3d max animation & premiere pro

[Alex Udell]

Based on the short question, the short answer is yes.

Alex Udell
Editing, Motion Graphics, and Visual FX
Younversity TV
http://www.youniversity.tv

[Omar Marin]

=) hehe thanks,alex. ..1st time here.my boss asked if i could composite every interior animation i make in 3d max/vray into the actual sites i’ll video record.that means i’ll mimic the camera paths as well, to match with the animation and have a real-feel in its background.i need to know what hardware,software and a low cost qualified handycam i’d need to achieve these best.thanks again!

[Alex Udell]

Hello Omar…

Realistically, the compositing of these things should be done should be done in a dedicated tool like After Effects.

You ought to take a look at a Software called Synth Eyes which does Camera tracking to allow your 3d Camera to match you real world Handycam movements.

Premiere Pro will likely be used to ingest footage from tape and to assemble the render files you create combining 3ds Max renders and the footage from AE, add whatever additional audio you need and some basic titling.

From Premiere you’ll either output for Tape, or more likely Export for DVD or Blue Ray to author in Encore, or output as a web ready file (Flash, QT, or WMV).

So it sounds like you’ll need Adobe Production Premium CS4, and Synth Eyes as far as software is concerned.

Cameras are not my area of expertise….but your choice of camera will dictate a lot about the system horse power, any necessary capture devices (like cards) and storage speed you will need to work effectively with the software tools.

Hope that gets you pointed in the right direction…

good luck,

Alex Udell
Editing, Motion Graphics, and Visual FX
Younversity TV
http://www.youniversity.tv

[Omar Marin]

whew! much gratitude to your response.thank you so much,sir.i’ll check out all you said
and ,well, you pretty much answered all i need to know for now.
thnks again, alex. ..cheers!!!

[Brett Howe]

I’d maybe approach this a little differently, and of course it all depends on the level of tracking required.

Yes the CS production suite is where you should head in my opinion, but you should shoot first…then animate, and track within MAX. Then, render out you animation in RLA, RPF, or at the least, a TGA stream, and composit the shots together in after effects.

Keep these things in mind. It is time consuming no matter how you do it. If you want a good job, it will take man hours.

Also, when you shoot, (and I don’t know your subject, so I’m talking generally here) use a stabalized camera…at least a tripod. Trying to match every little movement on a handheld camera will bring you nothing but greif on your first efforts.

If you can be aware of tracking points in you shot, or even add tracking markers, you should have no problems camera matching in 3dsMax. (there a good tutorials on this in help)

As for a camera, we use Z1’s, whitch should be pretty affordable now, or go one of the new HD cams that record in progressive formats. Taking fields out of the equation makes life simple too.

Good luck.

Brett Howe
Creative Director / Producer
Brave Vision Pty Ltd

[Alex Udell]

Hey Brett,

good point. I’ve never done it, but as I recall the old 3d tracking in Max was a bit difficult to set up.

Is it easier now?