head model

This last week I have been looking further at the modelling side of the project and found an interesting piece of software from Genemation http://www.genemation.com/index.cfm

The software has a trial version to make 3d heads, but you can't save the results. However on my first attempt with some low quality pics of myself I managed to make a 3d head of myself, which was a bit weird and slightly scary. Check out the pics and you will see what I mean.

And with plotting nodes

This is a powerful piece of kit and with a good image and a bit of tweaking of the nodes a really good model can be achieved. The problem is time and finances, this is only the trial and does not include the valuable motion tracking SDK. More work to be done!

3d and flash

This week we continued with a further workshop on Flash from the very knowledgable Jonathan. Learned a few cool tips and tricks and Jon found a solution for a niggling problem I was having.

Also we had our first 3d introduction, it was a little fast and technical but I got the idea about the program and some of the basic tools, could do with a set of workshops based around a project, this would be very beneficial as Maya is a very complex program.

Hybrid thoughts

Things have become a little more complicated since my last post, I have been looking at the technicalities of developing and producing my model and found this is more complicated than first imagined. There is two parts to the idea, 1. The 3d model. 2. Facial recognition system. each has an element of technical difficulty to overcome, however the main problem is getting the two to interact. I recently had a conversation with a games design tutor who very kindly gave me some extremely useful advice on 3d model expressions and the lack of realism of these expressions. This has the potential to increase the technical difficulty with regard to the models expressive detail, further more this appears to be a problem throughout the 3d modelling world.

The facial recognition system is also proving difficult to match to the proposal, many FR systems are based on a contrast comparison model and as such can operate at a low camera resolution, which is fine for most uses. However, I need the system to pick up small changes of each quarter of the face and recognise these changes.

Further investigation into the technical realities of this project is needed.

On a positive note I have found a neat pice of software that allows you to create models easily, however you can only use them if you purchase the license. see link below
http://www.genemation.com/New_Pages/gentools.cfm

It also uses a tracking system, so I think an email is needed.

Ideas for Hybrid unit

This week we had to present our idea for the hybrid unit, the idea I have is based around the using digital technology to assist face recognition and social communication in people with the ASD condition. My objective is to develop a visual program that can be used to facilitate the recognition of facial expressions and social nuances.
The program will start at a basic level and progress in levels to more complex expressions and meanings. The problem is getting the software to function accurately, and to generate the 3d facial model. Research into face recognition aids has mainly been video based using a selection process and using actors. My idea will be to progress this further into a 3d model form. I have to figure out exactly how as yet.

If anyone can offer possible technical advice it will be much appreciated.

MA Show

Recently I attended a Digital Arts show at NSAD. There was some really good pices on show, some were really inventive and captured the imagination. I found the whole show inspirational and look forward to showing my own work.

Cool stuff

Last week I attended two really cool workshops, the first was learning how to use After Effects, which was a little tricky. I found program a little frustrating at times but once I managed to get it working ok you can really create and control the images.
The second workshop was on VJ'ing which is using small video clips and mixing them together and as a sequence 'live' and projecting onto a screen in real time. I found that this was very artistic and a great application of entertainment and video production. Both workshops expanded my thoughts on how the skills and technology could be used to create unique pices of work.

Thanks for dropping by

This blog is about my progression on the MA in Digital Arts at NSAD over the next two years. I hope to share my interest of the subject with you as well as my views and opinions. Please feel free to add a comment.