Best software for creating background environments

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pccross

Member
Excuse my ignorance on the subject, but am just coming up to speed on the wonders of green screening.
I haven't been able to locate the type of location I really need for a short film. Essentially, need a long old-style dilapidated hallway that looks pretty creepy. Unfortunately, not too many old style buildings like that exist in Arizona.

So I was thinking about creating the hallway virtually (ala 'Sin City', etc.) What is the best and most user friendly software for creating those types of virtual sets. I know Cinema 4d was used extensively for 'Sin City', but is that the best? Do plug-ins exist for adding building features to the scene?
 
I'd go with Lightwave.

Some people might advise you to check out 3DS Max.

Both have a significant learning curve, though.

If learning curve (and purchase price) don't bother you, just go for the jugular and learn Maya.
 
Depending on the shot you'll either need a full CG set (a real pain) or a matte painting. For 3D you can practically use any high end set and get the same results - just a matter of what you feel most comfortable with. Of course, this isn't really a task for a beginner.

Matte paitings are either entirely hand painted or include elements of real images that have been creatively combined. This is what you see most often in movies. This is an easier task to achieve but like anything isn't easy to do well without practice.
 
Is there perspective changes involved? If so, you need to go with a 3d program. If not, maybe you could find a photograph on the net, and create a matte painting with photoshop.
 
Yes, there would be perspective changes involved, so looks like I'll have to go down route of 3d program. Just trying to figure out which would be the best for building virtual sets like this.

Thanks for all the input so far, guys!
 
honeslty..i would get a fx house to do it..it'll cost ya..but u'll get what u want fast..u wont have to waste time trying to learn it yourself and let your film suffer from doing a half assed job trying to do everything yourslef. Typical mistake made by pepople. Unless u want to become a animator, do it! :D Otherwise get someone else who knows whats up.
 
for low budget effects like this, you have to give it a stylistic element that adds to the film. I can tell you right now that what you're going to end up with will look cheesy. That does't mean that it wont work, it just means that the american viewing audience who has become used to watching a team of 40 people work on a 20 second fight sequence for over 4 months is going to look at the hallway and think to themselves, "what the hell is that?" So, you have to roll with it. Since it will look fake, don't try and pull it off as realistic...

honestly, if you're looking for realistic quality, keep looking for a location. I would find something similar to what i want, and mess with the mood in after effects. You could even add objects and some surrounding in AE without the average viewer noticing that it's fake.

If you're set on learning how to do this in 3d, cinema4d probably has the fastest learning curve of all the 3d programs. Each program has its pros and cons... maya does everything well but you have to be an engineer to understand the UI, 3d's max is perfect for games because it has network modules that allow multiple teams to work on a single environment in real time. I think gui in lightwave is badass...i'm not sure i havent messed with it.
but you should also expect to throw down a thousand dollars to render this hallway of yours, unless you feel like locking up your computer for 3 weeks.

I think after effects is the way to go. Chances are you can run it on your computer, it has the fastest learning curve of all the effects programs, shake, combustion, etc. and it has the greatest potential to produce something realistic without spending 2 years in a closet learning maya. although that would be pretty 1337, and i'd give you props for it...
 
Great feedback! Although I actually am a software engineer (day job), I really don't have the time to spend 6-9 months learning Maya or the other tools given I'd like to shoot my film in late January.
Thus, you've convinced me to continue my search for an actual physical location to pull this off. I do have 'After Effects' on my system, and am starting to move beyond the novice stage with it, so will likely take your advice for using it to change the mood of my physical location.

Thanks!
 
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