|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
Ilia Zaslavsky is a technical 3D/VFX artist
from Israel and author of AppLink for Fusion 6. He is,
presently, working on his reel and freelance projects. Ilia
dreams about a technical artist/junior TD position (or
internship) in a production facility. His passion is the VFX
industry and the technology behind it.
Currently, Ilia
is freelancing at Pilgway Studio, developers of the 3D
painting and sculpting application, 3D-Coat. His task is to
create connector plugins called AppLinks for different 3D apps
and to make workflow between 3D-Coat and other apps as easy
and as efficient as possible.
"What is especially
interesting, is the idea to support not only 3D apps but to
try and make AppLink connectors for compositing apps as well.
After some research, we decided to start with eyeon Fusion,
because of its fantastic, second-to-none 3D toolset. This
opens new horizons and makes it possible to take some of the
tasks traditionally tied to dedicated 3D software into Fusion,
where it can be worked on much faster and in a very
interactive way.
For me it was a very interesting and
challenging task because of its 'uniqueness', although, such
connectors for 3D apps isn't something unusual, integration of
3D painting apps with major compositing software is much more
unique. So, I gladly accepted the task and started the 3D-Coat
AppLink for Fusion 6 project.
AppLink was created
using the Python scripting language, which is built into
Fusion 6. There are a few ways to use Python in Fusion. I
decided to go with the built-in Python 3.1 version which does
not require end-user to install any additional Python files.
AppLink's idea is simple but powerful, both 3D-Coat and Fusion
reads/writes text files with names and paths of the geometry
files and textures it needs to output or load in specific
locations, how to use those files etc.
In Fusion, you
start with Shape 3D or FBX Import node active, then run 3DC
AppLink from the 'Script' menu and choose 'Export to 3D-Coat'
checkbox:
In the next dialog,
choose path and name for the output .OBJ file:
Select 3D-Coat
Identifier (what you're going to do with exported .OBJ file in
3D- Coat):
Finally, you can choose
options to skip import and/or export dialogs later in 3D-Coat
and pre-select all or some of the options available in those
dialogs (it's optional, you can cancel this window and select
needed options later in 3D-Coat):
Hit OK (or cancel) in
the last dialog window and you'll see the 'Render Completed'
message, FBX Exporter node will be created, .OBJ file exported
and text file needed for 3D-Coat created in 'Exchange'
folder.
Now, start 3D-Coat (if
it is not already started), import dialog will pop-up
automatically (if you chose to skip 3D-Coat Import dialog in
the AppLink window earlier in Fusion, you won't see this
window and your mesh will be opened in 3D-Coat straight away).
Choose needed options and hit OK:
You will see your mesh
in 3D-Coat, so you can use your creativity and 3D-Coat's rich
toolset to edit and paint to your heart's
content:
When done, hit File
-> Open in Original App:
Then choose needed
options (again, if you chose to skip 3D-Coat Export dialog in
the AppLink window earlier in Fusion, you won't see this
window and your mesh will be exported using pre-selected
options):
In Fusion choose the
'Import from 3D-Coat' checkbox in AppLink dialog and hit
OK:
A network of nodes will
be created:
Edited mesh will be
imported back to Fusion, with all textures you've created in
3D- Coat assigned to the correct inputs of the Blinn material
node, which is assigned to the edited 3D geometry. BumpMap and
3D displacement nodes will be created and assigned to the mesh
as well, if you choose to export those maps from
3D-Coat:
That's it, you can
render the scene in Fusion now, using it's awesome 3D
renderers (software, OGL or renderman), you can edit your
textures and materials using any tool from Fusion's rich 2D
toolbox etc. The possibilities are endless and the sky is the
limit for creative people using the latest and greatest tech
available in our ever growing, very technologically advanced,
and creative industry. Both Fusion 6 and 3D-Coat 3.5 are great
examples of state-of-the-art technology that opens new
horizons for us all, the artists who use it in our day-to-day
work.
I want to thank the
eyeon software crew for their support and for the chance to do
this interview for eyeon's newsletter, thanks to the readers
as well! Happy Christmas and Happy New Year all!"
Ilia Zaslavsky
Video of the AppLink for
Fusion demonstration: http://vimeo.com/17644024
Download
AppLink for Fusion: http://www.multiupload.com/9ZAV87ADE5
Email:
vfxdomain@gmail.com
Resume: http://vfxdomain.tumblr.com/about
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vfxdomain
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/vfxdomain
Materials
for this interview/tutorial were graciously provided by
Digital Tutors. Please visit their website
for information on their courses in Fusion and other fine
software: http://www.digitaltutors.com/09/training.php?cid=104
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 | |