Amalgamation

Autodesk MatchMover and Smoke 2013

visualz — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:40:23 UTC

In this short video, I show the general workflow for creating a 3D camera solve from real world footage using Autodesk MatchMover 2013. The resulting data is then brought into Smoke's Action module and the 3D cloud of points are available for things like creating hierarchies of lights, other cameras, FBX geometry, 3D text, additional footage layers, etc.

I hope you enjoy!

//garyD

Autodesk 3ds Max 2013 & MediaSync Interop

visualz — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:27:02 UTC

In this video, I explore how Autodesk 3ds Max 2013 enhances the way you work with Adobe software applications including Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects .The new Media Sync functionality within 3ds Max provides industry-leading interoperability with After Effects and Photoshop software, making it one of the most powerful tools available to motion graphics artists today. If you use After Effects software, you’ll find a level of interoperability in 3ds Max that sets a higher standard for bi-directional 2D/3D data exchange. The new Media Sync functionality provides two-way transfer of cameras, lights, null objects, plane objects/solids, footage layering, blend modes, opacity, and effects; with it, you can iterate more effectively and reduce rework to complete projects in less time.

Special thanks to the gang who created the ipad game, Band Together, for supplying the content used is this demonstration.

i hope you enjoy!

//gD

Autodesk Smoke 2013 for 3D Artists - Part I

visualz — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 20:26:57 UTC

This is a revisit of a demo I created for SigGraph 2012 that highlights the new Autodesk Smoke 2013 software with emphasis to 3D production pipelines. Since there was so much content generated, this will be part one of a mult-part series on the subject.

Stay tuned for part II and dont forget to download the trial of Autodesk Smoke 2013 while the trial is still available for FREE!

http://usa.autodesk.com/smoke-for-mac/trial/

//gD

SigGraph Partner Brief; Boxx Technologies

visualz — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:06:42 UTC

This brief video was shot at SigGraph 2012. In addition to showing the new Smoke 2013 at the Autodesk booth, I was also in LA demoing some Autodesk applications at the Boxx Technologies booth (including 3ds Max and Backburner). Both GPU and CPU based rendering was performed all week on several new offerings for artists and designers.

In the coming weeks I will be expanding this discussions in much more depth. My current goal for these coming blog posts include:

GPU based rendering in 3ds Max on NVIDIA Maximus architecture(s)
CPU based network rendering with 3ds Max and Autodesk Backburner
CPU based distributed bucket rendering with 3ds Max and mental ray

I am also open to suggestions for these coming blogs pertaining to hardware and software solutions for rendering large volumes of stills and animaitons using 3ds Max. Please Fire away!

For more information on the systems seen in this video, please visit the Boxx Technologies links below.

RenderPRO Series

3D Boxx 4000 Series

...and see you soon for more of this in depth when I'm not surrounded with trade show madness!

//gD

Behind the Scenes SigGraph Prep - 3ds Max and Smoke 2013

visualz — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:42:54 UTC

Behind the Scenes SigGraph Prep - 3ds Max and Smoke 2013.

This is a quick video to show some of the prep work for my presentation at SigGraph 2012. The specific focus is in establishing the spatial relationship between 3ds Max's units and Smoke's 3D compositing environment, Action. I also show some tips on how to bring rendered assets that are numbered image sequences with alpha channels into Smoke using the MediaHub, as well as some options for Matte Container workflows. This is not the "sexy stuff" of a SigGraph demo, but its important for users looking to have a successful interop between 3ds Max and Smoke.

I hope you enjoy and i hope to see you all at SigGraph in LA!

//gD

Quick Fix - 3ds Max 2013, State Sets and Network Rendering

visualz — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:06:56 UTC

There is a small issue with 3ds Max 2013 and its new feature called State Sets. As it shipped, 3ds Max 2013 State Sets cannot naively record a flag to enable or disable network rendering. This is due to the fact that this is no longer a check box "flag". This short video shows a quick, band-aid fix to enable users to work with State Sets in 3ds Max 2013 and opt to use network rendering or not with the click of a button.

enjoy!

//gD

Autodesk Smoke 2012 for 3D Artists

visualz — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:00:00 UTC

This is a rebroadcast of an M&E webinar where I demonstrated how Autodesk Smoke 2012 can work in tandem with a 3D CGI pipeline for creative finishing. Workflows discussed include multiple methods of compositing CGI render passes using 2D & 3D compositing while simultaneously storytelling in a non-linear, editorial workflow. Several post processing effects are explored including global and selective color correction, depth of field and stereoscopic assembly using left/right camera CG renders.

