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Current Projects

Buchanan Alive 3D Arist album cover

Recent Project – Alive Album Art

By Current Projects, My PortfolioNo Comments

I just finished the cover art for Buchanan’s upcoming ‘Alive’ album, a collaboration with lead singer Josh Simons. It’s his face that’s sculpted behind the sheet. Really fun project to work on once again!

In the next few weeks I plan to make a ‘making of’ video that details the process behind this album, which involved a few fun steps! I used some photogrammetry techniques to build a rough ‘sketch’ of the head, then sculpted a corrected version in Zbrush. I simulated the “Vacuum seal sheet” that seems to pushing in all around the face using the Ephere Lucid plugin for 3ds Max. I then added specific details to the simulated result – again in Zbrush. Finally it was rendered in 3ds Max using Vray and composited in Photoshop.

I have also created an entry in my Portfolio for this project. I will be adding more details about the project over the next few weeks!

[image title=”Alive Album Cover – Zbrush Sculpt” width=”544″ height=”306″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/16-10-07-Alive-Album-Art.jpg [/image]
October 7, 2016
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Virtual Reality Rapid Prototyping Tool - Reel Pictures VR

Reel Pictures Virtual Reality Experiences

By Current Projects, Software, Virtual Reality, What I'm Working on (WIWO)No Comments

I’ve been working on a few different Virtual Reality “Demos” over the past few months at Reel Pictures. This post outlines the different VR demos we have been working on.

Inspired by the fantastic “Job Simulator” app, I’ve made a Virtual “cartridge” for each of the demos. People can put on the VR headset, literally pick up the cartridge they like, inspect it from any angle and then place it into our cartridge loader to begin the “Experience”.

All demos are currently in alpha so re-writable prototype carts are being used – haha. They will have proper label art closer to release.

[image title=”Virtual Reality Landscape Demo – Reel Pictures VR” width=”544″ height=”403″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”Reel Pictures Virtual Reality Melbourne” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/16-07-18_Reel_Pictures_Virtual_Reality_Demo_01.jpg [/image]

(Above) This is what the front of the cartridges look like – very much inspired by the classic NES Cartridges. It was modelled in 3DS Max and textured in Substance Painter. This demo is a collection of “Landscape Tests” – large environments that can be explored in Virtual Reality.

[margin type=”30″] [image title=”Cartridge Rear – Reel Pictures VR” width=”544″ height=”403″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”Reel Pictures Virtual Reality Melbourne” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/16-07-18_Reel_Pictures_Virtual_Reality_Demo_03.jpg [/image]

(Above) This is the rear of the cartridges – the label is inspired by the sticker on the back of Nintendo 64 cartridges.

[margin type=”30″] [image title=”Virtual Reality Rapid Prototyping Tool – Reel Pictures VR” width=”544″ height=”403″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”Reel Pictures Virtual Reality Melbourne” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/16-07-18_Reel_Pictures_Virtual_Reality_Demo_02.jpg [/image]

(Above) This is the first VR demo I have began working on – a tool to view CAD models in a real-world scale in Virtual Reality – a VR Rapid Prototyping tool. This is one of the best use-cases for Virtual Reality at the current time (July 2016), in my opinion.

[margin type=”30″] [image title=”Virtual Reality Tabletop CAD Viewer – Reel Pictures VR” width=”544″ height=”403″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”Reel Pictures Virtual Reality Melbourne” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/16-07-18_Reel_Pictures_Virtual_Reality_Demo_04.jpg [/image]

(Above) This demo is a tabletop CAD model viewer. It allows you to view large CAD models (such as apartment blocks) in Virtual Reality. They are viewed at scale – as if they are sitting on a table in-front of you. The user will eventually be able to “switch” between a scaled table-top model and a real-world scale model at will, change the time of day, view multiple versions of the same building on top of each other – for comparison, and much more. This is another fun demo that is the most developed.

[margin type=”30″] [image title=”Museum of the Hoddle Grid – Reel Pictures VR” width=”544″ height=”403″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”Reel Pictures Virtual Reality Melbourne” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/16-07-18_Reel_Pictures_Virtual_Reality_Demo_05.jpg [/image]

(Above) This is the first VR demo I ever developed, a project that began in mid 2015. It is a Virtual Reality walkthrough of the “Museum of the Hoddle Grid” – a proposal by Paul Evans, Nigel Westbrook and myself to the Royal Society of Victoria. The Museum of the Hoddle Grid is pitched as as a museum dedicated to the history of the “Melbourne Grid” – the network of streets designed by Robert Hoddle. It will feature the world’s first Mixed Reality Exhibition space – where all the exhibits exist as digital holograms that interact with the physical environment around you. Since this was my first VR demo, its cartridge is gold! The main demo is an interactive walkthrough of the 1st-floor exhibition space. Another component of this VR demo is a scaled version of the entire building that you can view from any angle.

