A little guidance: future projects needing 3d modelling, CSI, etc.

[JoshuaK]

Hey fellas,

Been reading the stickies here and it's helped me get a better grasp on the world of 3d. Here's my situation:

An opportunity to begin producing projects that require 3d simulations and re-enactments is coming my way. I am not a 3d artist in any way; I produce and direct films (mostly behind-the-scenes/making ofs but slowly making my way over to music videos and hopefully features). I am fairly tech-friendly and am happy to learn by reading/watching but in order to get this going...

I need to know what basic program skills I'm looking for in a potential job applicant.

Here's some more detail: (hypothetical) Let's say a NASCAR enthusiast client wants to see exactly how a four-car crash happened. (All clients would be laypeople, not film studio execs.) What would be important are the cars looking basically like cars, their relation to each other, the physics of them hitting and spinning. What would not be important are the hairs/pores on the driver's faces (though their basic body shape would be good).

Do all the programs--Lightwave, Cinema4d, Maya, Softimage--all cover this? Do experts in one of these programs typically charge more than the other? Do experts in one typically work faster than the others?


Thanks,
J

[Anhar Miah]

Woah, cars crash simulation ok...

Two ways:-

[1]

Use Industry CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics/ FEM Finite Element Methods) with access to Super Computers.

Pros:

Accuracy to real life crash, this is not merely a simple simulation more of an analysis tools used my most Major Automobile companies to test crash (because physical crash test are expensive)

Cons:

Extremely Expensive, and team of Engineers required.

[2]

Semi Faked/Simulation

Using any 3d application and modelling the vehicles in as much detail as possible (and also make proxy low poly reference objects)

Then simulate the body using a softbody material and then freeze at point of deformation then copy this mesh and then delete simulation after this point.

Then use this "deformed" mesh as a new Solid body material and start a new simulation from that point.

Finally simulate all other minor parts (eg engine bulk, wheels, suspension etc) with even some pre-fractured objects.

Assemble all to altogether and voila!

Pros:-

Realatively inexpensive, does not require any supercomputers (though it would help)

Cons:
Will not react 100% as in real life, since it is somewhat fake, it will have more Artistic wieght then a real life collision.

[1] http://www.arasvo.com/crown_victoria/crown_vic.htm
[2] http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=241724
[2'] http://www.mjrworld.com/graphics/index.html

[JoshuaK]

Anhar,

Thanks for the information. I'll browse it myself but I gather from what you're saying is that if I am looking for guy(s) to do the job, I can just advertise for a 3D modeler (of any program - Maya, 3d studio max, lightwave, etc) and describe the job that needs doing. If they have demo work that support, then that's good enough...

[Anhar Miah]

Yes and no, not just any modeller, but you will need some one who is good at animation AND simulations. If you can offord it, then hire more than one guy, one to do the modelling and the other to do the animations and simulations.

[JoshuaK]

Thanks Anhar. I think I'll take your advice and post ads for modellers and animation/simulation guys and get an idea of how much they charge per hour, per project. Go from there. Thanks for the lead.

[twocik23]

Hi Joshua,

Here's a great site to check out.



http://www.cgsociety.org/about/


Commercial with a car crash.

http://omind.free.fr/stock/thailife_500k.wmv

Good-luck

[maverickstunts]

http://www.antics3d.com/

Looks like a really good program, but is for pc only.

[FutureDVXUser]

That commercials car crash looked awesome...