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Anime in 3D

Posted by Marius Oberholster on Thursday, May 4, 2017 Under: WIP
Hey all!

This week's vlog!!!


GOD is so amazing!!!!

 - Anime and 3D
   Oh yes, we're kicking off with the main point of this week's video, which ironically only took a bit of the afternoon and a piece of the evening! haha.
   Anime and 3D seem to be at odds with one another in various ways, but particularly in frame rate. There are scenes in anime that get the full 24fps treatment and then there are those, where the head is perfectly still for like 2 or three seconds and only the lips and eyes move. Sometimes just the mouth. These are usually overlaid on a background that pans or moves at a perfect 24fps, but that's because you are working with layers - the only reason it works.

In 3D, you also have layers, but they work differently. Every single one of the layers in 3D, runs at 30fps (or whatever you set it to). That means if you try to add a shape and make it move, say, 15fps, it will jerk and flicker like uneven interlace, because the camera's motion is at the full 30fps (see the video for examples).

The only way GOD showed me to do this in blender (not the only way in existence, just the only way HE showed me) is to render everything like an OpenEXR image (all the passes needed for the final) and then add them to the VSE in layers and piece it together with each it's own frame rate. This removes the jerking and flickering and allows you to control how much motion or how little motion you want. The only catch, like I mentioned in the video, is compositing and the amount of layers you want.

One more issue GOD showed me, as well as how to deal with it, is panning shots (like the Mordecai example in the video). I've seen a trailer for a show recently, where they had such a panning shot with full 3D models and the character's animation was still done at, say 15fps, as opposed to the pan's 30fps. This did not conflict with the camera for two possible reasons:
1) The motion was opposite of what the character's outfit was doing.
2) They did exactly what I showed in the video - did a high resolution version that was just later panned.

So, for anime to take it's next step to 3D, is and will be one of experimentation for a while. Like I mentioned, the weirdness of suddenly having super smooth animation, as opposed to extremely choppy animation, is huge and will definitely take some getting used to. Some are so resistant to change that at the mere sight of something like it, it's enough to make them hate it right off the bat. You'll find all manner of new looks, weird feeling frame rates, etc.
I personally feel like there's something to be embraced when it comes to 3D.

Pros:
 - The higher accuracy enables the process to run smoothly (reducing overall production time and costs and enabling larger productions for the same budget)
 - The 3D aspect also allows for added personality and expressiveness (returning animation to a more realistic level, while retaining that tangible surrealistic look the medium is so famous for)
 - Compositing it easier with masking
 - Instant pose changes and expressive elements still have a very strong place and can add more life to an otherwise computerized feel
 - Opportunities to try new things not doable in traditional 2D. For example, the plagues in The Prince Of Egypt were all done with CG, because they had over a million locusts to deal with for example - not something you want to try with traditional 2D (not an anime per say, but the 3D blended well with the 2D characters, proving a point).
 - Already programs, add-ons and tutorials are available and in development for making character models and animating them with more ease than before (including stylistic elements such as buildings, cities, landscapes, etc.)

Cons:
 - It's something to get used to (choppy 3D frame rates can easily look very unnatural, fake and lazy, because of the high accuracy of the medium).
 - Sometimes 3D can look like inflated balloons being moved like rigid bodies - which feels unnatural and kinda like stiff stick figures.
 - Lots still to learn about duplicating the medium in a new phase of it's development (certain hand-made elements, such as the backgrounds, are still extremely difficult to model).
 - Certain elements look strange at full animation (such as smooth cartoon fur, basic walking, talking and gesturing, etc.).
 - New 3D departures towards a Pixar-like style, is definitely going to be met with some hostility, due to that sudden large paradigm shift.
 - Small things will look very different than they used to. Specular values, for example in the hair, will not look quite the same as in 2D, because they will now respond more to shape and light, instead of typical expression, but even this can be manipulated.

All-in-all, I really encourage a move towards using 3D to it's full potential and that will definitely take a lot of guidance from the HOLY SPIRIT, a lot of learning and a sharing of the knowledge.

For Exodus, like Esther 6, I do feel led to go full animation on it, so we'll see what HE does with it! :D

 - Two times getting the gold and jewels?
   This week I saw another one of those supposed contradictions. In chapter 11 and chapter 12, we have the Israelites asking their neighbors for gold and jewels. Not a contradiction outright, but it does look strange having asked twice.

