3Dequalizer is an industry leading tracking solution, as artists from the world’s foremost VFX houses rely on 3DE to deliver consistent and measured results on major projects. This software is much deeper than a 'one button solution' and offers the level of control which high-end visual effects demands.
This 3DE course is once again taught by Philip Maddock. This time we step it up from the introductory level and cover a variety of ‘production-proven' tracking practices! We are often required to provide multiple camera and object tracks inside of the same environment, so much of the course will be dedicated to building a 'Master Scene' and then tracking into it. We will also delve into zoom shots, custom python tools and other exciting things!
Designed to further your productivity in the software, a working knowledge of 3DE or the completion of 3DE101 is highly recommended.
Philip Maddock is a 3DE trainer and 3D artist who recently created 3DE101: An Introduction to 3DEqualizer. During his career, Philip has worked in mainly films and commercials, along with training artists in both London and Mumbai. Philip is currently working as an artist at The Mill London and is joining fxphd again to bring your tracking skills up to the next level.
Class Listing
Class 1: Plan out a project
How to plan out a project like this and making the tools we need.
Building a master scene takes some planning, so in this class we will review the project materials and discuss the goals. Then we will go on to build a ‘lens creator’ tool using python. In 3DE101, we just scratched the surface of python in 3de, but this time round we will dive into interface building with python in 3DE.
Class 2: Building a point cloud
Building a point cloud of our environment from reference images.
We will be dealing with a fairly complex environment with tons of different reference images and different lenses. The goal here is to get comfortable with sharing information between reference cameras inside of a large scene.
Class 3: Adding to our point cloud
Solving our reference cameras and refining.
In this class we will be adding more data to our point cloud and starting to get it ready for layout.
Class 4: Modeling and preparing for survey
Modeling the scene in 3DE and preparing the scene for survey.
We will utilise 3DE’s 3D tools to build up the key areas of the environment. Then we will use the model to assign survey information to the points which define these key areas, creating a layout. The goal is to align all of our reference cameras to the model before we start tracking.
Class 5: Shot 01 The nodal
In this class, we will ease into the use of our master scene by tracking a nodal camera into the scene. The goal is to use the points (already existing in our layout) to define how this track behaves.
Class 6: Shot 02 The lock off object track
In this class we will treat our sequence camera (almost) as a reference camera and have the master scene define its position. Once this is in place, we will incorporate a free moving object track.
Class 7: Shot 03 The first free move
In this class we use the master scene to influence our first free moving camera.
Class 8: Shot 04 The second free move
In this class we use the master scene to influence another free moving camera.
Class 9: Shot 05 Free move with an object track
In this class we will track a free moving camera. Once this is in place, we will incorporate a free moving object track.
Class 10: Shot 06 The zoom
Dynamic focal lengths can be very challenging. In this class we will solve a zooming camera and demonstrate exactly how using a master scene can make this process far less painful.