I am super excited to share this news about a Tutorial I wrote for the 3D Artist Magazine, Gaming Issue 58. This was an opportunity made possible by the team at Faceware Tech. They reached out to me to share some insight into the experience of using their Facial Animation Software, Retargeter 4.0 & Analyzer.

Check out the insight I shared on Page 58, for the Facial Performance Capture of the Female reporter called ‘Peace Nantume” in the Galiwango Film, played by Cindy Sanyu. Much appreciation to the 3D Artist Magazine Editor, Chris McMahon and to Peter Busch VP, Business Development, Faceware Technologies, Inc and his entire team (www.facewaretech.com).

The Magazine is available in Stores such as Barnes and Noble, and Online as an APP: IPAD, Iphone, and Android (Zinio) ~ Check out the following Links. Available on: iPad, WebOS,Rim, PC/MAC, Android, Win8

This is my rendition of a Pacific Rim Movie Poster. The model was provided by Warner Bros and IGN.COM as part of their “Create Your Jaeger” Contest. I rigged and rendered the Gypsy Danger Jagger in 3DS Max. This movie looks awesome, so it was a joy to try to replicate the professional looking movie Banners they already have out. I can’t wait to watch the Film.

Final Poster Render

Wireframe in 3DS Max

An Earlier render, as I was setting up the lighting and Textures.

Check out the Build your Jagger Contest here: http://microsites.ign.com/pacificrim/

A concept 3D rendering of a wire man pondering the future. Created and rendered in 3DSMax. I wanted to capture the idea of a land devoid of resources, and all that is left is bare bones, building blocks and the ability to ponder what the future holds.

The final Render.

Ambient Occlusion pass to determine the highlights and the best light and shadow angle.

Here are some other renders.

Here is another Octane test of a BMW I did using 3DS Max. I used Octane’s built in Daylight system for the lighting. The average render for each frame set at 1280×720 at 30fps, was 1:29 minutes (I minute and 29 Seconds) I am using a Geforce GT 640 graphics card for the real-time render ~ the Card has 2GB of graphics Ram.

 

Here is another Octane test I did using 3DS Max. This scene has no lights, all the lighting information is gathered from the Environment Map, which is set as a Texture Environment in the Octane Render settings. All the maps have also been converted from standard Mental Ray Maps to Octane maps. I used a combination of Specular and Diffuse maps. The reflections are captured nicely, I am so loving these Shaders and the built in Ambient Occlusion mode.

This is the finished Render

 

Here is the Wireframe of the Scene inside of 3DS Max.

A 3D Animated Children’s TV Series, entitled “A Seed for Nkoza and Nankya” is an Education through Entertainment concept: Join Nkozessa Zange and Nankya on their Quest to go School and learn all they can about protecting their small village and  the challenges of living in the shadow of the Big city which is expanding rapidly and threatening their culture and the well being of the wildlife living in the surrounding forest:

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ASeedForNkozaAndNankyaTVSeries

Coming to WBS TV (http://www.facebook.com/WbsTvUganda ), Saturdays and Sundays.

The Children’s  Animated TV series will be airing on WBS TV on Saturday Mornings between 9:45am and 9:55am, with a repeat on Sunday Mornings between 9:15am and 9:25am.

Counting Down to Promo

October 9th ~ Celebrating Uganda’s 51st Independence Day

Nankya writing in her Diary, counting down to the day her Big brother returns from the Big City with new tales ~ She loves mukene cooked in ground nut sauce.. Diary Entry Number 24 ~ a big thank you to all the New Friends and Fans.

Working hard to bring you the first Episode of Nkoza and Nankya. It has been a very interesting journey, one that hasn’t been without challenges, but all in all, I push forward. I truly appreciate all the kind words and support from friends and Fans. Thank you!!

Behind the Scenes Update:  The Village where Nkoza and Nankya’s Grandfather lives.

Behind the Scenes Update:  The evolution of Nkoza, this is close to the finished feel and look, I am animating him, with some room for tweaks.

