Metaball Bound Initial Test

While I was out having a good night, my computer was hard at work rendering my metaball sim.. I think it took 26 hours in total.. I've got to take that into account in my production schedule.. I like the aesthetic, it's makes the streams "blobby", as they combine when they become close, and create more spontaneous organic forms.. I'm not sure I like the trails being soo short though, I'm going to do some more tests with fewer particles and longer trailing streams... and also maybe combine the motion based proof with the particles based sim... :P

More Light Based Inspiration..

I've found a few images at deviantART... looking at more potential applications of a light based trail... Ideas on a postcard...

Sphere Collision Based Trails

Just done some more tests based on collision geometry.. The particles are bound by a sphere and move around inside to fill the negative space.. The examples also show two different 2d treatments. One illustrating longer trailing and the other concentrating on the stram nucleus which creates a kind of 'aura' within the space.. I have another test currently rendering the pants off my computer. It's the same sim as these videos, but copying a metaball rather than a sphere.. This will give a "gooey" feel to the streams.. Stay on the trail.. :)

Initial Trail Tests..

Been hard at work developing the stream and uploaded a couple of examples//

The particles are being emitted from an invisible xtransforming cube, one particle every frame, then outside the POPnet spheres are copied onto the points from particle system. The length of the trail is dependent on the $LIFE of the particles..

The first example shows the first establishing of the trail i did..

The second is a development of the shape of the stream..//

The shape is defined my a colour ramp based on $LIFE in the POPnet. This is then passed through to the copySOP to determine the scale of the copied geometry, in this case the sphere's ie the higher the value of red for instance, the larger the scale//expression used: (0.5+$CR)*2

ALSO.. I've done a quick comp to see how much of an glow aesthetic I can a achieve in 2d. The problem will come if the glow needs to effect other geometry (this will depend on my final concept), in which case Global Illumination / Radiosity will be required.. Roll on the render times!!!

Me MoCap'd & 1st Tutorial Feedback..

Did some initial MoCap to see if I could create my own shapes in 3d form.. then I'll try to apply the development I've done with the motion trails.. to be continued..//

 

But I also.. Had my first tutorial today... // The test I did yesterday with the bounding box has proved the concept and now I want to work on the shape of the trails.. I need to develop my own custom trailSOP based tool.. This way I will have far more control over the shape and length of the trails.. I need to develop the attributes of light glows and the trails.. Like paint brush attributes...  

The suggested philosophy/meaning of the project..... "think of it as a representation of enlightenment"..

Particle Trail Bounding Test

Twice in one night!!!.. continuing from the type of aesthetic I'd been enlightened to.. I've done a test using the particle based trails and a bounding / container to keep them within.. Using collision and the turn nodes in the POPnet the particles now stay within the specified form.. Maybe the next step would be to have a container in the form of a animated object.. Check the video to see the concept so far...

MoCap Testing...

I've got some basic motion capture data from Andy at AccessMoCap just to see if I could hook it up to Houdini and get something useful back.. The video shows the particle bases system with a leader following the motion line plotted from the MoCap... The problem I've found so far is with the caching of the trailSOP, it seem to reset and mess up the path after a certain time.. also the path geometry is very primitive and not as smooth as I would like.... Problem solving to be continued.... :)

Neon Glo-NO!!

I'm thinking of other potential ways I could apply motion paths and trails... and my friend Richard found this example of a way I could potentially apply the asset I'm developing.. It brings to mine the thoughts of.. Do I actually need the saturated coloured glows, if I can can make a beautiful aesthetic with other applications of the same technique??

The forum can be found at:  http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=579395

Initial Tests...

Hello... I've realised I've got quite a few options in terms of development direction, here are my tests so far.....

This is a test using particles which follow a specified leader and create a geometry trail.. This produces a really nice fluid motion.. as fluid as it is, I would like to incorporate some motion / movement to the trail once it is formed.. A kind of settling into place...

The second test uses a creep node. This produces multiple strands and utilises a duplication.. This is not as fluid as the particle based tests, but with the nature of the a line being a back bone to the path, flexibility, forces, and the spring function can be apply for the settling..

To Be Continued....

More Visual Reference!!!

Inspired By....

Check This Also://

Metacosm Project by Kevin Webster (http://www.metacosmproject.com)

deviantART : Light Painting (link)

http://abduzeedo.com/awesome-light-graffiti-pictures

The Concept

I've created this blog to illustrate the developments of  my latest project at the NCCA.

The concept that I have proposed is as follows:

Project Overview

I want to build upon and take inspiration from the forms and aesthetics of an art known as ‘Light Painting’. 

"Light painting, also known as light drawing is a photographic technique in which exposures are made usually at night or in a darkened room by moving a light source or by moving the camera."

......I want to devise a method of recreating the motion plotted paths and allowing them to create forms in motion.. The art-form already consists of a stop-frame approach which gives spontaneity and charm. I will investigate ways to reproduce this randomness in a true three dimensional environment.

My principle philosophy for this project is discovery and personal technical understanding and development.

"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it." Pablo Picasso.

"I begin with an idea and then it becomes something else." Pablo Picasso.

These quotes are philosophies in which I am applying to the way I will be working. I have an idea of how the project may end up, but I know through my group project experience that along the way for trying to achieve what you what you often find something better, more spontaneous, and more of what you need.

My formal proposal in full can be found HERE