#NEW OUTLINE IPAS!
17 messages in this thread
Well you've all been asking for it so here is a little appetizer of the
OUTLINE.IXP IPAS I am now in the process of developing. I have uploaded to the
"Autodesk 3D Studio" Library a zipped file OUTLINE.ZIP containing three
images…
LUMIERE.JPG – 3DS rendered image of the Disney animated character "Lumiere"
from "Beauty and the Beast".
OUTLINE1.JPG – Same character but with OUTLINE applied.
OUTLINE2.JPG – The standard Viewpoint Chevy after OUTLINE is applied.
These example images should give you a feel for the program though the quality
isn't 100% since these images were produced with a very early beta version.
Both outline images were produced with a variable pressure pen, though a single
weight pen could also be used. Also the nib edges were set to "Hard" though
"Soft" edges are available, giving a pseudo anti-aliased outline.
Works with ANY existing IPAS routines and 3DS scenes
——————————————————————————-
Since the program works as an IXP it can produce the outline of any 3DS scene
using ANY other IPAS. The example "Lumiere" character was animated with Bones
Pro and the glow was produced with Yost Group's glow filter.
Features
————
Some the features currently available are…
– Set paper colour to custom colour or use the stock black and white papers.
– Variable outline generation ranging from object silhouettes only, right
through to subtle internal outlines.
– Outline colours defined as a gradient between darkest to lightest ink colour.
– Variable pressure strokes or single weight strokes.
– Soft and hard nib edges.
Availability
—————
OUTLINE is still in development so no price nor release date is available at
this stage. For all those interested in the IPAS send me your details via
private e-mail so that I can recontact you when the IPAS is ready for release.
I will be at SIGGRAPH 95 this year and hope to demonstrate the IPAS to those
people interested. More information on this will be available in the coming
month.
If you have any wishlist items for such an IPAS, let me know. All suggestions
are most welcome. Enjoy!
DaviD "have pen will travel" GouID
This is very cool, David. I'm personally a big fan of image-processing when
used to soften and 'analog up' CGI rendering. In fact (speaking of France)
there's an entry of Sup.Info.Com in our Siggraph reel that uses two different
filters to create an extremely soft and hand-drawn look. Additionally, Martin
Doudoroff and Anna Kogan (of KUB) submitted a wonderful piece using Penello
that simulates charcoal drawing beautifully. The world needs more tools to
make 3D rendered images look like they were created by _people_, instead of by
machines.
Here here!
– G
<<This is very cool, David.>>
Thanks.
<<I'm personally a big fan of image-processing when used to soften and 'analog
up' CGI rendering.>>
I'm just now delving into the world of pen and ink illustration. The fact is
that the more complex the geometry the more illustration is used to portray the
information since it is more suggestive than explicit. Medical, architectural,
and engineering practises are big users of illustration and I'm hoping that by
automating it with 3DS that the "hand-drawn" part will come much quicker and
easier than if done by "hand".
Users can now hand their client a photorealistic image in addition to a
illustration generated by the program.
<<The world needs more tools to make 3D rendered images look like they were
created by _people_, instead of by machines.>>
It's your fault, you've made a program that is too perfect! <g> The fact is in
the near future programs will produce images so "uncomputerized" that people
will start asking for "I want it to look like it was made on a computer".
DaviD "using a pen with AND OR gates" GouID
David –
>> people will start asking for "I want it to look like it was made on a
computer".<<
What do you mean, "will"? When I was doing R&D work starting up Digital Design
in San Diego, that is exactly the response we got from our clients!!! Talk
about being floored!
David,
I second Gary's comments… I think this IPAS has exponential potential!!! And
you've got a great start on the features list… you might consider nib angle
as well… as you could generate a script with it… lots of possibilities
here… nice work!
John
<<I second Gary's comments… I think this IPAS has exponential potential!!!>>
Thanks John.
<<you might consider nib angle as well>>
The nib considerations can go from here to infinity since the potential is
unlimited, it's just the time that I don't have at the moment.