 

Behind the Scenes Update: Working on a some background Music for the TV Series, some Village scenes will feature Kadongo Kamu tracks composed by Yours Truly 🙂

Music Grind Update: Kadongo Kamu Test

Behind the Scenes Update: The Animation Trenches, this is where the rubber meets the road, giving personality to Nankya and Nkoza, and bringing them to life.

 

Hardware Improvisation: I have had to pop out my Home Made, head mounted Camera Rig to capture some reference facial animations for the Cartoon Characters. This has been a very interesting journey and a fun process.  I have upgraded the Camera Rig to have some lights for the face ~ Check out how I made it here: (http://www.galiwango.com/2012/11/05/custom-head-mounted-camera-rig-for-facial-performance-capture/ ),

 

Nankya Lighting UPDATE: Nankya is proud of her Bitutwas, (Bantu Knots).

Nankya Lighting UPDATE: A render of Nankya chatting with Jjaja in their home.

 

Animation UPDATE: Here is the First Video Render of Nankya’s Introduction

February Update: Sub-surface Scatering Final Texture and Lights for Nankya, Nkoza’s little Sister.

February Update: Early Rendering, and Texturing tests for Nankya, Nkoza’s little Sister. Body textures and a dress

 

February Update: Some more character sketches for a future episode ~ Scifi Related.

3D Character line up, concepts in Zbrush ~ background characters for the TV series, this is one of the old guys from the village, he lives by a road that Nkoza and Nankya often use on their way to the bus stop. I don’t have a name for him yet, so you are welcome to chime in.

 

This was the first sketch I drew as a brain storming piece to get some of the thoughts swirling around in my head onto paper. My hope is that this series provides both entertainment and education to kids in Africa and around the world.

Here are some concept drawings depicting the setting of the TV series.

And this was the day we signed the Contract at WBS TV with Managing Director Lydia Ndagire. I am working on the website for the TV series, Scripts and storyboards. My goal is to show the process from the beginning, with the hope of inspiring my fellow Ugandans so they too can bring their stories to life.  So I hope we all can enjoy this ride together 🙂 Thanks to WBS TV for this opportunity. Together we can make a difference 🙂

 

Say hello to the Team behind the upcoming Children’s TV series, “A Seed for Nkoza and Nankya” ~ in the Middle is Reeta Jethwa, the Producer of Kids Corner 2 and chidlren’s programming on WBS TV, and to the left of her is Sophia Matovu, the Deputy Head of Production at WBS TV. This is the team I will be working closely with in bringing Nkoza and Nankya to life. Truly Excited!!!

3D Scene and Composition created with 3DS Max 2013 and Vue xStream 10 ~ Auto Product Demonstration Series. This was rendered using both Vue xstream’s built in Renderer as well as Mental Ray. Average render time was 2:20 Minutes with Depth of Field Enabled. The theme for this render was a Japanese setting, with the sun setting on the right side.

Updated Render (Color)

Previous Version (BW)

Below are some screen grabs of the wireframes inside of 3DS Max 2013.

Back view wireframe

Here is the Video of the Short 3D Character animation featuring a Family learning How to get Along in a Small Fictional Village called Blameville. I used Motionbuilder for the Character Rigging and animation, and 3DS Max and Mental Ray for the Rendering. Postproduction was done in Adobe After Effects.

Credits: Voice Acting by Ruth Crews, Matt Templeton and Jordan Tate, Sound Track by Jordan Tate, Script by Chris and Michael Fletcher. Manna Production Team

Below are some more renders of the making of the short film. Check out the Gallery at the bottom for some screen grabs of the scenes inside of 3D Studio Max.

The Little Boy Character, Role Playing as the Dad

This is the little Girl Character Role playing as the Mom

The Baby Character

The 3D Environment, serving as the backdrop to the entire animation.

Here are some more Renders and Screen Shots of the Behind the Scenes and the 3D Environment.

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