Mech Spider Work-in-Progress thread

GerardM

Hello,

I am currently working on this project and I decided to post mo Work in Progress over here.
I would really appreciate any kind of feedback in my progress doing this project.

[SKETCHFAB]35e219ae4d574299b05dfd41074e97f0[/SKETCHFAB]

My goal is to make a complete action shot in 3d. I want to combine 3D rendering with Camera Footage. Please check out my youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/GerardMeindersma

Here are some work in progress videos:

First Render:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n05ZRwxYwiI

Second Render:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S-NzVlL81c

Animation Blockout:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaRMdM36_zQ

Explosion Test Render:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmyM9JMDjnQ

Camera Tracking Test Render:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IjPy4P9hCI

I will post weekly Work in Progress videos and images.
Please give me some feedback to improve this project.

GerardM

The rig I made:


How I am making the explosion, could use some tips on how to make more detailed smoke in maya.

GerardM

Update:

My planning is changed, now I am planning to make a full 3D scene, no camera footage.
Made an shotlist:
1:Spider is falling from the sky.
2:An enemy flying vehicle shows up.
3:The enemy starts firing on the spider.
4:Spider starts firing back.
5:Enemy is flying away.
6:Spider locks missiles on Enemy.
7:Spider shoots missile.
8:Camera follows missile (slow-mo)
9:Missile hits building
10:Spider Shoots again
11:Missile hits enemy

Blockout of the scene:
Which happens to surprisingly look like my school xD

The enemy:

GerardM

Updated the scene a bit!

GerardM

Animation Block-out first shot:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0Xfr2NhSTA"]First Shot Animation Block-Out - YouTube[/ame]

fatihG_

instead of making all of the legs touch the ground at the same time try to randomize it a bit maybe? Have the hind legs touch the ground first front legs last.

Also I kinda expected a little bit more bounce when it lands.

GerardM

Thanks for your feedback, i will randomize the feet while landing, but i want to make the spider massive so i don't know if i should make it bounce more while landing.

FasterBlaster

You seem to have it slowing into the land before it even touches the ground. Make sure it accelerates up until it hits the gound plane and then slow into it.

It might be what I'm seeing is just the effect of the shock absorbing legs, but its kinda hard to tell from the low fps.

GerardM

Fixed:
- More random feet while landing (bb0x)
- Fixed the slowing down before landing (FasterBlaster)

And i will render the animation this night so it is at a better fps
Will post the animation tomorrow.

GerardM

Took a little longer then suspected, but here is an rendering of the first shot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF8sTpkD5-c&feature=youtu.be

Gmanx

How is the jump achieved, is it just with the legs?

If so they should pull into the body before the jump, to give them leverage for it, then compress and stretch for the leap.

Then the legs would be pointed straight down at the start of the flight, ready to spring out for the landing.

GerardM

Added some lighting to the scene, and fixed some animations
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBd_5KUW91g"]First Shot Lighting - YouTube[/ame]

DWalker

The initial leap feels a bit too casual; as Gmanx pointed out it really should appear to take more effort. Also, consider having the spider pause at full compression for a bit before the leap.

The same is also true of the landing; have the legs actually reach towards the ground mid-flight, and allow the body to come closer to the ground before recovering. The spider doesn't have to land evenly; it'll probably seem more realistic if the front or rear legs land first.