<<as you could generate a script with it>>
What do you mean?
DaviD "nudging the nib" GouID
<< as you could generate a script with it… <<
Ah that wasn't scripted very well… <g>
David,
Streams of thought on this one… the IXP traces the image but instead of
writing on top of it, the image is saved to a file, then the saved images can
be used as bridge in a transition from one scene to the next… in other words
you see the outline dissolve in first then the second scene mattes into it…
this would be a nice effect with very thin lines (not too thin or you get the
jaggies problem but wow what a neat transition… at least I think so… <G>
John
<<the IXP traces the image but instead of writing on top of it, the image is
saved to a file, then the saved images can be used as bridge in a transition
from one scene to the next.>>
The outline could be saved as white on a black background(similar to the Chevy
image but with even weight brush) so that you now have an alpha map. You could
then add or subtract the outlines as much as you want by altering the alpha map
opacity. The dissolve would then be very easy.
DaviD "paint it black" GouID
>> The outline could be saved as white on a black background… <<
Sure or just white over alpha as I wouldn't think it would make a lot of
difference but yes that would be great….
Hello again… sorry but I'm on a roll…
Also if you could control the rate of the trace over time as to how far it
traveled per frame starting at an X,Y coordinate and moving in the general
direction of another X,Y coordinate based on the outline… that would be
really slick as well… and if you could have multiple start points….
I'll stop I promise… <g>
John
<<Hello again… sorry but I'm on a roll…>>
Keep 'em coming, I was sure I could count on you to add some spice to the stew.
<<Also if you could control the rate of the trace over time as to how far it
traveled per frame starting at an X,Y coordinate and moving in the general
direction of another X,Y coordinate based on the outline.>>
Hmmm, nice idea. You could then generate an animation showing how the outline
was drawn line by line. Could give a nice effect.
<<I'll stop I promise…>>
You coun't even if you tried <g>. Thanks John.
DaviD "holding on tight to the rolling stone" GouID
>> Hmmm, nice idea. You could then generate an animation showing how the
outline was drawn line by line… <<
Exactly, combine all three and you could write out whatever and the IXP could
duplicate it as though writing out the words… you could apply glow to it as
well… the combinations of special effects and things that could be done with
just these three features would be terrific, let alone what you've already
included…
Anyway I see a variety of applications for it and look forward to its
completition. As ideas go I think you picked a very interesting one with a
broad variety of applications… so again "nice work" 🙂
I'll look forward to seeing what you've done and then maybe pass on a few other
ideas if I can…
C'ya
John
Hello,
nice to see your announcement the same day we are announcing our new NORBS
modeler release. I hope they will fit as well together, as this coincidence
suggests.
BTW, comment ca va a Paris (pardonne moi le <ca>)
Peter K.
CAS Berlin
<<nice to see your announcement the same day we are announcing our new NORBS
modeler release. I hope they will fit as well together, as this coincidence
suggests.>>
The ability to generate organic models, as a NURBS modeller does, combined with
outlines and Bones Pro opens up a whole new world for created animated
characters for feature films and cartoons. This is just one possibility of many
since 3DS + IPAS = unlimited possibilities.
<<BTW, comment ca va a Paris (pardonne moi le <ca>)>>
Tres bien. It is 32 C in the shade and no-one thought of air conditioning. I
love the heat, reminds me of home in Australia, though the French aren't so
happy <g>
DaviD "the temperature is reaching boiling point" GouID
David,
I just took a look at your Outline examples: Great!
I think I could really use this. I do forensic animation and I often need to
produce a line art type still of certain frames in an animation or simply some
line drawings which, since I'm not an artist, I can create in 3DS. I now use
the procedure of rendering a grayscale image and then tracing over it in Corel
to make the line drawing.
* I think it would be great to be able to select the objects to be outlined
before the IPAS starts.
* It would be nice to be able to select the line thickness and then the
hierarchy of line thickness for the interior lines.
Get back to work!
Alec Jason
DaviD,
Congratulations on the announcement!
I'm looking forward to seeing your uploads!!
Sean