True, volume rendering is still an issue, but the good news is,
Chaosgroup is developing ICE volumetric rendering at the moment.
Just as a sidenote...
Am 15.08.2012 10:13, schrieb Daniel Dye:
Thank you for your replies so far :)
First of all I would like to clarify some things. I have generalist
experience, and only in the last year or so did I start focusing more
on VFX. I can model, sculpt, animate (though not much experience with
character animation), light, texture, shade and render. Of course,
having a generalist background I fit into the saying "jack of all
trades, master of none".
I have recently been doing some RnD with video based facial motion
capture and utilizing FaceRobot with decent results, but only on a
static head so far without attaching to a body.
I have also tested the workflow from iPiSoft to 3ds max, and I am able
to create results that are more than satisfactory for my needs.
I'm certainly not expecting Pixar quality, or even aiming for that. My
short film is more of a VFX sequence with minimal character animation,
putting my abilities to the test.
For bipedal animation, CAT in 3ds Max is more than satisfactory. To be
honest, the only reason I am considering Softimage is the inclusion of
FaceRobot.
As for what I do in Houdini that Softimage doesn't offer me, my
Houdini use revolves around fluids (liquids) and volumetrics.
Occasionally I will generate particles in Houdini and take them back
to 3ds Max for further processing and rendering or vise versa.
My main reason for sticking with Houdini is that I already know the
workflow, and it can open up additional job opportunities in the VFX
field.
I'm certainly not dismissing ICE. After reading various discussions
here and elsewhere, I understand it is very powerful and comparable to
Houdini's various systems. If I was to delve into Softimage for
animation, there is a good chance I would end up checking out ICE.
CrowdFX definitely interests me.
Data exchange isn't currently an issue for me, at least between
Houdini and 3ds Max. True, introducing Softimage into the mix could
cause some headaches, which I will need to research further.
Yes, vray is avaliable for Softimage but it would only add further
issues if I tried to render in Softimage. Primarily due to rendering
certain 3ds max specifics such as FumeFX simulations and Afterburn
particle systems. I have researched into volumetric rendering in
Softimage, and sadly it seems pretty dire. The logistics of combining
renders from Vray, Krakatoa and Mantra in Houdini cause enough of a
headache without then rendering from Softimage too.
Perhaps what I should be asking is: Considering how useful I find
FaceRobot, is it worth utilizing Softimage in my pipeline primarily
for animation?
Cheers,
Daniel Dye.