UPDATE & NOTE - this video was recorded with Autodesk Smoke 2012. Users can now download a trial version of the newer 2013 release here. http://usa.autodesk.com/smoke-for-mac/ This includes significant changes to the User Interface, but no features shown in this video above have been removed from the application. //garyD

0:00:00 Intro
0:01:08 Getting organized
0:09:46 Editorial timeline compositing
0:27:38 Desktop creative tools
0:35:18 Action; 3D compositing
0:46:22 FBX virtual sets from 3ds Max w/ Substance maps
1:01:12 Additional resources

I hope you enjoy it!

//gD

Free Paint Software from Autodesk for Windows & Mac!

visualz — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:00:00 UTC

Autodesk and the makers of Copic Markers have teamed up!

Copic is a brand of alcohol marker developed by Too Corporation of Japan. Sold in more than 50 countries, the multipurpose markers are used in design, education, architecture, fashion, illustration, comics/manga, hobbies and craft.

Read more about the partnership and find links to download FREE Windows & Mac versions of the software HERE

'Happy New Year to all... enjoy!

//gD

GPU Hardware Rendering with 3ds Max Quicksilver

visualz — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:00:00 UTC

This video is my lecture created for Autodesk University 2011.

GPU-accelerated rendering within Autodesk 3ds Max software is no longer limited to the iRay rendering engine. In this 90-minute session, I explore numerous options now available with the 3ds Max Quicksilver hardware renderer. Quicksilver accelerates rendering by using both the CPU and the GPU and is somewhat like having a game-engine renderer within 3ds Max. The main role of the CPU is to translate scene data for rendering; this includes compiling shaders for the specific graphic card in use - then the GPU does the heavy lifting of rendering tasks.

Intro & verifying hardware compatibility (0:0:00)
Similarities & differences to iRay (starts at 0:5:52)
GPU monitors (0:31:00)
Wicked-easy setups (0:35:32)
The main QS Interface (0:44:45)
NPR & Stylized rendering (0:53:01)
Render Elements (1:00:48)
Autodesk Composite (1:07:22)
Custom AO, contour and direct lighting/shadow passes (1:14:07)
Additional Tips & Tricks in Autodesk Composite (1:20:32)
Nitrous texture limiting (1:25:54)

Summary:

3ds Max users of all types can take advantage of the Quicksilver hardware rendering engine. There can be different uses at various points in a production cycle to create stills/animations with a faster turnaround, or more iterations of a piece in the same amount of time as a software renderer. This is true even if projects are destined to use a different rendering engine for the final deliverable. GPU rendering within 3ds Max has more options that ever so its time to hit the hardware, people!

A few important things to reitarate:

Verify you have Shader model 3.0 via DirectX to work with Quicksilver
The Arch+Design shader works with Quicksilver, mental ray and iRay so its easy to flip-flop renderes with it
Use Iterations for final output of animations
When using the Quicksilver hardware renderer, change the Material Editor renerer to mental ray to speed it up

Web and download links:

EVGA Precision (Free GPU monitor app)
Tech PowerUp's GPU-Z (Free GPU monitor app)

MaxScripts - tiny ZIP file including:

Randomize Object (Wireframe) Color - for Object ID Render Element option in QS
Texture Map Limit - option for Nitrous viewports
Bobo's NPR Explorer - for Nitrous viewports

I hope you all enjoy!

//gD

3ds Max State Sets and (some) Smoke tools for 3D Artists

visualz — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 20:00:00 UTC

This first video takes a look at setting up render passes and other uses for the "State Sets" in 3ds Max 2012. This is a new feature offering found in the Subscription Advantage Pack shown for the first time at SigGraph 2011. In addition, CG render passes are then brought over to Autodesk Smoke 2012 to explore the uses of timeline editorial compositing, stereoscopic workflows, as well and additional effects tailored to 3D artists.

3ds Max Subscription Advantage Pack for 2012; "State Sets" (Feature)

- Render passes using different renderers

- Camera switching and passing out Render Elements per camera

- Viewport configuration (an example of a State Set use for non-rendering folks)

Autodesk Smoke 2012 including the Subscription Advantage Pack

- Non-linear editing and compositing 3ds Max Render Elements in the Timeline

- Creating stereoscopic assets from monoscopic left/right streams rendered out of 3ds Max

- Flame FX; Depth of Field

- Flame FX2; Matchbox Z-Rays

garyD's note - In the above video, there is a small error on my part that you might catch, but doesnt affect the feature or workflow shown. During the creation of the stereo pairs, I accidentally picked the left/right in the backwards order. I blame the late night hours leading up to SigGraph for this and apologize for the error on my part!

