November 28, 2024 : Kudos To Lightwave (‘s Marketing)
A sucker for nostalgia, I am still on Lightwave’s mailing list. While I don’t see myself getting a new version (or using an older version) anytime soon, I’m rooting for them. I don’t always read their emails, but I’m glad I saw this year’s Black Friday note.
Well done, Lightwave Marketing… well done. Also, solid work to the artist who did that piece!
posted by Pi Visuals at 12:28 am
Tags: Lightwave , The Iron GiantComment
November 9, 2024 : The Artist The Computer
I had not heard of animator and CG pioneer Lillian Schwartz; but when I read of her passing last month (at the age of 97), I watched the film “The Artist The Computer”, an informational film where she talks about computer-generated art:
It’s crazy that this was made nearly 50 years ago, particularly given Lillian’s insight and some of her techniques. She addressed concerns about the usage of computers in art that seemed prophetic.
As a side note, I was also a fan of the music.
posted by Pi Visuals at 3:17 am
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October 23, 2024 : Some Fun With C4D and Fields
A recent project allowed me to dive a little more into C4D – and stretch out my skillset with Fields. I had some collateral from a contractor for a new campaign, and the movements weren’t very dynamic (they lacked the bounce I love in certain motions). When I got the AE source files, I realized they used plug-ins that we didn’t have (ugh).
As a result, I needed to recreate the scenes with the movement I wanted. I could have done this in After Effects – although it would have been a bit tedious due to the repeating elements. I decided to go into C4D and was happy with the end results:
And here’s a second sequence, with the same theme:
The scene’s general setup was rather simple. I took two arrows and put them into a Cloner Object. I then added a Plain Effector and animated some Fields to get the movement (either a Spherical or Linear, depending on the file). It took a little time to get things going how I wanted, and the rest was simply tweaking things to lock it in.
There was one curveball where the Standard Renderer was acting funky. The fix was switching to the Physical Renderer. This was another reminder of how I could stand to get more knowledge around the rendering capabilities of C4D as I don’t know much about the differences between the various renderers.
posted by Pi Visuals at 11:50 pm
Tags: After Effects , Cinema 4DComment
October 2, 2024 : Aladdin’s Cash Grab
I recently watched the Aladdin Live Action Remake (compliments of the kiddos); and while my expectations were already low, I must say I was thoroughly underwhelmed. It’s worth pointing out that I am a huge fan of the original as it’s probably my favorite Disney movie, but I’d like to think my issues are legit and not (too) biased. Specifically: Aladdin’s arc, the undynamic cinematography, and Jafar… all things Jafar – and don’t get me started on the climactic scene.
Seeing as how it’s existing IP and banks on people’s nostalgia, I shouldn’t be surprised it raked in so much money (over $1B?!); but I guess I still am. That’s exceedingly successful financially and no doubt paved the way for future live action remakes. While I probably won’t be as vested in the production of those films, I feel the bottom line allows Disney to marginalize the value of animation in favor of live action, which saddens me.
That said, I realize the original wasn’t perfect:
Still, I still watch it and feel like it holds up – and extremely well.
posted by Pi Visuals at 11:57 pm
Tags: Aladdin , DisneyComment
September 6, 2024 : Dragon Ball Daima Trailer
The trailer for a new Dragon Ball show (?!) dropped. Dragon Ball Daima premieres next month, and it’s apparently a big deal.
The series takes place between the Buu saga and Super, and the main characters are turned to kids. The fact that that was the premise of GT does confuse me. Still, Toriyama was involved before his death so there’s that. I’m sure I’ll give it a look, but I’m pretty indifferent. Similar to Super, it has the benefit of the existing IP.
Speaking of which, I didn’t realize how divisive Super was. It’s either loved or hated. It’s tough to expect it to live up to DBZ, but I wouldn’t call it a travesty. As for Daima, I’ll probably have similar opinions of that as I do with Super… as long as they don’t have a driving episode.
posted by Pi Visuals at 11:54 pm
Tags: Akira Toriyama , DBZ , DragonballComment
August 15, 2024 : Cartoon Network’s Site Is No More
In a move that is equal parts bizarre, cheap, and ridiculous; Warner Bros. Discovery has abandoned CartoonNetwork.com. If you try to go to the site, you get a popup directing users to sign up for Max (the streaming service). It does mention that cable subscribers can still watch CN through the linear channel and connected apps.