[margin type=”30″] [image title=”Akagi Aircraft Carrier VR – Reel Pictures Virtual Reality Demo” width=”544″ height=”403″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”Reel Pictures Virtual Reality Melbourne” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/16-07-18_Reel_Pictures_Virtual_Reality_Demo_06.jpg [/image]

(Above) This is a Virtual Reality demo we are aiming to show museum directors, galleries and event management companies. The participant puts on their VR headset and appears on the 260m deck of the Akagi Aircraft carrier stationed in the middle of the ocean. Utilizing the VR motion controllers, they can use their hands to ‘pick apart’ a Mitsubishi Zero fighter plane that sits on the deck – picking up each of the aircraft panels one by one. They can also sit inside the cockpit of the plane!

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Find out more

In the coming weeks I am going to be recording and sharing some videos of these VR Demos in action. If you are interested in trying out any of these demos, or chatting more about Virtual Reality, get in touch via my contact page or the Reel Pictures contact page.

July 18, 2016
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Virtual Reality Presentation Reel Pictures

Virtual Reality Demo for the Royal Society of Victoria

By Current Projects, Virtual Reality, What I'm Working on (WIWO)No Comments
[image title=”Museum of the Hoddle Grid Presentation at the Royal Society of Victoria” width=”544″ height=”408″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-06-09_Virtual_Reality_Presentation_Reel_Pictures_FeaturedIMG.jpg [/image]

Tonight was the big night! I did a VR presentation to the Royal Society of Victoria with Paul Evans, Alf Kuhlmann and Ivy Tseung. The VR component was nearly 2 months in the making with 2 audience practice runs beforehand. It was really, really fun and we learnt a lot along the way!

We presented our idea of a “Museum of the Hoddle Grid” – envisioned by Paul Evans and Nigel Westbrook as a 3 story high multi-use building with a dedicated Mixed Reality exhibition space. This would be the 1 location dedicated to the history of Melbourne, Robert Hoddle and his Hoddle Grid.

Fingers crossed this proposal will eventually become a reality!

 

June 9, 2016
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Reel Pictures VR Presentation

Reel Pictures VR Presentation at NH Architecture

By Current Projects, Virtual Reality, What I'm Working on (WIWO)No Comments

I recently presented my first VR Demo to an audience of Architects with the help of Melbourne based Architect Paul Evans, Reel Pictures Studio Director Alf Kuhlmann and my wife Ivy.

The demo is a Virtual Reality walkthrough for a new 3 story building proposal for the Royal Society of Victoria. This proposal is a collaboration with myself and Architects Paul Evans and Nigel Westbrook.

The 1st floor of this building houses the world’s first dedicated Mixed Reality Museum exhibition space. This is an exhibition dedicated the Hoddle Grid – the backbone of Melbourne.

It’s taken me 6 weeks to develop this very first VR experience. It allows the participant to walk around inside the proposed “Museum of the Hoddle Grid” exhibition area and get an idea of what the holographic virtual exhibits would be like.

We presented this demo to NH Architecture in Melbourne. Next week, we will give the same presentation to the Royal Society of Victoria. It has been a lot of fun (and a lot of late nights) putting it together. Thanks to my family and friends who gave it a test run and supplied some great feedback!

June 3, 2016
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Buchanan Lyric Video Motion Graphics

Lyric Video for Buchanan’s “Pressure in an Empty Space”

By Current Projects, What I'm Working on (WIWO)No Comments

I recently put this video together for Buchanan. This was a very fun shoot at the Melbourne Airport that required a lot of Rotoscoping to composite everything all together!

May 31, 2016
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Pressure in an Empty Space Album Artwork Design

Buchanan – Pressure in an Empty Space released

By Current Projects, My PortfolioNo Comments

I am extremely excited to share the Album Art for Buchanan’s upcoming “Pressure in an Empty Space.” I was tasked with creating the art that had to somehow represent a very deep & personal collection of music – a big challenge but one that was extremely fun. I’m really proud of the result and really glad to have been able to be a part of this project.

Josh gave me an initial brief for this mid last year. We recently settled on a concept and I completed the art right before heading off on my honeymoon. It was a lot of fun being a part of this and I hope it captures the essence of the music it represents!