This second video is from our friends over at nVidia and shows the new iRay Activeshade window now available to 3ds Max 2012 via the subscription Advantage Pack. Michael Kaplan also shows a technology preview of iRay rendering on the cloud...

For a look at all the killer presenations from Autodesk at SigGraph 2011, Please follow this link to the AREA micro-site!

//garyD

Network Rendering with 3ds Max

visualz — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:00:00 UTC

This is a brief video to discuss, at a very high level, the different types of network rendering available to Autodesk 3ds Max users out-of-the-box. (4 minutes).

I'd also like to offer up a link to an older whitepaper I put together a few years back. Please note that while I havent updated this technical information in a little while, the fundamentals outlined within are still applicable to Autodesk Backburner.

Down on the Farm (PDF)

no excuse not to rrrrrender!

//gD

Two Quick Sites to get FREE STUFF!

visualz — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 20:00:00 UTC

Its no secret that Autodesk is a pretty big company. There is a lot that goes on here all over the world and with all the products we maintain, sometimes its difficult to keep track of (or find!) all the available resources that are out there. During several customer visits recently, I had the opportunity to share several of these as questions about different things popped up - ie: "where can we get free tree models" or "does 3ds Max have the ability to work with point clouds?". Well, look no further...

Today's blog entry, I give you Autodesk Labs and Autodesk Seek <<< (these are the links)

What is Autodesk Labs?

Autodesk Labs is home to innovative new technologies and collaborative development. Its mission is to involve you, the customer, in the progress of design technology solutions. We’re not a beta program (although Autodesk does have an active beta community), or a usability team, because the technology we work with is too new to be a product. The user feedback that you provide to Labs is really on product ideas, while they’re still in an early conceptual stage. Ultimately, Labs is a reflection of Autodesk’s commitment to connecting with new and existing users, enabling direct feedback that leads to better products and solutions.

The best way to learn about Autodesk Labs is to start experimenting yourself. Check out the different technologies available on Autodesk Labs, participate in the discussion groups and blogs, and be sure to register to receive email updates when new technologies are posted. Try out our free technology previews, test them and tell us what you think. Your comments, experience and insight help drive the future of Autodesk innovation.

TIP: check out the Media and Entertainment section for information pertaining to Autodesk M&E products

About Autodesk Seek

The Autodesk® Seek web service enables architects, engineers, and artists to quickly discover, preview, and download branded and generic building information modeling (BIM) files, models, drawings, and product specifications for their active design sessions.

Key features include:

Manufacturer-supplied product information — Access BIM models, drawings, and product specifications for more than 37,000 commercial and residential building products from nearly 1,000 manufacturers.

Powerful parametric search technology — Search by key attributes, including dimensions, materials, performance, sustainability, or manufacturer name using industry-standard classifications.

Preview and explore models before downloading — View, rotate, zoom, and slice product models, and then download the accurate, lightweight files.

Support for multiple formats and files — Select the formats and files that work for you including 3ds Max and Maya files, Revit, DWG™, DGN, and SKP files (that import into 3ds Max) and PDFs.

TIP: do a filtered search for 3ds Max and Maya files and search for "tree". there are hundreds of free, textured models ready and waiting. I sense a mental ray proxy forest in your futures!

I hope you find these two resources useful and check them out again and again.

cheers!

//garyD

New SPECapc for 3ds Max

visualz — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:00:00 UTC

Years ago I had the opportunity to work on a project contracted by Intel to create a performance benchmarch for 3ds Max. This is a series of *.MAX scenes to standardize the testing of different performance tasks. like modeling, viewports, rendering, etc. Well, it's now years later and its been updated to more current standards and is now available for download.

Here is a review of the spec with some images:

http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2011/7/6/review-specapc-for-3ds-max-2011-professional-benchmark.aspx?pageid=0

...and here is the download page of the SPEC itself >>>

http://www.spec.org/gwpg/apc.static/max2011info.html

'hats off to Zack Baker, Mike O’Rourke of Fritz Studio and Andy Murdock of Lots of Robots, who also contributed to this project.

enjoy!

