Motion capture from video files has improved with time with some recent new entrants on the field, so I thought I would give a quick try again to see whether they were good enough quality for my goals. I am creating an online animated cartoon as a hobby project, although I admit I spend much … More Video Motion Capture EOY 2022
Mocopi (I assume a play on “Motion Copy”) is a relatively low cost motion capture device announced by Sony for release in 2023 Q1. There has been a lot of twitter noise about the product, with some promising demonstrations of people using it with a focus on the VTuber community. Do I think it will … More Why I am excited for Mocopi
I have been working on creating my own animated cartoon using 3D computer animation. This is a personal hobby project, so I have been taking short cuts like no voice actors. I have the first few episodes completed, which means it’s a good time to sit back and review before I launch back into the … More How to Write an Anime Script (2022 Q4 update)
Spy x Family (pronounced “Spy Family”) is a popular manga series now available as an anime. It has some great characters and a fun plots. A spy, an assassin, and a young telepathic girl (all hiding their secrets from each other) end up living together as a family. I was collecting some work that impressed … More Spy x Family CG Fan Work
One effect I used in my first episode is rain to amplify the mood. This involved raindrops on glass windows, rain falling from the sky, and ripples/puddles of rain on the ground. Here is an example shot with rain falling from the sky, glistening in the lights, with puddles rippling on the ground (although the … More Rain, raindrops, puddles, and water in Unity HDRP
Unity recently published The complete overview of Unity toolsets and workflows for technical artists, an ebook summarizing many Unity technologies and concepts directly relevant to creating animated videos. (This is not its sole focus, but its a fantastic introductory overview to get into all the concepts and terminology.) It covers topics such as It is … More New Unity ebook on Workflows for Technical Artists
Here is a list of motion capture (and related) tools I have come across on twitter or similar. Feel free to leave a comment for tools I have missed! Webcam MoCap (upper body) Webcam Mocap (Facial) Webcam Mocap (full body) Motion capture from video files Some sources of videos of motions VR Headsets and Equipment … More Motion Capture Tools (my 2022 list)
I am creating a simple animated cartoon using Unity and the High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP). One challenge that comes up is how to control the lighting levels of shots – how to make it look “good”, and consistent with neighboring shots in a sequence. Unity with HDRP provides a number of tools that can … More Lighting Tricks in Unity HDRP for Cinematic Effect
I am using Unity Sequences to create a cartoon series (slowly). It is probably more accurate to say I am learning the technology to create such a series as so far I have spent more time on technology than delivering results! But getting closer. One problem I came across was how to split a Unity … More Splitting a Master Sequence between Scenes in Unity
Some students were asking about using Unity in the Unity Forums for creating a short animated film. Limited access to the computer at school, strict submission deadlines, learning lots of new technology for the first time. The result of their first effort is below! Sure, its not Pixar quality animation, but the fact that they … More An animated short film created in Unity by students!
Extra Ordinary, the Series 