a narrative highlighting the friendship between the human main character and the Toxic mushrooms.
One of my assigned tasks was to utilize Syntheyes for shot tracking and incorporate 3D elements into the image sequence. It was a challenging responsibility as it required me to gain hands-on experience with the software.
I started tracking with shot 3, but my limited experience with Syntheyes posed some challenges. Despite this, I managed to successfully track the shot and incorporate a three-dimensional object into the image sequence.
Shot 3 involved a simple horizontal camera movement. I placed auto trackers around the stump and configured a 3D cylinder to host the mushrooms.
Next, I exported the tracked cameras and the cylinder as FBX files from Syntheyes to Maya. To ensure smooth operation in Maya, the image sequence needed to be downsized. I accomplished this using After Effects.
tracked shot in Maya
I encountered difficulties tracking shot 11 due to blurring, particularly during two instances where the focus shifted from the protagonist to the mushroom and back again.
Despite using a roto-mask to mitigate blurring, the auto-trackers became erratic. As a result, I had to resort to manual tracking to ensure accuracy.
I converted certain image sequences to grayscale to enhance contrast, aiding in the identification of optimal tracker placement within the image sequence.
Shot 14 encountered similar challenges to Shot 11, with objects becoming out of focus as the camera rapidly shifted vertically from the top of the shelf to the carpet. To overcome the unclear footage, I resorted to manually inserting trackers.
The shot that presented the most significant challenge was number 15. It consisted of a lengthy image sequence with insufficient information for the auto-trackers to work effectively.
The light from the window created visibility issues, making it challenging to accurately position the box. To address this, I adjusted the levels to enhance visibility of the windowsill, allowing me to position the box correctly and resolve the issue.
I proceeded to initiate the simulation of flower pot collisions. In shot 14, the sequence depicts the flower pot dropping and breaking as the mushroom escapes from within.
I imported the flower pot model, designed by my teammates in Maya, into Houdini by exporting it as an OBJ file.
Following instructions found on YouTube, I utilized Houdini to simulate broken glass. Using a ground plane and a breakable model, I created a simulation depicting a shattering flowerpot.
Unfortunately, I encountered an issue where the glass wouldn't break due to its smooth and flawless edges. Despite my attempts to create crisp edges, I struggled to achieve the desired result.
To address this challenge, I decided to create a second simulation following a tutorial from class. In this simulation, I attached a grid to the flower pot to ensure it would respond appropriately when the pot fell onto it.
After completing the breaking simulation, I realized that the flower pot was meant to be made of steel, not glass. This meant it should bend instead of breaking. To address this, I searched for YouTube tutorials on bending steel.
After several attempts, I finally succeeded in creating a metal bending simulation with particles representing the soil.
I utilized Photoshop to design the Toxic Mushroom poster. I dedicated considerable time to watching YouTube tutorials on generating realistic shadows, ensuring the final result was convincing.
I made the poster for the Toxic Mushroom with photoshop,
I watched many tutorials on youtube to create realistic shade
and doing colour correction.