Week 1
BULLET RIGID BODIES

This week we got introduced to the workflow and different techniques in creating rigid simulations in Maya. With the used of The Bullet physic engine.

Investigate

Some good examples on good breakdowns in FX and Simulations.

Things to consider

Before we jump straight to the simulations in Maya there are some things to consider first. Like check if the project window settings are correct.

Also be aware of the frame pr second. For the most part we will use 25 fps (for TV, video screen). But we can also use 24 fps (film) or 29,97 (american television).

We also need to check if the playback speed is sett to Play every frame. If not, it will mess up the calculations.

Scene scale

In Maya it thinks that a 1 unit is equal to 1 cm^2

Any simulations is working in real world unit. Which means that 1 unit is equal to 1 m^2. That is a big difference! What does it mean for the simulations? Well the animation will looks like it is in slow motion and it will also have a lot of details.

How do we solve this problem? Scale the object down? Well then we got other issues, like modelling and clipping will be difficult and hard. What we can do is tweaking the simulation

Bullet Plugin - Dominos

Unfortunately the plugin does not loaded by default.

Mash - Dominos

Body shatter

Week 2
NCLOTH

This week we got introduce to cloth simulation - Ncloth. The main focus is to use Mayas ncoth, look at the workflow and techniques for creating and make cloth simulations. For this week I am going to try to create a Flag animation and a reference video to show my workflow. I will also look at more advanced aspects of Ncloth, like cloth with characters, tearing and pressure.

Flag

Man walking with skirt

Week 3
PARTICLES

Week 4
SMOKE

Bifrost download

Week 5
BIFROST GRAPH COMBUSTION AERO SYSTEM

Assignment 1: Artefact Destruction and Cloth

This assignment has two parts. First part was to create a 10 second clip demonstrating destruction with dynamics in Maya. For the second part was to demonstrate the draping or movement of fabric via cloth systems in Maya. This should also become a 10-second-long clip.

Assignment part 1:

Deliverable: Video

Create a video of approximately 10 seconds duration, following this structure:

Opening title (1-2 sec)

Real destruction footage (4-5 sec)

Simulated destruction footage rendered from Maya (4-5 sec)

The video should show the real-world footage you are trying to replicate, ideally filmed by you, followed by the replica simulation in Maya. The simulation should de demonstrated via a short-rendered animation. Marks are awarded for the realism and believability of the simulation and rendering.

Assignment part 2:

Deliverable: Video

Create a video of approximately 10 seconds duration, following this structure:

Opening title (1-2 sec)

Real destruction footage (4-5 sec)

Simulated destruction footage rendered from Maya (4-5 sec)

Submission format: Resolution: HD 1920x1080 Format: Mpeg H.264 codec

The video should show the real-world footage you are trying to replicate, ideally filmed by you, followed by the replica cloth simulation in Maya. The simulation should de demonstrated via a short-rendered animation. Marks are awarded for the realism and believability of the simulation and rendering.

Date of Submission: Week 8 (precise submission date confirmed by class tutor / module leader via blackboard

Assignment 1 - Video

Destruction

Cloth

Assignment 1 - Breakdown

Destruction

Cloth

Week 8
BIFROST PART 01

Week 9
BIFROST PART 2

Week 10
BIFROST GRAPH MPM

Week 11
STRANDS

Week 12
XGEN HAIR

Week 13
BIFROST INSTANCES

Week 14
SIMPLE PARTICLE SOLVER

Playblast

Arnold

Assignment 2: Environmental Effects, Three Scenarios

Assessment task:

The assignment is to make three photo real rendered environmental effects scenarios. These scenarios will be defined by these three titles:

Natural – Simulated environmental effect mimicking a natural phenomenon that occurs in the world. Example - rain, wind, fog, fire or shooting stars.
Fantasy Sci-Fi - Simulated environmental effect that has a fantasy or science fiction element. Example – Worm hole or glowing magic cloud.
Surreal - Simulated environmental effect that has an odd or unexpected element. Example – Diamonds covering every surface in the scene.

The Assignment will consist of:

One animation 5 Secs long plus 2 sec title page, demonstrating one of the scenarios.
Two rendered stills, demonstrating the two other scenarios.

If you want to make all three as videos. Please do. Remember it will all add to your showreel!

Rendering will also form part of this assignment. Marks will be awarded for the accurate replication of a real-world simulated lighting conditions as well as for the realism and believability of the simulated environmental effects.