SIGGRAPH 2021
Research work presented at SIGGRAPH 2021. Full publication available here.
DreamWorks Art-Driven Shot Sculpting Toolset
Abstract
This research presents DreamWorks' art-driven shot sculpting toolset used by the Character Effects (CFX) Department to efficiently and logically sculpt shapes of character skin, clothing, hair/fur, and props in shots. The ability to visualize an Animator's drawovers during CFX shot work introduced an improved visual communication language between Animators and CFX artists. The toolset's wide range of shot sculpting abilities helps achieve the different artistic styles of various films and enhances the visual impact of animation.
My Contributions
I presented section 2 (Visual Communication: Drawovers) and section 4.2 (Volumetric Curve Sculpting) during the conference. I covered the importance of drawovers in the production pipeline and the tools written to transfer artistic concepts into a 3D package. Additionally, I presented the methodology used to create volumetric sculpts for curves.
Volumetric Curve Sculpting
The VolumetricCurveSculpt tool grows curves volumetrically through a convex NURBS cylinder/tube. A curve's root point and the tube's base points are projected onto a plane. The curve is registered by casting a ray from the center of the tube's base, and grown throughout the tube's length using this registration. Since registration is at the base, the method is robust in handling narrowing shapes along the tube's length.
ImportDrawover Tool
The ImportDrawover tool exports the Animator's drawovers from PREMO (DreamWorks' Animation Software) and imports them into 3D packages. The artist can view drawovers in the 3D viewport and match shot work to the art direction, significantly reducing iterations between departments and removing guesswork.