Digital Matte Painting - Final Project: Thematic Matte Painting (VFX)

25/6/2023 - 9/7/2022 (Week 12 - Week 14)

Sasilvia Cheong Pei Hoong / 0345031 / Bachelors of Design in Creative Media

Digital Matte Painting / Entertainment Design

Final Project: Thematic Matte Painting (VFX)

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INSTRUCTION

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Thematic Matte Painting

Week 13- Refinements and Thematic Matte Painting

During feedback session I was told that my painting was still not realistic enough and I have to go back and refine it further. I redid the floating rocks and added more overlaps to make it more realistic. I also darken the mountains, added highlights to the river and cracks to the waterfall hole. Since it was already week 13 and only a week left till submission I proceeded with the animation in After Effects after I refined my painting. 

Fig. 1.1  Further refinements (25/6/2023)

I group together the layers of the components I want to animate and import the file into After Effects. I animated the city lights, the mist from the waterfall, the fog, floating rocks, glowing moon, glowing crystals and the flying jet. 

Fig. 1.2  Animating in AE (25/6/2023)

Fig. 1.3  Thematic Matte Painting (25/6/2023)

I was told again that my painting was not realistic enough. Honestly I was really bummed and stressed out because I already did the animation in After Effects which took me 5 hours TT and have to redo it all over again while having to catch up with other modules. I proceeded with getting rid of the blue shadow from the base plate. Added the shadow behind the mountains where the light does not go through, made the floating rocks less detailed and more overlaps on the ground.

Fig. 1.4  Refinements (29/6/2023)

Week 14-

Refinements and Thematic Matte Painting

I still had to refine it further by adding more depth into the painting, I also took away the flying jet because it was distracting. Then I lift the floating city much higher to fill up the space. 

Fig. 2.1  Refinements (2/7/2023)

After my feedback with Mr. Kannan I was told to add more things because it looked very empty. I duplicate the cranes and place it in multiple spots in the city and also made another city on the small floating rock. To fill up the space much more I enlarge the floating city and move it more to the middle. I also added shimmer and glow to the waterfall. Then I darken toe overlaps of the mountains. 

Fig. 2.2  Refinements (9/7/2023)

I was very satisfied with my painting at this point and decided to proceed with the animation. In addition to the previous animation I made I animated the waterfall movement for the waterfall with fractal noise and wave warp. I also made the river glow and shimmer. I made the start much slower than the previous animation as if its revealing the city after a gush of fog. I then added chroma leaks at the end to match with the music beat drop.

Fig. 2.2  Animating in AE (9/7/2023)

Fig. 2.3  Animating the waterfall movement (9/7/2023)

Decided to pick the music from one of my favorite anime "Psycho-Pass" since it suited the vibe of the painting.

Fig. 2.4  Chosen music (9/7/2023)

Final

Fig. 3.1  Final Digital Matte Painting (9/7/2023)

Fig. 3.2  Final Thematic Matte Painting (9/7/2023)

Fig. 3.3  Final Project: Thematic Matte Painting (VFX) (9/7/2023)

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FEEDBACK

Week  13 (26/6/2023)

Forget about the plane that is flying forward it is too much, the buildings looks pasted. There should be a form of breakers for the buildings, add textures, look at perspective. Break the rocks up a little, the waterfall hole line is too thick make it softer, the skull at the front is too big just remove it. Remove the shadow from the base plate. 

Week  13 (30/6/2023)

Look for rocky mountains, find a proper image that is in line with your perspective or not its gonna go offset.  For animation add waterfall shimmer, make the rock move slowly.

Week  14 (3/7/2023)

Buildings details are good somehow, shape of the floating rocks can be change a little, make it less repetitive. Just a little adjustments here and there on the mountains darken certain areas. Darken the waterfall hole and break it, same with the floating city and look for hanging rock/ rock pillars overlay on floating rocks for texture and also for the floating city. Maybe can enlarge the city, can repeat the cranes and paste it together to make it look like  a bridge. Maybe add one building tower on the floating rock. Look up New York satellite view and add that below the city so that it does not look empty. 

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REFLECTION

The digital matte painting project was very tiring and draining. But thanks to Mr. Kannan feedbacks I managed to improved it drastically and make it look more realistic. I am actually an After Effects hater but after this project I come to realize that it was easier and faster than the painting part.