I have a character that I'm using a three point path and 3D stroke to create his arms.
Once the arms are 'animated' I'm putting a jpeg texture (of shirt cloth) underneath and using that stroked path as an alpha matte but I'm trying to find a way to use the information in that path to distort that jpeg so if the arm (the path) bends around then the jpeg will distort.
Something like mesh distort but a path distort version...
Currently I'm re-rendering out that path with three points down it, reimporting that sequence then tracking (transform and rotation)those points in a separate comp, splitting up the jpeg then applying the tracks to the two pieces.
As it stands this process looks ok but I've got two characters and about 15 mins of footage and sorting out this part of it will really get me speeding along!
If this sounds a little vague I can post up some pictures but any ideas would be ace!!!!
Re: tricky problem needing solution.... by Gabe Cotto on Jul 3, 2008 at 7:08:34 pm
If you could post the video that would help a lot of us out to really to see what your taking about. But based on what you've said, I think using a displacement map and some masking might help you out, but I would have to see your footage to get a better idea of what you trying to accomplish.
Re: tricky problem needing solution.... by jim lefevre on Jul 4, 2008 at 3:06:23 pm
Hey Gabe and Joey,
Yes, I've never seen that puppet thing. I've been playing around with it only just now and you might be right although it rather scuppers the system that I've constructed afterwards (there are 'hands' which need to follow the arm once it's animated).
Gabe, if I can I'll try and render out an example although trickily it's a thing which I'm a little constrained to show as it's project in development with some people... a case of balancing satisfying artistic exploration versus the horrible maintenance of commercial politeness...ha ha
Thanks for both of your comments though... hopefully be back with something after the weekend (and on that note have a good one yourselves...)
Re: tricky problem needing solution.... by Joey Foreman on Jul 4, 2008 at 3:43:20 pm
All of the elements to be animated can be precomposed, then animated with the puppet tool. This tool is designed specifically for 2d character animation, so you should consult the manual and check out some online tutorials. It automates all the behind the scenes mechanics that you're trying to implement manually.
Joey Foreman
Editor/Animator
Nowhere Productions, Athens, GA
