Hasta La Motion!

So I’m trying to model and animate a paperclip. The paperclip would start off looking just like a paperclip, and then it would uncurl slowly into a U shape and then kind of get up and walk around using the tips of the U shape as legs.

Which would the best way to model and rig this? I’ve tried a couple of things but keep ending up in epic fail. I’m not so great at Maya and so maybe there’s a simple way to get this done that I don’t know of?

I’ve tried drawing a paperclip shape with a nurbs cuve, and then extrude a nurbs circle along it. The problem I ran into with this is that when the circle extrudes around the curve, it folds and does not keep its tube shape. Thats as far as I got with this experiment. I don’t know how I would rig this to animate like I want.

The second thing I thought of doing was to model a tube and then rig it with a long spine like rig. This would give me great flexibility with the movement, but again, I would probably have to paint weights etc to make sure it does not fold when I bend it etc.

The third thing that I’m trying now (and have got furthest with) is using bend deformers. I made a long tube, added a bend def. and bent the first part. Then added another one further along, changed the low bound/high bound (the one facing the already bent side) to 0 so it would not move the already bent side, and then make another bend. And then repeat this once more. Doing this, I have a decent enough looking model. The problem with this is, if I change the bend value on one of the inside deformers, it bends the entire arm and the bend deformers further out do not stick to the geometry. They get left behind. I’ve tried parenting but that has not worked.

Maybe I’m doing something wrong? I would really appreciate some help on this I’ve been breaking my head over this. I’m a VFX guy and just need this thing done for my project which is mainly a comp. I though this would be simple enough but its driving me insane! Could someone please help me??

I’ve attached my Maya file here too if someone wants to see what I’m trying.

Thanks!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20947072/Bend%20Def.ma

I’ve keyed a bunch of shots over the last year but this one has given me some trouble. It seems like a straight forward GS but despite using multiple keyers for the hair on my FG I can’t seem to get rid of some flickering that occurs on screen right.

I’ve tried all keyers; Primatte, Keylight, Luma; and IBK in nuke but none solve the issue.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

Footage: http://vimeo.com/20812293

Job Description:
Bent Image Lab is looking for a Department Head of Compositing and VFX for its growing slate of animated commercials and TV shows. Applicants must be experienced in Adobe AfterEffects, Nuke and familiar with Photoshop.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities
• Supervise team of staff and freelance compositors and roto artists.
• Support Head of Production and Producers in recruiting and scheduling artists for jobs.
• Troubleshoot technical and management issues for studio.
• Provide technical and creative support for bidding process.
• Manage the ongoing R&D for the studio for VFX and compositing.
• Responsible for the finishing of shots requiring any of the following skills: 2D and 3D tracking, lighting, rotoscoping, compositing and keying.
• Working with a variety of elements, from motion graphics to CG to live action to FX to stop motion animation, sometimes all in one shot.
• Provides visually creative and timely solutions to directors
• Communicates with other VFX staff and departments on status of composite work
• Able to manage time effectively and give accurate assessments of the workload and the time required to complete tasks.
• Provide preliminary and final color correction for spots.

Qualifications
• 3+ experience as a lead or Department Supervisor, preferably on commercials.
• 5+ years professional experience in Adobe After Effects and Nuke
• Photoshop experience
• Proficiency in film and video broadcast standards, and video and graphics formats
• Proficiency in color grading.
• Must be highly organized, and have the ability to juggle several jobs at once in a highly efficient manner
• Very strong interpersonal skills and communication skills a must.
• Prior animation experience a plus
• Experience with building a Nuke pipeline a plus.

Applicants should have a minimum of 5 years professional experience. Seamless integration and an eye for detail is a given. You will be required to work to tight deadlines, be very organized and need to have a positive hardworking attitude.
Please include your current location and your willingness to relocate.

BENT IMAGE LAB is a hybrid animation laboratory and live action production studio where award-winning filmmakers, artists, storytellers, animators, and designers come together to create projects for a diverse clientele. The studio stretches the boundaries of concept and design. It is a laboratory where exploration and play go hand in hand. We are located in Portland, Oregon.

This is a staff position with some benefits.
Salary is commensurate with experience. References required.
All submission must state what position you are applying for in the ‘subject line’ of your email.

Submit reels and resumes to info@bentimagelab.com and/or:

Ken Bryan
Studio Manager
Bent Image Lab

No phone calls please.

I just have a general question I recently downloaded the pkg for Maya, however I can’t find where the actual plugins are located, when I open maya they’re there but, I can’t find the root of the plugins. Does anyone know where they are stored ? I looked in the contents folder of both Maya and realflow but nothing.

Thanks.

The Art Institute of Dallas has open instructor positions. The instructor facilitates meaningful learning of the course competencies in the curriculum and proactively supports all facets of the learning environment. S/He provides education through learning-centered instruction that will enable graduates to fulfill the evolving needs of the marketplace. S/He encourages a culture of learning that values mutual responsibility and respect, life-long learning and ethics as well as personal and professional development. Incumbent must assure that the EDMC philosophy: quality services to clients; development, growth, involvement, and recognition of employees; sound economic principles; and environment which is conducive to innovation, positive thinking and expansion – is considered in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of this position.

Key Job Elements

• Provides competency-based education which aligns with the EDMC model of curricula as well as supports the EDMC style of system delivery.
• Designs and delivers class instruction through the development of instructional plans to meet course competencies, the development of activities which support lesson objectives, and (in the case of online instructors ONLY) delivers the instruction as approved.
• Enables the achievement of pre-described exit competencies for student achievement and evaluation of learning by providing instruction which fosters competencies and establish student performance criteria and evaluation.
• Delivers learning-centered instruction by establishing a classroom environment conducive to learning and student involvement as well as effectively planning and preparing for classes and student success.
• Promotes student success by showing flexibility in style and work schedule as well as exhibiting a passion for teaching and students and engaging students in the learning process.
• Manages the learning environment through keeping accurate records, submitting grades and other reports on time, and enforcing school/campus academic and attendance policies.
• Contributes to a learning culture by participating on curriculum and system task forces, supporting local campus events such as orientation and graduation, and participating in various other workshops and meetings.
• Relates professional/life/industry experience to learning by the continuation of professional/technical skills development, the introduction of industry perspective into courses, and the active awareness of professional/industry trends and opportunities.

Reports To:
Academic Department Director
Directly Supervises:
None
Interacts With:
Academic Affairs Department, Other school/campus functional areas, Curriculum Task Force and other committees, other faculty, and students

Job Requirements

Knowledge:

• Master’s degree in a field related.
• Experience with After Effects, Nuke, Maya and/or 3ds Max. CG multi pass renderings and live action film composite and Green/Blue screen experience required. Motion Graphic knowledge and MFA in animation or VFX preferred.
• Zero to two years experience in instruction or formalized education process, preferably in a post-secondary or college institution.
• Membership in a professional association tied to area of instruction preferred.

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to build successful relationships with student populations.
• Outstanding conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated time management and detail-oriented skills
• Computer based skills (i.e., software, analytical, and report writing skills)

Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to meet frequently occurring deadlines.
• Ability to develop a professional rapport with diverse school/campus constituents.
• Ability to develop and complete projects without continued direct supervision
• Ability to learn from students’ participation, demonstrates fair and consistent behavior in all matters, and shows compassion without being ineffectual

Apply online at: https://edmc.hua.hrsmart.com/ats/job_search.php