GOD told Moses this at the burning bush:
"But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians."
Exodus 3:22, KJV

Then HE told Moses in chapter 11 to tell the people to do it:
"Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold. And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people."
Exodus 11:2-3, KJV

And then again in chapter 12, they seemed to collect some more:
"And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians."
Exodus 12:35-36, KJV

The reason I say seemed, is because we assume the phrase in chapter 11 means that they had actually obtained it already. It does not say that (can someone say storyboards need some changing up! hahaha) - it only says that in chapter 12. So they only collected gold and jewels one time.

Most important question now - does it matter how many times they collected? No, because GOD said that they would ask, but HE did not specify a number. This leaves it open for them to ask as many times as instructed to. Afterall, to plunder means to consume someone else's goods with them being powerless to stop you. GOD gave them favor with the Egyptians so that they wouldn't do it in the violent, mean spirited way it is usually done.

 - Why borrow?
   This is one of the strangest things to me in the whole story of the Exodus Israel from Egypt. The word used there can mean to simply ask, to beg, to request, to borrow, etc.

Brown-Driver-Brigg's Definition:
"1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg"


It has many sub-meanings here that can relate to consulting GOD about something, to request transfer of ownership, etc. You can find those at this link.

It simply means to make a request to someone in a humble way if you get down to the base of it (personal interpretation from the definitions given) - to ask nicely. Even in the old English, this was a definition of it, but it's so strange to me that it is consistently, as it relates to the plunder, translated as borrow. So here is the definition of borrow as it is in the Webster:

"BOR'ROW, v.t.

1. To take from another by request and consent, with a view to use the thing taken for a time, and return it, or if the thing taken is to be consumed or transferred in the use, then to return an equivalent in kind; as, to borrow a book, a sum of money,or a loaf of bread. It is opposed to lend.

2. To take from another, for one's own use; to copy or select from the writings of another author; as, to borrow a passage from a printed book; to borrow a title.

3. To take or adopt for one's own use, sentiments, principles, doctrines and the like; as, to borrow instruction.

4. To take for use something that belongs to another; to assume, copy or imitate; as, to borrow a shape; to borrow the manners of another, or his style of writing."

So clearly, it can mean to "borrow" as we understand it, but it can also mean to ask. Since the Israelites had no intention of returning it, and GOD is no deceiver, then I think this did not go for the primary use of the word borrow, but secondary (to appropriate by consent).

 - Location of Mt Sinai (possibly)
   Like I mentioned last week, this was something I really wanted to go double check and I've found something interesting. There was an archeologist Ron Wyatt who has made many claims over the years and quite frankly, his ministry's case for their location makes sense to me, so that's the location I feel led to use. Whether it is or isn't doesn't matter too much, because Israel is no longer there and GOD's manifest presence had lifted from the mountain a good 3000-4000 years ago (rough guess), hahaha. Not saying that the real location is not important, it's just not a main issue.

"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:"
1 Timothy 1:3-5, KJV

Keep some perspective here! :D

   So, if you are interested in checking out their video in a peaceful and calm manner, you are welcome to here:


GOD is so great!

And that is it for this week's progress and study - quite a full one to say the least! hahaha.

Biggest thanx to GOD for helping me with this. Without HIM, none of this would be possible! :D

Know JESUS yet?
To find out more, you can check out this link:
http://www.crossallegiance.org/knowJesus.html
It gives you access to free Bible translations, free teaching videos and more. Remember, this is a decision with eternal consequence, choose life, choose JESUS. :D

Have a great one!!!

Thank YOU!!!!!!

In : WIP 


Tags: god  jesus  holy spirit  blender  anime  wip  3d  exodus  7-12  frame rates  progress  chapter 11-12  kjv 

About Me


Marius Oberholster Hey all! I've been doing CG work full-time since 2011. GOD has been with me, supported me and taught me all the way. HE tells us to do all things as unto the LORD and that is my goal. I do whatever I believe the HOLY SPIRIT is leading me to do and it's not always easy, but it's always worth it to be obedient! JESUS is awesome!! If you don't know HIM yet, follow the link above!

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