Crystal CG (July 28, 2011)

looks beautiful. great job!

Very nice render Dan. I will give you a cookie if you show me the z-depth pass for the image above :)

Thanks! And I'll PM you my address for delivery!! This isn't the exact same frame as I can't actually remember which sequence that ended up being from (there were 28 sequences and they were 50fps - so a lot of frames!) but it's very similar. Here is the main render pre-comp, the Z-depth pass, and after the comp![ATTACH=CONFIG]43997[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]43998[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]43999[/ATTACH]

Very nice render Dan. I will give you a cookie if you show me the z-depth pass for the image above :)

Thanks, Dan. I've never heard of it but I'll check that out. I might even watch Wimbledon next year? ;-) Cheers.

You're absolutely correct about it being effective for masterplans in their development stage - it helps concentrate the viewer on the grand, overall picture rather than the specific details of how big the balconies are and other little details that aren't really the point of those animations. And the DoF was always done in post, using Frischluft Lenscare in After Effects - it's an incredible plugin. It handles z-depth-power blur's so much better than any thing else I've used - AE's own one, photoshop's, even more "high end" compositor's like Fusion's depth blur pales in comparison to Frischluft. It really is fantastic.

Very kind comments, saulman! Thanks! It's funny you mention about the model-of-a-model; We recently did another project where we suggested that visual style. As a result, we learnt a lot from that project which went on to inform how we went about this one.

We have often produced model style renders when a scheme is in its development stages. It's a great way to make something look great whilst still keeping it conceptual and also is a good cop-out to turn something around quickly. I've tried to achieve similar results to yours with sketch-up models but always seem to be lacking something. I'll use your model images for reference in the future. How was the DOF done, btw? Did you do it in post?

Love the image. One of the best examples of a 3D model of a model I've seen. The lighting and detail are excellent. The DOF works extremely well to give the whole thing that miniature feel. I didn't watch Wimbledon so didn't see this in action but just watched the clip now. Very good. It's a very interesting project, thanks for posting it. Great stuff.

Very kind comments, saulman! Thanks! It's funny you mention about the model-of-a-model; We recently did another project where we suggested that visual style. As a result, we learnt a lot from that project which went on to inform how we went about this one.

Love the image. One of the best examples of a 3D model of a model I've seen. The lighting and detail are excellent. The DOF works extremely well to give the whole thing that miniature feel. I didn't watch Wimbledon so didn't see this in action but just watched the clip now. Very good. It's a very interesting project, thanks for posting it. Great stuff.

Thanks very much, Wrender!

Cool concept - enjoyed the clip. I think the "physical model" look was appropriate as well.