As someone interested in the world of CGI, you might be wondering what sets superior CGI apart from the rest. Well, you’re in luck! In this article, We are going to unlock the secrets to mastering the top 10 behaviors for superior CGI. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this guide is going to help take your skills to the next level. So, let’s dive in and uncover the key behaviors that will elevate your CGI to new heights!
When we look back at some of the CGIs we put out in our early days, it’s astonishing how far we have come. There have been two main factors that have allowed us to take this journey, Technical developments in hardware/software and a drive to reposition ourselves as true market leaders. The drive, the reasons behind the drive, and how we’ve undertaken that journey are another blog entirely.
What we have decided to share with you are the behaviors that have had a dramatic influence on our work for the better.
When someone asks “Is that a photograph or CGI?” then we know we have done our job. The beauty of CGI is that you can merge virtual and real-life worlds into whatever you like. A good CGI incorporates real-life textures, essentially wrapping a photograph around the model of your choosing.
It’s also of great importance to remember that virtual space and real-life space are different. Virtual space can be as big, small, wide, thin, left, up, down, and right as you like it; it doesn’t exist. This can be very handy for getting the best possible angle of your product.
However, when we begin placing cameras in positions, and deciding what angle we will be looking from if it’s quite obvious that a real-life photographer couldn’t be there, it tends to remove an ounce of reality.
We are guilty of letting the amends carry on a little too long, we admit. We don’t like the idea of you not getting exactly what you need. However, an endless bouncing of emails can be avoided now and again by having one definite direction decided on before work begins.
We don’t expect our clients to understand the technicalities of our workflow, or that a lack of vital information can alter delivery times. That’s our job. But we have found that clients with one definite voice, corresponding information, and a vision from the outset are delivered that vision
Information comes in many shapes and forms; site plans, material schedules, and technical plans to name but a few, but something that is often not considered is the actual file format. We understand that in a house-type CGI for example, the small details are vital and that information can sometimes be lost via PDF. Our artists have found that. DWG files work a lot better and can be used to give a much stronger visualisation.
We discussed this previously on the blog, The Importance of a Mood Board and we can’t sing the praises of the mood board enough! This tool not only increases the quality of the CGI but also decreases lead times by cutting down on the feedback process. Most importantly, you can brief our artist far better than anyone else. You know your clients, your target markets, and your product.
Lighting is something we rarely think about, we just expect the light to be there. However, whether you’re photographing your property or modeling the exterior, the light will always be carefully cast. In our case, it’s carefully painted on the scene with expert precision.
There are lots of different lighting conditions, all of which can give a completely different mood to your CGI. On a more technical level, if the lighting isn’t considered carefully by the artist, shadows can seem unrealistic & your product may be burnt out by a bright light for example.
There are undoubtedly parts of CGIs that up close, to the human eye, just look a little too perfect. At times we don’t give the human brain enough credit but if there is something even ever so slightly different from reality, our eyes will pick up on it. We’ve found that an attitude of “well you won’t be able to tell” leads to a glut of nearly imperceptible, not quite rights.
These add up quickly and will affect the overall effect of the image. Instead take a thorough attitude towards detail, even the barely visible, and what you’ll be left with is a piece of work you can be proud of.
3D Artists have a very particular skill set. They operate in 3D space every day, applying textures, modeling from CADs, and post-producing beautiful scenes. More often than not, when a 3D artist suggests their advice, it’s certainly worth listening to.
Feeding back is vital for getting your best possible CGI. Quite often, we agree on how many sets of amends make sense within budget and time frames. This way everyone can stay on track. However, feedback which is drip fed in messy email chains can be problematic. We’ve all been there.
Thankfully, we are confident in not only our client-facing team but also in how we manage our projects, however, we do suggest saving feedback up and sending it across in rounds. Keeping it clear and concise will inevitably not only save you time but allow more time for more detail.
CGIs don’t stop at stills, that’s only just the beginning. Producing house types of CGIs for example makes the job of producing an entire development fly-through or creative animation a lot quicker and cost-effective.
according to a worldwide leader in IT and Networking, Cisco, By 2017, video will account for 69% of all consumer internet traffic. (Source: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/service-provider/ip-ngn-ip-next-generation-network/white_paper_c11-481360.pdf)
Hardly a statistic to ignore. In a few years, you may not be reading this article but watching it instead.
It’s no secret that animations, walk-throughs, and fly-throughs take longer in production but we can vouch for it leaving a lasting effect on customers. 51.9% of marketing professionals worldwide name video as the type of content with the best ROI. (Source: http://www.invodo.com/resources/statistics/)
In a world where the image is key, it’s easy to put audio on the back bench. In our experience of fly-throughs and animations, the client often doesn’t consider a soundtrack or sound effects. If the sound is of absolutely no use to your animation, then we understand. Sometimes, there is no gain in spending time on it.
However, if this video is going to be viewed by members of the public, internal members of staff in a pitch, or planners, the music track which is chosen, the subtle sound effects of birds or ambient sounds of a summer’s day in a park will make more of a difference then you think. 3D Animated Visualisations are about the entire experience; to produce an accurate representation, we believe that the additional sense can go very far.
In conclusion, mastering the top 10 behaviors of superior CGI is crucial for creating high-quality visual content that engages and captivates audiences. By understanding the principles of lighting, physics, and movement, CGI artists can create stunning effects that rival those of traditional filmmaking.
As CGI Experts, We highly recommend exploring the world of CGI for marketing purposes and Product Sales, as it can truly elevate your brand’s visual content to the next level. So why not give it a try? Come Join us in this exciting and reciprocating journey.
CGI stands for computer-generated imagery, which is the use of computer graphics to create realistic visual effects in movies, video games, and other forms of media. CGI works by using specialized software and hardware to create digital models of objects, characters, and environments, which are then animated and rendered to create realistic images.
The top 10 behaviors for mastering superior CGI include understanding the principles of lighting and shading, creating believable materials and textures, using advanced rendering techniques, mastering the use of cameras and framing, and practicing good modeling techniques.
Also, it includes understanding the basics of animation and rigging, creating realistic simulations of physics and motion, using powerful tools and plug-ins, understanding the importance of storytelling, and constantly learning and experimenting with new techniques.
Some common mistakes to avoid when working with CGI include overusing special effects, neglecting basic fundamentals like lighting and composition, using low-quality assets or textures, failing to anticipate rendering time and processing power requirements, and not paying attention to the finer details like shadows, reflections, and motion blur.
You can stay up-to-date with the latest CGI techniques and technologies by reading industry publications and blogs, attending conferences and workshops, taking online courses and tutorials, and networking with other professionals in the field.
There are many career opportunities in the world of CGI, including roles in animation, visual effects, gaming, advertising, product design, and architecture. Specific job titles may include animator, 3D modeler, texture artist, lighting specialist, layout artist, compositing artist, visual effects supervisor, game designer, or concept artist.
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