Camera mapping?

onedog

onedog

Active member
I'm really interested in making 3D compositions out of 2D stills and I've heard the term "camera mapping" quite a bit but I have no idea what it means.

Could someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks
Glenn
 
Using a program like AE really isn't the way to go for camera mapping. A true 3D app, with the availability of both casting and receiving accurate shadows and other elements is key to making the shot believable. You can do it in AE, but imagine creating an object out of flat planes, each plane being a graphical element. Then, with AE's 3D camera, you can move around the scene to create the illusion of three dimensions.

But they are not nearly as visually impressive as camera mapping an actual 3D object (for close up interaction), since you can create that object in the approximate shape of the the pic you are mapping. this allows for much more control and much more accurate looking results. For action away from the camera, as proved by kai's post after this, they can do very photorealstic shots.


There are limits to the amount of camera movement as well, both in a 3D app and in AE without exposing seams, so watch your layering. AE can do a fine job of camera mapping, but nowhere near as good a job as a true 3D app, if the 3D app needs to receive accurate shadows in the shape of the geometry, or if you need or want to add true 3D elements to it.

douspice's example is a perfect example of how to do it right. It's a little complicated to look at, but the modeling is very basic, and the texturing is easy compared to normal 3D texturing.


There are plenty of places to see examples of AE's camera mapping, but none of them will even come close to these:


http://www.paramm.com/vfx_challenge_short.mov
http://www.paramm.com/finalshort500x270.mov

Those are from a VFX challenge years ago at CGtalk.
 
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oneinfiniteloop said:
Check out this little blog post from one of the greats on the subject in AE:

http://prolost.blogspot.com/2007/03/camera-projection.html
Click to expand...


This is the exact post I searched for as an example. Thanks oneinf.


Where have you been lately? Haven't seen you around?


Do you mind if I put this link the the tutorials section?

[Pirate voice] Garrr, but she be a terrific find, and that's the truth of it. [/Pirate voice]
 
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kai said:
Here's a pretty cool interview showing how they did a shot in AE for Van Helsing. Not so much camera mapping in the sense of the word, but an impressive composite.

http://www.vfxhq.com/overflow/vanhelsinginterview.mov
Click to expand...


Make that a VERY impressive composite. As I watched that I kept saying to myself, "There's no way this whole thing is flat planes in AE. There has got to be 3D mapping in there". Wrongo. All done in AE.

Great find kai. And of course, they are using Macs . . .

;)
 
Matt Grunau said:
This is the exact post I searched for as an example. Thanks oneinf.


Where have you been lately? Haven't seen you around?


Do you mind if I put this link the the tutorials section?

[Pirate voice] Garrr, but she be a terrific find, and that's the truth of it. [/Pirate voice]
Click to expand...

I don't mind, I'm sure Stu would appreciate it.

As for me, been really busy with projects, and learning HTML, CSS, Javascript to get a website up...but the good news I'll have some new work to post soon and I would like to do a few shot breakdowns/mini-tutorials as well...at least hopefully.
 
oneinfiniteloop said:
I don't mind, I'm sure Stu would appreciate it.

As for me, been really busy with projects, and learning HTML, CSS, Javascript to get a website up...but the good news I'll have some new work to post soon and I would like to do a few shot breakdowns/mini-tutorials as well...at least hopefully.
Click to expand...


Sounds great. Good luck with the Css and Java. That makes me cringe.

If you want or need help with tutorials (hosting) lemme know. I have space to spare, and then some.
 
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