Read more about my work on this project here on it’s portfolio page.

It’s not possible to say this without sounding biased but this really is an incredible record! This music has been a part of my life these past 10 months straight and I can’t recommend it enough.

It’s available on CD and iTunes now.

[image title=”Cover Art for Pressure in an Empty Space” width=”544″ height=”408″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”PIAES” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-04-29_Buchanan_Pressure_In_An_Empty_Space_Album_Cover.jpg [/image] [image title=”I also did the photography used on the album inlay” width=”544″ height=”419″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”PIAES” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-04-29_Buchanan_Pressure_In_An_Empty_Space_Artwork.jpg [/image]

 

April 29, 2016
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Michael Wentworth-Bell - Virtual Reality Designer Melbourne

Virtual Reality Demos

By Virtual Reality, What I'm Working on (WIWO)No Comments

Spent the weekend at the Studio in Footscray working on a new VR Demo – an idea of a completely “Mixed Reality” museum exhibition space. Having heaps of learning as much as I can about this new medium!

[image title=”Working on some Virtual Reality Demos” width=”544″ height=”408″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”VR” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-04-17_Micael_Wentworth-Bell_Virtual_Reality.jpg [/image]
April 17, 2016
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Boost - Red Royale 3D Animation

3D animations for Boost Juice

By Current ProjectsNo Comments

I had a heap of fun over the past couple of weeks working on these 2 animations with Alf Kuhlmann for Boost Juice!

I’ve added more information about these videos to the Portfolio section of my website. There is a dedicated page for the Red Royale video and a page for the Pure Eden Video.

[image title=”Click this image to read more about the Red Royale Video” width=”544″ height=”306″ align=”center” lightbox=”false” group=”GIS” icon=”link” link=”http://thelode.com.au/portfolio/boost-juice-red-royale-promo-video/” link_target=”_self”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Boost_RedRoyale_02.jpg [/image] [image title=”Click this image to read more about the Pure Eden Video” width=”544″ height=”306″ align=”center” lightbox=”false” group=”GIS” icon=”link” link=”http://thelode.com.au/portfolio/boost-juice-pure-eden-promo-video/” link_target=”_self”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Boost_PureEden_03.jpg [/image]
February 25, 2016
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3D animation Drone footage

Adding 3D animation to Inspire 1 Drone Footage

By Current Projects, What I'm Working on (WIWO)No Comments

I had a lot of fun at Reel Pictures working on a project shot on the Inspire 1 Drone. We added 3D animation to 4 aerial shots of a 3.5 acre subdivision in Gisborne, Australia.

The aerial footage was shot in 4k by Eye Of The Sky using their Inspire 1 drones. The footage turned out great and amazingly no Lens correction or rolling shutter removal was necessary to get a camera track. The drone’s camera is controlled independently of the drone itself and is locked on a Gimbal so there are no vibrations. Tt also has great auto-focus and auto-exposure.

After tracking the footage we made the estate come to life, adding the boundary lines, fences, structures, roads, trees and animals. This was a fun job and a good opportunity to test out the new Alembic playback-graph feature in 3ds Max 2016. Also made good use of the Animators Toolkit (ATK).

Portfolio item

You can read more about this project in my LODE portfolio.

May 25, 2015
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Stills from the 2015 Toyota Animation Launch

Animated content for the 2015 Toyota Camry Launch

By What I'm Working on (WIWO)No Comments

Reel Pictures recently created a number of animated sequences for the 2015 Toyota Camry Launch in late April. This is the last time a Toyota car will be manufactured locally in Australia and the launch ceremony was held at the Altona Manafacturing plant with over 3000 employees present. The launch celebrated the many different teams responsible for the production of a car, including Design, Powertrain, Resin, and Assembly.

We animated 9 different looping states that could be timed with the on-stage procession. There was also a large circular LED screen that masked the car. The different components would ‘fly’ from the rear screen ‘into’ the ‘pot’ (circular LED screen) which was cooking the car inside. The animations would sync across both screens and the on-stage calls.
[image title=”Animation for the Toyota Camry Launch 2015″ width=”544″ height=”403″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”PODBA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015-Toyota-Camry-Animation_02.jpg [/image] This was a great project to have been a part of and there is more information about the Launch and the state of the Australian Car manufacturing industry on the Age Newspaper website.

[image title=”Animation for the Toyota Camry Launch 2015″ width=”544″ height=”318″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”PODBA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015-Toyota-Camry-Animation_01.jpg [/image]
May 4, 2015
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