Adult Swim hasn’t had the same fate, nor has other sites for other WBD’s cable channels – such as TNT, TBS, HGTV, and Discovery; but this does come on the heels of WBD announcing that Boomerang will cease operations on September 30, folding the streaming service subscribers and some of its content into Max.
All of this is a cost cutting move, which WBD needs badly given its recent financial woes. Paramount apparently made a similar move in June with Comedy Central. In either case, it’s another example of the fluidity in IP associated with streaming platforms’ uncertainty.
posted by Pi Visuals at 10:26 pm
Tags: Adult Swim , Cartoon NetworkComment
July 22, 2024 : Happy Pi Approximation Day!
Is it July already? Rather than dwell on summer being half over, let’s focus on the greatness of Pi Approximation Day! After all, we’re only a third of the way through summer if you base it off the solstice/astronomical definition versus the meteorological.
Call it whatever you want – ballparking it, taking a shortcut, or simply half-assing things – but I’ll use it as an excuse to celebrate Pi.
posted by Pi Visuals at 10:20 am
Tags: PiComment
July 6, 2024 : Mid-Year Check In – 2024
With half the calendar year in the books (what?!) – and in the spirit of personal accountability – I wanted to re-visit the goals I set out for myself for the year. Below are the six goals I made at the end of last year, with quick updates:
A) Update Reel/Resume: Done and done
B) Increase the number of posts in 2024 (goal = 24): I am currently on pace to hit 24. Although, it’s worth pointing out that I started the year writing more frequently, but it has started to taper.
C) Get more acquainted with new software (C4D and/or Unreal): Partially done. I have spent some time in C4D and am scheduled to take a one day refresher class later this month. Even with the class, it’s an ongoing goal.
D) Finish writing script from 2022 (Henching): Haven’t started
E) Create updated Vegeta Cosplay: Done (and Awesome)
F) Increase camera knowledge/skillset: This has been sort of done, but it is another ongoing goal. In hindsight, I wish I made a more trackable metric for this.
All in all, I am feeling pretty good about what I’ve done so far. Most of the remaining goals are ongoing, which means it will require focus and discipline on me to objectively consider them accomplished. Hopefully I’m up for the challenge.
posted by Pi Visuals at 12:47 am
Tags: GoalsComment
June 29, 2024 : New Regular Show? Yes, Please!
Filed under “Awesome (Hopefully)”, a new Regular Show series is in the works. Announced earlier this month, not much is currently known about the series, but creator, J.G. Quintel, will once again helm the show.
It’s crazy to think the finale was 7.5 years ago, and plenty happened in it, including a prologue into the futures of the main characters. This raises the question of what the series will even be about. Rather than speculate, I’ll just wait this out and give the new series a shot.
It also got me thinking about Quintel’s follow up series, Close Enough, which I even wrote about when first announced. I remember hearing about production issues but didn’t realize it eventually ran for three seasons before getting cancelled – and then subsequently taken off Max completely. Since I can’t watch Close Enough at the moment, perhaps I’ll re-watch some classic Rigby and Mordecai while waiting for the new episodes.
posted by Pi Visuals at 12:30 am
Tags: Regular ShowComment
June 6, 2024 : Reacquainting Myself With Smear Frames
Lately, I’ve been spending some time looking more into Smear Frames. I’ve always been a fan of the technique – not only because of its functionality of depicting motion blur in animation but because I always thought the artwork was really cool (and fun). It seems like there were more blogs in the past devoted to them, but I was still able to scrounge up some cool articles about them.
While used commonly in traditional animation, specifically with characters, it’s a technique that can be applied to motion graphics as well; and it doesn’t have to be done solely via hand drawn content. There are a few ways to capture the effect in After Effects – and without using the overused Motion Blur setting.
posted by Pi Visuals at 12:11 am
Tags: AnimationComment