Monday, October 10, 2011

Previsualization Software Explained

By Mitchell Blatwood


Not long ago I found it necessary to create a quantity of storyboards and previs, so carried out a bit of research into the available packages -

Storyboards are often better-known as 'Previsualization' or 'previs' and could be any technique that tries to envision scenes within a movie before filming starts. The best thing about previsualization is that it enables directors to understand various staging and art direction selections with no need to bear the costs of actual production.

Storyboards can include music, sound files and dialogue to meticulously previs the look of edited sequences, consequently they are often put to use in sophisticated or tricky scenes which involve stunts and special effects.

My investigation revealed that Previs software is roughly split between 3 areas: 2D, 3D and character/environment design.

The 2D software programs can be considered like a digital adaptation of traditional storyboarding -they don't supply you with camera moves or character motions inside a time line.

Each of the 3D solutions have the 2D regular storyboard choice and also enable manipulation of characters in time and space: camera movements could be created and revised. Just one or two of the 3D applications can function in real time (just about) in order that a director/operator might make corrections quickly with hardly any rendering lag time. These products come up with characters and environments which often don't have any intricate detail and textures, nevertheless this is quickly developing.

The final group is focused on environment and character design. Despite their capability to render time-line animation and camera movements, it's actually not very likely these particular packages can be utilized for on-set storyboard previs due to their render engines actually being devised for high-res production, even so they're very, very helpful for full detail figure design, costume, and environments simply because of extremely high resolution renders.

I'm going to try to identify some of the most prevalent applications available at the time of writing.

Storyboard Quick: Storyboard Quick can be regarded as a traditional storyboard product, as it doesn't make full use of 3d models. Due to this it's simple to learn and also interface is not difficult. You can bring in your own personal location photos, which in turn, may perhaps be preferable to the slightly 'childlike' clip art work included.

Google SketchUp: Google SketchUp doesn't have timeline animation although the pro variant does contain dynamic elements or reduced animation inside a scene, having said that it's a very solid and sensational piece of free computer software accompanied by a huge service online community and absolutely free models. It's great fun, the graphical user interface is pretty uncomplicated to negotiate.

Toon Boom Storyboard Pro: Story Board Pro from Toon Boom is a really distinct program from the other 2D storyboard software listed in this doc. Rather than using clip art plus imported textures Storyboard Pro can be described as effective sketching product preferably suited to utilizing a pen tablet program -so for those who can't draw it is far better to avoid. If you're able to draw then the system is superb, allowing extremely quick paint and brush possibilities.

Storyboard Artist: I think the brand of this software is a little confusing as it is alot more than a 2D traditional storyboard interface. This program allows 3D animatics, oral sync animation and seems to have excellent three-dimensional clip art and models already in place.

Frameforge previs studio: FrameForge Previz studio has promptly become the main industry standard on-set program for directors to adjust 3D storyboards in (practically) realtime it can produce extensive timeline animation and blend a wide range of camera movements.

E frontier poser 8: Poser is a really special computer program which allows fast and simple character output utilizing a huge variety of 3 dimensional templates and open source contributions. It makes it possible for a creator to rapidly incorporate three dimensional characters into any form of animation, animatic or still frame.

Vue 8: Vue is undoubtedly an appealing niche piece of software that utilizes templates to make environments which can be used for full-res matte paintings. It's been recently utilized on Avatar and Indiana Jones 4 to create jungle surroundings.

Hitchcock Storyboard Composer for Iphone/Ipod touch platform: Just creeping in around the end of my previs investigation is Cinemeks Hitchcock storyboard composer for iphone/Ipod touch (needs camera). You simply accumulate scene photos within the camera and employ the software to manipulate the framing, flow and timing of the shots within your storyboard. Despite the small interface the reviews have been completely favorable, nevertheless, if I was writing cheques for actors to help me with a photographic storyboard I would almost certainly utilize a more effective stills camera which would allow depth of field and lighting alternatives. Having said that, I'm sure many people will find it a particularly useful tool.

The Previsualization Society: And finally it is worthwhile taking a look at the newly formed Previsualization Society to get more detailed in-depth info: They endorse the utilization of previs in a variety of market sectors around the world by endorsing effective applications and an understanding of the abilities of previsualization as a collaborative process and interaction means.




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