Image Metrics is a revolutionary new way to capture expression of human actors and ‘map’ it to their animated characters. One project which will feature Image Metrics is the upcoming movie by James Cameron, Avatar.

If you’re already impressed with the realism of Beowulf, Image Metrics is said to be 20 TIMES more powerful. I could not imagine such a thing. Then I saw the demo video. It’s on youtube.

Seriously, when I first saw the demo video with “Emily”, I was thinking… no, she can’t be ‘not’ real… She’s too real. And then… BAM. She’s animated. It’s bloody amazing.

The demo video with Emily talking is actually just a facial replacement. The body, hair and clothing is still real, I think. However, go to their website to see a better demo of Image Metrics, where they map the facial expressions on a totally 3D model.

Image Metrics 3D Model

Amazing. The future is here. Say bye bye to facial animation the traditional way. Well, unless you’re doing cartoony animation, that is.

Popularity: 8% [?]

RIFT is complete. The demo, that is. And everything went well. This is actually a very long overdue post.

The presentation was pretty good. And I guess we’re all pretty darn proud of ourselves for pulling through on such a short time.

We can’t make the game playable for all, coz the game engine we’re using is a bloody trial version, which doesn’t allow us to compile the game into an executable. So, to play it, you’ve gotta install the damn engine and run it from there.

But no worries, I’m thinking of putting up an in-game video montage. When? I don’t know. Probably after my exams.. which is coming in 4 days time!

Speaking of the exams, I really have no mood to study. This semester had been extremely fun, challenging and taxing. With all the heavy duty assignments completed, I really can’t find the motivation to ’study’ the very logical/common-sensical subjects of game development and 3d modelling. Well, not 3d modelling, but how the hell are they gonna test that kinda subject on paper?

Today, I went for a wedding, a friend from JC’s. The other day, I went to my NS friend’s wedding. Tomorrow, another JC friend’s wedding. A lot of people getting married around me. Everyone’s moving on with further chapters of their lives. Cool.

Right then, some more RIFT stuff.

Looking forward to the holidays, hope to get some paying assignments.

Oh ya, forgot to talk about my poor scooter. Hmm.. lazy. Maybe next time.

The main character, Azeriel, looking smug.

The animated Main Menu

What the final game looks like.

Post presentation THANK YOU image.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Eirana, Riftwalker

I’m still compiling my level. It’s been a whole freakin’ day. It’s been compiling from 10 pm YESTERDAY till 7 pm TODAY. What the bloody hell.

I’m gonna stop with the level design. This will be final.

On to more models, documentations, and there’s still the other subject to worry about.

But hey, look at Eirana… Pretty hot eh? I should’ve used the method of modelling hair with the main hero. Saved so much time. Why didn’t I think of that.

Popularity: 7% [?]

2nd Lab>>

and with that… I played around some more and made this:

You can’t see it’s animation coz it’s just a screenshot, but if you can see it animating… it’s actually a planet orbitting around a weird shape yellow thingy. with stars flickering and little space particles flying around.

OpenGL is so cool!

Popularity: 4% [?]