//gD

Over 100 Free Particle Flow Presets from Allan McKay

visualz — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:00:00 UTC

For some time now (since the release of 3ds Max 2010), 'Max has shipped with over 100 Particle Flow presets that users can take advantage of for their various project types. These are included with every copy of 3ds Max, however they are not part of a default install. These presets are broken down into four elemental effects for air, earth, fire, water as well as "logo" presets for motion graphics and broadcast designers. Here, we'll take a look at where to find them, how to install them and finally how to access them within 3ds Max.

Visual effects artist and fellow 3ds Max Master, Allan McKay, was contracted to created these Particle Flow presets specifically to ship with 3ds Max. They are a killer starting point for projects, as well as an excellent way for new users to reverse-engineer Particle Flow's event-driven particle system.

You can download my edited versions with categories as a prefix here:

DOWNLOAD Partilcle Flow Presets RENAMED

I hope you enjoy the presets and please spread the word!

Untill next time,

//garyD

Autodesk Hit Portland!

visualz — Tue, 17 May 2011 20:00:00 UTC

A few of us recently had the opportunity to visit the great city of Portland, Oregon on the 2011 Autodesk M&E roadshow. This was in support of our ongoing launch and promotion of the 2012 software product lineup as well as the Entertainment Creation Suites.

My good friend and fellow senior Technical Specialist, Marcel deJong and I tag-team-presented for just over three hours and covered every M&E software application including Autodesk 3ds Max 2012 and Maya 2012 - as well as the Suites interop of these two products in tandem with Motionbuilder 2012, Softimage 2012, Mudbox 2012, Composite 2012 and Matchmover 2012. We were going a mile a minute and both really came away from the event (exhausted) and pleased with the enthusiasm of the attendees. It was a blast, for sure.

Thanks very, very much to everyone who made it out to the event! I know I personally spoke to several people who drive over two hours to make it, and I hope we didn’t disappoint!

I highly encourage any readers of this blog entry to keep your eyes and ears peeled for more roadshow events promoting the 2012 product line up. My team is covering all of North America in the next few weeks so check in with your local reseller and I also suggest everyone to follow M&E on facebook to keep up with upcoming events, webinars and more!

For more information and 30 day trial versions of the individual 2012 software products as well as the Entertainment Creation Suites, please check the “Products” link at the top of this AREA website.

Extra thanks go out to our partners who were present and helped make this all possible:

3DV - Autodesk Reseller and Gold Partner for Media and Entertainment software
Wacom - THE one and only. Thanks for the Intuos4 giveaway!
PNY - Quadro professional graphics solutions. Thanks for the Quadro FX 4000 giveaway!
3dPDX - The Portland 3D User Group
Cascade SigGraph - Pacific Northwest arm of the 'org.
Lightbeam systems Inc. - Kick ass hardware systems for all M&E software products.

More photos from the event can be seen here and here. thanks to Kurt Macey and Joe Myers for sharing these!

'hope to see you on the road soon...

//garyD

iRay Animation and Composite Sweetening

visualz — Wed, 11 May 2011 20:00:00 UTC

This set of videos first takes a look at setting up and using the iRay rendering engine native to Autodesk 3ds Max 2012 for animations. These raw animation frames are then sweetened using Autodesk 3ds Max Composite 2012. The rapid growth of iRay's popularity has been staggering. While this is certainly the case, most discussions around iRay seem to typically focus on static image (still) renderings. Here, we'll focus on using iRay to generate realistic animation sequences that will, in turn, feed compositing workflows in 3ds Max Composite 2012.

This first video introduces the task at hand, discusses some instances when people might look to use the iRay renderer, and also opens the discussion up as to the requirements for working within iRay.

The second video continues the discussion around iRay's requirements and the use of the mental ray Photographic Exposure Controls. It also introduces the use of a free, third-party solution to monitor the GPU processing and memory use of your graphics card (LINK> www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/)

The next video briefly discusses material and shader considerations for iRay and also touches upon GPU acceleration for network rendering.

The next video details a few benefits of iRay as well as introduces a free MaxScript to accomodate render passes for iRay (LINK > www.scriptspot.com/3ds-max/scripts/quick-passes )

The last video in the set takes a look at how you can take raw rendered sequences from 3ds Max iRay and bring them over to Autodesk 3ds Max Composite 2012 for sweetening and versioning.

