AuggieBenDoggie

Originally posted by: WXM

I suppose one could render just three frames of the modeled surface and stitch them together for a map, then place that map onto a simple plane of the right shape, and the "animation" then would take a brief amount of time as it's only rendering a simple textured plane/disk rather than all the details each frame. My problem is just getting that initial rendering of the DS surface set-up. I don't even have LW versions of the tiles!

Originally posted by: adywan

Otherwise, the way i'm feeing at the moment, ESB is a dead project. I'm just happy that the majority like what i've done. I knew i'd never be able to please everyone, but come on..

Originally posted by:Mojo_LA

THAT TIE SHOT

Ok Ady, I took a closer look at the "Big TIE shot" and I can better express what I feel could be improved.

You are right, the TIE model looks fine and the lighting works. The tonal balance is good too and it looks like you match the grain pretty well.

The main issue is the animation itself; to start, the TIEs are moving very slowly; the energy and pace we've seen in the rest of the battle has not been matched. I would go as far as to say the action should be sped up by 200%.

Another thing is the camera motion is VERY CG looking - it starts off COMPLETELY locked off - watch the stars, they are absolutely rock-solid still until the pan begins. This makes the shot very dead for the first half, and to help sell how fast the TIES are moving, having a little camera motion at the start would help liven things up. Even just giving the camera a little bank (starting at maybe 10 degrees and ending at -10) is a very easy way to keep the frame moving. That alone will make a huge difference.

The TIES should also have a sense of formation; it's not important to make it strict, but just a grouping of two or three here and there will make it look more organized.

I have one tech note for the render, but it will go a long way towards matching the original FX footgae - BLUR LENGTH. The TIES are are bluring WAY too much, and I'm guessing Lightwave's blur is set at the default of 100%. Cut it in half, at least. Step-frame through some of the original battle footage, especially shots of X-wings moving fast - the edges of the ship blur much less than your TIEs are. But again, that can be fixed simply by re-rendering the elemets with a 50% (or maybe even 35%) blur.

And as has already been said, the Death Star background looks like mush.

Please understand, I am not being hard on you - I am treating this project with the same care and high standard that I have kept with any other project I've work on. I've designed space battles for Babylon 5, Voyager and now Galactica and I am asking you to have faith that the things I have mentioned WILL have a positive effect on the shot!

If you want to send me the scene file and even a low-res version of the TIE model, I'll be happy to whip up a couple of animatics for you.

Originally posted by yanksno1:
I'm sure this has been asked before, I must have missed it if it has. Did Ady mention the level of compression the dvd-5 will have vs the dvd-9?

Originally posted by Anti-Matter:

"Does Kenobi now say "I wanted you to have this when you were old enough."

Granted, it is a trivial change execution-wise, but there is very little justification for changing the original remark. In fact, there is MORE reason not to change it. The original wording is entirely consistent with Obi-wan's mindset and agenda at that juncture of the story.

I would like to argue that, "Your father wanted..." is contextually correct, logically correct, historically correct and requires no change.