I hope you enjoy this brief look at one workflow using iRay for animated sequences. Needless to say, its wicked to have so many options to choose from. 3ds Max 2012 now offers four native rendering solutions out-of-the-box including Scanline, mental ray, Quicksilver and iRay... phew! 'time to get rendering.

Cheers,

//garyD

But Wait! There's More!

The two bonus-videos below are excerpts from a larger presentation at the GPU Technology Conference. Here, nVidia's CEO, Jen-Hsun Huang, introduces 3ds Max, iRay and discusses the possibilities now (and in the future!) with our very own, Ken Pimentel.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Upcoming lecture at Evolve Conference - Orlando, FL

visualz — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:00:00 UTC

The weekend of April 30th & May 1st, 2011 is the Evolve Animation Conference to be held in Orlando, Florida.

evolve3d.net/

"The Evolve CG conference is designed to offer guidance to students interested in breaking into the computer animation industry with the help of established industry specialists in preparing demo reels, resumes and more. Evolve CG joins computer graphic professionals and recruiters, in delivering multiple high end classes taught by some of the most renowned experienced artists from the most celebrated studios around the world."

This year I will be presenting a lecture on Rendering and Compositing Workflows featuring the new releases of Autodesk 3ds Max 2012 and Autodesk Composite 2012. I'll probably focus around mental ray & iRay rendering, some tricks with render elements and passes and then ultimately slapping it all together in Composite for final look treatments.

evolve3d.net/featured-speaker-gary-davis/

Evolve also includes a huge job fair for people and there are also many other speakers at this event. I know personally i'm looking forward to hearing Shane Acker speak about his award winning CGI film, "9" (Prdoced by Tim Burton). Really an inspiration when you consider his feature film directorial debut came out of a animated short he did on a shoe-string budget.

'hope to see ya there!

//gD

Dont call it a Comeback...

visualz — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:00:00 UTC

This is a simple, two-set video tutorial showing a basic workflow on some CG rendered footage coming out of 3ds Max. The goal here is to compare and contrast a workflow that people might be used to doing in Autodesk Combustion that they now might be looking to accomplish in Autodesk Composite.

In the first video, we'll take a look at how to do "selective effects" such as a localized color correction. We'll also take a look at one method of creating a post-process depth of field effect based on luminance values of a Z-depth (grayscale) render pass. The following shows one workflow in Combustion

oh my!

...and the following is how to accomlish the same basic effects using Autodesk Composite...

To the hardcore Combustion and Composite AREA freaks, please forgive the repost of an older tutorial set. I wanted to do so to establish a launch point of ideas and please Please PLEASE feel free to post ideas and suggestions about similar 'apples and oranges' video tips and tricks along these lines. I'll monitor the blog to see what people might be interested in seeing more of pertaining to workflow comparisons between Autodesk Combustion and Autodesk Composite.

cheers,

/garyD

Jumping into BlogTown...

visualz — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:00:00 UTC

Well, needless to say I’m VERY excited to be posting my first AREA blog entry and man, what I time to start! We just wrapped up a week-long "boot camp" at the M&E headquarters in Montreal, flew home for a day to do laundry, on to the Autodesk One Team Conference in Las Vegas and then flew directly from there to the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. ummm, airport chicken Caesar salads are oh so tasty!

Any visit to the mothership is always a pleasure, even in brutally cold February. Boot camp is an exciting opportunity to get together with many of the other Technical Specialists from all across the world and I can say that I now have friends on every continent. We basically have a daily laptop-party and beat on the new releases of the software mercilessly. Also on hand are many of the product managers, product designers and developers collaborating and sharing ideas across many different industries and specializations.

OTC is a killer opportunity for the entire global sales force at Autodesk to get together with our resellers and partners to discuss products, customer needs, marketing and oh yeah, did I mention it’s in Vegas? I’ve already said too much. Below is this year’s entry that my team worked on for the Technical Specialists video for 2011. Needless to say, we had some long nights and some good fun making this one.

Sooo... I'm sending this first blog post along from my hotel room in San Francisco. The GDC booth is looking killer and the show opens tomorrow. Much more news from the show coming soon.

I mean have you seen these new 2012 releases?!?!

Zoinks:

I'll keep this first post short as I've got lots to prep for tomorrow's world premiere. Thanks very much for coming by my new "Amalgamation" blog. I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to share what’s going on at Autodesk Media & Entertainment, with our awesome customers and also as many workflow tips and tricks as i can crank out (without making my eyes bleed at 4AM).

Cheers!

//garyD